Crete
Additional information | |
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Time zone |
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ISO code | GR-M |
HDI (2019) 0.879[3] very high · 3rd of 13 |
Crete (
Crete and a number of islands and islets that surround it constitute the Region of Crete (Greek: Περιφέρεια Κρήτης), which is the southernmost of the 13
Crete was the centre of Europe's first advanced civilization, the Minoans, from 2700 to 1420 BC. The Minoan civilization was overrun by the Mycenaean civilization from mainland Greece. Crete was later ruled by Rome, then successively by the Byzantine Empire, Andalusian Arabs, the Venetian Republic, and the Ottoman Empire. In 1898 Crete, whose people had for some time wanted to join the Greek state, achieved independence from the Ottomans, formally becoming the Cretan State. Crete became part of Greece in December 1913.
The island is mostly mountainous, and its character is defined by a high mountain range crossing from west to east. It includes Crete's highest point,
Name
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Keftiu in hieroglyphs | ||||||
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The earliest references to the island of Crete come from texts from the
The current name Crete is first attested in the 15th century BC in Mycenaean Greek texts, written in Linear B, through the words ke-re-te (𐀐𐀩𐀳, *Krētes; later Greek: Κρῆτες [krɛː.tes], plural of Κρής [krɛːs])[8] and ke-re-si-jo (𐀐𐀩𐀯𐀍, *Krēsijos; later Greek: Κρήσιος [krέːsios],[9] 'Cretan').[10][11] In Ancient Greek, the name Crete (Κρήτη) first appears in Homer's Odyssey.[12] Its etymology is unknown. One proposal derives it from a hypothetical Luwian word *kursatta (compare kursawar 'island', kursattar 'cutting, sliver').[13] Another proposal suggests that it derives from the ancient Greek word "κραταιή" (krataie̅), meaning strong or powerful, the reasoning being that Crete was the strongest thalassocracy during ancient times.[14][15]
In
Physical geography and climate
Crete is the largest island in Greece and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea separating the Aegean from the Libyan Sea.
Island morphology
The island has an elongated shape: it spans 260 km (160 mi) from east to west, is 60 km (37 mi) at its widest point, and narrows to as little as 12 km (7.5 mi) (close to Ierapetra). Crete covers an area of 8,336 km2 (3,219 sq mi), with a coastline of 1,046 km (650 mi); to the north, it broaches the Sea of Crete (Greek: Κρητικό Πέλαγος); to the south, the Libyan Sea (Greek: Λιβυκό Πέλαγος); in the west, the Myrtoan Sea, and toward the east the Carpathian Sea. It lies approximately 160 km (99 mi) south of the Greek mainland.
There are a number of peninsulas and gulfs on the north side of Crete, from west to east these include: Gramvousa peninsula, gulf of Kissamos, Rodopos peninsula, gulf of Chania, Akrotiri peninsula, Souda Bay, Apokoronas cape, gulf of Almiros, gulf of Heraklion, Aforesmenos cape, gulf of Mirabello, gulf of Sitia and the Sideros peninsula. On the south side of Crete is the gulf of Messaras and Cape Lithinon.
