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Rhodes Island Tourism: History, Geography, Places to Visit, Best Beaches in Rhodes Island (2020)

Rhodes Island Tourism: History, Geography, Places to Visit, Best Beaches in Rhodes Island (2024)

Rhodes island is 620 km east of Athens and located close to Turkey. The island occupies area of 540 square miles. The maximum length of the island is 50 miles and width 24 miles. The population of island is 1.05 million. The Rhodes town is the capital town of the Rhodes Island. Out of 6000 Greek islands only 277 are inhabited. There are fifteen inhabited and 150 non-inhabited islands located in southeastern Aegean sea west of Turkey. These islands are known as Dosecanese islands. Rhodes island is the larger and dominant island among all Dosecanese islands. The largest island Crete is about 480 km on west side. The statue of Sun of God “Helios” also known as Colossus of Rhodes was built by Charles Lindos in 280 BC at city of Rhodes. In ancient time islander selected the name of the island and later city from the Greek word Rhodon. Rhodon means “Rise”. Rhodes Island Tourism: History, Geography, Places to Visit, Best Beaches in Rhodes Island

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The European and International tourists come to Rhodes island from Athens either by flight or ferry. The time needed to reach island from Athens by flight is one hour and ferry takes anywhere from 9 to 15 hours depending on the speed of the ferry boat as well as number of stops taken between Athens and Rhodes Island. Tourist travelling by flight arrive at Diagoras International Airport of Rhodes Island. The city center of Rhodes is about 9 mile from the airport. The ferry docks at Rhodes harbor.

Geography of Rhodes Island

Most of the people on Rhodes island live in city and villages. Most city and villages are located along the coast of the island. The interior of the island is all mountain and forest. There is not much flatland on the island. Most vegetations grown on island are Citrus fruits, grapes, vegetable and olives.

Geography of Rhodes IslandImage Source

History of the Rhodes Island

Stone Age (8,000 to 3,000 BC)

The archeological findings suggest that the Rhodes island was inhabited during Neolithic period and stone age.

Bronze Age (3000 to 1200 BC)

The bronze and metal artifacts found at the ruins and mountains suggests people at the Rhodes island were using agricultural tools and weapons. Mycenaean era was dominant at the Rhodes island during 15th century.

Archaic Era (8th century)

The Dorians migrated to the Rhodes Island in 8th century and settled in villages like Lindos, Ialyssos and Kameiros.

Iron Age (600 – 300 BC)

The farming and fishing tools from Iron age discovered on the Rhodes Island, suggests people of the Rhodes island were actively involved in fishing and farming.

Classical Era (400 to 340 BC)

Island was invaded by Persians in 478 BC until 404 BC. The Rhodes island separated from conflict and decided to operate independently. The small town and villages of Rhodes island were united In building capital town Rhodes in 408 BC. The island was under control from 357 to 340 BC of King Mausolus of Caria. In 340 BC Persian took control of island for 4 to 5 years.

Hellenistic Age (332 BC)

Alexander the Great took Rhodes island from Persians. The people of Rhodes island were involved in fishing and farming.

Byzantine Period (300 – 600 AD)

Byzantine Empire was an eastern province extension of Roman Empire created around 395 AD. The capital city of the Byzantine Empire was Constantinople. Rhode island was under control of Byzantine Empire. Rhodes island was considered a capital island of all Greece islands by Byzantine Empire. Rhode island was the main center of commerce and ship building for Byzantine Empire during 8th to 12th century.

Ottoman Rule (14th to 16th century)

Rhodes island fought a long battle against Ottomans and lost to the huge army of Ottoman Sultan in December 1522.

Modern Era- (17 to 19th century)

Rhode island did well until 1912 despite it being ruled by Ottoman and Turkish forces. In 1932 the Turkish rule was eliminated by Italian after the Italian-Turkish War. The Rhodes island was under seize during second world war and control by Germans. The island was officially united with Greece in 1947. 

Places To See In Rhodes Island

  1. Capital City Rhodes
  2. Acropolis of Lindos
  3. Archangelos Town and Castle
  4. Ancient Kamiros Monuments
  5. Toy Museum, Archipoli 
  6. Museum of Bee and Honey
  7. Monastery of Filerimos
  8. Holy Monastery Panagia Tsambika
  9. Koskinou Village
  10. Afantou Village
  11. Symi Island
  12. Great Hammam Turkish Bath
  13. Beaches of Rhodes Island

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