View source for Cyclades

{{short description|Greek island group in the Aegean Sea}}
{{for|the computer network|CYCLADES}}
{{Redirect|Cyclodes|the genus of moth|Cyclodes (moth)|the electoral district|Cyclades (constituency)}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name                    = Cyclades
| native_name             = Νομός Κυκλάδων
| native_name_lang        = 
| settlement_type         = Former [[Prefectures of Greece|prefecture]]
| image_skyline           = 
| image_caption           = 
| image_flag              = 
| image_seal              = 
| image_shield            = 
| image_map               = Nomos Kykladon.png
| map_caption             = Location of Cyclades in Greece
| image_map1              = Cyclades municipalities numbered.png
| map_caption1            = Location of municipalities within Cyclades Prefecture
| coordinates             = 
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = [[Greece]]
| subdivision_type1       = [[Peripheries of Greece|Periphery]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[South Aegean]] 
| parts_type              = Subdivisions
| p1                      = 9 [[Provinces of Greece|provinces]]
| p2                      = 20 [[Communities and Municipalities of Greece|municipalities]]
| p3                      = 11 [[Communities and Municipalities of Greece|communities]]
| established_title       = Established
| established_date        = 1833
| extinct_title           = Disestablished
| extinct_date            = 2010
| seat_type               = Capital
| seat                    = [[Ermoupoli]]
| government_footnotes    = 
| leader_party            = 
| leader_title            = 
| leader_name             = 
| unit_pref               = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
| area_footnotes          = 
| area_total_km2          = 2572
| area_rank               = [[List of the prefectures of Greece by area|23rd]]
| elevation_footnotes     = 
| elevation_m             = 
| population_footnotes    = 
| population_total        = 119549
| population_as_of        = 2005
| population_density_km2  = auto
| population_density_rank = 34th
| population_demonym      = 
| population_note         = 
| population_rank         = [[List of the prefectures of Greece by population|29th]]
| timezone1               = 
| utc_offset1             = 
| timezone1_DST           = 
| utc_offset1_DST         = 
| postal_code_type        = [[Postal codes in Greece|Postal codes]]
| postal_code             = 84x xx
| area_code_type          = [[Telephone numbers in Greece|Area codes]]
| area_code               = 228x0
| iso_code                = GR-82
| registration_plate      = ΕΜ
| website                 = 
| footnotes               = 
}}

The '''Cyclades''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|ɪ|k|l|ə|d|iː|z}}; {{langx|el|Κυκλάδες|Kykládes}}, {{IPA|el|ciˈkla.ðes|IPA}}) are an [[island group]] in the [[Aegean Sea]], southeast of mainland Greece and a former administrative [[prefectures of Greece|prefecture]] of Greece. They are one of the [[List of islands of Greece|island groups]] which constitute the [[Aegean Islands|Aegean archipelago]]. The name ({{langx|el|Κυκλάδες νήσοι|Kykládes nísoi|encircling islands|label=none}}) refers to the [[archipelago]] forming a circle around the sacred island of [[Delos]]. The largest island of the Cyclades is [[Naxos]]; the most populated, however, is [[Syros]].

==History==
{{main|History of the Cyclades}}
[[File:Harp player, Cycladic civilization - Greece.JPG|thumb|left|upright|''Harp player'', example of Cycladic art, at the National Archeological Museum, Athens]]

The significant Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age [[Cycladic culture]] is best known for its schematic, flat sculptures carved out of the islands' pure white marble centuries before the great Middle [[Bronze Age]] [[Minoan civilization]] arose in Crete to the south. (These figures have been looted from burials to satisfy a thriving Cycladic antiquities market since the early 20th century.)

