rhodos

Rhodos, also known as Rhodes in English, is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in the southeastern Aegean Sea and a part of Greece. The island covers about 1,400 square kilometers. The capital and main urban center is the city of Rhodes, located on the northern coast. Administratively, Rhodes is a regional unit within the South Aegean and constitutes a municipality that shares government services with the surrounding area.

Geography and environment: The island features a mountainous interior with rolling hills and fertile valleys. Mount Attavyros, in the southern part of the island, rises to about 1,215 meters. The coast provides a mix of long beaches and sheltered coves. The climate is Mediterranean, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters.

History: Rhodes has a long archaeological record dating to the Bronze Age. In classical times it was a prosperous city-state and later part of various empires, including the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine realms. From the 14th to the 16th centuries, the Knights Hospitaller ruled the island, and the medieval city of Rhodes became a major Crusader stronghold and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1522, came under Italian rule in the early 20th century, and was integrated into modern Greece in 1948.

Culture and economy: Tourism is the dominant industry today, anchored by the medieval city, the Lindos Acropolis, beaches, and other historic sites. The island also produces citrus, wine, and olive products. Key transport hubs include Rhodes International Airport and the Port of Rhodes, with ferries to mainland Greece and other Aegean islands.