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Zakynthos
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Greece |
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This is the third largest of the Ionian Islands, it covers about 410 square kilometers and its coastline is about123 kilometers in length. The island is named after Zacynthus who is the son of the Arcadian Chief Dardanus. This island is a huge tourism industry and is one of the top rated destinations in Greece. Zakynthos has the most beautiful beaches in all of Greece and the islands. Some of the island is fertile plant life and in the west there are mountains with very steep cliffs that just align the coast giving the island it beautiful scenery. The climate is the same as the Mediterranean which means it is warm in the summer and rainy in the winter with is great for the huge amounts of vegetation. The principal products are olive oil, currants, grapes and citrus fruits.
The capital of the island is of the same name Zakynthos, the official name is called Chora. The island’s population is estimated to be at 40,100. The most famous person to come form Zakyhthos is the 19th century famous poet Dionysius Solomos, he was a Greek Poet and the person who wrote the National Anthem of Greece. In the main square there is a beautiful statue. The island’s only airport is named after him, the Dionysus Solomos Airport in on the southwest part of the island. It does connect with other Greek airports.
If you go southwest on the island to the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, where you can see the endangered species, the loggerhead turtle. They are found in the bay of Laganas. Every year the females come to the beaches and bury their eggs in the sand. They must be kept incubated for about 55 days until they are ready to be hatched. From the beach they will find their way to the ocean. Unfortunately, the survival rate of the babies is not very good. Each nest has 100 to 120 eggs about the size of a golf ball. Female turtles start to lay eggs at about 25 to 30 years of age, depending on the turtle.
The port of Zakynthos has ferry service that connects to the port of Kyllini on the mainland. There is another ferry that meets up with the village of Skinari to Argostolu on the Greek Island of Kefalonia. There are some sites to see aside from the beaches. You can see Shipwreck Bay, Cape Skinari and the Blue Caves. The western part of the island is accessible and has a breathtaking view of the sea. Especially at sunset. The ridge at Anafontria has an observation deck that does overlook the shipwreck and there is a working monastery near by.
For the tourist there are campsites and beaches one of the most beautiful near Keri which is 100 meters in length and is surrounded by the cliffs . There are the beaches of Porto Limnionas, Porto Vromi and Porto Zoro. If you are looking for a vacation within a vacation come to Zakynthos.
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