Crete was the center of the Minoan civilization (ca. 2600 - 1400 BC), the oldest Greek civilization.
Crete is the location of significant ancient history, which provides popular modern day tourist destinations. They include the Minoan sites of Knossos and Phaistos, the Venetian old city and port of Chania, the Venetian castle at Rethymno, and the Samaria Gorge.
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and has a flourishing economy, based partly on tourism. Crete is rich in museums, ancient sites, sightseeing, and places to visit.
The eastern coast is famous for its fine white sandy beaches with shallow turquoise waters perfect for snorkeling or diving. Crete is extremely mountainous, and its character is defined by a high mountain range crossing from West to East, formed by three different groups of mountains. There are a number of rivers on Crete, including the Ieropotamos River on the southern part of the island. In the south of the island, you will also find hundreds of exotic beaches, ideal for swimming.