CHINS, kros ((1k. Xtos, Xios, Kios, Turk. Saais athiseh Sri() in the Genoese- form). A Turkish island seven miles oil' the west coast of Asia Thnor, and about 50 miles in a direct line west of Smyrna. Its length from north to south is 32 miles; its greatest breadth is 18; area,about 400 square miles. Chios is consequently one of the largest islands in the .Egean Sea. aml is, or was, until the terrible earthquake of ISSI, one of the most productive and beautiful, the name having furnished in ancient times a synonym for wealth and profligacy. The surface is largely occupied by chalky limestone mountains, which in the north reach an altitude of 4080 feet in Mount Oros. Along the centre of the east coast lies the most extensive plain, around the capital, Chios. It is a rich and picturesque district, abounding in vines and orange, lemon, and almond trees, and embellished with villas. The climate is dry, especially in summer, and delight ful. The wine of Chios, famous in antiquity, is still of sonic repute. Oil, cotton, and the usual fruits of that latitude are produced, and in the southwestern part a well-known variety of mastic. Cheese, silk, wool, and silk and woolen stuffs, as well as grain, cattle, salt, and preserved fruits, figure prominently among the products. The leading export articles are leather ($3,120,000 in 1899), mastic, fruits, and distilled spirits. The leading import are hides ($1,920,000 in 1899) and grain (8720.000). Chios belongs to the Turkish vilayet Dsehesairi-Bahri-Sefid, and has a population of 59,600, mostly Greeks. The population of the capita) was 13,000 before the disaster of 1881. The city has an Aga, a bishop of the Greek Church, and is, with its new haven, protected by a fortress. In 1899, 1299 ships of 689.683 tons entered here.
In early times the island was colonized by the Ionians, and remained an independent and pow erful State till B.c. 546. when it was subdued
by the Persians. It took part in the Ionian re volt, and contributed 100 vessels to the Greek naval force which was defeated at the battle of Lade (n.c. 494). From that time until B.C. 479 it was again subject to the Persians, but in the latter year it was freed from the Persian yoke, and became in n.c. 477 an independent member of the Delian Confederacy. In B.C. 415 it took part in the Sicilian expedition with fifty ships. The island remained on its original footing of autonomous ally of Athens, retaining its armed force, its ships, and its fortifications, until u.c. 412, when it attempted to revolt—an attempt which led in the end to its conquest and devasta tion. In more recent times the island has changed hands repeatedly, and has experienced many vicissitudes of fortune. In 1089 it was devastat ed by the Turks under Tzaehas. In 1172 it was in the possession of the Doge of Venice, Vital Miehieli. In 1346 it fell into the hands of the Genoese, and in 1566 it was taken by the Turks, in whose hands it has since, except for a short interval (1694-95), remained. It was conferred as private property upon the Sultana, enjoyed her protection, and consequently prospered. In 1822 a number of the Sciotes having joined the Samians in a revolt against Turkey, the island was attacked by a Turkish fleet and army, and the inhabitants were mercilessly slaughtered or sold as slaves. The town and island were laid waste. The island has since recovered, however, and is now in a prosperous condition. In re• cent years the island has suffered from earth quakes, notably in March, 1881, when much property was destroyed and many people lost their lives.