Special Sub-Topic: A Tour around the Cyclades Click Here To Play: A Tour around the Cyclades

How did the Cyclades get their name?

They circle the island of Delos.. Delos is one of the most important mythological and archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. It is said to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. The island of Delos is situated South West of Mykonos, North of Paros and East of Syros, and is more or less in the centre of the island group.

Which Cyclades island suffered a massive volcanic eruption around 1640BC?

Santorini (or Thira). The volcanic eruption and its aftermath gives weight to the argument that Santorini is the location of the legendary lost city of Atlantis. The island is known as either Thira (its Greek name) or Santorini (its Venetian name).

Which of the following islands are NOT part of the Cyclades?

Zakynthos. Zakynthos is located at the Southern end of the Ionian islands (between Greece and Italy).

Which mainland ports do the majority of ferries serving the Cyclades have as their starting point or terminus?

Pireaus and Rafina. Rafina tends to host ferries serving the northernmost Cyclades (Andros, Tinos and Mykonos) whereas Pireaus is the main terminus for the majority of other Cyclades ferries. The ports of Patras and Igoumenitsa serve the Ionian Islands and other Adriatic ports. Ferries to Iraklion and Chania (both on on Crete) and Thessalonika are occasionally available from various Cyclades Islands.

The "Little" or "Small" Cyclades include which of the following islands?

Koufonissia, Schinoussa and Iraklia. The Little Cyclades are located off the southeast coast of Naxos.

Before Greek independence in the 1820s, to which empire did the Cyclades belong?

The Ottoman Empire. The Turks began capturing the Cyclades islands from the early 1500's. Tinos was one of the last islands to come under Ottoman rule (in 1715). The Cyclades were briefly controlled by Russia during the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774, but were returned to Ottoman control afterwards, and remained so until independence.

What is the highest point on the Cyclades?

Mount Zeus. Mt Zeus is 1001 metres (3280 ft) high. According to Greek mythology, the young Zeus was raised in a cave on this mountain.

Which is the most northerly of the following Cyclades Islands?

Andros. Andros is the most northerly of all the inhabited Cyclades. It lies approximately 50km northwest of Mykonos, 100km North of Paros and nearly 150km North of Ios.

What type of climate do the Cyclades enjoy?

Warm, dry summers and mild winters.. The Cyclades enjoy a typical Mediterranean climate.

What is the name of the dry, northerly wind that blows across the Aegean Sea in the summer months?

Meltemi. The Meltemi typically blows for about 50 days each summer. At times, it can be strong enough to prevent ferries from leaving port, which can result in tourists missing their flights home!