IΔΡΥΜA ΜΕΙΖΟΝΟΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ Συγγραφή : Γεώρμα Φραγκούλα , Γεώρμα Φραγκούλα , Μαυροειδή Μαρία , Καρβώνης Παύλος , Καρβώνης Παύλος , Καρβώνης Παύλος Μετάφραση : Παπαδάκη Ειρήνη , Παπαδάκη Ειρήνη , Ντοβλέτης Ονούφριος , Ντοβλέτης Ονούφριος , Ντοβλέτης Ονούφριος , Νάκας Ιωάννης , Νάκας Ιωάννης (30/10/2006) Για παραπομπή : Γεώρμα Φραγκούλα , Γεώρμα Φραγκούλα , Μαυροειδή Μαρία , Περίληψη : Γενικές Πληροφορίες Area: 158.403 km2 Coastline length: 139 km Population: 4.771 Island capital and its population: Plaka (Milos), 792 Administrative structure: Region of South Aegean, Prefecture of the Cyclades, Province of Milos, Municipality of Milos Local newspapers: Politis tis Milou, Milos, Foni tis Milou Local radio stations: Milos 102,5 FM Museums: Archaeological Museum, Ecclesiastical Museum, Folklore Museum, Mining Museum Archaeological sites and monuments: Phylakopi, the Catacombs, Ancient Theatre. The island has been included in the list of "100 Mediterranean archaeological sites" by the Mediterranean Action Plan of the United Nations and UNESCO Natural monuments: The area of Profitis Ilias has been included on the European network NATURA 2000 as a Site of Community Importance (SCI). The western part of the island has been declared an Important Bird Area of Greece Traditional settlements: Plaka, Klima, Trypiti, Fourkovouni Cultural clubs: Union of Friends of Adamas, Educational and Social Association, Union of Plaka, Apollonians' Cultural Association of Milos (POSPOM) Festivals: Milos annual festival (July, August): cultural events under the auspices of the Municipality (donor: S&B Industrial Minerals) Religious feasts: Holy Trinity at Adamas (50 days after Easter), Feast at Klima with mass at the catacombs (June 9th), on St George's day at Triovasalos (April 23d), on St Anargiroi's day (June 30th), on St Kyriaki's day (July 6th), on St Marina's day at Chalakas (July 16th), on Prophet Elias' day at Chalakas and at Komia (July 19th), on St Markela's day at Kipos (July 21st), on St Paraskevi's day at Pollonia (July 25th), on St Panteleimon's day at Plakota and at Korfos (July 26th), Holy Cross Feast at Plaka (July 31st), Transfiguration of the Saviour at Parasporos (August 5th), Dormition of Virgin Mary at Zefyria (August 14th-15th), on St Floros' day at Komia (August 17th), on August 22 at Panagia Giatrissa at Komia, Panagia tou Kipou and Panagia Faneromeni at Trypiti, on St Fanourios' day at Pollonia (August 26th), on the eve of the Decapitation of St John at Agrilies and at Provatas (August 28th), on St Alexandros' day at Katsoulis (August 29th), at the Pandokratoras at Mytakas (August 31st), at Agios Sostis at Provatas (September 6th), at Panagia Eleousa at Psathadika (September 7th), at Panagia Korfiatissa at Plaka (September 8th), Holy Cross at Kaneria (September 13th), on St Sophia's day at Chalakas (September 16th), on St John's day at Chalakas (September 25th), on St Spyridon's day at Triovasalos (December 12th) Sport clubs: Milos Nautical Club (sailing), Milos Sport Club (football, athletics) 1. Position - Environment Milos is located at the southwestern end of the Cyclades, 86 miles away from Piraeus. Its shape is irregular. From north to south it measures about 11.2 km, while from east to west 17.6 km. What characterizes it is the gulf at its north part. It goes 5,5 nautical miles deep into the island and is the second largest gulf in Greece. The ground of Milos is mountainous for the most part culminating in Profitis Ilias (751 m). Its few lowlands are situated at its northeastern part. Milos is a volcanic island, located on the south Aegean volcanic arc. It has two dormant volcanoes: that of Fyriplaka at the central part of the island, and of Trachilas at the northwestern part. The first one has a crater with a diameter of 1,700 m and is 220 m high. Δημιουργήθηκε στις 26/9/2021 Σελίδα 1/11 IΔΡΥΜA ΜΕΙΖΟΝΟΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ Συγγραφή : Γεώρμα Φραγκούλα , Γεώρμα Φραγκούλα , Μαυροειδή Μαρία , Καρβώνης Παύλος , Καρβώνης Παύλος , Καρβώνης Παύλος Μετάφραση : Παπαδάκη Ειρήνη , Παπαδάκη Ειρήνη , Ντοβλέτης Ονούφριος , Ντοβλέτης Ονούφριος , Ντοβλέτης Ονούφριος , Νάκας Ιωάννης , Νάκας Ιωάννης (30/10/2006) Για παραπομπή : Γεώρμα Φραγκούλα , Γεώρμα Φραγκούλα , Μαυροειδή Μαρία , There are some hot sulphurous springs at the eastern part of the island and mostly the southeastern one, both on ground surface and underwater. This geological activity is also useful: the Public Power Corporation has established there a geothermoelectrical station, which covers a part of the island’s demand on electricity. The volcanic activity has created submarine caves of great beauty, such as Smaragdenia Spilia (“Emerald Cave”), Kleftiko and Papafraga. Milos’ground is fertile, producing citrus fruits, garden produce, grain, olives and figs. (Pavlos Karvonis) 2. Fauna of Milos: the Milos Viper On the island complex of Milos there are many endemic species and subspecies of reptiles, namely species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The Milos Viper (Macrovipera schweizeri) and the Milos Wall Lizard (Podarcis milensis) are two of