The Greek Islands consist of over 1400 islands flung across the Aegean and Ionian seas, 160 of which are permanently inhabited. There's no such thing as a typical Greek island, as each has its own characteristics. The Ionian Islands lie off the west mainland coast and stretch from Albania to the Peloponnese. They tend to be greener and more fertile than other islands, and include Corfu, Kefalonia and Zakynthos.

Southeast of Athens lie the Cyclades, many of which are popular holiday islands such as Mykonos, Paros and Santorini. The Sporades lie further north and include Skopelos and Skiathos, whilst to the northeast near the coasts of Turkey and Bulgaria lie the Aegean Islands of Thassos and Lesvos. The last group are the Dodecanese which also border the Turkish coast further south and include Rhodes and Kos.

Greece fact file