Explore Crete island

Crete map, GREECE

With a total area of 3,219 square miles, the island of Crete is by far the largest of the Greek Isles. Crete has a typical Greek landscape, which is extremely rocky, and mountainous. There are three main mountain ranges that span from west to east, they are the White Mountains (or Lefka Ori), the Idi Range, and the Dikti Mountains. It is also known for its rocky beaches. To the north of Crete lays the Sea of Crete. To the east, the Karpation Sea, to the south it's the Libyan Sea, and to the west it's the Myrtoan Sea. Due to the numerous mountains, Crete has been blessed with fertile plateaus such as: Lashithi, Omalos, and Nidha. Caves such as: Diktaion &Idian. As well as the Samaria Gorge, which is home to the rare kri-kri, or the Cretan goat, and the lammergeier, an endangered vulture. Crete holds 2 types of climate. It is mostly made up of the Mediterranean climate, but at the southern tip it has a North African climate.

The island of Crete has deep roots in Greek history, and mythology. The Minoans were the first Greek settlement. They inhabited the island of Crete. They brought with them the legends of King Minos, the Minotaur, Daedalus, Theseus, and Icarus. Eventually the Minoan civilization was overrun by the Mycenean Empire, who came from the mainland of Greece. Luckily the island of Crete has been able to preserve most of its culture. Cretan Greek has been held as the official dialect for centuries, as well as Cretan wine has been maintained as the customary drink. Crete is known for it's traditional music, usually performed by the lyre, a traditional Greek instrument. Crete is also known for it's various traditional dances. The most notable is the Pentozali. Crete is one of the most traveled to Greek holiday destinations, almost fifteen percent of all arrivals in Greece come in at the port and airport in the Cretan city of Heraklion. Because of this, Crete has many luxury hotels, comfortable for any traveller looking for relaxing Greek Islands holidays.