Mykonos
Encyclopedia
Mykonos (ˈmiːkənɒs, ˈmikonos) is a Greek island, part of the Cyclades
, lying between Tinos
, Syros
, Paros
and Naxos. The island spans an area of 85.5 km² (33 sq mi) and rises to an elevation of 341 m (1,119 ft) at its highest point. There are 9,320 inhabitants (2001) most of whom live in the largest town, Mykonos, which lies on the west coast. The town is also known as Chora (i.e. the Town in Greek, following the common practice in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town).
Mykonos is a major tourism destination.
settled on Mykonos in the early part of the 11th century BCE. Recent discoveries have uncovered remnants in Ftelia
beach from the Neolithic
Kares tribe dating back to as far as 3000 BC
.
In ancient times, Mykonos, due to its proximity to the then highly populated island of Delos
(situated about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) away), became very important as a supply island and possibly as a getaway location for Delian citizens.
Mykonos was the location of the battle between Zeus
and the Titans
, and the island was named in honor of Apollo
's grandson Mykons.
region, and the only municipality
of the regional unit. As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform, the regional unit Mykonos was created out of part of the former Cyclades Prefecture. The municipality, unchanged at the Kallikratis reform, also includes the islands Delos
, Rineia
and several uninhabited islets. The total area of the municipality is 105.2 km² (41 sq mi)
It has little natural fresh water and relies on the desalination of sea water in order to meet the needs of its population.
is an international airport.
Cruise ships visit.
Cyclades
The Cyclades is a Greek island group in the Aegean Sea, south-east of the mainland of Greece; and a former administrative prefecture of Greece. They are one of the island groups which constitute the Aegean archipelago. The name refers to the islands around the sacred island of Delos...
, lying between Tinos
Tinos
Tinos is a Greek island situated in the Aegean Sea. It is located in the Cyclades archipelago. In antiquity, Tinos was also known as Ophiussa and Hydroessa . The closest islands are Andros, Delos, and Mykonos...
, Syros
Syros
Syros , or Siros or Syra is a Greek island in the Cyclades, in the Aegean Sea. It is located south-east of Athens. The area of the island is . The largest towns are Ermoupoli, Ano Syros, and Vari. Ermoupoli is the capital of the island and the Cyclades...
, Paros
Paros
Paros is an island of Greece in the central Aegean Sea. One of the Cyclades island group, it lies to the west of Naxos, from which it is separated by a channel about wide. It lies approximately south-east of Piraeus. The Municipality of Paros includes numerous uninhabited offshore islets...
and Naxos. The island spans an area of 85.5 km² (33 sq mi) and rises to an elevation of 341 m (1,119 ft) at its highest point. There are 9,320 inhabitants (2001) most of whom live in the largest town, Mykonos, which lies on the west coast. The town is also known as Chora (i.e. the Town in Greek, following the common practice in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town).
Mykonos is a major tourism destination.
History
Archaeological finds indicate that the IoniansIonians
The Ionians were one of the four major tribes into which the Classical Greeks considered the population of Hellenes to have been divided...
settled on Mykonos in the early part of the 11th century BCE. Recent discoveries have uncovered remnants in Ftelia
Ftelia
This article is about the beach, for the village see Ftelia .Ftelia is a beach on the island of Mykonos. Its northern location has established the beach as a windsurfer's paradise, as there is almost always a strong wind blowing...
beach from the Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
Kares tribe dating back to as far as 3000 BC
3rd millennium BC
The 3rd millennium BC spans the Early to Middle Bronze Age.It represents a period of time in which imperialism, or the desire to conquer, grew to prominence, in the city states of the Middle East, but also throughout Eurasia, with Indo-European expansion to Anatolia, Europe and Central Asia. The...
.
In ancient times, Mykonos, due to its proximity to the then highly populated island of Delos
Delos
The island of Delos , isolated in the centre of the roughly circular ring of islands called the Cyclades, near Mykonos, is one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece...
(situated about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) away), became very important as a supply island and possibly as a getaway location for Delian citizens.
Since 1900
The island was once very poor and people relied on fishing and stock breeding. Ship construction was a major industry. Tourism has dominated the economy since the 1950s.Mythology
In Greek mythologyGreek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
Mykonos was the location of the battle between Zeus
Zeus
In the ancient Greek religion, Zeus was the "Father of Gods and men" who ruled the Olympians of Mount Olympus as a father ruled the family. He was the god of sky and thunder in Greek mythology. His Roman counterpart is Jupiter and his Etruscan counterpart is Tinia.Zeus was the child of Cronus...
and the Titans
Titan (mythology)
In Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of powerful deities, descendants of Gaia and Uranus, that ruled during the legendary Golden Age....
