SYMI ( Σύμη ) Island / GREECE

Symi, also transliterated as Syme or Simi (Greek: Σύμη), is a Greek island and municipality. It is mountainous and includes the harbor town of Symi and its adjacent upper town Ano Symi, as well as several smaller localities, beaches, and areas of significance in history and mythology. Symi is part of the Rhodes regional unit. The economy of Symi was traditionally based on the shipbuilding and sponge industries. The population reached 22,500 at its peak during that period.[3] Symi’s main industry is now tourism, and its permanent population has declined to 2,500, with a larger population during the summer. The island is known for its unique shrimps. Named “Symi’s shrimps“, these are small shrimps that are pan fried and eaten whole (with the shell). In Greek mythology, Symi is reputed to be the birthplace of the Charites and to take its name from the nymph Syme (in antiquity the island was known as Aigli and Metapontis), though Pliny the Elder and some later write