A distinctive Neolithic culture amalgamating Anatolian and mainland Greek elements arose in the western Aegean before 4000 BCE, based on [[emmer]] and wild-type barley, sheep and goats, pigs, and tuna that were apparently speared from small boats (Rutter). Excavated sites include [[Chalandriani]], [[Phylakopi]], [[Skarkos]], [[Saliagos]] and Kephala (on [[Kea (island)|Kea]]) with signs of copperworking, Each of the small Cycladic islands could support no more than a few thousand people, though Late Cycladic boat models show that fifty oarsmen could be assembled from the scattered communities (Rutter), and when the highly organized palace-culture of Crete arose, the islands faded into insignificance, with the exception of Delos, which retained its archaic reputation as a [[sanctuary]] throughout antiquity and until the emergence of Christianity.

===Archaeology===
[[File:Ancient Greek theatre in Delos 01.jpg|thumb|left|Ancient theatre, [[Delos]]]]

The first archaeological excavations of the 1880s, undertaken by antiquaries such as [[James Theodore Bent|Theodore Bent]] at [[Antiparos]] in early 1884,<ref>Theodore Bent, ‘Researches among the Cyclades’. 1884, ''The Journal of Hellenic Studies'', Vol. 5, 42-59.</ref> were followed by systematic work by the [[British School at Athens]] and by [[Christos Tsountas]], who investigated burial sites on several islands in 1898–1899 and coined the term "Cycladic civilization". Interest lagged, and then picked up in the mid-20th century, as collectors competed for the modern-looking figures that seemed so similar to sculpture by [[Jean Arp]] or [[Constantin Brâncuși]]. Sites were looted and a brisk trade in forgeries arose. The context for many of these [[Cycladic art|Cycladic figurines]] has been mostly destroyed and their meaning may never be completely understood.

Another intriguing and mysterious object is that of the Cycladic [[frying pans]]. More accurate [[archaeology]] has revealed the broad outlines of a farming and seafaring culture that had emigrated from [[Anatolia]] {{Circa|5000 BCE}}. Early Cycladic culture evolved in three phases, between c.&nbsp;3300 – 2000 BCE, when it was increasingly swamped in the rising influence of Minoan Crete. The culture of mainland Greece contemporary with Cycladic culture is known as the [[Helladic period]].

In recent decades the Cyclades have become popular with European and other tourists, and as a result there have been problems with [[erosion]], pollution, and water shortages.

==Geography==
[[File:Aegean Sea with island groups labeled.gif|thumb|upright=1.2|The Cyclades encircle the sacred island of [[Delos]]]]
<gallery>
File:Syros ermoupolis 140707.jpg|[[Ermoupoli]], capital of the Cyclades. [[Syros]]
File:Santoríni aerial.jpg|[[Santorini]]
File:Mykonos City.jpg|[[Mykonos]]
File:City of Naxos.jpg|[[Naxos]]
File:Fole abhang.jpg|[[Folegandros]]
File:Chora Milos.jpg|[[Milos]]
File:Iraklia 2023 19.jpg|[[Irakleia (Cyclades)|Irakleia]]
File:Rineia.jpg|[[Rineia]]
File:Koufonisi 2023 57.jpg|[[Koufonisia|Koufonisi]]
File:Vraka Aegean Islands Greek Costume.JPG|Traditional ''vraka'' ([[breeches]]) in the dress of the Aegean islands 
</gallery>

The Cyclades includes about 220 islands, the major ones being [[Amorgos]], [[Anafi]], [[Andros]], [[Antiparos]], [[Delos]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Delos – UNESCO World Heritage Centre |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/530/ |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |access-date=28 September 2025}}</ref> [[Ios (island)|Ios]], [[Kea (island)|Kea]], [[Kimolos]], [[Kythnos]], [[Milos]], [[Mykonos]], [[Naxos]], [[Paros]], [[Folegandros]], [[Serifos]], [[Sifnos]], [[Sikinos]], [[Syros]], [[Tinos]], and [[Santorini|Thira or Santoríni]]. There are also many minor islands (the [[Lesser Cyclades]]) including [[Donousa]], [[Eschati]], [[Gyaros]], [[Irakleia (Cyclades)|Irakleia]], [[Koufonisia]], [[Makronisos]], [[Rineia]], and [[Schoinousa]]. The name "Cyclades" refers to the islands forming a circle ("circular islands") around the sacred island of Delos. Most of the smaller islands are uninhabited.

