THE ISLAND OF CHIOS

Grand, nostalgic, discreet, a real lady in the middle of the Archipelagos gifted with unique Ionic light and generous Mediterranean sun, full of frangances, the island of the mastic-gum, of poets, philosophers, people of spirit as well as merchants, the cradle of the glorious Greek merchant marine, the island of CHIOS.
The island of Chios extends to 904 square kilometers and has a population of about 52.184 people. It consists of three islands: Chios (which is the largest fifth in size Greek island, the total length of its shores being 213 Km), Inousses and Psara.

Chios is one of the islands of the north-east Aegean, very close to Asia Minor and opposite the Erithrea peninsula, separated from it by the Chios Straits.

One of the most important products of the island is mastic, which is uniquely produced on it. It is famous and world - widely renowned for its aroma and taste. It is uniquely cultivated in Mastihohora and about 105 tons of it are exported to other countries.

Earliest inhabitant and first King according to tradition, was Inopion, the son of Dionyseus or Theseus and Ariadne, who came from Crete and taught the locals how to grow vines. The name of Chios comes from Chiona, who was the daughter of Inopion. According to lon, however, the name comes from Hios, the son of Neptune, at the birth of whom, too much snow (hioni) fell on the island. According to a third explanation by the historian Isidoros, the name Chios comes from, Phoenicians and in the Syrian language, it means "mastic". The island was at times mentioned by other names as well, which were lost in time. such as Pitioussa (because of its pines, as Pitis means Pine), Makris because of its shape (Makri means long), Aethalea (because of its ancient volcano) and Ofioussa (because of the many snakes means ofis, on it). The archaeological findings (at Ag. Galas and Emporios) prove that the island has been inhabited since 6.000 B.C.

The city of Chios, in the middle of the eastern coast of the island, looking over to the Erithrea peninsula and Asia Minor, shows its close relation to it. The position of its port, neighbouring a rich land and controlling the narrow passage to the Northern Aegean and to Constantinople many years ago, made it geographically, important - at least in the older times. For those reasons the position of the capital of the island has always been the same.