"Dodecanese Islands" Prefecture of the Dodecanese Islands by dimilag

The Dodecanese is complex of over 163 islands and islets, of which only 26 are inhabited, situated at the most eastern part of Greece, at the borders of Europe. You will find here a wonderful blend of architectural styles of eastern and western cultures. Almost every island has its Classical remains, its Crusaders Castle, and its traditional villages.

Apart from the twelve main islands, which gave the name to the island complex (Rhodes Island, Astypalia, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Kos, Leros, Nysiros, Patmos, Symi, Tilos. Halki), the islets of Lipsi (16 square kms), Pserimos (14.6 square kms), Agathonisi (13.4 square kms), Sari a (11 square kms), Kastellorizo (9.1 square kms), Levitha (9 square kms), Giali (6 square kms), Kinaros (4.3 square kms) amongst other islets, barren islets and rock peaks, all constitute the group of islands known as the Dodecanese. Sea shells and crustacean fossils which are found on top of mountains indicate that the formation of this island chain, either wholly or partly, occurred under the surface of the sea. During lengthy and complex geological upheavals, dry land emerged only to be, to a great extent, resubmerged some 3-4 million years ago, leaving only the mountain tops of" Aigaiida" above sea level to form today's Aegean Islands.

The Dodecanese climate is of a transitional type and ranges from temperate to dry tropical climates which is characterized with lots of sunlight and an extended dry summer period.

Dodecanese islands are formed, as the geologists say, from the peaks of the mountains of the Aegeis, the dry land that joined Greece to Asia which sank into the Mediterranean sea four million years ago. The Dodecanese islands have been inhabited since the prehistoric period and were first ruled by the Minoans and then the Achaeans. But their economic and intellectual development began with the arrival of the Dorians in 1100 B.C., reaching a peak of growth in the 8th century. The three large towns of Lindus, Cameirus and Ialyssus which were built on the island of Rhodes in the 6th century B.C. by the Dorians and constituted along with Kos, Cnidus and Halicarnassus in Asia Minor the Dorian Hexapolis. The economical and cultural growth of this area was cut off prematurely by the Persian tempest which then shook all Greece. After the defeat of the Persians, the Dodecanese became members of the Athenian Alliance in 408 B.C. and the three large towns of Rhodes united into one stale. More particularly, Kos prospered in the 4th and the 3rd century B.C. because of the school of "Medicine" founded there by HIPPOCRATES. The Romans occupied the islands in 146 B.C. to be followed by the long Byzantine period till the time of the Crusaders. In 1309 the Knights of the Order of Saint John became the rulers of Rhodes and then extended their sovereignty to the other islands as well. In 1522 the islands were occupied by the Turks and in 1912 the Italians. The islands of Dodecanese were united with Greece in 1948.

Forests and bush lands of pine, cypress, wild olive, cedar, mastic. arbutus bush and holly together with a variety of annual and long lasting turf, aromatic plants (oregano, thyme, lavender), carob and olive trees, all make for a rich mosaic of plant varieties. Often on the islets unique plant and animal species have been observed (especially reptiles and invertebrate), remnants of an isolated evolution and adaptation to the unique conditions, which were created when these islets were cut off from the larger islands.
At the same time these islets, from which both human beings and land meat eaters are absent, serve as refuges for ancient species which have disappeared with the passage of time from other areas. Fossil findings, which show the different evolution of animal species on these isolated ecosystems, aren't rare, a prime example being the dwarf elephants of Tilos

The many caves, crevices in the rocks, high rocky formations, and dangerous dins all serve as refuges for rare species of birds such as birds of prey small hawks, wild pigeons, herons and cormorants. Also, due to their geographical position, the islands are a stopover for migrating birds. Tens of millions of these birds visit the islands each spring and autumn.

Quite surprising is the rich sea life found in the Dodecanese seas. The rare Mediterranean seal finds refuge in the coastal caves, together with the dolphins, turtles, many varieties of fish, mollusks and crustaceans which form the rich ecosystem of the Dodecanese Sea.

Every single island and islet is of itself a unique natural museum. This of course favors the development of special types of tourism. For example only the island of Kasos boasts 450 plant species, which is more than exist in the whole of Holland.

THIS PAGE CONTAINS GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PERFECTURE OF DODECANESE ISLANDS.

INFORMATION AND TIPS ABOUT THE ISLANDS WILL BE POSTED AT THE ISLANDS PAGES.

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