Crete is that same Greek island

The Greek island of Crete is the basis of mythology,the forefather of the omnipotent omnipotent of Zeus and one of the main places for the appearance of big and small gods. The capital of it was founded by Hestia herself, the goddess, uniting the worlds of gods and people.

The kings of Crete owned and most of the neighboringislands. The navigators left the island for long voyages. They visited North Africa, Egypt, Syria. In the west, the Cretan seamen knew Sardinia and Sicily. The pre-Achaean civilization showed the historical preconditions that helped create the genealogies of deities, mythological demons, titans and various monsters. It was Crete that became the abode of Europe stolen by Zeus, where his famous sons were born, including Minos, the great king of Crete. There Daedalus built a labyrinth for the Minotaur. The island itself breathes myths, this Greek island breathes a fairy-tale and at the same time an amazing reality of images.

Basic information

The administrative-territorial unit of Greece,Crete is the largest of the Greek islands. To the south of it is only a small island of Gavdos. Crete extends for 260 kilometers in length, the widest place - 56 kilometers. The total area of ​​the island is 8,260 square kilometers. Among the population of 600,000 people, the language is predominantly Greek, religion is Christianity, the Greek Orthodox Church. The capital - Heraklion - has 200,000 inhabitants, in addition, in relatively large cities - Chania, Rethymnon, Agios, Sitia, Ierapetra, Mires, Timbaki, Paleochora - most of the rest of the island's population lives.

Three airports serve the flow of tourists, two more- the army. Two large seaports - in Heraklion and Souda Bay - connect Crete to the mainland. In addition, throughout the coast there are fishing harbors. The whole Greek island is filled with mountains, which affected both mythology and the formation of the character of real residents in the course of historical events. Almost all the rivers of Crete dry up in the summer. The only freshwater lake - Kournas - is very picturesque, it is a favorite place for tourists and local people. There are artificial lakes and small ponds, lakes not considered, but no less beautiful and popular.

Greek Islands

The map of the archipelago shows that nearbysmall islands: Chrysi, Dia, Koufonisi, Gramvoussa, Paximadia - uninhabited. However, for tourists are always guided tours and one-day cruises. The larger Gavdos and Santorini communicate with Crete by sea and air.

Economy

This Greek island receives the basic incomethrough tourism. But in addition, it is there that olive oil of the highest quality is produced, excellent cheeses, honey, various fruits and vegetables are grown. The livestock of goats and sheep is quite large, which also helps economic activity. The tourism industry, however, is the main income item. Basically, it focused on the northern coast, where the largest cities are located.

That same Greek island

South Shore is a place for those who loveprivacy. The roads there are extremely narrow and winding, sometimes dangerous, but the impressions will remain brighter and sharper. People are exceptionally interesting: forty troubled centuries make themselves felt, here are preserved both the identity of the language, and the main characteristic qualities, such as stubbornness and patience, courage, resourcefulness, freedom and thirst for adventure.