General Information about Kos Island

Region: Dodecanese Islands, Greece, Europe.

Population: 33.388 residents (census 2011) of which 20,000 live in Kos Town and the rest mainly inhabit the island's villages.

Area: 114 sq mi (295.3 sq km). The coastline is 70 miles (112 km) long.

Main City: Kos Town

Villages: Kardamena, Kefalos, Tingaki, Antimachia, Mastihari, Marmari, Pyli, Zia, Zipari, Platani, Lagoudi and Asfendiou.

Highest elevation: Mount Dikaios 843 m (2,766 ft)

Climate: Typical Mediterranean climate (mild most of the year with long hours of sunshine)with summers that are hot a dry. Spring comes to the island in February, and the warm weather continues until early November making it suitable for swimming.

Languages: Greek and most of the residents speakEnglish too

Time Zone: GMT + 2 (Winter), GMT + 3 (Summer)

Postal Code: 853xx

Currency: 1 Euro = 100 cents

National Greek Holidays: Independence Day, 25 March - Anniversary Day, 28 Oct

Air Access: Kos has an international airport which is called Hippocrates(IATA: KGS, ICAO: LGKO) and is connected by regular domestic services with Athens, Thessaloniki and nearby islands (Rhodes, Leros & Astypalea) as well as charter international services with many European cities during summer touristic season.

Religion: The main religion practiced is Greek Orthodoxy (95%). There is also a Roman Catholic church on the island as well as a Mosque catering to the Muslim community of Kos.

Museums: The Archaeological Museum, the Hippocrates Cultural Center, The Castle of the Knights of Saint John at the port, the Antimachia Traditional House and the Folklore Museum at Kefalos.

Products: Olive oil, cheese, honey, cherry tomatoes, wine, spices & herbs (chamomile, mint, sage and oregano).

Electricity: 220 Volt