The Land of Limnos

Limnos is found amid the Thracian and the Northern Aegean. In terms of administration, it belongs to the County of Lesvos and along with the island of Agios Eustratios (about 20 nautical miles from Sporades) constitute the Prefecture of Limnos. Limnos is 34 nautical miles from the coast of the Dardanelles, 28 nautical miles from Tenedos, 12 nautical miles from Imvros and 13 nautical miles from Samothraki.The distance from Piraeus to Limnos is 186 nautical miles, from Thessaloniki 150, from Kavala 76 and from Mitilini 84. The island covers a total territory of 478 sq. Kilometers and has a coastline of 259 km. The shape of the island reminds one of a butterfly and there are four capes, which point to the four co-ordinates. The Cape of Mourtzouflos at the north-west, Cape Plaka the north-east, Agia Irene at the south-east and Tigani at the south-west. Aside from that, the great distinction between north and south is clearly pointed by the two large bays of Mpournias and Moudros.

 The island of Limnos belongs to the aquatic dominion of the Northern Aegean and finds itself within equal distance from the Holy Mountain of Athos and Hellespont. At the northern part of the Thracian Sea, Limnos, along with the islands of Samothraki, Imvros, Tenedos, Mitilini and Agios Eustratios, constitute the Prefecture of Limnos of Lesvos’ county.
Limnos is the eighth largest island in Greece, covering 438 square kilometers. It’s characterized by a very unique coastline, that makes it look like a floating butterfly in the deep blue Archipelagos. Its geographical position has determined its historical course from pre-historic times till today.
Limnos is deprived of woody areas and the fact that there are no great mountain ranges, to function as barriers to strong north winds, lays it at the mercy of all weather conditions.
The butterfly-shaped island of Limnos is endowed with enormous natural beauty, deriving from its geological origins and its turbulent past. The volcanic eruptions have bestowed upon it a coastline that reaches 260km in length, which consequently leads to a rich physiology filled with capes, peninsulas, basins and gulfs.
The beaches of Limnos are deep and remain crystal clear, thanks to the inhabitants’ respect for the environment that dominates the island since the ages of the goddess Artemis!
Within the aquatic environment of Limnos, three types of protected habitats draw the greatest attention: the sandy beaches, the reefs with sea vegetation and “the grasslands of poseidonia”. From the capital of Mirina and beyond Moudros, and from Poliohni down to the Monastery of Agios Sozondas, the traveller will encounter hundreds of scenic capes. The Island’s two largest gulfs, are those of Moudros in the south and Mpournias in the north, while there are unaccountable sandy or pebbled beaches lining the island. The basic characteristic of the island is its volcanic provenance, yet what makes it unique is the plethora of the beaches. We could claim that the entire island constitutes a huge “Blue Flag”, since all the designated swimming shores, bays and gulfs have clear and safe waters. In the wider area of Mirina,  the beaches “Reha Nera” and “Avlona” are amongst the crowdest, while most coveted are those of “Agios Ioannis” in Kaspaka, “Thanos”, “Plati” and “Neugati”- between Thanos and Kontia- which is probably the most popular. Other well-known beaches are, “Havouli”, “Small and Big Fanaraki” at Moudros, “Keros” at Kaliopi, “Neftina” at Kontopouli, “Kotsinas” at Repanidi, “Agios Ermolaos” at Atsiki, “Gomati” at Katakolo, “Diapori” at Kontia, “Zemata” at Panagia, “Agios Stefanos” at Plaka and many others.

Limnia gaia
The famous “limnia gaia” is a lush, reddish clay-like substance with healing properties used for the cure of many diseases. It is mined from a place called “Agiochoma”, between Kotsina and Repanidi, and its documented effectiveness is attributed to the considerable amounts of ferrum. Its mining takes place during a special ceremony, at the presence of the local dignitaries and citizenry. At the beginning, the substance is washed and while still malleable is molded into slates or platesA local innovation, in regard to the curative “liminia gaia”, is the evolution of the idea of a commercial trademark. More accurately, the ancient Llimnians, were the first to conceive the need for a trade mark that would safeguard the copy/reproduction rights of a product before getting to the market place. Thus, there was a package of qualified product, escorted by a trademark of certification that proved its authenticity and hindered imitations.
This thick, lush “liminia gaia” gained the fame of medicinal uniqueness, given that it was administered to treat a variety of cases, such as poisonings, bleedings, dysentery, kidney malfunctions, ulcers, and even ophthalmological disorders.

Ecological environment
Limnos has numerous ecosystems of indisputable significance. Although it doesn’t have extended woodlands, under no circumstances can be characterized barren-land, since its covered by plenty grasslands. The most important ecosystemsis located at the eastern side of the island near the village Kaliopi and consists of three lakes, Aliki, Chortarolimni and Asprolimni, a territory that exceeds 14.000 sq. meters. 

Climate
Greece is found within the 34o and 42o parallel of the northern hemisphere and is washed by the East Mediterranean. The climate is mild, with many hours of sunlight, medium temperatures and sporadic rainfalls. Specifically Limnos can be described as having a mild climate, with moderate winters and cool summers. Almost every day the sun shines upon the Limnian sky and the island has an average sunlight of 200 days per annum and an average temperature of 15 oC. Medium temperature in January is 15,83 oC and 25,5 oC in July. From a climatic point of view, the year can be divided into two seasons. The cold and rainy winter period that lasts from October till the end of March and, the warm and drought less summer period that extends from March till October. Basic trait of the Limnian weather are the severe north-east winds that torment the island for a long time throughout the year. In summer the famous “meltemia”, the mild summer winds, sooth the hot, dry days that prevail on the island. The hottest period during the summer is the last ten days of July and the first week of August, where the average temperature ranges from 29 oC to 35 oC.