Santorini is a group of islands in the south Aegean sea:
Thera, Thirassia, Aspronisi, the Christiana Islands, Palia Kameni (Hot Springs) and Nea Kameni (Volcano).
The Province of Thera (Thira) is made up of Santorini, Anafi, Thirassia, Ios, Folegandros and Sikinos – the Southern Cyclades group.

 

Characteristics

Rocky steep terrain on the caldera side (west coast), volcanic rock, pumice stone, unusual rock formations. Other areas have a gentler terrain. Climate is moist, warm summers with cool evenings. August has the famous 'Meltemia' winds. Sparse rainfall during the winter months.

 

Architecture

Cave Houses (dug into the volcanic rock), neo classical mansions, cobbled streets and winding paths, domed churches (many with a blue dome), most houses have a dome at some part of the roof structure.

 

Capital

Fira : built on the Caldera cliffs on the west coast of the island MAIN PORT Athinios Port

 

Food & Agriculture

Vineyards - grape cultivation, cherry tomatoes, santorini cucumber, fava bean, santorini capers and cucumbers= 'Katsouni', santorini watermelon, chloro cheese, sweet pies = 'Melitinia'.

 

Geography

128 nautical miles from Piraeus port on the mainland 63 nautical miles north of Crete 73 square kilometers in size Permanent residents : 13,600 (2001 census)

LATITUDE 36 19’ 56” to 36 28’ 40” N.
LONGITUDE 25 19’ 22” to 25 29’ 13” E.

 

Climate

Santorini has a warm Mediterranean climate. In summer, dry hot days are often relieved by stiff breezes, especially in the north and coastal areas. The evenings are cool. Winters are relatively mild.

November to March is the rainy (sort-of) season.
Light sweaters might be needed for evenings, on cool days.

 

 

Local Products of Santorini

Due to the many volcanic eruption that took place in Santorini Greece, the island's soil is very fertile. For that reason, the quality of the agricultural products of Santorini became well known all over the world. The products of Santorini are of excellent quality but are produced in small quantities.

 

The Grapes & the famous Wines form Santorini

The grapes are cultivated in low basket shaped crowns, close to the ground for protection from the strong winds. Coming off the sea, the nocturnal fog brings needed water to the vines during the hot summer nights and together with the refreshing northerly winds provide excellent growing conditions for the creation of the superb Santorini wines.
The wines from Santorini are known world wide and are some of the best in the world. Famous dry wines with a distinct aroma of citrus are Assyrtico, Nycteri, and Athiri. Famous red wines Mavrotragano. Famous sweet red dessert wines Visanto and Mezzo.

 

Santorini Cherry Tomatoes

This particular local tomato variety is unique… bushy, anhydrous, carrying small fruits that sometimes are not bigger than a cherry! The skin of the fruit is thick and its body is full like concentrated! The land that it is being cultivated is equally unique…anhydrous and volcanic! The result of the combination of this distinctive variety and this unusual land is Santorini tiny tomatoes…sweet and slightly sour with intense aromas and taste.

 

"Katsouni"

Katsouni is the local cucumber. It is smaller than the original one, yet very tasty because it grows without water, but only with the moisture of the land.

 

Santorini's Watermelon

With dark peel and lots of seeds, though very tasty. Very limited production.

 

Fava Beans

Fava is a legume which is being cultivated in Santorini for centuries. It is the most important product in Santorini, after the grapes and the tiny tomatoes. Its size is no bigger than a grain of thick sand. The split-peas are a basic ingredient of many other dishes; the yellow puree that you get when you boil them marries really well with tomato sauce, capers, onions, meat, octopus and herbs like mint and parsley.

 

Caper and Caper Leaves

Wild caper is a bush born in the steep slopes of Santorini caldera and the stone-built walls between the vineyards, the houses and the paths thoughout the island. Capers are mostly used to spice a variety of dishes and sauces, due to their rather small size and particular taste.

 

"Chlorotyri" (a type of cheese)

This is a local cheese variety of very limited production, which you will not find anywhere else in Greece. It is a white, creamy cheese with a tinge of sour taste. It’s made from goat’s milk and can be spread on slices of bread or mixed in the Santorini salad (which also includes cherry tomatoes, rusks, lettuce and anchovies).

 

White Aubergine (eegplant)

A unique vegetable with alabaster look and excellent taste… We all know that aubergine has a somewhat purple color… But Santorini breaks that rule! The white aubergine of Santorini is surprisingly sweet, with very few seeds. You can slice it and fry it or chop it up raw in salads.