Editing Syros (section)

====20th century====

Beginning at the end of the 19th century and for several decades, a temporary economic recovery took place, due to the development of the [[textile]] industry ("Foustanos-Karellas-Velissaropoulos & Co").

As a result of the imperial ambitions and fascist ideology of Benito Mussolini's Italy, which invaded and occupied Syros during World War II, the island's inhabitants experienced a devastating famine causing thousands of deaths. (See Sheila Lecoeur: Mussolini's Greek Island: Fascism and the Occupation of Syros in World War II (2009/ 2015))

The [[Second World War]] reduced Syros' economic development, as was the case for every economic centre in Greece. However, already since the 1980s, along with the generalized economic recovery and the rise of the [[standard of living|living standards]] in Greece, elements of improvement appeared with [[tourism]] as its central axis. At the same time, the re-opening of the [[Neorion]] [[shipyards]], as well as a number of other activities, indicate that Syros is on an upward trend.

Ermoupoli today has 7 elementary schools, 2 junior high schools, 2 high schools, 2 technical schools and the [[Aegean University]] with a department of [[Fine Arts]] and system design, with a proposed future addition in [[Applied Arts]] and [[Visual Arts]]. The [[Syros Island National Airport]], the Aegean [[casino]], the frequent passenger boat [[transportation]] system and all other modern [[amenities]] help to attract many domestic and foreign tourists to the island all year round.

Syros also has a British [[cemetery]] where various people are buried, including many seamen and servicemen who died in the Cyclades region, particularly during the Second World War. The numerous [[consulate]]s of countries such as France, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands and Scandinavian countries bear witness to the connection of Syros with the wider European scene.

{{wide image|Neorion shipyard at Syros.jpg|500px|View of the [[Neorion]] shipyards.}}