Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands with an area of 1,400 square kilometres and is situated in the south-eastern corner of the sparkling Aegean Sea. Dodecanese means 12 islands but in fact there are nearly 200 although many are uninhabited. Rhodes has a thriving economy based mainly, of course, on tourism and has excellent transportation links with the other smaller Dodecanese Islands including Symi, Karpathos, Kassos, Halki, Kos, Kalimnos, Leros and Patmos. In addition it is a short 40 minute flight from Athens during which views of other islands including the spectacular crescent shaped volcanic crater that is Santorini can be enjoyed.