The Population

Although little information exists on population size in this period, epidemics, natural disasters and frequent uprisings took a heavy toll. On the other hand, in an attempt to consolidate their hold over the island and bolster the population, the Venetians dispatched their own colonists. Demographic information increases from the 16^th century onwards, though not all of it is regarded as reliable. The island population is put at 300 000 inhabitants in 1510, 175 268 in 1534, 183 798 in 1577 and 287 165 in 1644, on the eve of the Ottoman invasion.

According to a census carried out by Petros Kastrofylakas in 1583, the city of Chandax had 13 625 inhabitants. A few years later, in April 1589, the population had increased to 16 000.

In addition to Greeks and Venetians, the town was inhabited by Jews and, from 1363 onwards, by Armenians.