THE ISLAND

THE ISLAND Although Crete is divided into four administrative districts: Chania, Rethymno, Iraklion and Lassithi, the island can be better described by dividing it into wes­tern, central and eastern Crete.

WESTERN CRETE The western part of the island is also the greenest, due to more abundant rainfall. The landscape remains quite green even in summer. The main feature of this area is the White Mountains (Lefka Ori), with their peaks rising to almost 8.047 ft (2453 m), interrupted by huge ravines running down to the south coast. Samaria, Europe’s largest gorge, is one of the most impressive phenomena on the island. The New Road, running alongside the north coast, connecting Kastelli in the far west with the cities Chania and Rethymno continues via Iraklion, Ag. Nikolaos to Sitia at the east end.  
The south coast is inviting with its little villages and relaxed lifestyle. Sougia and Paleo­chora were discovered by back-packers and are still the favourite holiday destination for individualists. The roads going down to the south coast offer amazing views and a beau­tiful landscape. Elafonisi, a little island on the south west coast attracts many visitors every year with its impressions of the south sea. The countryside around Rethymno and the Dra­pano peninsula abound with nice little villages and the area beyond Kastelli: Gramvoussa and Falassarna deserve to be explored.   
Faculties of the University of Crete are in Iraklion and Rethymno, and in Chania is the Polytechnic school situated. A few kilometres outside from Chania is Akrotiri airport. The international airport of Chania, Akrotiri offers good and easy access to the western part of the island. From Souda, the harbour outside of Chania, ferry boats leave for Pirae­us every evening. In Rethymno it is even more convenient as the harbour is in town and from the old town you can walk to the boat that takes you to the mainland daily. Connections to South Peloponnese from the port of Kastelli in West Crete are seasonal. One shipping line offers connection between Kastelli port and the island of Kythira and Gy­thei­on.

CENTRAL CRETE The country side surrounding Iraklion forms one large vine­yard, in fact the largest continuous wine-producing area in Greece. Less than 40% of Crete’s ground area is devoted to agriculture. The small amount of industry on the island is centred around Iraklion.  
Apart from Knossos, site of the world- famous Minoan palace, Archanes must be mentioned, at present the focal point of recent archaeological research, where irrefutable evidence has come to light that the Minoans made at least one human sacrifice.  
This region is flanked on the west by the mighty Ida Range. Timios Sta­vros is the highest peak on the island with 8.057 ft (2456 m) of height. Zeus, father of the gods, is said to have grown up in these mountains. A favourite starting point is Anogia, centre of high mountain pastures for over one hundred thousand sheep. Mountain ramblers go further up to the Nida Plateau and the famous Cave of Zeus.  
The Dikti Range in the eastern part of central Crete is easily reached from the north coast and from Agios Nikolaos. An impressive journey takes you up to the top which climaxes in Lassi­thi Plateau, quite flat and almost circular in shape: according to legend the birthplace of Zeus.  
The south is characterised by the broad Messara Plain, one of the most fertile regions of the island, especially beautiful in spring with millions of flowers, wild orchids and with the scent of wild herbs. The palace of Phaistos set into a beautiful landscape was an important base for the Minoans. The legendary caves at Matala, which were once used for habitation and in the 70s and early eighties ‘conquered’ by the hippies, are one of the many attractions of the region.  
At the University of Crete in Iraklion are the natural sciences located.  
Iraklion airport serves as the main airport of the island with frequent national and interna­tional flights every day. From Iraklion harbour ferry-boats leave for Piraeus, and there are regular departures to Thessaloniki connecting in between with Santorini and the port of the north Aegean is­lands.

EASTERN CRETE Eastern Crete is mostly barren, dry and rocky. It is dominated by the grey Sitia Mountains, which at 4057 ft (1237 m) may not be as high as the other mountain ranges of the island but are still wild and quite inaccessible. The main occupation of the inhabitants is agri­cu­l­ture and cattle breading. Its geographical location and quite warm climate is ideal for the production of early horticultural products and bananas. The plateau of Lassithi at an alti­tude of 2788 ft (850 m) is one of the most fertile areas on the island, and it is ideal for potato- and apple-cultivation.  
While Agios Nikolaos on the Mirabello Bay and Elounda,as well as other centres such as Ierapetra, Sissi and Sitia, have evolved into modern tourist centres with big hotel com­plexes, the prefecture still offers peaceful beaches with idyllic bays, intense contrasts of the landscape and nature, like the palm forest of Vai, the marvellous forest of pines and wild cypresses of Selakano. There is no lack of archaeological and historical areas, as well, for example the Minoan Palace of Kato Zakrosand the site of Gournia on Mirabello Bay, the only completely excavated Minoan village: a fine example of the continuity of Cretan Street-plans from Minoan times to the present day. Endless grey pebble beaches near Ierapetra offer perfect opportunities for swimming.  
The ships of the Cyclades connect Piraeus with Sitia and Agios Nikolaos. Sitia has also an airport that has been recently renovated. Destinations such as Rhodes, Kassos, Karpathos and the Airport of Athens are included in its weekly timetable. The harbours on the Libyan Sea (south side) have little activity with the exception of Kaloi Limenes and Ierapetra.

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