Zakynthos (Zante) is the Greek island, third largest of the Ionian island. In Greek mythology the island was said to be named after Zakynthos, the son of the legendary Arcadian chief Dardanus.
The capital has the same name as the island, the town of Zakynthos. The mild Mediterranean climate and plentiful winter rainfall endow the island with dense vegetation. The principal agricultural products are olive oil, currants, grapes and citrus fruit. The Zante currant is a small sweet seedless grape that is native to the island.
The Bay of Laganas is the site of the first National Marine Park and the prime nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean.
