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MEETINGREECE
50
CRETE
Crete is located in the southern part of the
Aegean Sea, lying in the crossroads of Europe,
Africa and Asia; separating the Aegean from the
Libyan Sea. Crete is a well-developed island that
offers a variety of experiences to satisfy all
visitors and has some of the best conference
facilities in Europe. The island was the centre of
the Minoan civilization (2.700-1.420 BC).
C
rete is the largest (8.260 square kilometres) and
most populous (600.000 people) of the Greek
islands and the fifth largest island in the
Mediterranean Sea.
The island’s warm climate, beautiful landscape and
modern infrastructure, as well as the choice of
athletic or leisure activities make Crete the ideal hostess not only
for traditional tourism but also for big incentives, business
meetings and congresses. The area is considered to be a
significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece
while it retains its own dialect and in many cases customs.
GEOGRA PHY
A high mountain range crosses the island from West to East
formed by three different groups of mountains. To the West the
White Mountains at 2.453 meters, in the middle the mountain of
Idi with Psiloritis at 2.456 meters and to the East the mountain of
Dikti at 2.148 meters.
These mountains gifted Crete with fertile plateaus like Lassithi,
Omalos and Nida, caves like Diktaion and Idaion cave, and
gorges like the famous Gorge of Samaria.
Crete is divided into four prefectures; Chania, Rethymno,
Heraklion, and Lassithi in the east. Cities of great importance are
Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, Aghios Nikolaos, Siteia, Ierapetra,
Mires, Timbaki and Paleochora.
As far as the climate of the island is concerned, it is mainly
temperate. The atmosphere can be quite humid, depending on
the proximity to the sea. The winter is fairly mild and tolerable.
Snow fall is practically unknown to the plains, but quite frequent in
the mountains. During summer, average temperatures are from
20
o
C to 30
o
C.
Probably the best time to visit Crete is spring and autumn.
Bad weather days in winter are often interrupted, during January
and the first fortnight of February, with sunny days, known as
days of Alkyonis since ancient times.
The climate of Crete is what makes it a popular holiday
destination.
However, there are regions that also furnish extremely cold
winters and severe snowfalls, namely the central mountainous
zone where snow may stay well into June.
Beautiful landscape, nice weather &
friendly people are the background
of your next meeting.