Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 2nd biggest island in the Eastern Mediterranean and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits (such as its own poetry, and music). Crete was once the center of the Minoan civilization (c. 2700–1420 BC), which is currently regarded as the earliest recorded civilization in Europe.
It is located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea separating the Aegean from the Libyan Sea.
Crete is mountainous, and its character is defined by a high mountain range crossing from west to east.
Crete straddles two climatic zones, the Mediterranean and the North African, mainly falling within the former. As such, the climate in Crete is primarily temperate. The atmosphere can be quite humid, depending on the proximity to the sea, while winter is fairly mild. During the summer, average temperatures reach the high 20s-low 30s Celsius (mid 80s to mid 90s Fahrenheit).
Crete is the most populous island in Greece with a population of more than 600,000 people. Approximately 42% live in Crete's main cities and towns whilst 45% live in rural areas.
Heraklion is the largest city and capital of Crete. The principal cities are:
• Heraklion (Iraklion or Candia) (130,914 inhabitants)
• Chania (Haniá) (53,373 inhabitants)
• Rethymno (27,868 inhabitants)
• Ierapetra (23,707 inhabitants)
• Agios Nikolaos (19,462 inhabitants)
• Sitia (14,338 inhabitants)
The island has three significant airports, Nikos Kazantzakis at Heraklion, the Daskalogiannis airport at Chania and a smaller one in Sitia. The first two serve international routes, acting as the main gateways to the island for travelers.
The island is well served by ferries, mostly from Athens. Although the road network leads almost everywhere (the network is larger than in Britain), there is a lack of modern highways, although this is gradually changing with the completion of the northern coastal spine highway.
Crete is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece. The island's tourism infrastructure caters to all tastes, including a very wide range of accommodation; the island's facilities take in large luxury hotels with their complete facilities, swimming pools, sports and recreation, smaller family-owned apartments, camping facilities and others.
Popular tourist attractions include the archaeological sites of the Minoan civilization, the Venetian old city and port of Chania, the Venetian castle at Rethymno, the gorge of Samaria, the islands of Chrysi, Elafonisi, Gramvousa, and Spinalonga and the Palm Beach of Vai, which is the largest natural palm forest in Europe.
Crete has its own distinctive Mantinades poetry. The island is known for its Mantinades-based music (typically performed with the Cretan lyra and the laouto) and has many indigenous dances, the most noted of which is the Pentozali.
Cretan authors have made important contributions to Greek Literature throughout the modern period; major names include Vikentios Kornaros, creator of the 17th century epic romance Erotokritos, and in the 20th century Nikos Kazantzakis. In the Renaissance, Crete was the home of the Cretan School of icon painting, which influenced El Greco and through him subsequent European painting.
source: http://el.wikipedia.org/