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A multi-cultural island, with cosmopolitan resorts, traditional villages, romantic serenades and beautiful beaches.
Old streets arched buildings quaint bell towers and historical churches, the cosmopolitan town and beatutiful squares, historical Strani Hill and Bohali's Venetian Castle, are just some of the reasons why millions of tourists have visited the island. General information
Population: 32,557 inhabitants (1999 census)
Postal Code: 29 100
Dialling Code: +030 26950
Administrative division
Zakynthos belongs to the Ionian Islands Region, which includes the prefectures of Corfu, Lefkada, Cephalonia and Zakynthos. The capital is Corfu. Zakynthos has the second highest population and is the third largest of the Ionian Islands.
It comprises the following municipalities:
1. 1. Alikon, 2. Arkadion, 3. Artemision, 4. Elation, 5. Zakynthion, 6. Laganas.
Geographical location
The island is located at the west part of Greece, northwest of the Peloponnese.
It is 8.5 nautical miles away from Cephalonia, 9.5 miles from Peloponnese and about 300 kilometers from Athens.
Latitude: Β 37,47 – Longitude: Α 20,54
Surface
Zakynthos: 402,080 square kilometers.
Strofadia islets: 2,531 square kilometers.
Pelouzo and Marathonisi islands: 0,989 square kilometers.
Total area of prefecture: 405.6 square kilometers. Coastline length: 123 kilometers.
Natural geography
The island is full of natural contrasts. The north and west part of Zakynthos are the most mountainous. The eastern part is dominated by plains.
At the centre of the island is its highest mountain, Brachionas, the tallest peak of which is 758 meters. The mountainous land is gritty and piny.
On the eastern part of the island there is a fertile valley. The lowland is fruitful and rich in carbonic calcium.
The sandy beaches southwards, eastwards and northwards are innumerable, while westwards there are steep rocky coasts that form often sea caves. The island does not have rivers.
Climate
Temperate Mediterranean (sunshine, some rain).
There are mostly southwest, west and northwest winds.
Environment
Zakythos is considerably rich in flora and fauna. The Mediterranean climate creates a rich, green environment with trees and forests.
The migratory birds, the turtle-doves stop every year at these forests.
At the south coasts of the islands, there is the National sea park of Zakynthos, where the rare turtle Caretta-Caretta is propagated. The seal Monahus-Monahus lives at the west coasts.
Economy
Local economy relies on tourism and agricultural production (olive, citrus fruit and raisin production).
Tradition - Culture
Zakynthos has a great tradition, as the cross-road of nations and cultures for many centuries. Many art forms have been cultivated and developed, mainly poetry, painting, music and theatre.
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