Area of island: 65 sq. km/25 sq. mi
Chief place: Fry
The island of Kásos (Italian Caso, Turkish Kasot), southwest of Kárpathos, is rocky (numerous caves), barren and without any sheltered anchorages. Its inhabitants live by farming (in the north) and boat building. Throughout its history, Kásos has
shared the destinies of the neighboring island of Kárpathos. After the war of liberation, Albanian sponge divers settled on the island.
The chief place on Kásos, Fry, in the south of the island, lies above the landing stage on the site of the ancient city. Off the north coast of Kásos is the little island of Armathia, now deserted, which has a sandy beach.
There's an airfield 1km/.75mile northwest of Fry. Daily flights Rhodes-Kárpathos-Kásos; also connection with Sitía (Crete).
Weekly boat services from and to Athens (Piraeus) and Rhodes. Local connections in Dodecanese: Rhodes-Khalkí-Kárpathos-Kásos; also with Crete (Sitía and Aàyios Nikólaos).
Kasos is a mountainous island with a steep, rocky coastline and a few beaches. In the 18th century, Kasos established its own merchant fleet and grew rich from trade. It played an active role in the Greek War of Independence of 1821, earning the revenge of the Turko-Egyptian armada which set fire to the island in May, 1824, and subsequently slaughtered its inhabitants. Only a few survived.
The capital of Fry is built on picturesque Bouka Bay. Its old stone houses - many of them constructed by sea captains - extend on both sides down to the sea.
To the east and very near Fry is Emborios, the island's other coastal village. It boasts a beautiful church dedicated to the Nativity of the virgin.
Other villages include Ayia Marina, set on a hill one km southwest of Fry, and Arvanitokhori, southeast of Ayia Marina, nestled in the island's only valley.
Two km from Ayia Marina there is a cave called Sellae, 30 m deep and 8 m wide, with impressive stalactites.
Swimmers will find pleasant beaches at Fry, Emborios, Ammouda and on the nearby islet of Armathia.