Evia is the second largest island in Greece and the third in the eastern Mediterranean. It is 3.896 km2 in area and has a population of 209.132 inhabitants.

Evia includes the island of Skyros as well as a number of other small islands nearby. The island stretches parallel to the coast of Central Greece. Although it is an island it is considered to be the extension of Central Greece and it is connected to it with two bridges – the famous old sliding bridge of Chalkida and the modern High Suspension Bridge (constructed in 1993).
   

The name of Evia is closely linked to the famous Straights of Evripos and its well-known phenomenon – the reverse of the water currents every six hours – that gives Chalkida, the capital of the prefecture, its special character and identity.
There are numerous beautiful, small and large beaches scattered all along the 900 km coastline of the island, going from the bays of the North and the South Evoikos to the Aegean Sea. Here we also find some of the most beautiful forests in Greece, such as the aesthetic forest of Dirfis. The fossilised forest of Kerasia is of great interest while the wider surrounding area is considered to be one of the most important “paleo-botanical museums” in Europe. The natural environment of Evia is given a special character by:

• Its mountains that have been linked to prehistory with its myths and legends, like Mt Ochi and its Dragon-houses.
• Its gorges, such as the gorge of Agali in central Evia and the Dimossari gorge in the south.
• Its small rivers, like Nireas and Kireas in central and north Evia.
• Its wetlands, such as Mikro and Megalo Livari in the north and Distos Lake in the south, which constitute a shelter for a great number of migratory birds.