| 33rd | Top islands of Europe |
| 4th | Top archipelagos |
| Cyclades Prefecture Νομός Κυκλάδων |
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| Country: |  Greece |
| Capital: | Ermoupoli |
| Periphery: | South Aegean |
| Population: | 119,549 (2005)Ranked 29th |
| Area: | 2,572 km² (993 sq.mi.) Ranked 23rdh |
| Density: | 46 /km² (120 /sq.mi.) |
| Number of municipalities: | 20 |
| Number of communities: | 11 |
| Postal codes: | 84x xx |
| Area codes: | 228x0 |
| Licence plate code: | ΕΜ |
| ISO 3166-2 code: | GR-82 |
The Cyclades (Greek: Κυκλάδες, /kʲikˈlaðe̞s/) are a Greek island group in the Aegean Sea, south-east of the mainland of Greece; and an administrative prefecture of Greece. They are one of the island groups which constitute the Aegean archipelago. The name refers to the islands around (κυκλάς) the sacred island of Delos. The Cyclades is where the native Greek breed of cat (the Aegean cat) first came from.
The Cyclades comprise about 220 islands, the major ones being Amorgós, Anáfē, Ándros, Antíparos, Dēlos, Eschátē, Íos, Kéa, Kímōlos, Kýthnos, Mēlos, Mýkonos, Náxos, Páros, Folégandros, Sérifos, Sífnos, Síkinos, Sýros, Tēnos, and Thēra or Santoríni. Most of the smaller islands are uninhabited.
Ermoupolis, on Syros, is the chief town and administrative center of the prefecture.
The islands are peaks of a submerged mountainous terrain, with the exception of two volcanic islands, Milos and Santorini (Thera). The climate is generally dry and mild, but with the exception of Naxos the soil is not very fertile: agricultural produce includes wine, fruit, wheat, olive oil, and tobacco. Cooler temperatures are in higher elevations and mainly do not receive wintry weather. In transportation, the Cyclades is the only prefecture in Greece that is not linked with a state-maintained highway or a highway number. All of the roads in the island complex are secondary or provincial.
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The significant Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Cycladic culture is best known for its schematic flat idols carved out of the islands' pure white marble centuries before the great Middle Bronze Age ("Minoan") culture arose in Crete, to the south: these figures have been looted from burials to satisfy a thriving Cycladic antiquities market since the early 20th century.
A distinctive Neolithic culture amalgamating Anatolian and mainland Greek elements arose in the western Aegean before 4000 BCE, based on emmer wheat and wild-type barley, sheep and goats, pigs, and tuna that were apparently speared from small boats (Rutter). Excavated sites include Saliagos and Kephala (on Keos) with signs of copper-working, Each of the small Cycladic islands could support no more than a few thousand people, though Late Cycladic boat models show that fifty oarsmen could be assembled from the scattered communities (Rutter), and when the highly organized palace-culture of Crete arose, the islands faded into insignificance, with the exception of Delos, which retained its archaic reputation as a sanctuary throughout antiquity and until the emergence of Christianity.
The first archaeological excavations of the 1880s were followed by systematic work by the British School at Athens and by Christos Tsountas, who investigated burial sites on several islands in 1898 - 1899 and coined the term "Cycladic civilization". Interest lagged, then picked up in the mid-20th century, as collectors competed for the modern-looking figures that seemed so similar to sculpture by Jean Arp or Constantin Brâncuşi. Sites were looted and a brisk trade in forgeries arose. The context for many of these Cycladic figurines has been mostly destroyed and their meaning may never be completely understood. Another intriguing and mysterious object is that of the Cycladic frying pans. More accurate archaeology has revealed the broad outlines of a farming and seafaring culture that had immigrated from Asia Minor ca 5000 BCE. Early Cycladic culture evolved in three phases, between ca 3300 - 2000 BCE, when it was increasingly swamped in the rising influence of Minoan Crete. The culture of mainland Greece contemporary with Cycladic culture is termed Helladic.
