Kythira

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For other uses, see Cythera (disambiguation).

Kythira Κύθηρα
Cythera's capital (Chora) with the Castle
Kythira
Location within the region [show]
Coordinates: 36°15′N 23°00′ECoordinates: 36°15′N 23°00′E
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Attica
Regional unit	Islands
Government
• Mayor	Eustathios Harhalakis (Ευσταυιος Χαρχαλακις) (Ind.)
Area
• Municipality	299.4 km2 (115.6 sq mi)
• Municipal unit	279.6 km2 (108.0 sq mi)
Elevation	506 m (1,660 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
• Municipality	4,041
• Municipality density	13/km2 (35/sq mi)
• Municipal unit	3,973
• Municipal unit density	14/km2 (37/sq mi)
Community
• Population	665
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	801 00
Area code(s)	2736
Vehicle registration	Z
Website	www.kythira.gr

Kythira (/kᵻˈθɪrə/; Greek: Κύθηρα, also transliterated as Cythera, Kythera and Kithira^[2]) is an island in Greece lying opposite the south-eastern tip of the Peloponnese peninsula. It is traditionally listed as one of the seven main Ionian Islands, although it is distant from the main group. Administratively, it belongs to the Islands regional unit, which is part of the Attica region (although at large distance from Attica itself).

For many centuries, while naval travel was the only means for transportation, the island possessed a strategic location. From ancient times until the mid 19th century, Kythira was a crossroads of merchants, sailors, and conquerors. As such, it has had a long and varied history and has been influenced by many civilisations and cultures. This is reflected in its architecture (a blend of traditional, Aegean and Venetian elements), as well as the traditions and customs, influenced by centuries of coexistence of the Greek, Venetian, and Ottoman cultures

Climate[edit]

Kythira has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa) with mild, rainy winters and warm to hot dry summers.^[7]

[hide]Climate data for Kythira Island
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	21.5 (70.7)	22.8 (73)	24.0 (75.2)	27.0 (80.6)	33.2 (91.8)	40.0 (104)	40.2 (104.4)	37.8 (100)	33.6 (92.5)	30.0 (86)	26.2 (79.2)	22.6 (72.7)	40.2 (104.4)
Average high °C (°F)	12.7 (54.9)	12.9 (55.2)	14.2 (57.6)	17.1 (62.8)	21.6 (70.9)	26.0 (78.8)	28.7 (83.7)	28.5 (83.3)	25.6 (78.1)	21.2 (70.2)	17.8 (64)	14.6 (58.3)	20.1 (68.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)	10.8 (51.4)	10.8 (51.4)	12.0 (53.6)	14.7 (58.5)	18.8 (65.8)	23.0 (73.4)	25.6 (78.1)	25.4 (77.7)	22.9 (73.2)	18.9 (66)	15.8 (60.4)	12.7 (54.9)	17.6 (63.7)
Average low °C (°F)	8.9 (48)	8.9 (48)	10.0 (50)	12.4 (54.3)	16.1 (61)	19.9 (67.8)	22.4 (72.3)	22.5 (72.5)	20.3 (68.5)	16.8 (62.2)	13.9 (57)	10.8 (51.4)	15.2 (59.4)
Record low °C (°F)	−1.8 (28.8)	−0.8 (30.6)	−4.3 (24.3)	6.2 (43.2)	9.4 (48.9)	11.8 (53.2)	14.8 (58.6)	17.2 (63)	11.8 (53.2)	8.8 (47.8)	2.0 (35.6)	1.0 (33.8)	−4.3 (24.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	103.3 (4.067)	67.7 (2.665)	59.5 (2.343)	28.1 (1.106)	10.5 (0.413)	1.9 (0.075)	2.4 (0.094)	2.3 (0.091)	11.2 (0.441)	54.2 (2.134)	85.6 (3.37)	115.2 (4.535)	541.9 (21.335)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)	10.2	8.5	6.4	4.0	1.7	0.3	0.3	0.3	1.1	5.1	7.7	11.0	56.6
Average relative humidity (%)	72.3	72.4	71.5	67.9	63.1	57.1	54.4	56.7	62.1	68.3	72.5	72.8	65.9
Source: NOAA[8 Villages of Kythira[edit] View of Avlemonas View of Kapsali from the castle of Chora The largest villages (2001 Greek census) are Potamós (pop. 396), Agía Pelagía (281), Chóra/Kýthira (267), Áno Livádi (175), Kálamos (157), and Livádi (126). Agia Pelagia Kythira, Port Agios Ilias Alexandrades Ano Livadi Aroniadika Avlemonas Chora, (also Kythira) Kytherian Capital Christoforianika Diakofti, Port Fratsia Friligianika Gerakaria Kalamos Kapsali Karavas Karvounades Kastrisianika Keramoto Kontolianika Livadi, which is becoming the business center of the island Katouni Logothetianika Louriantianika Mitata Mylopotamos Pitsinianika Platia Amos Potamos, largest village Stathianika Viaradika Vouno Transportation[edit] The island in the past has been plagued by a poor infrastructure, exacerbated by the effect of weather on transportation during the winter months. However the construction of the new port in Diakofti along with the renovation of the island's airport have significantly reduced these effects. A new road from the island's most populated town of Potamos in the north to the island's capital of Chora in the south is currently in the planning and development stage. Port[edit] Despite the fact that the island has been a trade route for centuries, construction of a modern port was postponed several times until the latter half of the 20th century. In 1933, efforts were made to construct a port in the village of Agia Pelagia, yet financial and governmental problems meant that decades later that one was built. That small port of Agia Pelagia (currently being renovated from a ferry dock to a tourist/recreational boat dock) was the island's main port until the mid-1990s. Around that time the new port of Diakofti, the site originally chosen by the island's British rulers in the 19th century, was constructed along with a modern wider road, aiming to support larger cargo and passenger vessels. The port of Diakofti currently serves scheduled routes to/from Gythion, Kalamata, Antikythera,Piraeus, Crete & Neapolis - Vatika. Proposals have been made to attach a Marina to the south side of the port, however no plans or timetables have been produced. Additionally, the harbour of Agia Patrikia (north of Agia Pelagia) is the primary fishing boat harbour, housing two wide boatramps and a boat repair facility. Airport[edit] The island's primary airport is the Alexander S. Onassis Airport also known as Kithira Island National Airport, located in the region between the village of Friligiannika and Diakofti, about 8 km (5 mi) from the capital. The airport was revamped and extended at the turn of the 21st century, largely by private funds provided by the local population. The island is served by Olympic Air flights. ]

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