Dodecanese
Δωδεκάνησα | |
---|---|
Former prefecture | |
![]() Location of Dodecanese in Greece | |
![]() Location of municipalities within Dodecanese Prefecture | |
Coordinates: 36°27′N 27°18′E / 36.45°N 27.30°E | |
Country | Greece |
Periphery | South Aegean |
Capital | Rhodes |
Subdivisions | List |
Area | |
• Total | 2,714 km2 (1,048 sq mi) |
• Rank | 18th |
Population (2005) | |
• Total | 200,452 |
• Rank | 12th |
• Density | 74/km2 (190/sq mi) |
• Rank | 14th |
Postal codes | 85x xx |
Area codes | 2241-2247 |
ISO 3166 code | GR-81 |
Vehicle registration | ΚΧ, ΡΚ, PO, ΡΥ |
The Dodecanese (UK: /ˌdoʊdɪkəˈniːz/, US: /doʊˌdɛkəˈniːz/; Greek: Δωδεκάνησα, Dodekánisa [ðoðeˈkanisa], lit. 'twelve islands'; Turkish: On iki Ada) are a group of 15 larger and 150 smaller Greek islands in the southeastern Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, off the coast of Turkey's Anatolia, of which 26 are inhabited. This island group generally defines the eastern limit of the Sea of Crete.[1] They belong to the wider Southern Sporades island group.
Rhodes has been the area's dominant island since antiquity. Of the others, Kos and Patmos are historically the most important; the remaining 12 are Agathonisi, Astypalaia, Halki, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Leipsoi, Leros, Nisyros, Symi, Tilos, and Kastellorizo. Other islands in the chain include Alimia, Arkoi, Farmakonisi, Gyali, Kinaros, Levitha, Marathos, Nimos, Pserimos, Saria, Strongyli and Syrna.