Kos is the third largest island of the Dodecanese complex next to Rhodes and Karpathos, covering a surface area of 290 sq. km between Kalymnos and Nissiros. The coasts are 113 km long, while the island is 192 n.m. away from Piraeus. In the old days, Kos must have been past of the mainland where the Aegean Sea is today, called Aegeida Epirus by the ancient Greeks. After enormous geological alterations, the mainland was divided in pieces, some of which sank and some became the islands of the Aegean Sea. The island suffered new geological alternations after the earthquake in 1933, while the earth below Kos remains full of layers of copper, iron, lead, brown, coal and galena. The ground of Kos is fairly flat, the only mountains being Mount Dikaios (875 m.) and Mount Sympatros (846 m.), while the town of Kos is built in a valley. The ideal climate, mild throughout the year, the ground's morphology and the water's flooding of the land of Hippokrates provide the best conditions for the cultivation of excellent agricultural products. Kos's production includes cereals, garden products, fruit, grapes, tobacco and olives, while stock-breeding and other apiculture are also very significant. Palm, and cypress trees and gardens make the island green, while the number of the sheep goats is constantly decreasing. Kos is the only Dodecanese island with a salt-mine, one of the best in the Mediterranean Sea, it is now a waterland. There are 24,000 inhabitants in Kos. They are very beautiful and wealth people. They have developed their touristic appeal at the expense of agriculture, which used to be the primary form of occupation. Only a few areas maintain the traditional occupation of agriculture and stock-breeding. The island has been known for its hospitality since ancient times. The people here are progressive, open-minded, thrilled with the touristic growth of the island and ready to welcome and help every visitor coming here, in the summer.