Ιoannis Fokas

1563-1602

Another legendary personality coming from Kefalonia; Ioannis Fokas was born in 1563 and left Kefalonia in an early age. He lived in the era of discoveries and expeditions. The young man joins the Spanish navy and ends up in the Spanish colonies in the Caribbean. His daring and intelligence promoted him to navigator and soon captain.

He took part in several expeditions in the American continent. However his greatest achievement was the discovery of the confined passage between Canada and the U.S.A. This passage of Juan De Fuca makes part of the boundaries between the two countries. His name has also been given to a tectonic plate in he same area.

There is also a marine park and a festival named after him in order to honour the great expeditor of the area.

Unfortunately acknowledgement came for Fokas after his death and thus, there was no chance given from the Spanish realm for further expeditions that he had always dreamed of. Neither his contacts with the English who were another marine force of that time had a result. He died disappointed in Kefalonia where he returned until the end of his life.

ΙOANNIS FOKAS APOSTOLOS VALERIANOS