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Crete
island
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Crete lies at the
point where the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa meet. It is
the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean with an area of 8,335
square kilometers.
The climate of
Crete is probably the mildest in Europe. The strong northwesterly
wind, the meltemi, moderates even the hottest months of July and
August. Rainfall is rare during the summer months. Autumn is Crete's
mildest season, when temperatures are often higher than in spring.
The mountains that run across the island act as a barrier to the
weather, often creating different conditions in northern and
southern Crete.
Three mountain
ranges form a sort of spine stretching across the island. In western
Crete, the Lefka Ori or White Mountains occupy a large area within
the prefecture of Chania and contain more than 40 peaks over 2,000 meters
high. The highest peak in this area is Pahnes, at 2,452 meters
above sea level.
Some of
the most characteristic natural beauties of the Cretan scenery consist
of the famous Cretan gorges which begin at the mountainous areas of the
island and end to the sea. The green gorges a abound
with rare species of flora and fauna which are protected by strict
rules, as they are unique throughout Greece. Among them, one can admire
rare species of cypress-trees, platans, pine-trees and wildflowers.
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