Crete
is the largest of the Greek islands it has an area of
8261 sq. km and a coastline 1046 km. long.A mountainous
island, lies south of the Aegean Sea, a link between Asia
Africa and Europe.Its unique geographical position between
the three continents determined its historical course
both throughout antiquity and in modern times.It has an
elongated shape - 260 km. from west to east and at its
widest 60 km - , the island is a good deal narrower at
certain points, such as in the region of Ierapetra where
it is only 12 km. wide.
To the south it is bordered by the Libyan Sea, to the
west the Myrtoon Sea, to the east the Karpathion Sea and
to the north the Sea of Crete.Its coastline, which consists
of both sandy beaches and rocky shores, is framed by the
small islets of Kouphonisi, Gaidouronisi, Dia, Aghioi
Pantes, Spinalonga, and Gavdos
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According
to the latest census Crete has over 520.000 inhabitants.
Administratively, the island is divided into four
Prefectures which from west to east are: the Prefecture
of Hania, with Hania as the capital, the Prefecture
of Rethymnon, with Rethymnon as the capital, the Prefecture
of Iraklion, with Iraklion as the capital, and the
Prefecture of Lassithi, with Agios Nikolaos as the
capital. |
Iraklion
is the largest town with over 100 000 inhabitants.The
geographical position of Crete was definitive for its
historical course down through the ages. Situated between
three continents- Europe, Asia and Africa - it was at
the junction of the major cultural currents and at the
crossroads of conflicting geo-political interests and
bloody clashes.
On
Cretan soil were hatched and developed features of
Civilization which marked the history of mankind.
At the same time the island paid a heavy price because
of its strategic position and was repeatedly invaded
and periodically conquered, which contributed to the
destruction of the existing civilization, the lowering
of living standards and the subsequent misery of the
inhabitants. |
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However,
through successive restructuring new forms of social coexistence
were forged, new intellectual values arose and new material
and cultural creations appeared which left their indelible
mark on Crete and the historical role of the Cretans.
Certainly the memory of the remote and glorious past,
the Minoan period, survived in the ancient world by means
of Greek mythology. Mythology, however, cannot be considered
an adequate substitute for historical reality. Due to
the successful efforts of Greek and foreign archaeologists,
historians and linguists who have brought and are bringing
to light the material artifacts of Minoan Civilization,
the Cretan past has been significantly illuminated.
Moreover,
during recent times archaeological excavations and historical
research have been extended into more modern periods,
revealing the physiognomy of Crete in its entirety. Nevertheless,
the distant past of mankind on the island during those
periods from which there is no written information (Neolithic)
or those periods from which written testimony (hieroglyphics,
Linear A) has been found but not yet deciphered, continues
to keep its secrets and continually challenges the experts.
Regions
Of Greece:
Attica
and Saronica Islands
Cyclades
Dodecanissa
Crete
Peloponissa
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