Crete is a location with several contrasts, it is the bigger island of Greece and the 5th in size of Mediterranean. The island from the old days, with a variety of landscapes, polymorph climate, fertile land and over-populated, was prescribed in a type of bridge in the crossroad of three continents. It lets in the regions: Chania, Heraklio, Lasithi, Rethymno.

Crucial in the island it is the development of agriculture & trade, that was held back with the German possession in 1941, in which Cretans powerfully resisted. In 1945, when it was freed, entered in news stage of history, that is characterised by incredible reorganisation & reconstruction.

Chania The Capital of prefecture Chania, the new town, noisy & operational for the residents, thanks to its good street-plan. In our days it continues to be commercial, economical and administrative center of the prefecture, when the last decades its tourist development was noteworthy. Chania is really 2 towns. The old fenced town with its mediaeval quarters and the new town with its glorious harbour lie in of houses and churches from each the Venetian and Turkish periods. Walking through the maze of narrow streets is like a trip through the history of Crete. Here close to the crescent shaped harbour you will find many first-class restaurants, bars & small shops, as well as the famed cruciform formed market, with its fascinating array of provisions.

Heraklio Heraklio, from 1971 took the staff from Chania and became not only the working capital of prefecture, but likewise of all Crete. The prefecture Heraklio as the largest prefecture of island & over-populated has the bigger income per person. The city of Heraklion, is the fifth in size city of Greece & is lived by the prehistorical years and presumed that it was the harbour of Knosos. The large busy harbour of city, with the cranes and the boats, comes out from distance. There is as well iInternational airport, in eastern of city, whilst exist big reservoirs of oil touching this.

Rethymno The more small-scale prefecture of Crete, Rethymno, presents shocking natural beauties, fantastic beaches, scattered antiquities & historic monasteries, until traditionally hilly villages and seasonal settlements. The working capital and harbor of prefecture, the town of Rethymno, are establish in the northerly side of island & the Mainer wealth-developing sources are the touristry, the olives, the oil and the livestock farming. It was the center of art & culture with specific cultural blossoming the 16th & 17 th century.

Lasithi The last prefecture of island, the prefecture of Lasithi startle with its incredible oppositions, when with the blinding shine of worldwide known coastal tourist holiday resorts and the deluxe hotel units, strikes the core of tradition and true Cretan hospitality. Working capital of prefecture is Agios Nikolaos and the summer is metamorphosed in a big bar full from all sort of people that love the entertainment and the spree. So the capital is a contemporary cosmopolite city, administrative & commercial center of prefecture that aside from the roads around the lake and the harbour, does not differ in nothing from a modern centre of continental Greece.

About the Author: Paul Everton from www.travel-world-tips.com