[[Ermoupoli]] on Syros is the chief town and administrative center of the former prefecture.

The islands are peaks of a submerged mountainous terrain, with the exception of two [[volcano|volcanic islands]], Milos and Santorini. The climate is generally dry and mild, but with the exception of Naxos, the soil is not very fertile; agricultural produce includes wine, fruit, wheat, [[olive oil]], and tobacco. Lower temperatures are registered in higher elevations and these areas do not usually see wintry weather.

The Cyclades are bounded to the south by the [[Sea of Crete]].<ref>{{cite book |first=Peter |last=Saundry |first2=C.&nbsp;Michael |last2=Hogan |first3=Steve |last3=Baum |year=2011 |chapter-url=http://www.eoearth.org/article/Sea_of_Crete?topic=49523 |chapter=Sea of Crete |title=Encyclopedia of Earth |editor-first=M. |editor-last=Pidwirny |editor2-first=C. J. |editor2-last=Cleveland |publisher=National Council for Science and Environment |location=Washington DC }}</ref>

==Administration==

The '''Cyclades Prefecture''' ({{langx|el|Νομός Κυκλάδων}}) was one of the [[prefectures of Greece]]. As a part of the [[Kallikratis Programme|2011 Kallikratis government reform]], the prefecture was abolished, and its territory was divided into nine [[regional units of Greece|regional units]] of the [[South Aegean]] region:
{{Div col|small=yes}}
* [[Andros]]
* [[Kea-Kythnos]]
* [[Milos (regional unit)|Milos]]
* [[Mykonos]]
* [[Naxos (regional unit)|Naxos]]
* [[Paros (regional unit)|Paros]]
* [[Thira (regional unit)|Thira]]
* [[Syros]]
* [[Tinos]]
{{Div col end
}}

===Municipalities and communities===

The prefecture was subdivided into the following municipalities and communities. These have been reorganised at the 2011 Kallikratis reform as well.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Municipality !! YPES code !! Seat (if different) !! Postal code !! Area code 
|-
| [[Amorgos]] || 3101 || || 840 08 || 22850–2
|-
| [[Andros (town)]] || 3103 || || 845 00 ||  22820–2
|-
| [[Ano Syros]] || 3105 |||| 841 00 || 22810–8
|-
| [[Drymalia]] || 3107 || [[Chalkeio]] Naxou || 843 02 || 22850
|-
| [[Ermoupoli]] || 3109 || || 841 00 || 22810–2
|-
| [[Exomvourgo]] || 3108 || [[Kampos, Tinos|Kampos]] || 842 00 || 22850–5
|-
| [[Ios (island)|Ios]] || 3112 || || 840 01 || 22860–9
|-
| [[Kea (island)|Kea]] || 3113 || [[Ioulis]] || 840 02 || 22880–2
|-
| [[Korthio]] || 3115 || [[Ormos]] Korthiou || 845 02 || 22820–6
|-
| [[Kythnos]] || 3117 || || 840 06 || 22810–3
|-
| [[Milos]] || 3118 || || 848 00 || 22870–2
|-
| [[Mykonos]] || 3119 || || 846 00 || 22890–2
|-
| [[Naxos]] || 3120 || || 843 00 || 22850–2
|-
| [[Paros]] || 3123 || || 844 00 || 22840–2
|-
| [[Poseidonia]] || 3124 || || 841 00 || 22810–4
|-
| [[Santorini]] || 3111 || || 847 00 || 22860–2
|-
| [[Serifos]] || 3125 || || 840 02 || 22810–5
|-
| [[Sifnos]] || 3127 || || 840 03 || 22840–3
|-
| [[Tinos]] || 3129 || || 842 00 || 22830–2
|-
| [[Ydrousa]] || 3130 || [[Gavrio]] || 845 01 || 22820–7
|- 
! Community !! YPES code !! Seat (if different)!! Postal code !! Area code 
|-
| [[Anafi]] || 3102 || || 840 09 || 22860–6
|-
| [[Antiparos]] || 3104 || || 840 07 || 22840–6
|-
| [[Donousa]] || 3106 || || 843 00 || 22850–5
|-
| [[Folegandros]] || 3131 || || 840 11 || 22860
|-
| [[Irakleia (Cyclades)|Irakleia]] || 3110 || || 843 00 || 22870–7
|-
| [[Kimolos]] || 3114 || || 840 04 || 22870–5
|-
| [[Koufonisia]] || 3116 || || 843 00 || 22870–7
|-
| [[Oia, Greece|Oia]] || 3121 || || 847 02 || 22860–7
|-
| [[Panormos, Tinos|Panormos]] || 3122 || || 842 01 || 22830–3
|-
| [[Schoinousa]] || 3128 || || 843 00 || 22870–7
|-
| [[Sikinos]] || 3126 || || 840 10 || 22860–5
|}

