The Cyclades are an island group in the Aegean Sea southeast of the Geek mainland.

The islands got their name because they form a circle or "kyklos" around the island of Delos which was the religious and political center of the Ionian Greeks.

The islands are the peaks of submerged mountainous terrain except for the volcanic island of Milos and Santorini.  Although there are 39 islands in the Cyclades many of them are uninhabited.  The main islands are: Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Folegandros, Serifos, Sifnos, Tinos and Santorini. 

Today the name Cyclades is often associated with the traditional architecture of this island group- whitewashed houses and small chapels often with blue domes.  With their warm weather and lovely beaches, these islands are very popular with tourists from around the world.