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Crete/Heraklion (Island)
Heraklion Matala Beach |
Welcome to Heraklion!
Heraklion Prefecture is the largest of the four prefectures of Crete and is bounded to the Prefectures of Lassithi to the east and Rethymno to the west. It covers an area of 2,641 sq. kilometers (1,017 sq. miles) and is inhabited by some 300,000 people.
The capital city of Heraklion Prefecture is Heraklion City, Crete’s largest city and port. The soil is rich in the valleys of the central and northern parts of the prefecture; otherwise it is mountainous, with the mountains of Idi and Asterousia occupying its southern part and coast. Matala beach is the most well known of the few beaches on the south. The north coast, nevertheless, is lined with fantastic beaches, visited by thousands of people. Off the north coast, Ida islet is part of the prefecture.
The prefecture has a Mediterranean climate which can become rather hot in midsummer. The mountains, though, have much cooler weather during the summer, with winter temperatures dropping around the freezing point, and with eventual snowfall.
The main agricultural products of Heraklion are olives and olive oil, vegetables, tomatoes and wine. Peza Valley produces 70% of the wine production of the whole of Crete, which in turn is 20% of the total Greek wine production.
In Heraklion Prefecture, there are important archaeological sites to visit, among them being the three of the four Minoan Palaces found on Crete: Knossos, Phaestos and Malia.
| Crete/Heraklion: Cities and Towns | | |
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Aghia Pelaghia, Amoudara, Anissaras, Gouves, Heraklion City, Hersonissos (Chersonissos) Town, Kokkini Hani, Malia Town, Matala Beach Resort, Stalida (Stalis)
Heraklio Phaestos Disk: Still a Mystery |
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Heraklion Harbor |
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Heraklion: Koules Fortress And The Inner Port |
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Heraklion: Inner Port |
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Sharks in the Cretaquarium |
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Heraklion: Koules Fortress And The Inner Port At Sunset |
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Heraklion: Part Of The Walls |
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Heraklion: Wall Gate |
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Crete, Knossos, Octopus Jar |
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Crete, Knossos, Oil Jar |
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Crete, Knossos, Oil Jar |
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