Mountains and valleys
Crete is mountainous, and its character is defined by a high mountain range crossing from west to east, formed by six different groups of mountains:
- The White Mountains or Lefka Ori 2,453 m (8,048 ft)
- The Idi Range (Psiloritis) 2,456 m (8,058 ft)
- Asterousia Mountains 1,231 m (4,039 ft)
- Kedros 1,777 m (5,830 ft)
- The Dikti Mountains 2,148 m (7,047 ft)
- Thrypti 1,489 m (4,885 ft)
These mountains lavish Crete with valleys, such as
The mountains have been seen as a key feature of the island's distinctiveness, especially since the time of Romantic travellers' writing. Contemporary Cretans distinguish between highlanders and lowlanders; the former often claim to reside in places affording a higher/better climatic and moral environment. In keeping with the legacy of Romantic authors, the mountains are seen as having determined their residents' 'resistance' to past invaders which relates to the oft-encountered idea that highlanders are 'purer' in terms of less intermarriages with occupiers. For residents of mountainous areas, such as Sfakia in western Crete, the aridness and rockiness of the mountains is emphasised as an element of pride and is often compared to the alleged soft-soiled mountains of others parts of Greece or the world.[16]
Gorges, rivers and lakes
The island has a number of gorges, such as the
The rivers of Crete include the
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Aradaina Gorge
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Venetian Bridge over Megalopotamos River
Surrounding islands
A large number of islands, islets, and rocks hug the coast of Crete. Many are visited by tourists, some are only visited by archaeologists and biologists. Some are environmentally protected. A small sample of the islands includes:
- Gramvousa (Kissamos, Chania) the pirate island opposite the Balo lagoon
- Elafonisi (Chania), which commemorates a shipwreck and an Ottoman massacre
- Chrysi island (Ierapetra, Lasithi), which hosts the largest natural Juniperus macrocarpa forest in Europe
- Paximadia island (Agia Galini, Rethymno) where the god Apollo and the goddess Artemis were born
- The Venetian fort and leper colony at Spinalonga opposite the beach and shallow waters of Elounda (Agios Nikolaos, Lasithi)
- Dionysades islands which are in an environmentally protected region together with the Palm Beach Forest of Vai in the municipality of Sitia, Lasithi
Off the south coast, the island of Gavdos is located 26 nautical miles (48 km) south of Hora Sfakion and is the southernmost point of Europe.
Climate
Crete straddles two climatic zones, the
The south coast, including the
Average annual temperatures reach up to 21.0°C in South Crete. Crete holds the record for the highest temperatures ever recorded in Europe during November and January.[26] [27] [28] [29] According to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, South Crete receives the most sunshine in Greece with more than 3,257 hours of sunshine per year.[30]
Climate data for Heraklion 1955-2010 ( HNMS )
| |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 29.9 (85.8) |
28.8 (83.8) |
34.0 (93.2) |
37.5 (99.5) |
38.0 (100.4) |
41.3 (106.3) |
43.6 (110.5) |
44.5 (112.1) |
39.5 (103.1) |
37.0 (98.6) |
32.8 (91.0) |
28.5 (83.3) |
44.5 (112.1) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 15.3 (59.5) |
15.5 (59.9) |
17.0 (62.6) |
20.1 (68.2) |
23.6 (74.5) |
27.3 (81.1) |
28.9 (84.0) |
28.8 (83.8) |
26.6 (79.9) |
23.6 (74.5) |
20.2 (68.4) |
17.1 (62.8) |
22.0 (71.6) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 12.1 (53.8) |
12.2 (54.0) |
13.6 (56.5) |
16.6 (61.9) |
20.4 (68.7) |
24.5 (76.1) |
26.4 (79.5) |
26.3 (79.3) |
23.7 (74.7) |
20.3 (68.5) |
16.8 (62.2) |
13.8 (56.8) |
18.9 (66.0) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 9.1 (48.4) |
