Ródos

Ródos, known in English as Rhodes, is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in the southeastern Aegean Sea, Greece. The island covers about 1,400 square kilometers and has a population of roughly 115,000 residents. The capital and main town is Rhodes City, also called Rodos. The island lies near the coast of Turkey and features a varied landscape, from rugged interior terrain to extensive coastlines.

Geography and climate: The island’s interior is mountainous, with Mount Attavyros as the highest peak at about 1,215 meters. The climate is Mediterranean, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Rhodes is known for its beaches, olive groves, and vineyards, as well as historical towns and archaeological sites.

History and culture: Rhodes has ancient Greek roots and was a prominent polis in antiquity. The Colossus of Rhodes, a statue commemorated in myth as one of the Seven Wonders, stood in the harbor before an earthquake. In the medieval period, the Knights Hospitaller established a fortified city on the island, creating the medieval Town of Rhodes, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. The island later came under Ottoman rule, and from 1912 to 1943 it was administered by Italy; it joined Greece in 1947 after World War II. Notable sites include the Palace of the Grand Master in the Old Town, the Acropolis of Lindos, and the ancient city of Kamiros.

Economy and transportation: Tourism is the dominant economic activity, drawn by historic sites, beaches, and natural beauty. The island is served by Rhodes International Airport (Diagoras) near Paradisi and by ferries linking it with mainland Greece and other islands; the port of Rhodes City is the main maritime hub.