The chief city, Salamina, lies in the west-facing core of the crescent on Salamis Bay, which opens into the Saronic Gulf.

[3] A theory presented by Martin Bernal in his book Black Athena, which has been overwhelmingly rejected by orientalists, classicists and archaeologists, has attempted to connect the name to the Semitic root Š-L-M 'health, safety, peace', because of the well-sheltered harbor.

[8] According to Homer's Iliad, Salamis took part in the Trojan War with twelve ships under the leadership of Ajax (Aias).

In modern times, it is home to Salamis Naval Base, headquarters for the Hellenic Navy.

During the German invasion of Greece in World War II, the harbor was bombed by the Luftwaffe on April 23, 1941, sinking the Greek battleships Kilkis and Lemnos.

[14] This opened the island to massive unplanned and unregulated urban and suburban development, including many weekend homes, especially along the northern and eastern coasts.

The lack of corresponding investment in infrastructure, combined with heavy industry, has led to sea and beach pollution on this side of the island.

On the southern part of the island a pine forest is located, which is unusual for western Attica.

[17][18] The maritime industry is focused on the north-east coast of the island at the port of Paloukia (Παλούκια), where ferries to mainland Greece are based, and in the dockyards of Ampelakia and the north side of the Kynosoura peninsula.

Salamina is very popular for holiday and weekend visits from Athens mainland; its population rises to 300,000 in peak season of which c. 31,000 are permanent inhabitants.

[15] This supports a strong service industry sector, with many cafes, bars, ouzeries, tavernas and consumer goods shops throughout the island.

On the south of the island, away from the port, there are a number of less developed areas with good swimming beaches including those of Aianteio, Maroudi, Perani, Peristeria, Kolones, Saterli, Selenia, and Kanakia.

The island is currently partially restricted due to the presence of a naval base, and its proximity to the industrial port at Perama detracts from its appeal.

As of the mid-20th century, the majority of the inhabitants were Arvanite; a thing that changed during the past 20 years due to settlement of a lot of Athenians on the island to the degree that nowadays Arvanites are a fraction of the population, living mainly in the towns of Salamina, Ampelakia, and Moulki (Aianteion).

Aianteio (Αιάντειο; population 4,390 as of 2021)[2] is a large village in the southwestern part of Salamis Island and is named after Ajax, the leader of the Salamineans from Homer's Iliad.

Kaki Vigla (Κακή Βίγλα) is a small community located at the south of Salamis Island, near Aianteio.

The beaches of Kaki Vigla are relatively clean and the area has pine and olive trees near the shore.

Steno has wide and well-planned roads.Vasilika (Βασιλικά) which means Royal is a big village located in the northwest of the island.

In the north are the remains of an ancient tumulus thought to be the burial site of Greek warriors in the Battle of Salamis.

Nearby is a dockyard, which constructs and fixes ships including oil tankers and containers.

The majority of students are proficient in school, and the pupils (above 13 years) usually have acquired diplomas and certificates in English, in French, or in German such as ECCE, FCE, CPE, and ECPE.

The main cafeterias and bars are based in Agios Nikolaos, which is located in the western suburbs of Salamis city.