A QUICK ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE ISLAND

  Thassos is a verdurous island of the Northern Aegean Sea, located very close to the Eastern Macedonia coastline, at a distance of 12 n.miles from Kavala and about 6 n.miles from Keramoti. It covers an area of 380 sq.km., the length of the coastline is 108 km. and it has a round shape. It belongs to Kavala Prefecture and is divided to the Municipality and nine Municipal Areas and has 13,765 inhabitants according to 2001sensus.
  It is mountainous with springs, marvelous beaches and thick vegetation. The forests cover about 7/10 of the total surface of the island and usually reach the sea. The highest peak is Ipsarion, about 1.127m. high, ideal for lovers of mountaineering. On the slopes of the mountains grow all kinds of plants (bushes, rods, origanum, wild flowers) whereas at the lowlands and valleys there are olive and fruit trees.
  As far as the climate and the ground morphology arc concerned, Thassos is special in comparison to other islands of the Aegean Sea. Almost all other islands have an unproductive and treeless ground at their northern part, as they suffer from strong north winds during the whole year. Also they have low rains - except from the eastern islands. On the contrary, Thassos presents the following differences: -It doesn't suffer from such strong winds and even when the wind blows it is usually north, of low speed, and rarely south. This fact is actually written by Hippocrates during his three-year stay on the island at the end of the 5'" century B.C.
  As far as rain is concerned, the northern half of the island is privileged, as it rains there two times as much as it does at the southern half. Usually it rains heavily at the northern part and moving towards the south the rains are lighter.
  As far as ground morphology is concerned, the northern half is almost inaccessible, with steep slopes, and is consisted mostly by decayed and schistose ground. On the contrary, the southern part is quite flat, with a mild climate, and consists of argillaceous and calcareous rocks. These kind of rocks are of great importance for the entrapment of the waters and the creation of springs at the northern part, or the canalization towards the sea to the southern part.
  According to the above, the island is divided to two parts, northern and southern, with an imaginable line starting from Sotiros village at the west and ending a little more to the south of Kinira village at the east. These two parts differ so much, that the visitor is surprised, thinking he has visited two different countries.
  The northern part has richer vegetation, thick forests reaching the sea and cultivations of olive trees, vineyards and gardening plants at the valleys and the small plains. Unlike this part, the southern part - despite the flat morphology - is poor in forests and cultivations and is mostly rocky and unproductive.
  Thassos' underground is rich and the island was known from the ancient years for its minerals. There is lead and silver at Limenaria, copper in Astris and iron in Kallirachi, and also exquisite snow-white colored marble.
  The crystal clear sea surrounds the island and there are beautiful beaches all around with clean, shallow waters, ideal for swimming. The island keeps the traditions. It has an authentic beauty and the inhabitants are hospitable, keeping the mores that have been inherited from generation to generation. One of the old habits still retained are the festivals that take place to the churches in favor of the Saints. As a result, Thassos island has many things to offer to the visitor. It is an island that you will adore from the first moment. The beautiful beaches, the picturesque villages, the traditions and the kind inhabitants will offer you the best and make you spend the most unforgettable vacations.