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Geographical
Features
Crete is
the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean, with a length of
approximately 256 kilometres (160 miles) and a width which varies from
12.8 to 60 kilometres (8 to 38 miles). Its total area is 8,331 square
kilometers. It is divided in the four prefectures of Chania in the west,
Rethymnon and Iraklion in the central area and Lasithi in the east. Its
total population is estimated at 700,565. Its
main characteristics are as follows: 1.Basins
& PIains: There are
several bowl-like areas, fertile basins with almost symmetrical sloping
sides: an area famous for its windmills is the upland plain of Lasithi
while at Caves: Crete is
reputed to have over 3000 caves, half of the caves in all Greece. Many
of these are rich in myth, legend and even recent history and some are
in use to day by shepherds and for storing cheese. Many a free darn
fighter took refuge in caves during the long struggle for independence;
and there are several accounts of use
of the caves during the Cretan and British resistance in World War II.
Most of the caves (spilia) are to be found in the mountains of western
Crete, for example, Ellinospilio at Menies ,in Chania, and Therissos at
Marathi. Above the Lasithi Plain, mythology has it that Zeus was
born and hidden from his jealous father in the Dictaean Cave. The
Agneion or Tersanus cave on Gramvoussa Cape is a huge space, 100 meters
hight and capable of holding a thousand people. Some other caves of
interest are: Ag.
Sophiasat Topolia Kissamou in Chania; Ag.
Ioanni at Gouverneto in Akrotirio, Chania; Tzani at
Omalos in Chania. Ida ion
Andron on Mount Psiloritos; Gerodospilio
at Melidoni in Rethymnon; Marmarospilio
at Kamaraki Ma1eviziou in Iraklion; Rapa at
Milato, Mirabello in Lasithi. Climate: Summer (May
to September) -generally warm & dry at sea level, hotter on the
south coast. Prevailing north wind year-long. Cooler and more rain away
from coast. Rainy
season: October to March, with light rain in April/May -again, this
applies mainly to coastal regions. Snowfalls in winter are heavy enough
to isolate mountain villages and render roads impassable. Remember many
tourist facilities are limited to summer months only. Cultivation: Olives
(over 15 million trees), astonishing variety of fruit (including bananas,
melons, peaches, apricots, (Cherries, oranges, and especially grape
vines, nuts, carob (the bulk of the world's crop, used as a form of
chocolatt), and tomatoes. Gorges: Ravines,
passes and gorges are inevitable in mountainous areas but the Samaria
Gorge in Western Crete is the largest in Europe, sometimes dubbed 'Europe's
Grand Canyon'. Photographs and descriptions do not do it justice. Other
gorges worth seeing are at Topolia in western Chania and Kourtaliotiko
near Spili in Rethymnon. Mountains: These
form a central spine separating north from south. The White Mountains (Lefka
Ori) in the west reach a height of over 8000 feet, as does Mount Ida in There are
four alpine huts on the island: 1)
Kallergi, Chania, 45 beds, altitude 1680 meters; 2) Volkia,
Chania, 25 beds, altitude 1480 meters; 3) Sopara,
Rethymnon, 60 beds, altitude 1500 meters; 4) Prinos,
Iralkion, 16 beds, altitude 1100 meters. Vegetation: While
these awesome craggy mountains were once forested, there still remain
wooded areas of oak, chestnut, cypress, pine and ilex. The abundance and
variety of wild flowers will amaze and delight even those with no
special interest in botany. Wild
Life: The
profusion of birds include European and African species as the island is
used as a stop-over on the migrating routes. The Cretan wild goat, the
Kri-kri, is difficult to spot and is now a protected species. While some
remain in the wilds, most are now in special islet sanctuaries (eg, Dia).
Then there are rabbits, hedgehogs, weasels and other such familiar small
wild creatures. Fortunately, Crete is reputed to have few |
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