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Crete Travel Guide

Geography of Crete

Location

Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey.
 

Geographic Coordinates

39 00 N, 22 00 E

Geographical Area

Land

130,800 Sq Km.

Water

1,140 Sq Km.

Land Boundary

1,228 Km.

Border Countries

Albania

282 Km.

Bulgaria

494 Km.

Turkey

206 Km.

Macedonia

246 Km.

Length of Coastline

13,676 Km.

Terrain

Mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands.

Elevation Extremes

Lowest Point

Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Highest Point

Mount Olympus 2,917 m

Natural Resources

Lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential.

Land Use

Arable Land

20%

Permanent Crops

9%

Other

71%

Irrigated Land

14,530 Sq Km.

Natural Hazards

Severe earthquakes

Environmental Issues

Air pollution; water pollution

Geography of Crete
(1/36) - Cretian Sunset (from Stuart Whittington)
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Why Travel to Crete?

  • Visit ancient sites, one of Greece’s best archaeological museums and old churches with colourful frescoes.
  • Get off the beaten track and experience a life almost unchanged for centuries.
  • Swim from some of Europe’s best beaches.
  • Enjoy walking in dramatic mountain scenery and hike the Samaria Gorge.
  • Experience ‘the Cretan Diet’ – one of the world’s healthiest!