8.9 (48.0) |
9.8 (49.6) |
12.0 (53.6) |
15.1 (59.2) |
19.2 (66.6) |
21.9 (71.4) |
22.0 (71.6) |
19.5 (67.1) |
16.7 (62.1) |
13.5 (56.3) |
10.9 (51.6) |
14.9 (58.8) |
Record low °C (°F) | 0.0 (32.0) |
−0.8 (30.6) |
0.3 (32.5) |
4.2 (39.6) |
6.0 (42.8) |
12.2 (54.0) |
14.5 (58.1) |
16.6 (61.9) |
12.0 (53.6) |
8.7 (47.7) |
4.2 (39.6) |
2.4 (36.3) |
−0.8 (30.6) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 91.0 (3.58) |
69.0 (2.72) |
53.4 (2.10) |
28.2 (1.11) |
13.4 (0.53) |
2.9 (0.11) |
0.8 (0.03) |
0.9 (0.04) |
16.7 (0.66) |
59.4 (2.34) |
59.6 (2.35) |
85.6 (3.37) |
480.9 (18.94) |
Average rainy days | 16.0 | 13.6 | 11.4 | 7.6 | 4.6 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 7.5 | 10.6 | 15.2 | 91.4 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
68.4 | 66.4 | 65.9 | 62.3 | 61.2 | 57.0 | 57.1 | 59.1 | 61.9 | 65.7 | 67.9 | 68.3 | 63.4 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 119.9 | 132.3 | 181.5 | 234.8 | 298.5 | 356.2 | 368.3 | 343.5 | 275.8 | 206.9 | 145.5 | 115.4 | 2,778.6 |
Source 1: | |||||||||||||
Source 2: meteo-climat (extremes)[33] |
Climate data for Lentas | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 21.9 (71.4) |
25.2 (77.4) |
24.2 (75.6) |
29.7 (85.5) |
36.7 (98.1) |
39.6 (103.3) |
43.3 (109.9) |
42.7 (108.9) |
36.7 (98.1) |
33.2 (91.8) |
27.2 (81.0) |
23.3 (73.9) |
43.3 (109.9) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 16.3 (61.3) |
16.7 (62.1) |
17.9 (64.2) |
21.3 (70.3) |
24.8 (76.6) |
29.0 (84.2) |
33.0 (91.4) |
32.8 (91.0) |
29.7 (85.5) |
25.7 (78.3) |
22.0 (71.6) |
18.2 (64.8) |
24.0 (75.1) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 13.8 (56.8) |
14.1 (57.4) |
15.2 (59.4) |
18.2 (64.8) |
21.6 (70.9) |
25.6 (78.1) |
29.4 (84.9) |
29.4 (84.9) |
26.6 (79.9) |
22.9 (73.2) |
19.4 (66.9) |
15.8 (60.4) |
21.0 (69.8) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 11.3 (52.3) |
11.6 (52.9) |
12.4 (54.3) |
15.1 (59.2) |
18.3 (64.9) |
22.2 (72.0) |
25.8 (78.4) |
26.1 (79.0) |
23.5 (74.3) |
20.0 (68.0) |
16.9 (62.4) |
13.3 (55.9) |
18.0 (64.5) |
Record low °C (°F) | 2.3 (36.1) |
2.3 (36.1) |
3.9 (39.0) |
7.8 (46.0) |
12.8 (55.0) |
16.3 (61.3) |
20.8 (69.4) |
22.3 (72.1) |
15.2 (59.4) |
14.3 (57.7) |
10.2 (50.4) |
5.3 (41.5) |
2.3 (36.1) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 82.2 (3.24) |
61.7 (2.43) |
41.1 (1.62) |
13.6 (0.54) |
8.8 (0.35) |
5.4 (0.21) |
0.1 (0.00) |
1.1 (0.04) |
10.3 (0.41) |
30.2 (1.19) |
45.1 (1.78) |
61.0 (2.40) |
360.6 (14.21) |
Source: National Observatory of Athens Monthly Bulletins (Dec 2011-Jan 2024)[34] [35] and World Meteorological Organization[36] |
Human geography
Crete is the most populous island in Greece with a population of more than 600,000 people. Approximately 42% live in Crete's main cities and towns whilst 45% live in rural areas.[37]
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Venetian harbour in Chania
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Dusk airview of the Old Harbour of Rethymno
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View of the harbour in Heraklion
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The old harbour in Agios Nikolaos
Administration
Crete Region
Περιφέρεια Κρήτης ( Administrative region of Greece | |
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Coordinates: 35°13′N 24°55′E / 35.21°N 24.91°E | |
Country | Greece |
Established | 1912 |
Capital | Heraklion |
Regional units | |
Government | |
• Regional governor | UTC+3 (EEST) |
ISO 3166 code | GR-M |
Website | www |
Crete with its nearby islands form the Crete Region (
Since 1 January 2011, the regional governor is Stavros Arnaoutakis of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement. First elected in 2010, he was re-elected in 2014, 2019 and 2023.
