Mykonos Περιφερειακή ενότητα / Δήμος Μυκόνου
—  Regional unit  —
Mykonos town
Mykonos within the South Aegean
Coordinates: 37°27′N 25°21′E / 37.45°N 25.35°E / 37.45; 25.35Coordinates: 37°27′N 25°21′E / 37.45°N 25.35°E / 37.45; 25.35
Country	Greece
Region	South Aegean
Capital	Mykonos (town)
Area
• Total	105.2 km2 (40.6 sq mi)
Population (2001)
• Total	9,320
• Density	89/km2 (230/sq mi)
Postal codes	846 00
Area codes	22890
Car plates	EM
Website	www.mykonos.gr

Mykonos (English: /ˈmiːkənɒs/, Greek: Μύκονος [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). Tourism is a major industry.^[1][2][3][4]

History[link]

Mykonos early human inhabitants were Carians, followed by Ancient Egyptians, Phoenecians, Cretans and Ionians.^[5]

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.

Mythology[link]

In Greek mythology Mykonos was the location of the battle between Zeus and the Titans,^{[citation needed]} and the island was named in honor of Mykons, son of Anios who was a son of Apollo and nymph named Rio.^[6]

Since the 20th century[link]

Tourism has dominated the economy since the 1950s.^[7]

Geography[link]

Panoramic view of Chora port

The old port of Chora

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.

Geology[link]

The island is composed primarily of granite.^{[citation needed]}

Government[link]

Elias Beach

Mikri Venetia (Little Venice)

Mykonos is a separate regional unit of the South Aegean region, and the only municipality of the regional unit.^[8] 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.^[9]

In the 2012 elections, the centre right New Democracy obtained the highest vote on Myknos followed by the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA). ^[10]

Demographics[link]

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).^{[citation needed]}

Economy[link]

Tourism[link]

Since the 1960s, the island has been a popular tourist destination.

Landmarks[link]

Church of Paraportiani, Mykonos.

Chora, Mykonos.

Village of Ano Mera.

• Petros the Pelican - an old celebrity of the town's waterfront, "Petros" has been the official mascot of Mykonos for over 50 years.
• Mykonos windmills - 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.
• 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.

Transportation[link]

Mykonos Airport is located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) southeast of the town of Mykonos and it is served by international flights during summer.^[11]

Cruise ships visit.^{[citation needed]}

Notable people[link]

• Ioannis Gryparis, diplomat and politician

Villages[link]

• Agios Ioannis
• Agios Stefanos
• Ano Mera
• Ftelia
• Kalafati
• Mykonos or Chora
• Ornos
• Platys Gialos
• Psarrou
• Tourlos

Trivia[link]

Seattle indie band Fleet Foxes have a 2009 single, Mykonos (song), which is named after the island.

See also[link]

• Communities of the Cyclades
• Mykonos vase
• List of traditional Greek place names^[12]

References[link]

1. ^ Tom Masters, Europe on a shoestring, 2008
2. ^ Duncan Garwood, Mediterranean Europe, 2009
3. ^ Lloyd E. Hudman, Richard H. Jackson, Geography of travel and tourism, 2003
4. ^ Harry Coccossis, Alexandra Mexa, The challenge of tourism carrying capacity assessment: theory and practice, 2004
5. ^ Christopher Street. That New Magazine, Incorporated. 1995. p. 19. http://books.google.com/books?id=sSeGAAAAIAAJ. Retrieved 12 May 2012. 
6. ^ John Freely (4 June 2006). The Cyclades: Discovering the Greek Islands of the Aegean. I.B.Tauris. p. 111. ISBN 978-1-84511-160-1. http://books.google.com/books?id=QELMkU6icSMC&pg=PA111. Retrieved 12 May 2012. 
7. ^ Mykonos, Greece, Greek islands, information about Mykonos island
8. ^ Kallikratis reform law textPDF
9. ^ New York Times, 2007 Greece struggles with water shortage
10. ^ Greece election results mapped. Infographic | News | guardian.co.uk
11. ^ Mykonos Airport Info Center, Mykonos Airport - Welcome
12. ^ Article about Mykonos

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mykonos

• Official website of the Municipality of Mykonos
• Mykonos Travel Guide
• Mykonos hotels Travel Guide

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v t e Administrative division of the South Aegean Region Area: 5,286km² • Population: 302,686 (2001) • Capital: Ermoupoli Regional unit of Andros Andros Regional unit of Kalymnos Agathonisi • Astypalaia • Kalymnos • Leipsoi • Leros • Patmos Regional unit of Karpathos Karpathos • Kasos Regional unit of Kea-Kythnos Kea • Kythnos Regional unit of Kos Kos • Nisyros Regional unit of Milos Kimolos • Milos • Serifos • Sifnos Regional unit of Mykonos Mykonos Regional unit of Naxos Amorgos • Naxos and Lesser Cyclades Regional unit of Paros Antiparos • Paros Regional unit of Rhodes Chalki • Kastelorizo • Rhodes • Symi • Tilos Regional unit of Syros Syros-Ermoupoli Regional unit of Thira Anafi • Folegandros • Ios • Sikinos • Thira (Santorini) Regional unit of Tinos Tinos Regional governor: Ioannis Machairidis (el) • Website: www.pnai.gov.gr