Crete is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea. It is the largest island owned by Greece, and it is the most populated island in Greece as well. In addition, it is the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. The islands in the Mediterranean that are larger include Corsica, Cypress, Sardinia, and Cicely. The island of Crete is approximately 100 miles south of the Greek mainland. It is also about 62 miles southwest of Anatolia, which is where Turkey is located. Crete is surrounded by the Aegean Sea. Because of its size and population, it is one of the most important economic zones in Greece.
People have lived on the island for at least 130,000 years. Numerous archaeological expeditions have taken place on the island, and remains have been found dating back to the Paleolithic Age. Crete was also the home of the first advanced civilization in Europe, the Minoans, who lived there from approximately 2700 BC to 1420 BC. Eventually, the Minoan civilization was conquered by the Mycenaeans, who came from Greece. During the past few centuries, control of the island has changed several times. At different points in time, the island was ruled by Rome, the Byzantine Empire, the Andalusian Empire, the Venetian Republic, and the Ottoman Empire. Eventually, Crete became an independent island, but it then joined Greece, which was the main desire of the people living on the island. Crete was incorporated into Greece during the early 20th century.
The vast majority of the island is covered in mountains, even though there are some beautiful beaches along the coastline. There are several natural reserves located on the island, and there is a tremendous amount of culture and history on Crete. It has been estimated that approximately 670,000 people live on the island, and the largest city is called Heraklion. There are approximately 140,000 people who live in this city. In addition to the people who live on the island permanently, there are a lot of tourists who visit the area every year. Some of the reasons why tourists visit the island include vacation, archaeology, and cultural exploration.
If you are interested in visiting the island, you have several transportation options. Most people who visit the island come from Mainland Greece using either a fairy or a flight. The biggest ferry ports and airports are located in Heraklion. During the past few decades, tourism on the island has increased dramatically. Now, there are a lot of luxury hotels on the island, complete with swimming pools, recreation courts, and gyms. Several new airports have been constructed on the island to make it easier for people to visit. Some of the biggest tourist attractions include the Venetian castle at Rethymno and the famous gorge located at Samaria, making this one of the most popular vacation destinations in Greece.