<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe name Kos (Ancient Greek: \u039a\u1ff6\u03c2, genitive \u039a\u1ff6) is first attested in the Iliad, and has been in continuous use since. Other ancient names include Meropis, Cea, and Nymphaea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In many Romance languages, Kos was formerly known as Stancho, Stanchio, or Stinco, and in Ottoman and modern Turkish it is known as \u0130stank\u00f6y, all from the reinterpretation of the Greek expression \u03b5\u03b9\u03c2 \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u039a\u03c9 ‘to Kos’; cf. the similar Istanbul and Stimpoli, Crete. Under the rule of the Knights Hospitaller of Rhodes, it was known as Lango or Lang\u00f2, presumably because of its length.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In The Travels of Sir John Mandeville, the author misunderstands this and treats Lango and Kos as distinct islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Italian, the island is known as Coo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A person from Kos is called a “Koan” in English. The word is also an adjective, as in “Koan goods”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Kos Geography<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nKos is in the Aegean Sea. Its coastline is 112 kilometres (70 miles) long and it extends from west to east.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The island has several promontories, some with names known in antiquity: Cape Skandari, anciently Scandarium or Skandarion in the northeast; Cape Lacter or Lakter in the south; and Cape Drecanum or Drekanon in the west.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the main town and port, also called Kos, the main villages of Kos island are Kardamena, Kefalos, Tingaki, Antimachia, Mastihari, Marmari and Pyli. Smaller ones are Zia, Zipari, Platani, Lagoudi and Asfendiou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Kos Economy<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTourism is the main industry in Kos, the island’s beaches being the primary attraction. The main port and population centre on the island, Kos town, is also the tourist and cultural centre, with whitewashed buildings including many hotels, restaurants and a number of nightclubs forming the Kos town “barstreet”. The seaside village of Kardamena is a popular resort for young holidaymakers (primarily from the United Kingdom and Scandinavia) and has a large number of bars and nightclubs. Bodrum Kos Ferry Boat<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Farming is the second principal occupation, with the main crops being grapes, almonds, figs, olives, and tomatoes, along with wheat and corn. Cos lettuce (romaine lettuce) is named after the island, from where it is said to have originated. Bodrum Kos Ferry Boat<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Kos Location within the region<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nCoordinates:<\/strong> 36\u00b051\u2032N 27\u00b014\u2032ECoordinates: 36\u00b051\u2032N 27\u00b014\u2032E<\/p>\n\n\n\nCountry<\/strong> Greece<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Administrative region South Aegean<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Regional unit Kos<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Area<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Municipality 295.3 km2 (114.0 sq mi)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Municipal unit 67.2 km2 (25.9 sq mi)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Highest elevation<\/strong> 843 m (2,766 ft)
\nLowest elevation<\/strong> 0 m (0 ft)<\/p>\n\n\n\nPopulation<\/strong> (2011)<\/p>\n\n\n\n