Evia is an island to the northeast of Athens connected to the Greek
mainland with a drawbridge. The Prefecture of Evia covers an area of 4,167 km2
and has a coastline of 677 km. The land is part mountainous, the highest peak is
Mount Dirfis of 1,743 m, The Fertile valleys have some small rivers. The main
agricultural produce is of cereals, fruits, olives and olive oil, walnuts,
almonds, sheep, pork, cheese and honey. The earth is rich in minerals as
lignite, though a major source of income comes from tourism to the area due to
its close proximity to Athens.
There are therapeutic springs in the region near the village of Aidipsos.
Their waters are among the warmest in Europe at 80 C and have extensive curative
properties. From these therapeutic springs mythology has it that Hercules took
his strength. The therapeutic springs in Edipsos are also popular with visitors.
The Gulf of Evia is between the mainland and the island, its currents keep
the waters of the beaches clean. An interesting phenomenon of the island is the
ebb and flow of the waters flowing under the drawbridge of Halkida, every six
hours the current changes direction.
There are many places of interest in the region and the archaeological site
of ancient Eretria.
The Evia climate is mild and dry with cool summers.