Siros is situated in the centre of the Cycladen complex, south-west of Tinos. Its total surface area is 83 sq. km, while it is 83 nm from Piraeus. Siros's capital, Ermoupoli, is the capital of the prefecture of the Cyclades and the commercial, intellectual and administrative centre of the complex. The island's ground is rocky and infertile, with few springs and Pirgos (442 m.), as its highest peak. Millions of years ago, the island was part of the sea bottom; it emerged after a series of tectonic moves which affected the whole Aegean area. The petrification derived from sea sediments which were formed due to volcanic activity. The most popular petrification in Siros is marble and schist. The island's climate is mild and sweet, the typical dry Mediterranean climate. In spite of scarce vegetation, there are areas with varieties of rare Mediterranean plants and herbs, the most significant being "Alonis", which is used as a laxative, and three kinds of "Zafora", shown in the Goulandris Museum. The majority of the local production comes from stock-breeding and fishing, while the desalting of the sea water allowed the production of certain early garden products which are also produced in greeneries. Siros has a significant tradition in industrial production, too. Today, the island has five textile factories, five cotton factories and several factories making "loukoumi", a local product known world-wide. The island has a population of 24,000 inhabitants who are mainly occupied with industry, stock-breeding and fishing, as well as with tourism, which has flourished in recent years. The people of Siros are kind, helpful and adore strangers. Their manners, always polite and hearty, impress tourists, and their cheerful mood never changes, despite difficulties in their daily lives. Making money is not their purpose for living, thus they never take advantage of those who choose Siros for their holidays.