A short guide to Rhodes (I)
Rhodes is the largest island of the Dodecanese and the fourth largest in Greece. Covers an area of 1.398 square meters and a population of 112.447 of which 60.000 residents live in the city of Rodos and the rest in villages throughout the island. The island has 44 villages, the biggest is Archangelos.
At almost 260 nautical miles away from the port of Piraeus has daily ferryboat connections with the mainland Greece. There are numerous flights every day connecting Rhodes with Athens, Thessaloniki, Heralion in Crete and with some of the smaller neighboring islands. During the holiday season (usually April to October) there are plenty direct connections with the major European cities and a large number of charter flights.
The terrain is mainly mountainous, the highest mountain is Ataviros at almost the center of the island. Olive trees, vines and other fruit producing trees are cultivated all over the island. Rhodes is graced with an exceptional mediterranean climate, mild winters and sunny cool summers thanks to its sea breeze and the west winds (meltemi). The island has sunshine during most of the year. As it is said: “There is hardly a day without sun’: The sunlight makes the island’s wine exquisite and gives the ibiscus (flower-symbol of Rhodes) their special, vivid red color.
Rhodes is the one of the most renown vacation spots in the Mediterranean, attracting holiday makers from around the world. The combination of sun, beautiful nature, clean sea waters, exceptional archaeological and historical monuments, modern tourist infrastructures and relaxed life style are some the reasons to attract thousands of tourists year after year.
