Crete, the "megalonisos" (the big island) of Greece, the second island of the Eastern Mediterranean in magnitude and the fifth in all the Mediterranean with an area of 8,335 square kilometers , lies on the southern part of the country. Cradle of the insuperable Minoan civilization, it enchants the visitor with the numerous Minoan remains, the innumerable examples of its rich culture, the unforgettable beaches on the north and south coasts, the beautiful mountainous villages and the peculiar and so special traditions. It has an elongated shape with an east-west axis and a length of 257km and a maximum width of 60km. However, in the area of Ierapetra, Crete is only 12km wide.

Crete is divided into four prefectures (nomos). From west to east they are: Chania, Rethimnon, Iraklion and Lassithi. Each one of the prefectures is subdivided into provinces (eparchies). The Nomos Chanion is subdivided into Kydonia, Apokoronas, Sfakia, Kissamos and Selino. The Nomos Rethimnou is subdivided into Rethimnon, Milopotamos, Amari and Agios Vasilios. The Nomos Irakliou is subdivided into Malevizi, Temenos, Pediada, Pirgiotisa, Kainourio, Monofatsi and Vianos. The Nomos Lassithiou is subdivided into Mirabelo, Lassithi, Ierapetra and Sitia.

There are many reasons that made Crete one of the top holiday destinations in the world: Beautiful beaches, traditional lifestyle, cretan hospitality,archaeological interest for the Minoan civilization and the palaces of Knossos and Phaistos, picturesque settlements, the variety of the landscape and the scenery with the olive trees, orange groves and vineyards, palm forests (at Vai and Preveli) and cedar forests (at Gavdos and Hrissi), the mountains in the center like the White Mountains, Psiloritis and Dikti, the famous Samaria gorge, the "kri-kri", the famous Cretan goat, the monasteries like Arkadi, the timeless sense of life of the Greek islands.

The Cretan diet is currently considered by nutritionists as a "modus vivende" that endows people with longevity and sound health, as supported by research conducted on an international scale. It was established that the inhabitants of Crete manifest the lowest mortality indices with respect to cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

One of the most interesting potentials that the Cretan land can offer to the visitor, is that in little time and small distances one can discover and enjoy the Cretan nature. Crete is an island with countless beauties that combine sea and mountain with the best possible way. The alterations of the landscape, the geological site sees and the excellent climate make Crete an ideal place for any activity. Discover the wonderful gorges of the island and the imposing White Mountains, try scuba diving in the bottom of the sea, fly with a parachute in the clean Cretan air, or just meet the prosaism of the people staying in the isolated villages, enjoying the relaxation and the magnitude of the Cretan landscape.

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