Crete is the largest island of Greece, with an area of 8336 square kilometers and a coastline measuring 1040 kilometers. The island is 225 kilometers long and 60 kilometers wide and is the second largest island (after Cyprus) in the East Mediterranean.
Crete is surrounded by the Sea of Crete (to the north), Libyan Sea (to the south), Myrtoan Sea (to the west) and Karpathion Sea (to the east). The island lies 160 kilometers south of the Greek mainland and is one of the 13 regions into which Greek is divided.

The island of Crete is mountainous, about two thirds of the whole area of the island being covered with mountains. The highest mountains are Lefka Ori (2452 m), the Idi range (mount Psiloritis - 2456 m), the Dikti mountains (2148 m), Kedros (1777 m), Thripti (1489 m). There are a number of rivers in Crete including Ieropotamos River in the southern part of the island.

Crete is famous for its sandy beaches, such as Elafonisi, Falassarna, Gramvousna, Frangokastello, Paleohora, Loutro, Georgioupolis, Agia – Marina, Hora Sfakion, Sougia (CHANIA), Preveli, Bali, Palakias, Triopetra, Rodakino (RETHYMNO), Agia – Galini, Matala, Kalamaki, Gouves, Malia, Hersonissos, Stalis (HERAKLIO), Iarapetra, Kato Zakros, Makri Gialos, Vai, Hrysi Islet (AGIOS NIKOLAOS).

Crete has a large variety of flora, including 130 species of unique wild flowers and herbs, such as Dictamo (Origanum Dictamnus) and the Cretan plane tree (Platanus Orientalis). The island’s fauna is also veried, but Crete is best known for its wild goatn (Capra Aegagrus Cretica), Cretan marten (Martes Foina Bunites) and the very rare Cretan wild cat (Felis Silvestris Agrius).

As far as the climate is concerned, Crete enjoys both North African climate and Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers (during summer temperatures can reach  40º C). The atmosphere is quite humid, depending on the proximity to the sea. Snowfall is common in the mountains between the months of November and May, but rare at the low areas near the coast, where snow only stays on the ground for a few minutes or hours and then melts. However, in the winter of 2004, Crete was covered in snow during the month of February. The south coast, including the Messara plain and Asterousia mountains, enjoys North African climate, therefore this area has high temperatures throughout the year.

The island of Crete is a periphery of Greece, consisting of four prefectures (Chania, Heraklion, Lasithi and Rethymno) and has a population of 650 000 inhabitants. Its most important cities are Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Iarapetra, Agios Nikolaos and Sitia.

Although the island’s economy was mainly based on farming, since the 1970’s the tourist industry has developed more and more.  Tourists can reach the island via two international airports in Heraklion and Chania, or by boat to the main ports of Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Sitia and Kastelli.