Crete (Κρήτη) is the largest island in Greece and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean sea. It is located in the southern part of the Aegean sea separating the Aegean of the Libyan sea. It is one of the southeastern parts of Europe and due to its proximity to Africa and the similarities to climate the Cretean people often joke about Crete being north of Africa.
Crete consists of four municipalities. Heraklion which is the largest one and also the capital of the island, Chania, Rethymno and Lasithi. The whole island has over 600.000 inhabitants.


The Minoan civilization arose on the island of Crete approximately from 2700 to 1450 BC. It is supposed to be the oldest civilization in Europe and many historians referred to it as the first link in the European chain. The remains of the palace of King Minoas in Knossos is the largest Bronze Age archeological site on Crete and attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Tourism is the main industry of Crete. Except for the remains of the Minoan civilization visitors can also see monuments dating back from the period 1204-1669 AD, in which Crete was occupied by the Venetians. The most famous is the Venetian fortress of Rocca al Mare built around 1540 in order to protect the harbor of Heraklion from pirates. Today it is still in good condition.



The trademark of Heraklion, the capital city of Crete, are the lions from the Venetian sculpture The Morosini fountain which is located at the main square of the city. It is a touristic attraction and also meeting point for the locals.


The natural beauty of Crete is not limited only to beaches. The visitor could seek adventures in the mountains of Crete which are among the highest of Crete. Mount Psiloritis is the highest mountain in Crete and the second highest in Greece. It is located in Heraklion and it is 2456 meters high. Mount Dikti in Lashithi is also known from  greek mythology as Zeus , the king of the 12 ancient goods of Greece, and was supposed to be born there.


Other than ancient civilizations and beautiful Venetian buildings another reason for tourists to visit Crete is the climate the sun and the beaches. The northern part of the island in the Libyan sea is full of amazing beaches with crystal clear waters.



Another industry of Crete is agriculture. The most famous products are olive oil, grapes and wine. Actually Cretean olive oil is famous not only around Greece but also around Europe. Every year tones of Cretean olive oil is exported all around the world.
The traditional drink of Crete is called Raki it is made out of grapes and is very similar to Croatian Rakija

Famous people


Dominikos Theotokopoulos (Δομήνικος Θεοτοκόπουλος, 1541-1614), best known as El Greco was born in Crete. El Greco was a painter and sculptor of the Spanish Rennaisance. El Greco was a close friend of the Croatian painter Julije Klovic. Julije Klovic was also a illuminator and miniaturist. He is considered the greatest illuminator of the Italian Renaissance and one of the greatest miniaturists worldwide.
El Greco also painted a portrait of his friend Julije Klović (picture above).  


Nikos Kazantzakis was born in Crete and in Heraklion in particular. Kazantzakis was a writer and a philosopher. His works have been translated into many languages.
A famous ballet was written by Mikis Theodorakis Zorba The Greek have many elements of Cretean folk music. Also the movie with the same title was filmed and took place in Crete and the people of Crete played in it.

Pictures:

www.meetcrete.com
www.orizontesbooks.gr
www.wikipedia.org

Dimitrios Xylouris