Sifnos, the fourth largest island of the Western Cyclades, is 74 sq km in area. It is triangularly shaped and lies between Serifos, Kimolos and Antiparos. It is 76 nautical miles from Piraeus. It is a rather low island with small valleys and even fewer plains. Its highest peak is Profitis Ilias (681 metres) at its centre. Other peaks are Platia Rahi (650 metres), Agios Simeon (476 metres) and Agios Andreas (425 metres). The island's subsoil consists mainly of transformed rocks, marble and slate. They were formed by other rock structures which sank into the earth, melted, solidified, and then rose up again. The island's geological structure has deprived it of lush vegetation and running water, but it has given it an enormous mineral wealth of gold, silver, iron, manganese, and zinc deposits. The climate of Sifnos is mediterranean with sunshine all the year round. Its northern, periodic winds blow almost daily from the middle of July to the middle of August, cooling the island. They are the well known Cycladic etesians. Although the island's agricultural production is not great, olive groves, vineyards, circus trees, garden produce, wheat and barley are cultivated and fine thyme honey is produced. The 2,000 inhabitants of Sifnos are employed in agriculture, stock-breeding, fishing and, to a lesser degree, mining, since the once rich mines today are out of use. Sifnians have not been corrupted by tourism, which has grown considerably in recent years. They are hospitable, honest and quiet people who are always eager to satisfy the needs of visitors.