Cyclades, Archipelago in South Aegean Sea, Greece.
The Cyclades are an island group in the southern Aegean Sea in Greece, made up of 220 islands arranged in a circular pattern. Naxos is the largest among them, while Syros has the most residents and serves as the administrative seat of the region.
Between 3300 and 2000 before Christ, a culture developed here that became known mainly for white marble sculptures. These figures and vessels later influenced art around the Mediterranean and are considered today as early examples of abstract design.
The name comes from the Greek word for circle, as the islands form a ring around the sacred island of Delos in the center. Whitewashed houses with blue shutters and doors mark many settlements today, a building style that keeps heat out and creates shade in narrow streets.
Ferries link the larger islands throughout the year, while smaller harbors are mostly reachable only in summer from Athens and other ports. Winds can blow strongly, especially in high summer, so it helps to allow extra time for crossings.
Two of the islands, Milos and Santorini, are volcanic in origin and feature black sand beaches and hot springs rich in minerals. This geological feature sets them apart clearly from the rest of the islands, which are mostly made of limestone and granite.
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