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About the Greek island of Astipalaia
ALTERNATIVE NAMES: Astypalaia, Astypalea, Astipalea, Astipalaia
ISLAND GROUP: Cyclades Greek Islands
POPULATION: About 1,100 of whom 700-800 live in Skala Port of the Chora.
GEOGRAPHY: The longest dimension is about 18km and the depth which is greater is about 24km with an overall area of some 99sqkm. This arid island is popularly described as being shaped like a pair of butterfly wings. This is because the two major land areas are linked b a tiny narrow neck of land thining to less than 300m.
GENERAL IMPRESSIONS: Chapel-like water well, colourful and purposeful fishing fleet, lots of steps, fair-haired Greeks, arid landscape.
SPECIALITIES: No snakes! Curiously elaborate women's traditional dress. Gasosa lemonade.
ADMIN: Even though it is a Cyclades island, Astipalaia is incorporated in the Dodecanese administration.
TELEPHONE PREFIX: 22420
MAIN TOWNS: Skala is the main arrival point and this busy, noisy port is dominated by the Kastro topped Chora. The Chora is 1km from Skala and is the captial divided into the classic middle or saddle level and the upper castle level. Livadia is 2km from the Chora the road to it being dominated by windmills. Maltezana is 9km from Skala and is a rather sprawling farming community, there's a beach with pebbles and grassy sea-bed and lots of jetties jutting into the bay.