Chios

Chios, one of the Greek islands in the north-east Aegean, is located closely to Turkey (the distance accounts for approximately ten kilometers).

To describe Chios with dates: The island of Chios extends to 842,54 square kilometers and has a population of about 51,700 people.

The capital of Chios is the city of Chios, as it is the home of half of the population.
The island consists of ten Municipalities (Chios, Homeroupolis, Kardamyla, Kambochora, Mastichoria, Amanis, Psara, Inousses, Ionia, Agiou Mina), most of them were formed after the joining of small communities.

The islands landscape can be described as mountainous and rich of woodlands. The best outlook of all the island can be can be named the view from the "Pelineo mountain" in the northern part of Chios, as it is the highest mountain of the island with 1297 meters, granting a view over almost all the island. Due to the Greek mythology two other famous mountains are Provatas and Epos.

The climate in Chios is typical for the Mediterranean: Mild and rainy winter months on the one hand, warm and dry summer months on the other.

The agriculture of Chios does not produce many food products so that the inhabitants have to obtain their products from outward. Consequently, the merchant marine plays a very important role in the economy of the island. The main port on Chios for example is not only responsible for the purchase of products, but also improves the quality of living, hosting private yachts, sailing boats etc.

One of the most famous and profitable products of the island is 'mastic', which is solely produced on Chios, giving it a world widely unique status, as it is renowned for its aroma and taste. "Mastic" is cultivated in Mastichoria and from there every year about 20 tons are being exported. Some other products that get exported to other countries are jams, oils, wine, citrus crop and cereals.

Due to the heavy fires in August 2012, in which over 60 percent of the mastic trees were destroyed, the future production output is unknown.