Samos, now Samo, an island in the Grecian Archipelago near the coast of Asia Minor; 45 miles S.W. of Smyrna, forming a principality tributary to Turkey; area, 180 square miles. It has a mountainous surface, partly covered with pine forests; several fertile and well-watered valleys; produces corn, fruit, and excellent wine; and has several valuable minerals, including argentiferous lead, iron, and marble. The principal town is Vathe, with a good harbor on the N.E. side of the island. Samos was inhabited in antiquity by Ionian Greeks, and had an important position among the Greek communities as early as the 7th century B.C. In 84 B.C., it was united with the Roman province of Asia. In 1550 it was conquered by the Turks. Pop. 52,820.
Entry from Everybody's Cyclopedia, 1912. | 
