Crete Island,Kreta - Greece
Crete is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece.
Crete is the largest island of Greece and the second largest (after Cyprus) in the Eastern Mediterranean. The island has an elongated shape: it spans 260 km from east to west and 60 km at its widest, although the island is narrower at certain points, such as in the region close to Ierapetra, where it reaches a width of only 12 km. Crete covers an area of 8,336 km², with a coastline of 1046 km ; to the north it broaches the Sea of Crete; to the south the Libyan Sea; in the west the Myrtoan Sea, and toward the east the Karpathion Sea. It lies approximately 160 km south of the Greek mainland.
Location: situated in the southeastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, Greece
Capital: Heraklion
Area: 8 336 km²
Population: 623 666 (2005)
Official language: Greek
Currency: Euro
Local time: GMT + 2
Climate: North African climate and Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers, during summer temperatures can reach 40ยบ C here.
Nature: The coastline measures approximately 1046
kilometres; Crete is a mountainous island with the highest mountain
measuring 2456 m (mount Psiloritis); the most important river is
Ieropotamos, in the southern part of the island
Visit Places : Iraklion Archaeological Museum, The national park Samaria Gorge, the
Palace of Knossos, The Fortetza Fortress,
Ibrahim Han mosque, The Venetian harbour, The Loggia, The Monastery of Touplou, The Rimondi
Fountain, Saint Franciscus Church, the Kara Mousa and The Veli Pasa
Mosque,
Famous Resorts: Ierapetra,
Makrigialos, Bali, Siteia Platanias – Agia Marina, Stalos,
Kalives, Almirida, Georgioupolis – Kavros, Paleochora, Plakias,
Agia Galini, Matala, Chersonisos, Malia, Elounda
Famous Beaches: Elafonisi, Falassarna, Gramvousna,
Frangokastello, Kalamaki, Gouves, Malia, Hersonissos,
Paleohora, Loutro, Georgioupolis, Agia – Marina, Hora
Sfakion, Sougia (CHANIA), Preveli, Bali, Palakias, Triopetra, Rodakino
(RETHYMNO), Agia – Galini, Matala, Stalis (HERAKLIO), Iarapetra, Kato Zakros, Makri Gialos, Vai, Hrysi
Islet (AGIOS NIKOLAOS
Shopping: you can buy souvenirs and traditional
products everywhere in Crete and the capital of the island offers many
alternatives for shopping.