Crete - General information

GEOGRAPHY

Crete is the largest island in the Greek archipelago with an area of 8355 kilometres. It includes the island of Gavdos, the most southerly point of Europe, just 300km from Africa. Crete is 250 km long, and 600km at its widest point and 12km at it’s narrowest. The coastline is measures 1046km. The major mountains are the Lefki Ori (the White Mountain) in the west; Mount Psiloris which lies in the centre of the island, and on the eastern side of the island lays the Lasithi Mountains. Mount Psiloris with a height of 2447m is the highest mountain on the island. The interior of the island is mountainous, where olive trees and shrubs grow along with wild herbs. The Mesara Plain with a length of 40 km and 20km wide is the most fertile and cultivated area on Crete. Lake Kournas just outside Chania is the only lake on the island.

ENVIRONMENT

Sad to say but Crete has not achieved as of yet, an awareness to environment and ecology issues. Despite the huge influx of tourists there is little or no recycling programs to cope with the rubbish created in the summer season. Though the cities are kept clean and free from rubbish, inland you can come across dumps with rotting and smelly rubbish. Crete’s water is safe to clean and safe to drink and air pollution is minimal. Crete’s flora and fauna are under pressure from farming, there is very little replanting of trees, as the 90,000 goats on the island would eat the saplings before they got a chance to establish themselves. In the past the use of pesticides, has destroyed many of the bird and plant life on the island. Along the coast the marine life has suffered, by the use of dynamite by the local fishermen.

CLIMATE

The climate in Crete is stabile, with many sunny days and said to be one of the healthiest in Europe. Mediterranean costal areas are known for mild winters and warm summers.

The average yearly temperature is about + 20 degree Celsius. Rainfall is largest on the eastside of the island in the spring and autumn. In autumn months strong northerly and northwest winds blow across the island, but in the summer months, the so called “meltemi “winds blow, which creates a comfortable temperature. In the summer months there can also blow southerly and southwest winds from Africa, which can course large damage to the crops.

FLORA

Crete has about 2000 species of plants and wildflowers and about 160 are indigenous to the island. Early spring is the best time to see the island in flower. In Eastern Crete you will find crimson poppies on the edge of the beaches, these flower in April to May. Along the coast you will find sea daffodils blooming in August and September. Away from the beaches you will find junipers, poppies, lupins and oleanders these flower in May through to September. Orchid’s lovers will find a large variety of them on the slopes of the hills and on the Lashiti Plateau

FAUNA

Crete has a varied bird life both resident and transient species, making the island an eldorado for bird watchers. Rare hawks migrate from Africa to nest on small offshore islands.

The mountains are the domain of the buzzard and large vultures. The rare bearded vulture which is threatened with extinction can be seen in the Samaria Gorge. A wide range of other species is to be found all over the island.

Most of Crete’s mammal wildlife has been hunted into extiction. Crete’s most famous animal is the Kri Kri a wild mountain goat, and can be found in the Samaria gorge. Wild cats are said to roam on the island but this is thought to be a legend told by the shepherds, the only proof so far is in 1996 a cat weighing over 5 kg, was caught in a trap, but has never been proved if this was a truly wild cat or domesticated cat running wild. No other sightings have been made, so this still remains a legend.

Loggerhead Turtles are to be found on the beaches around Chania, Rethtmnon and in the Mesara Gulf. The turtles make nests on the beaches during the summer months, due to the host of tavernas and hotels being built close to the beach, the safety of these nesting sites have become an issue of concern.

The female turtles are easily stressed and in this state they will not lay any eggs. When the turtles hatch during the night they find the sea by the reflection of the moon, but due to the myriad of lights along the sea front they get confused and disoriented. The Turtle Protection Society has the following advice to tourists,

Do not leave rubbish on the beach; plastic bags etc. can be fatal for the young turtles.

Do not handle young turtles as they make there way to the sea.
Keep of the beach at night during May and October.

Respect all wild life on the island; do not disturb any nests or sites used by the wild life.