In recent decades the Cyclades islands have become popular with European and other tourists, and as a result there have been problems with erosion, pollution, and water shortages.
| Municipality | YPES code | Seat (if different) | Postal code | Area code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amorgos | 3101 | 840 08 | 22850-2 | |
| Andros | 3103 | 845 00 | 22820-2 | |
| Ano Syros | 3105 | 841 00 | 22810-8 | |
| Drymalia | 3107 | Chalkeio Naxou | 843 02 | 22850 |
| Ermoupoli | 3109 | 841 00 | 22810-2 | |
| Exomvourgo | 3108 | Kampos | 842 00 | 22850-5 |
| Ios | 3112 | 840 01 | 22860-9 | |
| Kea | 3113 | Ioulis | 840 02 | 22880-2 |
| Korthio | 3115 | Ormos Korthiou | 845 02 | 22820-6 |
| Kythnos | 3117 | 840 06 | 22810-3 | |
| Milos | 3118 | 848 00 | 22870-2 | |
| Mykonos | 3119 | 846 00 | 22890-2 | |
| Naxos | 3120 | 843 00 | 22850-2 | |
| Paros | 3123 | 844 00 | 22840-2 | |
| Poseidonia | 3124 | 841 00 | 22810-4 | |
| Santorini | 3111 | 847 00 | 22860-2 | |
| Serifos | 3125 | 840 02 | 22810-5 | |
| Sifnos | 3127 | 840 03 | 22840-3 | |
| Tinos | 3129 | 842 00 | 22830-2 | |
| Ydrousa | 3130 | Gavrio | 845 01 | 22820-7 |
| Community | YPES code | Seat (if different) | Postal code | Area code |
| Anafi | 3102 | 840 09 | 22860-6 | |
| Antiparos | 3104 | 840 07 | 22840-6 | |
| Donousa | 3106 | 843 00 | 22850-5 | |
| Folegandros | 3131 | 840 11 | 22860 | |
| Irakleia | 3110 | 843 00 | 22870-7 | |
| Kimolos | 3114 | 840 04 | 22870-5 | |
| Koufonisi | 3116 | 843 00 | 22870-7 | |
| Oia | 3121 | 847 02 | 22860-7 | |
| Panormos | 3122 | 842 01 | 22830-3 | |
| Schoinoussa | 3128 | 843 00 | 22870-7 | |
| Sikinos | 3126 | 840 10 | 22860-5 |
Note: Provinces no longer hold any legal status in Greece.
See also: List of settlements in the Cyclades prefecture
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Coordinates: 37°00′N 25°10′E / 37°N 25.167°E
The Cyclades (or Kyklades) [1]are a group of islands within the larger Greek Islands, situated south of Athens and north of Crete. The Cyclades are best known for the islands of Santorini and Mykonos.
Most of the Cyclades have one main town which has the same name as the island. Some larger towns which have names of their own include:
The Cyclades are the Greece of the travel posters: bare rocky islands adorned with brilliantly white cubistic villages soaring on hills above the wine-dark sea, and fringed with terrific beaches. Since all the world has discovered this, they tend to be very crowded with visitors, especially in high summer. But most visitors feel the islands' attractions are worth putting up with the crowds.
Kyklos is the Greek word for circle. Because the islands are set up in a circle around Delos the islands are named Cyclades. The best times to visit the Cyclades is May through June (early season, accommodation is much cheaper and it's not that hot), or September through mid-October (post season). In high summer (July and August), though it's the most popular season, these islands for that reason get extremely crowded and hotel prices are at their highest; furthermore, the weather then can be very hot, and some islands may suffer water shortages. In the whole period mid-May through mid-October it's usually warm enough to enjoy the beaches, but in some years you risk unseasonably chilly weather at the beginning or end of this period. In October the weather changes and rain starts to fall. Ferry schedules are reduced out of season. The Cyclades are also famous for the constant wind (called meltemi) in July and August that mitigates the heat a bit.
Regular (mostly daily) flights from Athens to Paros, Naxos and Santorini are operated by Olympic Airways [2] and Aegean Airlines [3]. Syros is also served by Olympic Airways [4] from Athens twice weekly. Paros, Santorini and Naxos can also be reached by other European airports or by helicopter [5].
