Venetian rule in the Ionian Islands 1809, Great Britain took possession of all the islands with the exception of Corfu and Paxos, which was only surrendered in 1814. In 1815, the Ionian Islands became a British protectorate under the name United States of the Ionian Islands. The civil and military governor of the Ionian Islands was the "Provveditore generale da Mar", who lived on Corfu and had the supreme peacetime command of the Venetian navy. In wartime, due to his absence at the head of the fleet, he was sometimes replaced by a "Provveditore generale delle Tre Isole" ("Superintendent general of the Three Islands"), referring to
Albanian Ionian Sea Coast Sea. Sarandë is served by Port of Sarandë, one of the largest of the country, which has become a famous sailing and cruise port. The region is very scenic, with wild coastlines, mountains and a very high proportion of native forest. Some of the most prominent beaches along the coastline are Dhërmi, Himara, Qeparo, Borsh, Lukovë, Vuno and Ksamil. The Albanian Ionian Sea Coast is known for its diverse landscapes, unique traditions, and its influence on Albanian culture. It is regarded as the birthplace of the Albanian iso-polyphony which was recognised as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage