Lesbos Prefecture

Map showing Lesbos within Greece

Lesbos (Λέσβος) is a prefecture of Greece, part of the periphery North Aegean.

It is also the name of its main island. This is in the Aegean Sea near Turkey. The second largest island is Lemnos, to the northwest.

In modern Greek, the island's name is Lesvos and its inhabitants are Lesvonians (rather than Lesbians), or Lesviots.

Principal towns on the island are Mytiline (the capital), Kalloni, Mithymna, Plomari, Agiassos, Petra.

The island has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. It is first mentioned in Hittite records as Lazpa. Other ancient names are: Lassia, Imerti, Aegira, Issa, Imerti, Mytonis, Les-Ba.

In Greek mythology, "Lesbos" was also the name of the patron god of the island, son of Lapithes. He married Methymna.

The word lesbian is derived from the island's name. This originates in the poems of Sappho of Lesbos, where love between women was described. Due to this link, Lesbos has often been the destination of cruises and other vacations for lesbians; however, Lesvonian authorities have expressed a dim view of this, with some cruise ships even being denied permission to dock.