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General Info
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History
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Excursions
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Civilization
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Information
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Map
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GENERAL INFO
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Karpathos is the 2nd
in size island of the Dodecanese complex. It is known for its
natural beauty and for the fact that the local residents keep
their traditions more alive than and in any other corner of both
the islands and mainland of Greece. This is evident from the traditional
costumes that are worn during the festivities by all the women
of the island.
They wear colorful traditional costumes that have a double line
of gold coins on their chest and a beautiful scarf on their heads.
Their houses are also decorated with rare local woven fabrics
and embroideries, mainly hand made by the women of Karpathos.
In this way their houses look like small museums.
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More than just the
beauty that is conveyed through its traditions, Karpathos
allows its natural beauty to caress your eyes. Tall mountains
and exquisite nature are its main characteristics.
Its mountains end up to embroidered seashores, coastlines
with white sandy beaches. Kyra-Panagia, Achata, Ambela, are
some of its beautiful beaches. The white beaches are beautifully
combined with the light blue of the sea. The mountains are
full of pine trees and hide in them beautiful small villages
that compose the centre of attraction for the summer visitors.
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A few years back Karpathos was hit by immigration, lately
things have changed and tourism has played a major role in
this. From year to year tourism increases and this increases
the need for infrastructure, having as a result the construction
of hotels, the improvement of the road networks and the expansion
of international flights as Karpathos has an international
airport.
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Karpathos
is the far most southern island of the Dodecanese
complex. It is located between Crete and Rhodes
and is approx 301 sq klm in size. Its shorelines
stretch out approx. 160 klms. It is oblong in shape
and its length reaches 49 klms. Its maximum width
reaches 11 klms, while its minimum width reaches
3,3 klms. Its highest mountain reaches 1215 meters.
Other high peaks of Karpathos are Profitis Elias
1168 meters, Lastos 975 meters and others.
Karpathos produces grapes and from these high quality
wine . It also produces oil, grapes, honey, citrus
fruits and others. The traditional folklore works
of art, such at the Karpathian plates, woven fabrics
and others are also products that are produced here.
In the sea of Karpathos a lot of tasteful fish are
fished. At the south part of the island you will
have the chance to see flat like limestones.
You will also find limestones and plaster scattered
around at the centre and south part of the island.
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The initial impression that you get from Karpathos is that it
is a barren, rocky island that has no forests. Nevertheless Karpathos
has a vast variety of herbs and it is a paradise for a substantial
quantity of animals and plants. It has a thick a beautiful pine
forest in the centre of the island at Piles - Mesohori - Spoa.
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Also included in the
vegetation and greenery you will find vineyards, olive trees
and mainly various other fruit bearing trees. A lot of plants
that grow here, some of which are rate in the European area
, such as Phlomis Floccose, Crocus biflus. Vast wealth is also
found in the fauna of the island. Here in the rocky caves the
Mediterranean seal (Monachus-Monachus) live. We also come across
species as Mavropetritis and the Aegean Seagull , which are
both protected bird species.
Karpathos like many other Greek islands is a passageway for
many immigrating birds as the Bee-eater, the Halkokourouna,
and various types of swallows, turtledoves and many others.
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At this point we have to make reference to the amphibian Mertensiella
Luscani, which has adapted to the dry climate of the island
and during the summer season lives under the humid rocks in
various cool passages. This species only exists in Karpathos
and Kastelorizo.
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