Kythnos

Area of island: 101 sq. km/39 sq. mi

Altitude: 326m/1,070ft

Chief place: Kythnos (Khóra, Mesariá)

Kythnos, a rocky and barren island of karstic limestone, lies southeast of Kéa. The coast is much indented and for the most part falls steeply down to the sea. The inhabitants live by farming and fishing. In antiquity, iron was mined on the island.

The first settlers were Dryopians from Euboea, who left their mark in the name of the village of Dryopís. Later they were driven out by Ionians. Kythnos never played an important part in history.