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{{Short description|Island in Greece}}
{{Infobox islands
|name             = Arkoi
|native_name      = Αρκοί
|native_name_lang = el
|image_name       = ArkiVillage.jpg
|image_caption    = The main town of Arkoi and its port
|coordinates      = {{coord|37.38|26.74|region:GR_type:isle|display=it}}
|map              = Greece
|map_alt          = 
|map_width        = 
|map_caption      = Location in Greece
|map_relief       =
|location         = 
|archipelago      = [[Dodecanese]]
|total_islands    = 9
|area_km2         = 6.697
|highest_mount    = 
|elevation_m      = 
|country          = Greece
|country_admin_divisions_title   = [[Modern regions of Greece|Region]]
|country_admin_divisions         = [[South Aegean]]
|country_admin_divisions_title_1 = [[Regional units of Greece|Regional unit]]
|country_admin_divisions_1       = [[Kalymnos (regional unit)|Kalymnos]]
|country_admin_divisions_title_2 = Municipality
|country_admin_divisions_2       = 
|country_capital  = Arki (town)
|population       = 44
|population_as_of = 2011
|density_km2      = 
|postal_code      = 855 00
|area_code        = 22470
|registration_plate = ΚΧ, ΡΟ, ΡΚ
|website          = www.arki-island.com
}}

'''Arkoi''' ({{langx|el|Αρκοί}}; also '''Arkioi''' ({{lang|el|Αρκιοί}})) is a small [[Greece|Greek]] island which is part of the [[Dodecanese]] archipelago. It is situated in the eastern [[Aegean Sea]], close to the [[Turkey|Turkish]] Aegean Coast. The island belongs to the municipality of [[Patmos]], and had a population of 54 inhabitants at the 2001 census.

The small population means that there is no real capital, but most inhabitants live close to the main harbour with the rest living scattered around the island on higher ground. The majority of the population finds employment in fishing, goat herding or running one of the island's four tavernas.

==Geography==
[[File:Arki Detail 01.png|thumb|right]]
The island is characterized by dry, rocky land with little in the way of vegetation apart from [[olive]] trees and some hardy shrubs. Fauna on the island mainly consists of livestock such as [[goat]]s or [[donkey]]s, though [[heron]]s can be spotted occasionally. The marine life in the bays around the island has not suffered as much as on other [[Greek Isles|Greek islands]] with various species of [[grouper]] and [[nudibranch]] present.

==Landmarks==
[[File:Front Arkoi Leipsoi Leros Back Agathonisi Farmakonisi Turkey coastline.jpg|thumb|left|Front, left to right: Arkoi, [[Leipsoi]], [[Leros]]. Back, left to right: [[Agathonisi]], [[Farmakonisi]] and the [[Turkey]] coastline.]]

On the hill overlooking the main harbour are situated the ruins of an [[acropolis]]. Although little remains of the structure, the stones used to build it make a good viewpoint at which to see the sun set over the Aegean. At one end of the island, towards the island of [[Lipsi]] is the best beach on the island, Tiganakia. This beach is small and somewhat rocky but provides crystal clear waters to swim in and the view across the bay to the nearby [[islet]]s is idyllic. This beach can become swamped in high summer (July and August) as day trippers from nearby [[Lipsi]] visit the beach frequently. At the other end of the island, in the direction of [[Samos Island|Samos]], is what is referred to as the 'Italian jail'. Villagers say it was used during [[World War II]] as a prison by the [[Regio Esercito|Italian army]], since from 1912 to 1943 the island was part of the [[Isole Italiane dell'Egeo|Italian Dodecanese]]. Also at this end of the island is a cave, which contains a number of [[stalactite]] and [[stalagmite]] formations. The cave is however difficult to find as the land around it is covered by olive trees and bushes.

== Nearby islands ==

The closest inhabited island is that of Marathi, though the closest populations of any significant size are found on the islands of [[Lipsi]] and [[Patmos]].

==Transportation==
There is ferry service that runs between [[Samos Island|Samos]], [[Patmos]], and [[Lipsi]], that calls at the island, as well as occasional small ferries to other nearby islands such as Marathi.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.arki-island.com Arki Webpage]
*[http://www.greece.org/poseidon/work/islands/dodekanisa/arkoi.html Arkoi at Greece.org]
*[http://greece.charterpartner.com/arki.htm Sailor and mooring information about Arki] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408044145/http://greece.charterpartner.com/arki.htm |date=2016-04-08 }}

{{Dodecanese Islands}}
{{Aegean Sea}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Dodecanese]]
[[Category:Patmos]]
[[Category:Landforms of Kalymnos (regional unit)]]
[[Category:Islands of the South Aegean]]
[[Category:Islands of Greece]]