Overview
The island of Santorini is a popular tourist destination in Greece. Located in the south of the Aegean Sea, it is part of the Cyclades Islands, which are the most famous group of islands in Greece.
Famous for its beautiful beaches, clear waters, crystal clear waterfalls and amazing landscapes, it attracts tourists from around the globe. In addition to being a very attractive place for tourism, it is also home to some of the best preserved archaeological sites in Greece.
Situated in the middle of the Aegean, Santorini offers visitors a variety of activities such as diving, snorkeling, swimming, walking, hiking, horseback riding and cycling.
There are also several restaurants serving traditional dishes from different parts of Greece. As well as having numerous hotels and guesthouses, there are also plenty of places to rent apartments, villas and even entire homes.
In the summer of 1956, French geologist Frédéric Fouque set out to explore the Greek islands. He chose Santorini. In his book “Le Pays des Colchis”, he describes the island, where he found a place untouched by human hands.
A thousand sunsets, a hundred memories, a thousand hearts beating, colours of blue, red and gold streaking the sky…
This is Santorini island.
History of Santorini
The island of Santorini sits off the coast of Greece and consists of what was left behind after a massive volcano erupted. This volcano changed what was originally a small island into a calderas-like landmass, which is similar to a volcanic crater. The famous town of Oiá is considered to be among the earliest settlements in all of SantoÂrini, dating back to around the middle of the 12th century, during the period of Venetian rule.
Prior to the late 18th century, Santorini was ruled by many different countries and empires, first the Romans, then the Byzantine Empire and lastly the Ottoman Turks. In 1830, the island was finally given independence under the Treaty of London, and became part of Greece.
Though Santorini has suffered several devastating natural disasters throughout its long history, modern Santorin has remained relatively free from such calamities, excepting the disastrous earthquake of 1956, which destroyed much of the northern side of the island, including over 50% of the structures in the town of Oiá.
Interesting Facts:
Coordinates: 36°25′N 25°26′E
Santorini Island Area: 90 sq. kms
Coast Length:
Population: 15 550
Telephone code: +22860
Postal Code: 84700
Time Zone: GMT +2:00, Summer GMT +3h
Capital: Fira
Highest Mountain: Profitis Illias Mountain
