MEETINGREECE
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CENTRAL GREECE
from Volos and Larissa. Until recently, charter flights link the
region and bring tourists to the wider area, mainly in Pelion and
Meteora. The new infrastructure includes a brand new terminal
ready to serve 1500 passengers per hour.
S PORADE S I S L ANDS
S k i a t h o s
According to the anonymous writer of “Travels” (previously
thought to be the geographer Skymnos of Chios) the island was
inhabited in prehistoric times by the Pelasgians. The local
traditional architecture of Skiathos does not have a strict island
character, but it is a combination of a traditional mountainous
village and an island village, with neoclassical elements. More
than 30 beaches, with crystal clear blue waters, surrounded by
pine trees which are spread everywhere on the island, are
reachable by boat and/or by car as well as enjoy the numerous
beaches (with blue flags).
S k o p e l o s
Skopelos is the largest of the islands which comprise the
Northern Sporades island group. Skopelos is also the name of
the main port and the municipal center of the island. According to
mythology, Skopelos was founded by Staphylus, one of the sons
of the god Dionysos and the Princess Ariadne of Crete.
Historically, in the Late Bronze Age Skopelos, then known as
Peparethos or Peparethus, was colonised by Cretans who
introduced viticulture to the island. It is also noted for its
architectural heritage, the famous Cheese Pie and the sun dried
Blue or Red Plums. Recently, a huge boost to the island’s tourism
was given after the success of the Mamma Mia that was filmed in
Skopelos.
A l o n i s s o s
The Alonissos of today was given this name during the first years
after the liberation of Greece and is not the same with the ancient
Alonissos. The island during antiquity called Ikos, while the
Alonissos of the ancient Greeks, was probably the neighbouring
island of Kyra Panagia, to the North. The Northern Sporades are
one of the prime breeding areas of the Mediterranean Monk Seal
(
monachus monachus) an endangered species. In the area of
Alonissos, in 1992, the first National Marine Park of Greece has
been established.
E P I RUS
The region of Epirus consists of four regions: Arta, Thesprotia,
Ioannina and Preveza. Situated on the west coast of Mainland
Greece, opposite to the popular Ionian Islands, the region of
Epirus is one of extreme natural beauty, and a very popular
destination for holidays and travel throughout the year.
The region as a whole is rugged and mountainous. The highest
spot is on Mount Smolikas, at an altitude of 2.637 metres above
sea level. In the east, the Pindos Mountains that form the spine of
mainland Greece separate Epirus from Macedonia and Thessaly.
The winds from the Ionian Sea offer the region more rainfall than
any other part of Greece. The climate of Epirus is mainly alpine.
The animal life is especially rich in this area and includes, among
other species, bears, wolves, foxes, deer and lynxes.
The Vikos-Aoos and Pindos National Park have both imposing
landscapes of dazzling beauty as well as a wide range of fauna
and flora. Also the coastline between Parga and Syvota is very
impressive with numerous pristine beaches with clear waters
located on several islets immediately offshore.
E V I A
Evia is the second largest Greek island in area and population,
after Crete. The narrow Euripus Strait separates it from Viotia in
mainland Greece. Like most of the Greek islands, Evia was
originally known under other names in ancient times, such as
Macris and Doliche from its shape, Ellopia and Abantis from the
tribes inhabiting it. It is believed that Evia, was part of the
mainland, and has been separated from it after a severe
earthquake. The two main cities of the region are Chalkida and
Eretria, which were Ionian settlements from Attica. The bays of
Chalkida, according to historians, are the place where
Agamemnon’s fleet has detained by contrary winds. Also, in
Chalkida, the place where the strait is narrowest at only 40m, it is
called the Euripus Strait. The extraordinary changes of tide which
take place in this passage have been a subject of note since
classical times. At one moment the current runs like a river in one
direction, and shortly afterwards with equal velocity in the other.
One of the most important people, who were born in Evia, is
Georgios Papanikolaou, the inventor of Pap smear, a test that
helps in early cancer detection.