Cities
Heraklion is the largest city and capital of Crete, holding more than a fourth of the island's population. Chania was the capital until 1971. The principal cities are:
- Heraklion (Iraklion or Candia) (144,422 inhabitants)[41]
- Chania (Haniá) (88,525 inhabitants)[41]
- Rethymno (34,300 inhabitants)[41]
- Ierapetra (23,707 inhabitants)
- Agios Nikolaos (20,679 inhabitants)
- Sitia (14,338 inhabitants)
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Venetian fortress in Heraklion
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Chania cathedral
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Rethymno Fortezza Mosque
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Kazarma fortress at the top in Sitia
Demographics
According to official census data by the Hellenic Statistical Authority, the region's population has increased by 1,343 people between 2011 and 2021, experiencing a rise of 0.22%.[42] The island is home to 308,608 men and 315,800 women, accounting for 49.4% and 50.6% of the population respectively.
Crete | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 | 2011 | 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Population | 502,165 | 540,054 | 601,131 | 623,065 | 624,408 |
Change | --- --- --- | +7.27% | +10.7% | +3.58% | +0.22% |
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
The island is divided into four regional units, Heraklion, Rethymno, Chania, and Lasithi.
Regional Unit | Population (2021) | Change between 2011 and 2021 (%) |
---|---|---|
Heraklion | 305,017 | -0.2% |
Lasithi | 77,819 | +3.2% |
Rethymno | 84,866 | -0.9% |
Chania | 156,706 | +0.1% |
Economy
The economy of Crete is predominantly based on services and tourism. However, agriculture also plays an important role and Crete is one of the few Greek islands that can support itself without a tourism industry.[43] The economy began to change visibly during the 1970s as tourism gained in importance. Although an emphasis remains on agriculture and stock breeding, because of the climate and terrain of the island, there has been a drop in manufacturing, and an observable expansion in its service industries (mainly tourism-related). All three sectors of the Cretan economy (agriculture/farming, processing-packaging, services), are directly connected and interdependent. The island has a per capita income much higher than the Greek average, whereas unemployment is at approximately 4%, one-sixth of that of the country overall.[citation needed][when?]
As in many regions of Greece, viticulture and olive groves are significant; oranges, citrons and avocadoes are also cultivated. Until recently[when?] there were restrictions on the import of bananas to Greece, therefore bananas were grown on the island, predominantly in greenhouses. Dairy products are important to the local economy and there are a number of specialty cheeses such as mizithra, anthotyros, and kefalotyri.
20% of Greek wine is produced in Crete, mostly in the region of Peza [44]
The Gross domestic product (GDP) of the region was €9.4 billion in 2018, accounting for 5.1% of Greek economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was €17,800 or 59% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 68% of the EU average. Crete is the region in Greece with the fifth highest GDP per capita.[45]
Transport infrastructure
Airports
The island has three significant airports,
Ferries
The island is well served by ferries, mostly from Piraeus, by ferry companies such as Minoan Lines and ANEK Lines with links to the Cyclades and Dodecanese islands. Seajets also operates routes to Cyclades.
The main ports from west to east are at Kissamos (ferry link to Peloponnese), Souda (Chania), Rethymno, Heraklion (links to Cyclades), Agios Nikolaos and Sitia (link to Dodecanese).
Road network
Most of Crete is served by the road network. A modern highway is currently being upgraded along the north coast connecting the four major cities (Motorway 90), the sections bypassing the main cities (Heraklion to Malia, Rethymno, Chania to Kolymvari) are at motorway standard, while the sections in between, and west to Kissamos and east to Sitia, should be completed by 2028. A link will also connect to the new Kasteli international airport .[46]
In addition, a European Union study has been devised to promote a modern highway to connect the northern and southern parts of the island via a tunnel. The study proposal includes a 15.7 km (9.8 mi) section of road between the villages of Agia Varvara and Agia Deka in central Crete. The new road section forms part of the route between Messara in the south and Crete's largest city Heraklion, which houses the island's biggest airport and ferry links with mainland Greece.