, and the island was named in honor of Apollo
Apollo
Apollo is one of the most important and complex of the Olympian deities in Greek and Roman mythology...
's grandson Mykons.
Geography
The island spans an area of 85.5 km² (33 sq mi) and rises to an elevation of 341 m (1,119 ft) at its highest point.Government
Mykonos is a separate regional unit of the South AegeanSouth Aegean
The South Aegean is one of the thirteen regions of Greece. It consists of the Cyclades and Dodecanese island groups in the central and southeastern Aegean Sea.- Administration :...
region, and the only municipality
Communities and Municipalities of Greece
For the new municipalities of Greece see the Kallikratis ProgrammeThe municipalities and communities of Greece are one of several levels of government within the organizational structure of that country. Thirteen regions called peripheries form the largest unit of government beneath the State. ...
of the regional unit. As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform, the regional unit Mykonos was created out of part of the former Cyclades Prefecture. The municipality, unchanged at the Kallikratis reform, also includes the islands Delos
Delos
The island of Delos , isolated in the centre of the roughly circular ring of islands called the Cyclades, near Mykonos, is one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece...
, Rineia
Rineia
Rineia or Rhenea is a Greek island in the Cyclades. It lies just west of the island of Delos and further southwest of the island of Mykonos, of which it and Delos are administratively a part. Its area is 14 km². It had a small population until the 1980s, but is currently uninhabited...
and several uninhabited islets. The total area of the municipality is 105.2 km² (41 sq mi)
It has little natural fresh water and relies on the desalination of sea water in order to meet the needs of its population.
Demographics
There are 9,320 inhabitants (2001) most of whom live in the largest town, Mykonos, also known as Chora (i.e. the Town in Greek, a common denomination in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town).| Year | Municipality population |
|---|---|
| 1971 | 3,863 |
| 1981 | 5,530 |
| 1991 | 6,179 |
| 2001 | 9,320 |
Landmarks
- Petros the PelicanPetros the PelicanPetros was a Great White Pelican, who was the official mascot of the Greek island of Mykonos.In 1958 a wounded pelican was found off the coast of Mykonos shore by a local fisherman. The pelican was nursed to health and remained on the island supported by locals...
- An old celebrity of the town's waterfront, "Petros" has been the official mascot of Mykonos for over 50 years. - Mykonos windmillsMykonos windmillsThe Mykonos windmills are iconic feature of the Greek island of the Mykonos. The island is one of the Cyclades islands, which surround Delos in the Agean Sea. The windmills can be seen from every point of the village of Mykonos, the island's principle village, which is sometimes called the Chora on...
- From as early as the 16th century, they are one of the most recognized landmarks of Mykonos. - Little Venice - Here the buildings have been constructed right on the sea's edge with their balconies overhanging the water.
- ParaportianiParaportianiThe Church of Panagia Paraportiani is situated in the neighbourhood of Kastro, in the town of Chora, on the Greek island of Mykonos...
- One of the most famous architectural structures in Greece. Its name means inner or secondary door which it was to the Medieval stone walls which encircled the area. - Archaeological Museum - Houses marble sculptures, ceramics and jewellery recovered from the islands of Delos, Renia and Mykonos.
- Aegean Maritime Museum - Displays models of a collection of ships from the pre-Minoan period through to the 19th century and nautical and ancient artifacts related to the history of shipping on Mykonos.
Transportation
Mykonos Island National AirportMykonos Island National Airport
-External links:* Mykonos Airport: *...
is an international airport.
Cruise ships visit.
Notable people
- Ioannis Gryparis, diplomat and politician
- Harry Polychronopoulos Male prostitute
Communities
- Agios Ioannis
- Agios Stefanos
- Ano Mera
- FteliaFteliaThis article is about the beach, for the village see Ftelia .Ftelia is a beach on the island of Mykonos. Its northern location has established the beach as a windsurfer's paradise, as there is almost always a strong wind blowing...
- Kalafatis
- Mykonos or Chora
- Ornos
- Platy Gialo
- PsarouPsarouPsarou Beach is one of the most famous beaches of Mykonos island, but mainly among Greeks. Every year thousands of tourists and celebrities visit this sandy beach, which is organized offering luxurious sunbeds and umbrellas. Due to Psarou's popularity, specially during August, which is the peak of...
- Tourlos
See also
- Communities of the Cyclades
- Mykonos vaseMykonos vaseThe Mykonos vase, a pithos, is the earliest dated object which depicts the Trojan Horse during the Trojan War. It was found in 1961 on Mykonos in Greece, for which it is named, by a local islander.-References:...
- List of traditional Greek place names