Geography

The island of Rhodes is shaped like a spearhead, 79.7 km (49.5 mi) long and 38 km (24 mi) wide, with a total area of approximately 1,400 square kilometres (541 sq mi) and a coastline of approximately 220 km (137 mi). The city of Rhodes is located at the far northern end of the island, including the site of the ancient and modem commercial harbour. The main air gateway (Diagoras International Airport, IATA code: RHO) is located 14 km (9 mi) to the south west of the city in Paradisi. The road network radiatesfrom the city along the east and west coasts.

In terms of flora and fauna, Rhodes is closer to Asia Minor than to the rest of Greece. The interior of the country is mountainous, sparsely inhabited and covered with forests of pine (Pinus brutia) and cypress (Cupressus sempervirens). The island is home to Rhodian deer. In Petaludes Valley, known in English as the Valley of the Butterflies, large numbers of tiger moths gather in the summer. Mount Attavyros, at 1,216 metres (3,990 ft), is the island's highest point of elevation. While the shores are stony, the island has arable strips of land where citrus fruit, winegrapes, vegetables, olives and othercrops aregrown.

Outside of the city of Rhodes, the island is dotted with small villages and beach resorts, among them Faliraki, Kalithies, Koskinou, Psinthos, Lindos, Kremasti, Haraki, Pefkos, Archangelos, Afantou, Kiotari, Embona (Attavyros), Paradisi, and Trianta (Ialysos). Tourism is the island's primary source of income.

Faliraki is the primary seaside resortvillage on the Greek island of Rhodes, in the Dodecanese. It is situated on Faliraki Bay, on the northeastern coast, about 14 km south of the town of Rhodes and 10 km southeast of the airport. It is part of the municipality Kallithea.

One of the oldest and largest resort areas of Greece, Faliraki is known for its sandy beach and numerous watersport offerings, as well as numerous bars and nightclubs. As such, it is favored for holidays by younger visitors, particularly British youth.