The geography and the Environmental and Cultural Park of Paros

Paros is located in the center of the Cyclades complex, which consists of 24 islands. It is located 90 miles from Piraeus and it has about 15.000 residents. The subsoil of Paros is composed mainly of granite and calcareous rock and in comparison to the other islands of the complex; Paros has enough groundwater to supply its self from the available quantities, without carrying water from elsewhere.

At the center of the island there is the main massive of Paros, followed by soft low hills. Along the biggest part of Paros’ coasts—except a part of the northern side of the island – there are beautiful beaches that are waiting for their visitors to reveal them their secrets. The hidden secrets are as many and different as are the beaches.

There are no forests on the island but low vegetation, hardwood or short trees, big bushes such as kermes oaks, Phoenician junipers, pistacias, arbutuses, oleanders and in some littoral areas there are salt cedars and another types of small cedars.

In Paros there are still wetlands, despite the consequences of the big urban development. On the island, 10 natural wetlands have been registered in total in the inventory and despite their small number, their variety is remarkable: the marsh of Kolimpithres, the lagoon of Santa Maria, the saltmarsh of Agairia, the marsh of Molos or Kefalos, the marsh of Parikia, the marsh of Chrissi Akti, the saltmarsh of Pounda, the lagoon of Pounda, the saltmarshes of Lageri (Platia Ammos) and of Piso Aliki.

The cultivable areas, which are many in comparison with the size of Paros are mainly used for the cultivation of vines and olive trees. Wherever the formation of the ground was not appropriate for cultivation, Parians have formed terraces to hold the earth and to form cultivable areas. Finding ways to obtain what is necessary to survive is a characteristic of all the islands of the Cyclades complex and of man ingenuity.

Environmental and Cultural Park of Paros

The Environmental – Cultural Park of Paros has been created at the bay, where the monastery of Saint John Detis is located. It is a thematic park, which is located on a peninsula of 800 square kilometers in area, with a special geological and historical interest.

This park is a pioneer in its kind in Cyclades, which relies mainly on volunteers and organizes all kinds of events every year.

More particularly, in the park you can enjoy the beauty and the peace of Paros’ nature, taking a walk around the paths of the area all year round, in every season.

In this area you will also find the post-Byzantine monastery of Saint John, Russian installations of the Orlov events and the big shipyard of the 20th century.

The Environmental and Cultural Park of Paros implements a program of green development projects and activities, for the protection and promotion of the area’s culture and nature.

An annual Festival is also held in the Park from June to September, with many quality music, theatre, dance and speech events as well as environmental and athletic activities.