Kea (island) 4.5

Kea, also known as Gia or Tzia, Zea, and, in antiquity, Keos, is a Greek island in the Cyclades archipelago in the Aegean Sea. Kea is part of the Kea-Kythnos regional unit.GeographyIt is the island of the Cyclades complex that is closest to Attica (about 1 hour by ferry from Lavrio) and is also 20km from Cape Sounio as well as 60km SE of Athens. Its climate is arid, and its terrain is hilly. Kea is 19km long from north to south and 9km wide from west to east. The area is 128.9km² with the highest point being 560m above sea level. The municipality, which includes the island Makronisos, has an area of 148.926km². Its capital, Ioulis, is inland at a high altitude (like most ancient Cycladic settlements, for fear of pirates) and is considered quite picturesque. Other major villages of Kea are the port of Korissia and the fishing village of Vourkari. After suffering depopulation for many decades, Kea has been recently rediscovered by Athenians as a convenient destination for weekend and yachting trips. The population in 2011 was 2,455.