those. Even though the latter is quite common on the island, it is endemic. The Balkan Freshwater Turtle (Mauremys rivulata) survives only in the area of Achivadolimni where a few individuals have been seen, whereas the endemic subspecies of the Water Snake (Natrix natrix schweizeri) is very rare on Milos. The subspecies of the Balkan Green Lizard (Lacerta trilineata hansschweizeri) is also endemic. The Kotschy’s Gecko (Cyrtopodion kotschyi), the European Copper Skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii) and the Mediterranean House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) are also common lizard species on Milos. There are two more snake species there: the European Cat Snake (Telescopus fallax), probably the most common snake species in the area, and the Leopard Snake (Elaphe situla), seen mostly at rural land. The Milos viper is seen only on Milos (where its largest populations live), Sifnos, Kimolos and Polyaigos. Until recently, it was included in the Vipera lebetina species, which is widely spread in North Africa and the Near and Middle East, from Turkey and Cyprus up to Kashmir. The geographical isolation of the Greek populations is believed to be 5 million years old. The differences that developed between these populations led scientists to classify it into a different species. The Milos Viper has 23 rows of dorsal flakes in the middle of its body. It has small dimensions, since adults grow to an average length less than 85 cm, with a maximum of 1 m. Colour diversity is an attribute of this species. The individuals are usually grey-brown or grey-yellow, with bright coloured patternings in brown or yellow. On Milos, we also find whole-coloured individuals with red colour, which can vary from orange to a brownish red. Its mating season is spring. It lays 4-13 eggs, usually 7-11. The young feed themselves mostly with lizards and invertebrates, whereas adults eat birds, rodents and lizards. Unfortunately, the viper of Milos is an endangered species. This is due to a variety of reasons, the most important being the destruction of its habitat. Many collectors, attracted by the rareness of the species, have contributed to the further decline of its population. Many individuals are also killed on the road by cars. The Milos Viper is a protected species according to Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/1980, Official Government Gazette 23/30.1.1981). Therefore capturing, owning, killing and trading living or dead individuals is prohibited. The species is also protected by the Washington and Berne Conventions. It is also listed as strictly protected under the European Community Directive 92/43 (Appendix II), which means it falls into the same category with the Bear, the Mediterranean Seal and the Sea-Turtle Caretta-caretta. The Milos Viper is a particularly significant part of our natural heritage, an integral part of the island’s environment and natural habitats. The species is also of great scientific interest due to the island populations’geographical isolation from their closest relatives in Asia Minor and Cyprus. (Maria Dimaki) 3. History Δημιουργήθηκε στις 26/9/2021 Σελίδα 2/11 IΔΡΥΜA ΜΕΙΖΟΝΟΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ Συγγραφή : Γεώρμα Φραγκούλα , Γεώρμα Φραγκούλα , Μαυροειδή Μαρία , Καρβώνης Παύλος , Καρβώνης Παύλος , Καρβώνης Παύλος Μετάφραση : Παπαδάκη Ειρήνη , Παπαδάκη Ειρήνη , Ντοβλέτης Ονούφριος , Ντοβλέτης Ονούφριος , Ντοβλέτης Ονούφριος , Νάκας Ιωάννης , Νάκας Ιωάννης (30/10/2006) Για παραπομπή : Γεώρμα Φραγκούλα , Γεώρμα Φραγκούλα , Μαυροειδή Μαρία , 3. 1. Prehistoric Times Human presence on Milos is attested from the second half of the 8th millennium BC (Mesolithic Period). At Nychia and Demenegaki there were facilities for the extraction of obsidian already since the Neolithic Period. During the Early Bronze Age (3300-2000 BC), mines developed at Chalakas, Pilos, Phylakopi and elsewhere. The first organized settlement of Phylakopi was built around 2200 BC. In 2000 BC the settlement was fortified, organized in blocks and acquired a road network and sewage system. The city was destroyed and was rebuilt in 1550 BC, while new disaster struck in 1400 BC. It was finally deserted in the 11th century. (Pavlos Karvonis) (Transl. Onoufrios Dovletis) 3. 1. 1. Obsidian The word obsidian (in Greek: οψιδιανός, later οψιανός) comes from the Latin obsidianus. It is a hard volcanic rock with a glassy appearance and sleek black color. Due to its being a hard rock with sharp cutting edges after processing, it constituted, especially during the Neolithic period, a widespread raw material for the construction of tools (e.g. blades) and weapons (e.g. arrowheads). In Greece, deposits of this rock can only be found in the volcanic island of Milos and the small island of Gyali, next to Nisyros. Geologists can distinguish between the deposit products of each island, making it easy to trace the origins of an archaeological find. Tool samples and obsidian core process waste were found in the Franchthi cave in Argolis, in a layer dating from the 11th millennium BC (Upper Paleolithic period). Tools dating from the Mesolithic period (ca.