Ikaria is owned eastern Aegean islands and has an area of approximately 270 sq. thous., of which 160 km is a coastline of. Located east of Mykonos and west of Samos. From Samos separates a channel width of about 18 km. To the south lies the complex of small islands Ovens. It belongs to the Region of North Aegean, while the entire island forms the Ikaria municipality, with capital Agios Kirikos. The population is estimated at 8423 inhabitants, according to the 2011 census.
Ikaria has an elongated shape with a NE-SW direction. Generally characterized as a mountainous island, with intense geomorphology and several contradictions between bare cliffs and green valleys. Crossed by the mountain Atheras (Pramnos) with EW direction located in the center of the island and the highest peak is about 1,041 meters (peak width).
The climate is characterized relatively mild, coastal Mediterranean type, with a lot of rainfall in winter and hot in the summer drought. However, a characteristic feature of Ikaria's strong winds that act throughout the year and especially in summer give a relief and freshness to the visitors. Ikaria has extensive river network, lush vegetation, biodiversity and abundance of water. Significant number of habitats on the island and areas protected by national and diathneis contracts. Finally, it should be noted that due to intense geomorphology, often during the winter, are many landslides.
Ikaria has an elongated shape with a NE-SW direction. Generally characterized as a mountainous island, with intense geomorphology and several contradictions between bare cliffs and green valleys. Crossed by the mountain Atheras (Pramnos) with EW direction located in the center of the island and the highest peak is about 1,041 meters (peak width).
The climate is characterized relatively mild, coastal Mediterranean type, with a lot of rainfall in winter and hot in the summer drought. However, a characteristic feature of Ikaria's strong winds that act throughout the year and especially in summer give a relief and freshness to the visitors. Ikaria has extensive river network, lush vegetation, biodiversity and abundance of water. Significant number of habitats on the island and areas protected by national and diathneis contracts. Finally, it should be noted that due to intense geomorphology, often during the winter, are many landslides.
Geological Structure
The geology of particular interest, both scientific and aesthetic, which makes it an attractive destination geotourism. Includes a variety of impressive rock formations, special formations and landforms, tectonic characteristic and Microtectonics structures and wealth of minerals and fossils. Notably and abundance waters containing the island, which bring a unique biodiversity. The western part of the island consists of gnefsiako granite, similar to granite Naxos and Mykonos. Granite western Ikaria is Lower Miocene age and is the largest plutonium body Aegean. The eastern part of the island consists of gneiss, muscovite schist, marble and imimetamorfomeno shales. The rocks of the eastern part are separated by a large granite vein. Some of the main minerals of Ikaria rock is limonite, emery, the kyanite, andalusite by the sillimanite, tourmaline, biotite, chlorite, the titanite, the ilmenite, hematite, the rutile, apatite, the zirconium corundum and others.
Water resources
Ikaria is characterized as an island with plenty of water. Due to geological and tectonic structure is rich aquifers many sources around the island. There are about 65 sources are used for water supply and 290 sources to be used for irrigation. Almost all the villages have their own sources, nonetheless important is the number of wells on the island. The abundance of groundwater, combined with the tectonic structure, has created many caves, but is undeveloped, but worth the visit someone.
The geology of particular interest, both scientific and aesthetic, which makes it an attractive destination geotourism. Includes a variety of impressive rock formations, special formations and landforms, tectonic characteristic and Microtectonics structures and wealth of minerals and fossils. Notably and abundance waters containing the island, which bring a unique biodiversity. The western part of the island consists of gnefsiako granite, similar to granite Naxos and Mykonos. Granite western Ikaria is Lower Miocene age and is the largest plutonium body Aegean. The eastern part of the island consists of gneiss, muscovite schist, marble and imimetamorfomeno shales. The rocks of the eastern part are separated by a large granite vein. Some of the main minerals of Ikaria rock is limonite, emery, the kyanite, andalusite by the sillimanite, tourmaline, biotite, chlorite, the titanite, the ilmenite, hematite, the rutile, apatite, the zirconium corundum and others.
Water resources
Ikaria is characterized as an island with plenty of water. Due to geological and tectonic structure is rich aquifers many sources around the island. There are about 65 sources are used for water supply and 290 sources to be used for irrigation. Almost all the villages have their own sources, nonetheless important is the number of wells on the island. The abundance of groundwater, combined with the tectonic structure, has created many caves, but is undeveloped, but worth the visit someone.