Geographical & Historical Outline of Crete
An island of contradictions at the crossroads of three continents – Europe, Asia and Africa – CRETE is a distinctive island with a long history, deeply rooted traditions, a rich civilization, varied landscape, wonderful seas, mild climate and long hours of sunshine, modern hotel units and an excellent tourist infrastructure, considerable cultural interest and opportunities for entertainment and sports.
Crete is the largest island in Greece (8.260 square kilometers with 1.046 kilometers of coastline) and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean, lying in the south Aegean.
Its terrain is mountainous and divided by three ranges: the White Mountains (Lefka Ori or Madares), Ida (or Psiloritis) and Dikti (or Lasithi Mountains).
It has several plateau, caves, gorges and dense woods.
The island produces olives, oil, grapes, citrus fruits, garden products, bananas, avocados, aromatic and medicinal herbs, etc.
It has a mild, healthy climate, with gentle winters and hot summers.
Administratively, Crete is divided into four prefectures: HERAKLION with its capital at the town of the same name, LASSITHI with its capital AGIOS NIKOLAOS, RETHYMNI with its capital RETHYMNO, and CHANIA with its capital of the same name.
Geographical & Historical Outline of Crete
Archaeological excavations has confirmed that Crete was inhabited from the 6th millennium BC (Neolithic Period 6000 – 2600 BC).
Later, the Minoan civilization emerged and flourished for 1500 years, which are known as the Minoan period (2600 – 1100 BC).
The island prospered about 1900 BC, when the first palaces were built at Knossos, Phaestos, Malia, Archanes, Zakros and Kydonia.
The most brilliant era of the Minoan civilization was between 1700 BC and 1450 BC.
At the end of this period, about 1450, an eruption of the Thera Volcano caused great damage on Crete.
This was followed by the invasion of the Acheans and the capture of Crete by the Dorians.
After 500 BC, Crete went into decline and felt into obscurity during the Classical and Hellenistic periods. In 67 BC it was conquered by the Romans, who remained on the island until AD 330.
After this date it was a province of the Byzantine Empire, with the seat at Gortys.
In AD 824 it was captured by the Saracens, who organized it as an independent Arab state with its head-quarters at Chandakas (Heraklion today).
It was liberated by the Byzantine general and later emperor, Nikiforos Fokas.
In AD 961 it became a Byzantine province again until 1204, when it was conquered by the Venetians (Venetian Rule: 1205 – 1669).
During this period, the economy improved and the arts and letters flourished, as is clear from the creations of the “Cretan School of Painting” (mainly religious painting), from the “Cretan Theater” which flourished during the last two centuries of Venetian Rule and from architecture.
Geographical & Historical Outline of Crete
In 1669 Crete felt into the hands of the Turks.
The last city to fall being Chandakas, which offered resistance for 21 entire years.
Only Sfakia retained its independence, though paying tribute to the Turks.
The Cretans began to wage Guerilla Warfare.
Against the Turks from the very first years of Turkish domination and organized many unsuccessful uprisings.
In 1898, after the intervention of the European powers, an autonomous Cretan State was proclaimed, with Prince George as high commissioner.
The island was formally united with Greece after the Balkan Wars (1912-1913) and the signature of the treaty of London (17 – 30 May 1913).
On 20 May 1941 the Germans, after occupying mainland Greece, launched a coordinated offensive to capture Crete by air and sea, which lasted until May 28, when the German landing finally took place.
This is known as the “Battle of Crete”, one of the most heroic struggles of the Second World War. In it, British, Australian and New Zealand troops fought alongside the Greek soldiers, as did a large part of the non-combatant population.
