Chios ~ The fragrant island
Villages
The villages of Chios are over 60 in number and are spread in every corner of the island. Geographically, they can be divided into 3 groups: "Notiochora" (villages of South Chios), "Voriochora" (villages of North Chios) and villages of central Chios. However, each one of them has its own distinctive character.
Notiochora are also known as "Mastichochoria" (Mastic villages), as the mastic tree grows only on the north part of the island. These villages usually have more local population than the rest. They also include the medieval castle-villages (Mesta, Pyrgi etc) with their ever-impressing architecture, intact over the centuries.
In central Chios, there are "Kambochora" (villages of Kampos) with their fertile land, but also other villages near the island's capital city, like Karyes, and medieval villages like Anavatos and Avgonyma.
The northern villages are more isolated and "climbed-up" the mountainous areas of the island. They include Volissos and many other smaller villages known for their natural beauty.