Crete is a truly breathtaking destination. It is Greece’s largest island, with an area of 8.3 thousand square kilometers and a population of 537.2 thousand people.
The terrain of the island is mountainous. The mountain ranges, which are composed primarily of Mesozoic limestones and include deposits of iron ore and lignite, include Lasithi, with heights up to 2148 meters, Ida, with heights up to 2456 meters, and Lefkas Ori, with heights up to 2452 meters. This incredibly scenic landscape is ideal for exploring by car. Crete car rent is a popular tourist activity and has plenty of excellent options. The mountain ranges are separated from each other by plateaus and deep gorges, and the land rises steeply from the sea on many sides of the island. The Mesarskaya plain has been the island’s breadbasket since antiquity.
As you can probably guess, the climate of the island is mediterranean. The average temperature in January is 12 degrees Celsius on the coast, which isn’t bad at all for winter. If you choose Crete car rent for your exploration of the island, you’ll probably find yourself with the windows open during the majority of your travels. In fact, many people return to Crete year after year just to enjoy the comfort of its climate.
The history of Crete is rich and dates back to antiquity. It is full of fabulous ideas about the king of Minas, the maze of Knossos, the Minotaur, and others that are well known to lovers of Greek mythology. Traces of human activity in Crete date back to Paleolithic times, making the island one of the oldest centers of European culture. In the second millennium B.C., the entirety of Crete was united under the rule of the kings of Knossos and made into a powerful state that reached its peak in the 17th through 16th centuries B.C. Crete had a large fleet and, according to legends, won many battles on the Aegean Sea. The traces of this powerful civilization can be enjoyed with Crete car rent.
The Romans conquered the island in 68 B.C. It is not known exactly when it was that Christianity came to Crete, but the first bishop of the island is believed to be Titus. The island belonged to the Byzantine Empire beginning in A.D. 395, and it was conquered by the Arabs in 823. Byzantium took it back in 961, and it fell to Venetian crusaders during the Fourth Crusade of 1204. The Ottoman Empire took the island in 1669, and Crete participated in the Greek national rebellion against Turkish rule from 1821 to 1829. After the Balkan Wars of 1912-13, it became an official part of Greece.
Explore this breathtakingly beautiful and historical island in the comfort of your own vehicle with Crete car rent! Contact Auto Club Car Rental today.
