Naxos

Naxos (Greek: Νάξος) is located in the center of the Cyclades, south of Mykonos and east of Paros. Is an island with a long history and notable contribution to the creation of Greek civilization. Naxos has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Zeus, father of the Greek gods, was born on Crete but raised on Naxos; the island's highest peak, Za, with an altitude of 1004 meters, takes its name from him. Dionysos, the god of wine, lay on Naxos with Ariadne, goddess of fertility. The fertility of the island is credited to their union. For that reason the inhabitants are still engaged in agriculture and stockbreeding. According to tradition, the next inhabitants of the island were the Thracians and the Pelasgians. Later came Kares, headed by Naxos, to whom the name of the island is attributed. It was the center of Archaic Cycladic culture. The island is known as a source of emery, a corundum rich rock, which until the modern era was one of the best available abrasives. The largest city and capital of the island is Chora or Naxos. The main villages are Filoti, Apiranthos, Vivlos (Tripodes), Saint Arsenios, Koronos and Glinados.