Ionian Sea

The Ionian Sea stretches between southern Italy and the western shores of Greece, opening northward towards the Adriatic. Corfu, Lefkada, Ithaca, Kefalonia and Zakynthos lie along its eastern side, while the coasts of Calabria and the Salento peninsula face them across open water. Greek settlers crossed this sea to establish communities in Italy from at least the eighth century BC. Off its eastern shore, near Actium, the fleets of Octavian and Mark Antony met in the decisive battle of 31 BC.