Sporades
HISTORY
The history of Sporades was affected by the important geographical location of the islands. Traces from the Paleolithic Era were found at the region Kokkinokastro of Alonnissos. Sporades reached their acme during the Protoelladic and Minoan Era and took part in the Persian Wars as well. Sporades decayed during the Byzantine Era, were occupied by the turks, they took part in the Russian-Turkish Wars and were finally liberated in 1830 with the Protocol of London.
Originally after independence, the Northern Sporades were designated all of the northern Cycladic islands, the newly established Kingdom, and the southern Sporades all of the western Cycladic islands. After the annexation of the rest of the Aegean islands all the above definitions of the Sporades were defined. The Dodecanese are also sometimes regarded as Southern Sporades.
Finally, after the 1960s, the term was limited to the present-day Sporades, with the other islands denoting the northern Aegean, Eastern Aegean, and Argosaronic islands.
Today's Sporades are once Thessaly and in ancient times the Magnetic Islands. They consist of several islands, some larger and others smaller. The most important are four: Skyros, Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos. Of these islands Skyros is administratively part of the prefecture of Euboea, while the rest (along with all the other smaller islands) belong to the prefecture of Magnesia and are also known as Northern Sporades.
GEOGRAPHY
The Sporades are a cluster of Aegean islands located in the north of Evia and east of Magnesia.
According to ancient geographical perception as Sporades all the scattered islands of the Aegean were called except around the sacred island of Delos Cyclades. Often referred to as Northern Sporades.
It is believed that the Sporades were united with Magnesia. However, a part of them sank into the sea, leaving only the tallest parts of the land left, thus creating these islands.
The access to the Sporades is made by Agios Konstantinos, Volos and Kimi of Euboea.
MORPHOLOGY
Skiathos, has an area of 48 Km2 and is mainly covered by pine forests in a percentage of 70 % and it is known for its crystalline and limestone rocks.
Skopelos, has an area of 96 km2 and most of its surface is covered by pine forests, and is an island with crystal and sedimentary rocks.
Alonnisos, with an area of 65 sq. km. It has pine forests and olive groves in its northern part.
Skyros, has an area of 207 km2 and it is the biggest island of all. The terrain is quite mountainous and many small coves form on its shores.
CLIMATE
It is Mediterranean type with rainy winter and dry summer. The average annual temperature reaches 17 ° C, while the average annual rainfall is 515 mm.
In August, the meltemi (very strong north winds), refresh the atmosphere and cause significant disturbance at sea.
ECONOMY
The inhabitants of Sporades are involved in agriculture, animal husbandry, folk architecture, wood carving, textiles industry, water parks and tourism.