Railway
Also, during the 1930s there was a narrow-gauge industrial railway in Heraklion, from Giofyros in the west side of the city to the port. There are now no railway lines on Crete. The government is planning the construction of a line from Chania to Heraklion via Rethymno.[47][48]
Development
The construction sector in Crete responded well during the pandemic and has come out strong in the post-recession recovery period. Total construction spending recovered and is expected to peak a record high (approximately 8% higher than 2019 average levels) signalling consistent expansion in construction projects and real estate investments in Crete.[49] The evolution of the private sector in Crete is tightly linked with the demand for tourism-related investments. Moreover, the recovery of the tourism sector is expected to lead to further growth in housing prices and rental demand.
Newspapers have reported that the Ministry of Mercantile Marine is ready to support the agreement between Greece,
There are plans for underwater cables going from mainland Greece to Israel and Egypt passing by Crete and Cyprus: EuroAfrica Interconnector and EuroAsia Interconnector.[51][52] They would connect Crete electrically with mainland Greece, ending energy isolation of Crete. At present Greece covers electricity cost differences for Crete of around €300 million per year.[53]
History
In the later Neolithic and Bronze Age periods, under the Minoans, Crete had a highly developed, literate civilization. It has been ruled by various ancient Greek entities, the
Prehistory
Stone tools suggest that
Minoan civilization
During the
Mycenaean civilization
In 1420 BC, the Minoan civilization was subsumed by the Mycenaean civilization from mainland Greece. The oldest samples of writing in the Greek language, as identified by Michael Ventris, is the Linear B archive from Knossos, dated approximately to 1425–1375 BC.[56]
Archaic and Classical period
After the
During the 6th to 4th centuries BC, Crete was comparatively free from warfare. The Gortyn code (5th century BC) is evidence for how codified civil law established a balance between aristocratic power and civil rights.
In the late 4th century BC, the aristocratic order began to collapse due to endemic infighting among the elite, and Crete's economy was weakened by prolonged wars between city states. During the 3rd century BC,
While the cities continued to prey upon one another, they invited into their feuds mainland powers like
In the 2nd century BC Ierapytna (Ierapetra) gained supremacy on eastern Crete.
Roman rule
Crete was involved in the
Byzantine Empire – first period
Crete was separated from Cyrenaica c. 297. It remained a province within the eastern half of the Roman Empire, usually referred to as the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire after the establishment of a second capital in Constantinople by Constantine in 330. Crete was subjected to an attack by
Arab rule
In the 820s, after 900 years as a Roman island, Crete was captured by Andalusian
Byzantine Empire – second period
In 961, Nikephoros Phokas returned the island to Byzantine rule after expelling the Arabs.[60] Extensive efforts at conversion of the populace were undertaken, led by John Xenos and Nikon "the Metanoeite".[61][62] The reconquest of Crete was a major achievement for the Byzantines, as it restored Byzantine control over the Aegean littoral and diminished the threat of Saracen pirates, for which Crete had provided a base of operations.
In 1204, the
Venetian rule
From 1212, during
Under the rule of the Catholic
In 1492, Jews expelled from Spain settled on the island.[67] In 1574–77, Crete was under the rule of Giacomo Foscarini as Proveditor General, Sindace and Inquisitor. According to Starr's 1942 article, the rule of Giacomo Foscarini was a Dark Age for Jews and Greeks. Under his rule, non-Catholics had to pay high taxes with no allowances. In 1627, there were 800 Jews in the city of Candia, about seven percent of the city's population.[68] Marco Foscarini was the Doge of Venice during this time.
