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History of Cyclades

The Cyclades are one of the Greek island groups that constitute the Aegean archipelago, southeast of the mainland Greece. Cyclades, because of their geographical position, between mainland, Asia and Africa were - during their history - the bridge for the development of commerce and civilization.

The Cyclades are a Greek island group in the Aegean Sea, comprising about 220 islands, the major ones being the following 24: Amorgos, Anafi, Andros,Antiparos, Donousa,Hraklia,Thirasia,Ios,Kea, Kimolos, Koufonisi,Kythnos, Milos,Mykonos,Naxos,Paros, Santorini,Serifos, Sikinos,Sifnos, Syros, Sxoinousa, Tinos and Folegandros. The climate is generally dry and mild, with mild winters and cool summers. The average winter temperature ranges from 10° to 16°C, while the average summer temperature ranges from 24° to 30°C. "Meltemia" (summer winds) constitute a substantial weather phenomenon during summertime. They are winds that blow from northeast to northwest with high intensity between the middle of July until the middle of September and make the summer.

«Then he spoke and the sea was born. And I saw and marvelled...

And in its midst he sowed small worlds in my image and likeness...

Steeds of stone with manes erect and amphorae serene and the slanting backs of dolphins...»

Odysseas Elitis

The Cyclades are in fact the peaks of the mountains of the Aegais, a mountainous terrain, which was submerged in geological times, about 5 million years ago. The earthquake and volcanic activity played an important role in all the geomorphologic processes. Volcanic eruptions that took place before 35.000.000 years (with the volcanic eruption of Santorini, 17th- 16th century B.C. being the most important) constitute part of the geological disruptions that shaped Aegais.

In fables, Cyclades are connected with Poseidon in whom it's imputed their creation. It is said that they took its name from the nymphs, Cyclades that the God of sea transformed them into islets when they provoked him. There are also and other traditions about their name as for instance from the word cycle, because they spread around Delos, the island where Apollonas born.

The islands flourished during the Bronze Age, despite the occasional destruction of some settlements by earthquakes. The development of the Early Cycladic civilization is spanning the period from 3000 BC - 2000 BC and communicates and develops with the Early Minoan civilization of Creta. According to history the carriers of the Early Cycladic civilization were the Kares and the Leleges. During the Byzantine times Cyclades belonged to the Theme of Aegean. The Ottoman Empire took control of the Cyclades in 1500. However, Ottoman authority was relatively lax on the islands because no governors or garrisons were dispatched or deployed there. The Cyclades played an active role, in 1821, in the Struggle for Independence. In 1830 Cyclades became part of the newly founded Greek State.


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