Rhodes has an area of 1,400 square kilometers and is 78 kms in length at its longest point and 38 kms across at its broadest. Rhodes enjoys a mild climate with adequate rainfall, which accounts for the carpet of green in winter and and the profusion of flowers by February. In May, the country becomes golden and the chances of rain until October is almost none existent.
Until the 1950's Rhodes main income came from agriculture, and even today, every Rhodian seems to have some tomatoes growing in the flower bed. Tourism became profitable and there are over 1,250,000 visitors to Rhodes every year.
The most famous landmark of Rhodes is the Colossus, which, if you have a good imagination or have had one too many ouzo's, straddles the two sides of the port entrance. The statue (one of the seven wonders of the world) collapsed following an earthquake in 226 BC and was sold for scrap by Arab pirates in 653 AD.
Rhodes is bathed in Greek Mythology. According to one legend Rhodes is named after the daughter of Poseidon Rhodos. Helios, the sun god fell in love with Rhodos and they had seven sons and one daughter. One of the sons had three children: Kamiros, Ialysos and Lindos. They each built a city on the island and divided it into the three main areas that can still be seen today.
In ancient times Rhodes was also known as Ophioussa, Asteria, Makaria, Telchinia and Atavyria.
In more modern times, Rhodes is more famous for being the residence of The Knights Of St John.
last updated 11/04/99