Ottoman rule
The Ottomans
During Easter of 1770, a revolt against Ottoman rule in Crete was started by
During the
Heraklion was surrounded by high walls and bastions and extended westward and southward by the 17th century. The most opulent area of the city was the northeastern quadrant where the elite were gathered. The city had received another name under the rule of the Ottomans, "the deserted city".
The
Cretan State 1898–1908
Following the repeated uprisings in 1841, 1858, 1889, 1895 and 1897 by the Cretan people, who wanted to join Greece, the
In September 1898 the
In 1905, disagreements between Prince George and minister Eleftherios Venizelos over the question of the enosis (union with Greece), such as the Prince's autocratic style of government, resulted in the Theriso revolt, one of the leaders being Eleftherios Venizelos.
Prince George resigned as High Commissioner and was replaced by Alexandros Zaimis, a former Greek prime minister, in 1906. In 1908, taking advantage of domestic turmoil in Turkey as well as the timing of Zaimis's vacation away from the island, the Cretan deputies unilaterally declared union with Greece.
With the outbreak of the First Balkan War, the Greek government declared that Crete was now Greek territory. This was not recognised internationally until 1 December 1913.[74]
Second World War
During World War II, the island was the scene of the
During the initial and subsequent occupation, German firing squads routinely executed male civilians in reprisal for the death of German soldiers; civilians were rounded up randomly in local villages for the mass killings, such as at the Massacre of Kondomari and the Viannos massacres. Two German generals were later tried and executed for their roles in the killing of 3,000 of the island's inhabitants.[75]
Civil War
In the aftermath of the
The Lefka Ori region in the west offered more favourable conditions for DSE's insurgency. In the summer of 1947 DSE raided and looted the Maleme Airport and motor depot at Chrysopigi. Its numbers swelled to approximately 300 fighters. The rise of DSE numbers compounded with crop failure on the island created serious logistical issues for the insurgents. The communists resorted to cattle rustling and crop confiscations which solved the problem only temporarily. In the autumn of 1947, the Greek government offered generous amnesty terms to Cretan DSE fighters and mountain bandits, many of whom opted to abandon armed struggle or defect to the nationalists. On 4 July 1948, government troops launched a large scale offensive on Samariá Gorge. Many DSE soldiers were killed in the fighting while the survivors broke into small armed bands. In October 1948, the secretary of the Cretan KKE Giorgos Tsitilos was killed in an ambush. By the following month only 34 DSE fighters remained active in Lefka Ori. The insurgency in Crete gradually withered away, with the last two hold outs surrendering in 1974, 25 years after the conclusion of the war in mainland Greece.[77]
Tourism
Crete is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece. 15% of all arrivals in Greece come through the city of Heraklion (port and airport), while charter journeys to Heraklion make up about 20% of all charter flights in Greece Archived 29 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine. The number of hotel beds on the island increased by 53% in the period between 1986 and 1991.
Today, the island's tourism infrastructure includes a wide range of accommodation; including large luxury hotels with their complete facilities, swimming pools, sports and recreation, smaller family-owned apartments, camping facilities and others. Visitors reach the island via two international airports in Heraklion and
Popular tourist attractions include the archaeological sites of the Minoan civilisation, the Venetian old city and port of Chania, the Venetian castle at Rethymno, the gorge of Samaria, the islands of Chrysi, Elafonisi, Gramvousa, Spinalonga and the Palm Beach of Vai, which is the largest natural palm forest in Europe.
