Astypalea is the fourth largest and westernmost island of the Dodecanese. It lies west of Nisyros and east of Anafi (Cyclades). Astypalea serves as a “bridge” connecting the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, as it is administratively part of the Dodecanese, but geographically and culturally it stands between the two island groups, combining elements from both. It has an area of 97 square kilometres, a coastline of 110 kilometres, and a population of 1,334. It is 23 nautical miles from Kos, 96 nautical miles from Rhodes, and 117 nautical miles from Piraeus.
Full of high cliffs and hills, the highest peak is 482 metres, with beautiful beaches and picturesque villages, inviting visitors on a magical journey through the blue of the Aegean and the white of its houses. A narrow strip of land, about 100 metres wide, called “Steno,” divides the island into two parts: the inner and outer island.
To the southeast, there are several small islets, such as Agia Kyriaki, Hondros, Koutsomytis and Kounoupi. To the west lie the islets of Ofidousa, Htenia, Pontikousa, and others. The island’s capital is the eponymous settlement, also known as Chora, which is connected to the port (Pera Gialos). Apart from Chora, the main villages are Analipsi (formerly called Maltezana or Martizana), where the island’s airport is located, Livadi, which is inhabited during the summer months, and Vathy, located in the northeast of the island.
The island’s terrain is semi-mountainous, with two distinct lowland areas in the southwest and northeast of the island (Livadi and Vathy, respectively). The highest peaks are “Vardia” (482m) and “Kastellano” (366m). Its indented coastline, 110 kilometres long, forms many small bays, while in many cases the hills extend around the perimeter down to the sea, creating steep cliffs.
The average annual temperature recorded at the station is 19.27°C, with average monthly values ranging between 11.68°C (February) and 27.20°C (July). The average minimum monthly air temperature of 7.73°C is recorded in February, while the average maximum monthly temperature is recorded in July, reaching 32.09°C. Regarding absolute minimum and maximum temperatures, the minimum is recorded in February at 5.00°C, and the maximum in June and July, when temperatures rise to 40.20°C. The average annual relative humidity for the wider Astypalea area is 70.13%.
According to data from the Directorate of Agricultural Economy, the average annual precipitation on Astypalea ranges from 196.4 to 620.9 mm, with an average value of 400 mm.