Mount Athos
Athos, Mount, a tiny monastic community in Macedonia, Greece. It occupies the easternmost prong of Khalki-dhikí (Chalcidice) peninsula. By treaty with Greece in 1927 Mount Athos was made a semi-independent, self-governing republic. It is about 30 miles (48 km) long and up to 10 miles (16 km) wide; the area is 130 square miles (337 km2).
The entire region, including Athos, the 6,670-foot (2,033-m) peak at the tip of the peninsula, is holy to the Eastern Orthodox religion. Twenty monasteries are scattered over the rugged land. Built between 968 and 1545, they contain treasures of Byzantine art and collections of old manuscripts and documents. Mount Athos is exclusively a male community; except for hens, no females are permitted.
Population: about 1,700.