Crete is the biggest island in Greece and the second biggest in the Eastern Mediterranean (Cyprus being the largest). Its length from east to west is 260 kms and its greatest width from north to south is 60 kms, although in several places it is considerably narrower than this. It covers an area of 8,336 square kilometres.

Crete is traversed by three mountain ranges ? the White Mountains (2,452 metres), the Mount Ida range, which includes Psiloritis (2,456 metres) and the Dikte Mountains (2,148 metres). There are also very fertile plateaus such as Lasithi and Omalos and gorges like the famous Samaria Gorge and the gorge of Imbros.

Crete lies in the Mediterranean climate zone and thus has a temperate climate. The atmosphere can be quite humid, depending on how close a place is to the sea. The winter is relatively mild and wet with quite a lot of rainfall, especially in the western parts of Crete. Snowfall is rare on the coastal plains, but quite common in mountainous areas.

Average temperatures throughout the summer period are between 25 and 30 degrees Centigrade, somewhat lower than in other parts of Greece. In comparison with the rest of the island, the south coast, including the Plain of Messara and the Asterousia Mountains, enjoys more days of sunshine and higher temperatures during the summer months.