Mykonos is a mass tourist destination, renowned for its cosmopolitan character and its intense nightlife. The island is part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Siros, Paros and Naxos. It spans an area of 105.183 km² (41 sq mi) and rises at an elevation of 341 m (1,119 ft) at its highest point. The island is composed primarily of granite. It has little natural fresh water and relies on the desalination of sea water in order to meet its needs. 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), which lies on the west coast.
It is believed that the island was named after a local hero, who is considered an offspring of the god Apollo and was worshipped locally in antiquity.
History
Archaeological finds indicate that the Ionians settled on Mykonos in the early part of the 11th century BC. More recent discoveries have uncovered remnants in Ftelia beach from the Neolithic Kares tribe dating back to as far as 3000 BC.
In Greek mythology Mykonos was the location of the battle between Zeus and the Gigantes, and the island was named in honor of Apollo's grandson Mykons. During these ancient times, Mykonos, due to its proximity to the then highly populated island of Delos (situated about 2km away), became very important as a supply island and possibly as a getaway location for Delian citizens.
Modern Mykonos
Today, Mykonos is a very cosmopolitan island, having become increasingly popular with tourists. It is known for its diverse and often intense nightlife featured by a vast number of bars and nightclubs. Mykonos is also distinctive for its sandy beaches. Many Greek celebrities have summer residences in Mykonos and can often be seen walking the white-washed roads or having dinner at a small street-side table of a restaurant or a taverna.
Nightlife
The nightlife of Mykonos is marketed as among the best in Europe. Mykonos also attracts famous DJs to its clubs and beach bars, amongst which are Paradise, Super Paradise and Paranga. In addition, Mykonos is a gay-friendly resort area during the summer, featuring several gay clubs. Mykonos nightlife focuses mainly on bars rather than clubs, yet a number of notable clubs can be found throughout the island.
Landmarks
- Petros the Pelican : an old celebrity of the town's waterfront, "Petro" has been the official mascot of Mykonos for over 50 years.
- Windmills : from as early as the 16th century, they are one of the most recognized landmarks of Mykonos.
- Little Venice : the buildings have been constructed right on the sea's edge with their balconies overhanging the water.
- Paraportiani : 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.
Delos, one of Greece's most famous archaeologic sites, it is an island located 2 kilometers to the west of Mykonos. The entire island has been declared a national museum.
From Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mykonos
Text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_GNU_Free_Documentation_License
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