THE ISLAND TODAY
Santorini is one of the many Cycladic islands with white houses, however it stands out as it is built on steep hills, which are either red or brown or greenish.
Before about 3 and a half thousand years, during the Minoan period, a tremendous eruption resulted in sinking the whole island. As it is known, the explosion was so strong that it lifted tidal waves to Crete, located 70 miles south, which resulted in the complete destruction of the Minoan civilization. Some scholars argue that the island was part of the lost continent of Atlantis, which is believed to had been sank due to the explosion.
Today, apart from Santorini, some other minor islands stand still: Thirasia, Palea and Nea Kameni, Aspronisi, and uninhabited volcanic rocks Christiana consisting of Christiani, the Ascania and Eschati.
The official name of the island is Thira, but both Greeks and foreigners usually call it Santorini, in honor of the patron saint of the island, Saint Irene of Thessalonica, who died here while in exile in 304 A.D. The island is part of the island complex of Cyclades in the Aegean Sea, and has 14 villages inhabited by about 15,000 residents. The capital, Fira, is located 300 meters from the sea level and you can get there from the new harbour, Athinio, or from the old port of Skala by climbing the 587 steps there or by riding donkeys or using the cable car.
GEOGRAPHY
The volcanic activity in the region influenced the shape of the island, which from round, acquired a horseshoe shape. The island is spread over 76 square kilometers and has six large bays: Ammoudi, Pano Meria, Armenia, Mouzaki, Fira, and Balos. The west side of the island is the steep caldera, while the east is more smooth. Pumice, which mostly covers the ground, contributes to the local cultivation and it used to be an important export product. Prophet Elias, on the altitude of 567 meters, is the highest mountain on the island and, through the Sellada, is joined with Mera Mountain of Agios Stefanos at an altitude of 365 meters.
