Anafi
Anafi (Greek: Ανάφη) is a small island community and municipality in the Cyclades archipelago of Greece, located in the southern Aegean Sea approximately 23 kilometers east of Santorini. Covering a land area of about 38 square kilometers with a predominantly rocky and mountainous terrain dominated by Mount Kalamos at 475 meters, it had a resident population of 273 as recorded in early 2000s censuses, though recent estimates suggest slight variations around 270-300 due to seasonal tourism influences.[1][2][3] Historically settled by Phoenicians and later Dorians around the 8th century BCE, Anafi experienced Athenian control during the 5th century BCE and subsequent medieval rule under Venetian families before integration into modern Greece; its name derives from ancient Anaphe, linked in mythology to Apollo's aid for the Argonauts.[4][5] The island's economy traditionally relies on subsistence agriculture, fishing, and limited pastoral activities, with tourism emerging as a supplementary sector in recent decades, drawn to its unspoiled beaches, the prominent whitewashed Monastery of Panagia Kalamiotissa perched atop Kalamos, and ancient sites like the Temple of Apollo Aigletes, though development remains minimal to preserve its arid, windswept character.[6][2][7]Geography
Location and Physical Features
Anafi is a Greek island in the southern Aegean Sea, forming the southeasternmost part of the Cyclades archipelago.[8] It lies approximately 30 kilometers east of Santorini (Thera), the closest major island, with central coordinates around 36°22′N 25°47′E.[9] [5] Administratively, Anafi belongs to the Thira regional unit within the South Aegean region.[8] The island covers a land area of 38.6 square kilometers, with a coastline measuring 32.4 kilometers.[5] [2] It exhibits a roughly triangular shape, characterized by an eastern peninsula and four uninhabited southern islets: Ftena, Pachia, Makria, and others.[8] Anafi's terrain is hilly rather than mountainous, featuring rugged landscapes, golden sandy beaches, and clear deep-green waters.[10] [5] The highest point is Mount Kalamos, also referred to as Vigla or Agios Elias, rising to 582 meters above sea level.[10] [5] This elevation dominates the island's interior, contributing to its arid yet fragrant environment suitable for hiking and seclusion.[10]Climate
Anafi features a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen classification Csa), with prolonged dry summers marked by high temperatures and low humidity, contrasted by mild winters that receive the majority of annual precipitation.[11] The island's exposure in the southern Cyclades results in consistently sunny conditions, averaging over 3,000 hours of sunshine annually, though strong northerly Meltemi winds prevail from June to September, moderating daytime heat and influencing local vegetation patterns.[8] Annual mean temperatures hover around 18–19°C, with extremes rarely dipping below 6°C in winter or exceeding 32°C in summer. The warmest month is August, with average highs of 29°C (85°F) and lows of 24°C (75°F), while January, the coolest, sees highs of 14–15°C (58°F) and lows near 10–13°C (50–55°F). Diurnal ranges are moderate due to maritime influences, and snowfall is negligible, occurring only occasionally on higher elevations like Mount Kalamos.[12][13] Precipitation totals approximately 300–350 mm per year, concentrated in the wet season from October to March, with January typically the rainiest at 60–70 mm. Summers are arid, with negligible rainfall from May to September, fostering drought-resistant flora such as maquis shrubland. Relative humidity averages 65–75% year-round, dropping in summer under the influence of dry northerlies.[12]| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) | Precipitation (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14.7 | 12.9 | 60–70 |
| February | 15.0 | 13.0 | 50–60 |
| March | 16.0 | 13.5 | 40–50 |
| April | 18.0 | 15.0 | 30 |
| May | 22.0 | 19.0 | 10–20 |
| June | 25.0 | 22.0 | <5 |
| July | 27.0 | 24.0 | <1 |
| August | 29.0 | 24.0 | <1 |
| September | 26.0 | 22.0 | 5–10 |
| October | 23.0 | 19.0 | 30–40 |
| November | 19.0 | 16.0 | 50 |
| December | 16.0 | 14.0 | 50–60 |