kato Zakros, Crete

Generally talking about Crete we must keep in mind that is the fifth largest island in mediterranean and the biggest in Greece.It’s length is 260km (east-west)and the widthvaries from15 to 60km(north-south).It is surounded with an over1000 km coastline with some totaly different caracteristics.Sandy beaches are next to rocky and huge mountain ridges starting from the see level.

A spectacular high mountain chain runs from west to east.Mountain Lefka ori(whitemountains)in the west, Mountain Idi(Psiloritis) in the center and mountain Dicti in the east. The mountains are dotted with plains and plateaus are sliced by thousands of gorges and more that five thousands of caves.Crete’s distance from Greece(approximately175km south of Athens)and its size(8300sqkm) allowed the creation of an independed culture,language and music.
In lots of villages men are still wear the traditional dress of breechestucked into knee-high leatherhand boots and black-fringed kerchiefstied tightly around their heads. Even Crete has been inhabited since 3000-7000BC its history beggins with Minoan civilisation. The hidden proofs for the existance of this civilisation are given from the british archaeologist sir ArthurEvans after his succesfull excavation efforts at Knossos in the early1900s.
Among the ruins was superlative artitic frescoes and pottery pieces 5000 years old.Minoans settled down here and moved on with their lives and their culture and as it is known the Minoans loved life and the joy of life. They were cultivated,refined persons and lovers of the arts.

CRETE A UNIQUE ECOSYSTEM

The island of Crete is rich with plants most of wich are endemic to the island.However a number of animal species,forexample the harrier eagle,are in the verge of extinction and merit particular care and protection.For this reason ,created an Information center at the Plateau of Lassithi, aiming to educate the public on the Cretan harrier eagle and the risks imposed on this species from human interventions to the environment.
This species is also known by other names, such as <<kokkalas>>(bones), whose population numbers eighteen birds divided equally in males and females. Although,their number in crete is limited, yet they represent the largest population in Europe, second only to that (30 pairs) of the Pyrenees.
In the past, this species was thriving in Europe.However,today it is facing the threat of extinction,as it is the case with other species.In addition to its public education program, the Museum of Natural History is actively involved in the protection of the harrier eagle.For example it has identified the bird’s nesting locations and created feeding points,aiming to promote an increase in numbers of this endangered species. Mr Mosses Mylonas. The director of the Museum of Natural History of Crete stressed the importance and uniqueness of the flora and fauna of the island, particularly in regard to apparently less sighificant and smaller species.For example,on Crete thrive approximately 120 species of snails half of which are endemic to the island.It applies to insect species. An endemic and unique mammal,more loke a mouse,has been identified in Crete and is commonly referred to as <<mygali>>,or <<croccidura cimermani>>,in scienctific references. However,the majority of unique and endemic fauna on Crete are from the invertebrates.The wild goat,or <<agrimi>> has ben knownsince antiguity and also encountered in other parts of the Mediterranean basin. This species is also known as Kri-Kri an Americanized version ariginating from the time this animal was offered as gift to a former US president Harry Truman. This wild goat was known to the ancient Minoan civilization.It has been testified by the great variety of illustrations on ancient decorative items and seals.
The wild goat was associated with Mother Nature and Peak Sanctuaries dotting the mountain tops of Crete. In modern times,wild goats are found on small isles in the sea surrounding the island of crete,e.g.the isle of Agioi Pantes across the coastal village of Ierapetra,the rock of Thodorou in Chania and at the plateau of Lassithi.
Another significant animal species ancountered on Crete is the Wild Cat ,a <<phantom-animal> for years until <<captured>> by experts and studied extensively.This is a small carnivorous animal and a living proof that Crete features a sound ecological system.

Crete also features a unique flopa. Ten per cent of all plant species are endemic to Crete,among them exquisite orchids,tulips and the rare plant <<petromagoula>>.

EASTERN CRETE

The eastern quarter of the island occupied by the prefecture of Lasithi,named after the qaint plateau tucked high in the mt. Dikti ranges rather than its busy administrative capital of Agios Nikolaos .The bigest town at the east is Sitia ,the financial center of the district area.The district of Sitia -geographicaly- occupies the eastern edge of Crete.Sitia is located at the north-eastern end not only of Greece but of the whole Europe.It is the bigest in size county of Crete ( it covers 1/10 of its surface) and one of the most sprase populated areas in Greece and in Europe in general.The ground is partcularly fertile and he climate ideal for basic and profitable farming as for the growing of olive trees,vineyards,fruits vegetables etc.The quality of these products is excelent,a fact confirmed not only by the cemical analysts,the gourmets and the many prices won at contests ,but the quality of these products is especially celebrated on the domestic and international market. The sitian goods -the olive oil,the wines,the tsikoudia(raki) ,the raisins,the honey,the dairy products the traditional sweets,the diferent kind of bread etc- are very popular every where they are available.Especially talking about olive oil it is indispensable in the daily Cretan nutrition and it is consumed in big amounts,since the down of Cretan history.The olive trees are growing from the beach to the mountains and produce the best extra virgin olive oil in the world with unparallel aroma, fruity taste and lots microelements which are beneficial for the good health and the long living of Cretans.Lots of awards and trophies had given to the Sitias olive oil because of the high quality and the excellent taste,between them the world and the european trophy.