Santorini

Island World Wonders, World

Santorini is the southernmost island of the Cyclades archipelago, in the Aegean Sea. Its area is 79.194 km². The name Santorino, for corruption of Sant'Erini, was given by the Venetians in honor of Santa Irene, martyr of 304, to whom the basilica of Perissa, a village in the south-eastern part of the island, was dedicated. It is a volcanic island, originally circular, with an internal marine lagoon and a large crater, located about 20 km southwest of the internal coast in the very center of the lagoon. The sea water penetrated through the only access route to the internal ports, bordered on the sides by two cliffs. The capital of the island is Fira.

The second inhabited center located in the north of the island is Oia (read Ia), an ancient center renowned for its windmills and from which you can admire the sunsets over the Aegean sea. Another place on the island is Imerovigli, near Fira, which is known for its scenery and sunsets. There are no traffic lights on the island. The highest point of the island is Mount Profitis Illas at 567 m. It is a small volcano with a small caldera. The main economic resources are given by the export of pozzolana, fine wines and tourism. An excellent wine with a sweet and very full-bodied taste is produced on the island, Vin santo, not to be confused with the Tuscan wine of the same name. Tourism on the island extends from May to the end of October.