Rhodes

rodz, an island of the Aegean Sea. It lies about ten miles distant from the southeast coast of Asia Minor. Historically, the island belonged to one or the other of the cities of Greece, but it is now a Turkish possession. Rhodes has always been famous for a fine, mild climate, a fertile soil, and a great variety of the finest fruits, vegetables, and other products. At the present time, exports of olives, figs, pomegranates, sponges, and olive oil amount to about $1,000,000 a year. The present population is about 30,000. Two-thirds are Greeks, the rest are Turks and Jews. The city of Rhodes at the northeastern extremity of the island is noted in history. The island was held by Athens, Sparta, and Alexander successively. It passed with Asia Minor under Roman rule. It was taken by the Arabs in 661. During the Crusades the city was occupied by the Knights of St. John who converted it into a strongly fortified post. See Colossus