===Provinces===
{{Div col|small=yes}}
* Province of [[Amorgos]]: Amorgos
* Province of [[Andros]]: Andros
* Province of [[Kea (island)|Kea]]: Ioulis
* Province of [[Milos]]: Milos
* Province of [[Naxos]]: Naxos
* Province of [[Paros]]: Paroikia
* Province of [[Syros]]: Ermoupoli
* Province of [[Tinos]]: Tinos
* Province of [[Thira (regional unit)|Thira]]: Thira
{{Div col end}}
''Note:'' Provinces no longer hold any legal status in [[Greece]].

==Cuisine==
Local specialities of the Cyclades include:
{{Div col|small=yes}}
* ''Brantáda'', cod fillet fish dish
* ''Fava Santorinis'' (made from ''[[Lathyrus clymenum]]'')
* ''Fourtalia'' ([[Andros]]), omelette
* ''[[Kakavia (soup)]]''
* ''Matsata'', pasta
* ''Kalasouna'' ([[Naxos]])
* ''Kalogeros'' ([[Naxos]])
* ''[[Tomatokeftedes]]''
* Various cheeses, such as [[Kopanisti Mykonou]], Manoura Sifnou, Armexia, Malaxia, Chloro, San Michali etc.
* ''Loutza'', similar to the Cypriot ''[[lountza]]''
* ''[[Strapatsada]]'' (Koskosela)
* ''Sfougato'' (omelette)
* ''[[Lazarakia]]'' (dessert)
* ''Melitinia'' (dessert)
* ''Melopita'' (dessert)
* [[Santorini (wine)]]
{{Div col end}}

== See also ==
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Aegean cat]]
* [[List of islands of Greece]]
* [[Minoan eruption]]
* [[Mosaics of Delos]]
* [[Nisiotika]] music
* [[Santorini wine]]
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
*{{cite book |editor-first=J. A. |editor-last=MacGillivray |editor2-first=R. L. N. |editor2-last=Barber |title=The Prehistoric Cyclades |location=Edinburgh |year=1984 }}
*{{cite book |first=R. L. N. |last=Barber |title=The Cyclades in the Bronze Age |location=Iowa City |year=1987 }}

==External links==
{{sister project links|voy=Cyclades|Cyclades}}
* [https://sites.dartmouth.edu/aegean-prehistory/lessons/ Jeremy B. Rutter, "The Prehistoric Archaeology of the Aegean"]: especially Lessons 2 and 4: chronology, history, bibliography
* [http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/greek_islands/cyclades Cyclades] The Official website of the [[Greek National Tourism Organisation]]

{{The Cyclades}}
{{Aegean Sea}}
{{Prefectures of Greece}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Cyclades| ]]
[[Category:Aegean islands]]
[[Category:Archipelagoes of Greece]]
[[Category:Prefectures of Greece]]
[[Category:Landforms of the South Aegean]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1833|Cyclades]]