Dodecanese
[key], Gr. Dhodhekánisos, island group, c.1,035 sq
mi (2,680 sq km), SE Greece, in the Aegean Sea, between Asia Minor and
Crete, comprising the greater part of the group known as the Southern
Sporades. Despite
its name (“twelve islands”), it consists of about 20 islands
and islets, of which the most important are Rhodes, Kós, Kárpathos, Kálimnos, Pátmos, Astipálaia,
Kásos, Tilos, Sími, Léros, Nísiros, Khalki, and
Kastellórizo. The city of Rhodes, on the largest of the islands, is
the administrative seat. Agriculture, livestock raising, fruit growing, and
sponge diving are the main occupations. Tourism is an important industry.
Centers of ancient Greek culture, the Dodecanese were held by the Ottoman
Turks from 1522 until 1912, when they were occupied by Italy during the
Italo-Turkish War. The islands were captured by the Allies during World War
II, and in 1947 they formally passed to Greece. Turkey claims some of the
islands.
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