Crete

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands at 8,336 square kilometres with a coast line of 1,046 kilometres. It is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean and has an elongated shape measuring 260 kilometres from east to west and 60 kilometres at it widest point, although the island is narrower at certain points, such as in the region close to Ierapetra, where it reaches a width of only 12 kilometres. Crete is mountainous and there is a high mountain range crossing from west to east, formed by three different groups of mountains. The island has three airports, Nikos Kazantzakis at Heraklion, the Daskalogiannis airport at Chania and a smaller one in Sitia. Visitors reach the island via two international airports in Heraklion and Chania, or by boat to the main ports of Heraklion, Chania, Rethymnon and Agios Nikolaos.