Leave from Piraeus via ferry [6]and head for Paros, which is usually the first ferry stop. From Paros onto Naxos and there you can choose from the two main routes; Either up towards Mykonos or down towards Santorini and Crete. Ferrys operate to all the islands in the Cyclades, some of the larger islands also have a Highspeed catamaran service from Piraeus. Check with the operator before making departure plans as the services are subject to delays and cancellations in adverse weather.
"Deck class" is a cheapest way to go around the Cyclades [7], you can sleep outside, on the deck, in Greece the weather is good, especially in summer or spring.
Really old-fleet boats. Consider flying instead, even if it costs 1.5 times more -- it's worth it.
Distinguished Class: first ~5 cabins are really shaky (and hard-to-sleep in); too intensive conditioner in saloon. Take your tickets if you go to DC-saloon, other-class passengers are not allowed there.
In Piraeus, the boat is ready for boarding 2 hrs before departure time. While in the Piraeus, it's allowed to leave luggage in your cabin for cafe visit etc nearby in the port.
Bright red Vodaphone-logo boats; most popular and recommended sea transport, at least for going to Santorini.
High speed ferries [8] operating from Piraeus to most of the Cyclades islands!
Sea Jet [9] departures from Piraeus: Milos, Folegandros, Syros, Santorini, Koufonissi, Amorgos.
Sea Jet 2 departures from Rafina: Tinos, Mykonos, Paros.
Travel by ferry. They are safe, regular, cheap and fun. The biggest ferry hub within the Cyclades is in Paros which has links to many islands.
Be prepared that travelling by ferry can be tedious in high season when ferries are really crowded. Usually there are two types of ferries: The ordinary ones and the speedboats (hydrofoils, which are much more expensive).
Also, ferries may be cancelled due to sea and weather conditions so don't leave on the last ferry before your flight, especially if it is windy. Seas are calmer at night, so the late evening and early morning ferries are the most likely to operate.
Tickets for ferries can be usually bought from travel agencies which are located around the local port.
If you visit the Cyclades for the very first time go for Santorini, Paros and Mykonos. If you want to get rid of the crowds go for the smaller islands such as Folegandros or Amorgos.
See Greece#Eat for more information on Greek cuisine.
If visiting in winter season, try Ρακόμελο (pronounced rakomelo). The local people drink this hot drink to warm them up on a cold day. Ingredients are raki, honey and hot water. Recommended that you only drink one or at most two. Drink three and you will be ready for bed!
The Cyclades are very safe. Travelers should exercise usual precautions.
Head on down to Crete when you are done with the Cyclades. If you have plenty of time you might want to go to other Greek islands belonging to the Dodecanese, the Ionian Islands or the Sporades as well.
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From Ancient Greek Κυκλάδες (Kyklades), plural of Κυκλάς (Kyklas), from κύκλος (kyklos), “‘circle, ring’”).
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Cyclades pl.
Cyclades pl.
Cyclades pl.
[[File:|right|200px|thumb|The group of Cyclades]] Cyclades is an island group in Greece. The group of Cyclades includes many islands[1]. The larger islands of the group is Naxos, Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Paros, Milos, Thira (or Santorini), Syros, Amorgos, Ios, Kythnos, Kea, Sifnos, Serifos, Sikinos, Folegandros and Anafi. The group, also includes many others small islands and islets. Also Cyclades is one of 51 prefectures of Greece. The capital of Cyclades is the Ermoupolis in the island of Syros.
   | Jeremy B. Rutter, "The Prehistoric Archaeology of the Aegean" - The Prehistoric Archaeology of the Aegean |
| | CIGALE, the packet switching machine of the CYCLADES computer network - CIGALE,THE PACKET SWITCHING MACHINE OF THE CYCLADES |
| | Presentation and Major Design Design Aspects of the Cyclades Computer Network - CYCLADES COMPUTER NETWORK by Louis POUZIM |
| | The CYCLADES network-present state and development trends - CYCLADES NETWORK - PRESENT STATE AND DEVELOPMENT TRENDS |
| | Timeline and introduction to Cycladic culture - File Not Found |
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