The Cyclades consist of the islands of Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Melos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Serifos, Sifnos, Syros, Tinos, Folegandros. Historically, they played an important role in the Greek Revolution of 1821. 

The Cyclades were created millions of years ago by geologic convulsions, earthquakes and eruptions to which they owe their unique shape as well as their soil composition. In myth, the Cyclades are connected with Poseidon to whom their creation is attributed.

Their name may come from the nymphs whom the god of the sea transformed into islets when they provoked him. However, there are other versions of how the islands got their name: from the word "cycle," for instance, because they spread around Delos or because the region's violent winds cause ships to move in a circle. Each island's creation is attributed to a mythical figure and many traditions recall rotate their eventful history.

The Cyclades, because of their geographical position between the mainland, Asia and Africa were historically an important bridge in development and civilization.