SANTORINI

Santorini, one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, was devastated by a
volcanic eruption in the 16th century B.C.E., forever shaping its rugged landscape
and villages. The whitewashed, cubist houses of its 2 principal towns, Fira and Oia,
cling to cliffs above an underwater caldera (crater). They overlook the clear
Aegean and beaches made up of black, red and white lava pebbles. It is the largest
island of a small, circular archipelago which bears the same name and is the
remnant of a volcanic caldera. The island's principal port is Athinias. The
capital, Fira, clings to the top of the cliff looking down on the lagoon. Santorini`s
primary industry is tourism. The two main sources of wealth in Santorini are
agriculture and tourism. Santorini remains the home of a small, but flourishing wine
industry, based on the indigenous Assyrtyko grape variety. Santorini and Anafi are
the only locations in Europe to feature a hot desert climate according to
the Kppen climate classification system. Santorini generally experiences two
seasons. April to October is the warm and dry season and the cold and rainy season
lasts from November to March. Total rainfall averages about 38 cm (15 inches) per
year. In the summer season, strong winds can also be observed.