Laona villages
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Laona Region
Περιοχή Λαόνα | |
|---|---|
Region | |
 View from Laona | |
| Country | Cyprus |
| District | Paphos District |
| Regional center | Kathikas |
| Area | |
• Total | 165 km2 (64 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Total | 2,500 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Website | laona.org |
The Laona Villages or Laona Region are 10 villages located in the vine region of Paphos.
It's here where the indigenous grape variety known as Xynisteri and Maratheftiko is found.[1]
The Kathikas area is famous for its white grape varieties, mainly the native Xynisteri. Most of the villages in the area belong to the Appellation Controllé (OEOP) “Laona Akamas” or Laona Project which includes additional 14 villages.[2][3][4][5] In all, a further 19 different varieties are cultivated in the areas. The villages also include the Akamas region.[6]
Laona, an extensive area of the Paphos district, occupying the westernmost part of Cyprus including the Akamas peninsula.[7]
The villages are Androlykou, Drouseia, Fasli, Kathikas, Kato Arodes, Pano Arodes, Kritou terra, Neo Chorio, Ineia, Theletra and North-West Stroumpi. The route passes through Tsada and ends at Polis.[8][9][10][11]
Full Route: This rugged route passes through Pafos (Paphos), Mesogi, Tsada, Stroumbi, Kathikas, Akourdaleia, Pano Arodes, Kato Arodes, Ineia, Drouseia, Polis and Pegeia.[12][13][14]
The villages of altitude of 600 meters and above are in the Laona Plateau. There is a walking route of these villages (Kathikas, Drouseia, Inia, Pano Arodes) which offer views of the Chrysochou Bay.[15][16]
Terrain & Geology
The region presents a plateau dissected by steep hills, valleys, and creeks. Prominent conical hills (e.g., near Ineia) and rocky outcrops, including quartz sandstone formations like Konneftis and Gerakoptera, shape the terrain. Underlying bedrock comprises limestone, sandstone, chalk, marl, lava, serpentinite, and other formations related to the Mamonia complex—indicative of a highly varied geodiversity.[17]