Transportation
Crete has an extensive bus system with regular services across the north of the island and from north to south. There are two regional bus stations in Heraklion. Bus routes and timetables can be found on KTEL website.[79]
Holiday homes and immigration
Crete's mild climate attracts interest from northern Europeans who want a holiday home or residence on the island. EU citizens have the right to freely buy property and reside with little formality.[80] In the cities of Heraklion and Chania, the average price per square metre of apartments ranges from €1,670 to €1,700.[81] A growing number of real estate companies cater mainly to British immigrants, followed by Dutch, German, Scandinavian and other European nationalities wishing to own a home in Crete. The British immigrants are concentrated in the western regional units of Chania and Rethymno and to a lesser extent in Heraklion and Lasithi.[47]
Archaeological sites and museums
The area has a large number of archaeological sites, including the Minoan sites of
There are museums throughout Crete. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum displays most of the archaeological finds from the Minoan era and was reopened in 2014.[82]
Harmful effects
Helen Briassoulis, in a qualitative analysis, proposed in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism that Crete is affected by tourism applying pressure to it to develop at an unhealthy rate, and that informal, internal systems within the country are forced to adapt. According to her, these forces have strengthened in three stages: from the period from 1960 to 1970, 1970–1990, and 1990 to the present. During this first period, tourism was a largely positive force, pushing modern developments like running water and electricity onto the largely rural countryside. However, beginning in the second period and especially in the third period leading up to the present day, tourist companies became more pushy with deforestation and pollution of Crete's natural resources. The country is then pulled into an interesting parity, where these companies only upkeep those natural resources that are directly essential to their industry.[83]
-
View of Gortyn
-
Archaeological site of Phaistos
-
Ruins of the Palace of Knossos
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Archeological Museum of Chania
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Crete Naval museum
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Jars in Malia, Crete
Fauna and flora
Fauna
Crete is isolated from mainland Europe, Asia, and Africa, and this is reflected in the diversity of the fauna and flora. As a result, the fauna and flora of Crete have many clues to the evolution of species. There are no animals that are dangerous to humans on the island of Crete in contrast to other parts of Greece. Indeed, the ancient Greeks attributed the lack of large mammals such as bears, wolves, jackals, and venomous snakes, to the labour of
The Natural History Museum of Crete, operates under the direction of the University of Crete and two aquariums – Aquaworld in Hersonissos and Cretaquarium in Gournes, display sea creatures common in Cretan waters.
Prehistoric fauna
Mammals
Mammals of Crete include the vulnerable
The
Bat species include:
-
The Kri-kri (the Cretan ibex) lives in protected natural parks at the gorge of Samaria and the island of Agios Theodoros.
-
Male Cretan ibex
-
Cretan Hound or Kritikos Lagonikos, one of Europe's oldest hunting dog breeds
Birds
Varieties of birds include eagles (can be seen in
Reptiles and amphibians
Tortoises can be seen throughout the island. Snakes can be found hiding under rocks. Toads and frogs reveal themselves when it rains.
Reptiles include the
There are four species of snake on the island and these are not dangerous to humans. The four species include the
Sea turtles include the
Amphibians include the
Arthropods
Crustaceans and molluscs
River crabs include the semi-terrestrial Potamon potamios crab.[95] Edible snails are widespread and can cluster in the hundreds waiting for rainfall to reinvigorate them.
Sealife
Apart from terrestrial mammals, the seas around Crete are rich in large marine mammals. The endangered Mediterranean monk seal lives in almost all the coasts of the country. The area south of Crete, known as the Greek Abyss, hosts whales, sperm whales, dolphins and porpoises.[104] The Minoan frescoes depicting dolphins in Queen's Megaron at Knossos indicate that Minoans were well aware of and celebrated these creatures. Squid, octopus, sea turtles and hammerhead sharks live or traverse along the coast.
Some of the fish of the waters around Crete include:
The
Flora
The Minoans contributed to the deforestation of Crete. Further deforestation occurred in the 1600s "so that no more local supplies of firewood were available".[108]
Common wildflowers include: camomile, daisy, gladiolus, hyacinth,
-
Snake lily (Dracunculus vulgaris)
-
TheOphrys creticaorchid.
Environmentally protected areas
Environmentally protected areas include the island of
Mythology
Crete has a strong association with ancient
According to
The
Culture
Crete has its own distinctive
Cretan authors have made important contributions to
Cretans are proud of their island and customs, and men often don elements of traditional dress in everyday life: knee-high black riding boots (stivania), vráka breeches tucked into the boots at the knee, black shirt and black headdress consisting of a fishnet-weave kerchief worn wrapped around the head or draped on the shoulders (mantili / kefalomantilo). Men often grow large mustaches as a mark of pride, manhood and valiance.
