Crete is a large Greek island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean and the largest of the Greek islands. With a population of over 600,000 people, it is also the most populous island of Greece. The capital and largest city is Heraklion.
Crete covers an area of 8,336 km2 (3,219 sq mi) and has a coastline of 1,046 km (651 mi). It lies 160 km (99 mi) south-east of mainland Greece and 30 km (19 mi) from the Peloponnese peninsula. Crete has two mountain ranges running through it: The White Mountains or Lefka Ori in the west, and Mount Ida or Psiloritis in the centre – which at 2,456 m (8,058 ft) is Crete’s highest point. Central Crete has a plateau which averages around 700 m (2,297 ft) above sea level; eastern Crete is much more rugged with gorges reaching down to sea level. Western Crete’s highest peak is Pachnes at 2249m while its lowest point – near Kaminia on Gramvousa peninsula – lies only 3 metres above sea level.