Crete is the largest island in Greece and the fifth largest in the eastern Mediterranean area, with 8,336 square kilometres. It comprises four Prefectures: Heraklion, Lasithi, Chania, and Rethymnon. Traces of human life in Crete appeared around 7.000 Ch, i.e., during the Neolithic era. Yet, the first known worldwide period on Crete is the period of the Minoan civilisation, one of the first civilisations in Europe during the Bronze Age (2,600 BC to 1,100 BC).
The big island is geographically located at the crossroads of three continents and five seas, i.e. as a bridge between Europe, Asia, and Africa, as it is about the same on all three continents. For this reason, it was a bone of contention between the various conquerors in the past. From Crete, many different peoples were conquered. The Romans celebrate Crete from 67p.Ch - 330m.Ch. It was found in the possession of the Arabs in 824-961m.Ch but the Venetians (1204-1669m.Ch) and Turkish conquerors. The period of Turkish occupation of the island was the longest and lasted from 1669 until 1898m.Ch. Finally, the Germans occupied the island in recent years during the Second World War. It is worth noting that after their passing, the Venetians left behind monuments that are maintained today as the imposing fortress of "good" in the port of Heraklion.
As the name suggests, there are several myths about how Crete is named, but others prevail. Firstly, it said that Crete was initially called "Idea" and renamed Zeus in Crete for the sake of his
The wife called to find out who the daughter of one of the Curetes (the first Cretans) was. Another legend says that one of the nymphs called the Hesperides Crete and the so-called "Crete" on our island. Finally, it even mentioned that the big island named after the son of Zeus and the nymph Ideo, called "Crete", is the information we derive from Homer.
Crete is a mountainous island, but it also has very fertile plains. The highest mountain is the first "White Mountains" (2.454m.), The "Mount Ida" (2.456m.), The "Mount Dikti" (2.147m.) And finally, "Sitia Mountains" (1476 m). Renting a car from Rent a car in Crete, you could visit the hinterland of Crete, which has fertile plateaus, and explore them in comfort and safety. The major plateaus of
Crete is the "Plateau smoothly" in Chania, the Lasithi Plateau falls in Lasithi, and the Nida Plateau is located at Mount Psiloritis.
Crete has well caves, such as "Caveman", which is said to have been born Zeus in mythology and is situated in the Lassithi Plateau. Also, the "Ideon Andron", in which it is rumoured that Zeus was raised, and the "Kronio" cave, which is the mythology of the god Saturn, was also located in the Plateau of Lassithi.
The birthplace of Zeus, therefore, beyond these enchanting destinations, surprising the visitor and the canyons of forming landscapes of infinite beauty. One of the most famous is the Canyon of Samaria ιn Chania, one of the most popular destinations for locals and visitors. Also from the most famous of Crete is the "Kourtaliotiko" gorge in Rethymno and the Gorge "The Dead" at the bottom of
Zakros Lassithi.
Crete but over the mountains, plateaus, canyons, and caves of the enchanting, featuring a unique Mediterranean climate with fairly mild winters and hot summers; for this reason, it is one of the most popular destinations in the world. Heavy rains occur mainly in the west, and snow in the highlands. During the summer, prevailing temperatures are as low as 30 degrees Celsius, but they grow in the south. The island has enough moisture depending on our distance from the sea, but this allows the cultivation of tropical plants such as bananas and many others that thrive in this climate (avocado, mango, and more ...!).
But this place has been blessed with rich flora and fauna. The herbs of Crete are famous everywhere in the flora. Apart from herbs, many kinds of edible plants are classified in the excellent Cretan diet, based on Cretan olive oil, vegetables, legumes, fruits, dairy, and excellent Cretan wine.
Also, rare orchids and tulips grow in the fertile soil of Crete. But some trees grow only in Crete. In the fertile soils of Cretan, many perennials, such as olives and plane trees, grow.
Now, the fauna of Crete is also vibrant! In mountain regions, living the Cretan goat is familiar to everyone ibex. Also part of the fauna of the Cretan wildcat, the Cretan nifitsa, the Arkalon (badger), and the Cretan tracker (which belongs to the breed of a hunting dog with a history of over 4000 years ago), but many other mammals, such as Georgalidou horses of Crete, belonging to the oldest type of horses that appeared in Europe. Crete's waters hosted marine mammals, such as different kinds of dolphins, whales, and fish, and two essential species to extinction,
turtles Caretta Caretta and the Mediterranean seal monachus - monachus. Finally, in Crete, live and rare breeding birds of prey, mainly in the mountainous parts of the island, such as the golden eagle and vulture, which belong to and are rich fauna!
Apart from geomorphology. Crete boasts its culture! An essential part of the culture of the Cretan dialect, the oldest dialect in Greece. The feature of this dialect is the famous Cretan serenades. Moreover, the music of Crete and traditional dances are Integral pieces of culture. The conventional instrument of Crete is the Lyra. It is of Cretan life and sorrows and joys! But the traditional dances, such as Siganos, the "Pentozalis, the Hanioti, the sushi, and Maleviziotis, which may not be known to us all, have put their Small Stone in culture. Another essential piece of Cretan civilisation is Literature.
Important representatives of the Cretans were Vitsentzos Kornaros, who wrote the well-known "Erotokritos" during the 17th century, and the essential Cretan novelist and writer Nikos Kazantzakis, who was famous around the world and was nominated for three Nobel prizes in literature in the 20th century.
Finally, a remarkable piece of the civilisation of Crete, which is itself subject to the arts (like Literature), is painting. Renowned worldwide, representative during the Renaissance, the Cretan El Greco is known as «El Greco».
The island of Crete then covers the most demanding visitors. It is no coincidence that named "my beautiful island of Crete, the key of heaven" in the Cretan namesake song! For all these reasons, you could.
rent a car from Crete rent cars and visit the remarkable archaeological and cultural monuments of Crete and the Cretan landscape scattered with traditional villages where you can enjoy Cretan hospitality.
Turtles Caretta Caretta and the Mediterranean seal monachus - monachus. Finally, in Crete, live and rare breeding birds of prey, mainly in the mountainous parts of the island, such as the golden eagle and vulture, which belong to and are rich fauna!
Apart from geomorphology. Crete boasts its culture! An essential part of the culture of the Cretan dialect, the oldest dialect in Greece. The feature of this dialect is the famous Cretan serenades. Moreover, the music of Crete and traditional dances are Integral pieces of culture. The conventional instrument of Crete is the Lyra. It is of Cretan life and sorrows and joys! But the traditional dances, such as Siganos, the "Pentozalis, the Hanioti, the sushi, and Maleviziotis, which may not be known to us all, have put their Small Stone in culture. Another essential piece of Cretan civilisation is Literature.
important representatives of the Cretans were Vitsentzos Kornaros, who wrote the well-known "Erotokritos" during the 17th century, and the essential Cretan novelist and writer Nikos Kazantzakis, who was famous around the world and was nominated for three Nobel prizes in literature in the 20th century.
Finally, a remarkable piece of the civilisation of Crete, which is itself subject to the arts (like Literature), is painting. Renowned worldwide and representative of the Renaissance, the Cretan El Greco is known as «El Greco.»
The island of Crete then covers the most demanding visitors. It is no coincidence that named "my beautiful island of Crete, the key of heaven" in the Cretan namesake song! For all these reasons, you could.
rent a car from Crete rent cars and visit the remarkable archaeological and cultural monuments of Crete and the Cretan landscape scattered with traditional villages where you can enjoy Cretan hospitality.
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