Cretan society is known in Greece and internationally for family and clan vendettas which persist on the island to date.[114][115] Cretans also have a tradition of keeping firearms at home, stemming from the era of resistance against the Ottoman Empire. Nearly every rural household on Crete has at least one unregistered gun.[114] Guns are subject to strict regulation from the Greek government, and in recent years an effort to control firearms in Crete has been undertaken by the Greek police, but with limited success.
-
Dancers from Sfakia
-
Dakos, traditional Cretan appetizer. Paximadi (hard bread) topped with fresh tomato, fetta cheese, oregano and olives drizzled with olive oil.
Sports
Crete has many football clubs playing in the local leagues. During the 2011–12 season,
Notable people
Notable people from Crete include:
- Vitsentzos Kornaros, Renaissance author from Sitia, who lived in Heraklion (then Candia)
- Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco), Renaissance artist, born in Heraklion
- Nikos Xilouris, famous composer and singer.
- Psarantonis, Cretan folk singer and Cretan lyra player and brother of Nikos Xilouris.
- Nikos Kazantzakis, author, born in Heraklion, 7 times suggested for the Nobel Prize
- Odysseas Elytis, poet, awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1979, born in Heraklion[116]
- Chania Prefecture
- Prime Minister of Greece.
- Orlov Revoltin Crete in 1770
- John Aniston (Giannis Anastasakis), Greek-American actor, father of Jennifer Aniston
- Zach Galifianakis paternal grandparents, Mike Galifianakis and Sophia Kastrinakis, were from Crete
- Georgios Chortatzis, Renaissance author
- Nana Mouskouri, singer, born in Chania
- Michalis Kourmoulis, leader of the Greek War of Independence from Messara.
- Eleni Daniilidou, tennis player, born in Chania
- Louis Tikas, Greek-American labor union leader
- Tess Fragoulis, Greek-Canadian writer, born in Heraklion
- Nick Dandolos, a.k.a. Nick the Greek, professional gambler and high roller
- Joseph Sifakis, a computer scientist, laureate of the 2007 Turing Award, born in Heraklion in 1946
- Constantinos Daskalakis, Associate Professor at MIT's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department
- George Karniadakis, Professor of Applied Mathematics at Brown University; and Research Scientist at MIT
- George Psychoundakis, a shepherd, a war hero and an author
- Georgos Kalaitzakis, Greek professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association is from Heraklion, Crete
See also
References
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General and cited sources
- Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 7 (11th ed.). 1911. pp. 418–430. .
- Francis, Jane and Anna Kouremenos (eds.) 2016. Roman Crete: New Perspectives. Oxford: Oxbow.
- Gregory, T. E.; Kazhdan, A. (1991). "Crete". In ISBN 0-19-504652-8.
- Margaritis, Giorgos (2006). Ιστορία του ελληνικού εμφυλίου πολέμου 1946-1949 [History of the Greek Civil War 1946-1949] (in Greek). Vol. II. Athens: Vivliorama. ISBN 9608087139.
- Panagiotakis, Nikolaos M., ed. (1987). "Εισαγωγικό Σημείωμα ("Introduction")". Crete, History and Civilization (in Greek). Vol. I. Vikelea Library, Association of Regional Associations of Regional Municipalities. pp. XI–XX.
- ISBN 0-8047-2630-2.
External links
- Official Website of Gavalochori Village, Crete (in English)
- Crete Locals comprehensive guide of Crete Island (in English)
- Natural History Museum of Crete at the University of Crete.
- Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos in Heraklion.
- Aquaworld Aquarium in Hersonissos.
- Ancient Crete Archived 30 May 2020 at the Wayback Machine at Oxford Bibliographies Online: Classics.
- Official Greek National Tourism Organisation website
- Interactive Virtual Tour of Crete