Editing Crete (section)

==Human geography==
Crete is the most populous island in Greece with a population of more than 600,000 people. Approximately 42% live in Crete's main cities and towns whilst 45% live in rural areas.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=KVYFI9NzLz0C&pg=PA43 Crete, p.44], by Victoria Kyriakopoulos.</ref>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160">
File:Chania harbour.jpg|Venetian harbour in [[Chania]]
File:Ενετικό λιμάνι Ρεθύμνου 0301-HDR.jpg|Dusk airview of the Old Harbour of [[Rethymno]]
File:Venetian Arsenals in Heraklion Crete.jpg|View of the harbour in [[Heraklion]]
File:Agios Nikolaos R02.jpg|The old harbour in [[Agios Nikolaos, Crete|Agios Nikolaos]]
</gallery>

===Administration===
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Crete Region
| type               = [[Administrative regions of Greece|Administrative region of Greece]]
| native_name        = {{native name|el|Περιφέρεια Κρήτης|italics=off}}<br />{{small|{{transliteration|el|Periféria Krítis}}}}
| image_skyline      = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_blank_emblem = Logo of the Crete Region.png
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo flag
| image_map          = Prefecture map of Crete (Greece).svg
| established_title  = Established
| established_date   = 1912
| coordinates        = {{coord|35.21|24.91|format=dms|display=inline}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Greece}}
| leader_title       = Regional governor
| leader_name        = [[Stavros Arnaoutakis]]
| leader_party       = {{nowrap|[[PASOK – Movement for Change]]}}
| parts_type         = [[Regional units of Greece|Regional units]]
| parts_style        = list
| p1                 = [[Chania (regional unit)|Chania]]
| p2                 = [[Heraklion (regional unit)|Heraklion]]
| p3                 = [[Rethymno (regional unit)|Rethymno]]
| p4                 = [[Lasithi]]
| seat_type          = Capital
| seat               = [[Heraklion]]
| area_total_km2     = 8335.88
| elevation_max_m    = 
| population_total   = 624408
| population_as_of   = 2021
| population_footnotes = <ref name=2011census>{{cite web|publisher=[[Hellenic Statistical Authority]] |title=Demographic and social characteristics of the Resident Population of Greece according to the 2011 Population – Housing Census revision of 20/3/2014 |date=12 September 2014 |url=http://www.statistics.gr/portal/page/portal/ESYE/BUCKET/A1602/PressReleases/A1602_SAM01_DT_DC_00_2011_03_F_EN.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908142240/http://www.statistics.gr/portal/page/portal/ESYE/BUCKET/A1602/PressReleases/A1602_SAM01_DT_DC_00_2011_03_F_EN.pdf |archive-date=8 September 2015 }}</ref>
| population_demonym = 
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type2       = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes  = <ref>{{citation|title=Population on 1 January by age, sex and NUTS 2 region|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/DEMO_R_D2JAN/default/table?lang=en|website=www.ec.europa.eu}}</ref>
|demographics2_title1     = Total
|demographics2_info1      = €8.913 billion (2021)
| timezone1          = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset1        = +2
| timezone1_DST      = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = +3
| iso_code           = GR-M
| website            = {{URL|http://www.crete.gov.gr/}}
}}

Crete with its nearby islands form the '''Crete Region''' ({{langx|el|Περιφέρεια Κρήτης|translit=}}, {{Lang|el-Latn|Periféria Krítis}}, {{IPA|el|periˈferia ˈkritis|}}), one of the 13 [[Modern regions of Greece|regions of Greece]] which were established in the 1987 administrative reform.<ref>Π.Δ. 51/87 "Καθορισμός των Περιφερειών της Χώρας για το σχεδιασμό κ.λ.π. της Περιφερειακής Ανάπτυξης" (''Determination of the Regions of the Country for the planning etc. of the development of the Region''), [[Efimeris tis Kyverniseos|ΦΕΚ]] A 26/06.03.1987</ref> Under the 2010 [[Kallikratis plan]], the powers and authority of the regions were redefined and extended. The region is based at [[Heraklion]] and is divided into four [[regional units of Greece|regional units]] (pre-Kallikratis [[prefectures of Greece|prefectures]]). From west to east these are: [[Chania (regional unit)|Chania]], [[Rethymno (regional unit)|Rethymno]], [[Heraklion (regional unit)|Heraklion]], and [[Lasithi]]. These are further subdivided into 24 [[Municipalities of Greece|municipalities]].

Since 1 January 2011, the regional governor is [[Stavros Arnaoutakis]] of the [[PASOK|Panhellenic Socialist Movement]]. First elected in [[2010 Greek local elections|2010]], he was re-elected in [[2014 Greek local elections|2014]], [[2019 Greek local elections|2019]] and [[2023 Crete regional election|2023]].

===Cities===
{{Main|Cities of Greece}}

[[Heraklion]] is the largest city and capital of Crete, holding more than a fourth of the island's population. [[Chania]] was the capital until 1971. The principal cities are:

* [[Heraklion]] (''Iraklion'' or ''Candia'') (144,422 inhabitants)<ref name=census>2011 Census</ref>
* [[Chania]] (''Haniá'') (88,525 inhabitants)<ref name=census/>
* [[Rethymno]] (34,300 inhabitants)<ref name=census/>
* [[Ierapetra]] (23,707 inhabitants)
* [[Agios Nikolaos, Crete|Agios Nikolaos]] (20,679 inhabitants)
* [[Sitia]] (14,338 inhabitants)

<gallery widths="200" heights="160">
File:Venetian Fortress in Heraklion Crete NE side.jpg|Venetian fortress in [[Heraklion]]
File:Kreta - Chania - Kathedrale der drei Märtyrer.jpg|[[Chania]] cathedral
File:Rethymno Fortezza Mosque 02.JPG|[[Rethymno]] Fortezza Mosque
File:Sitia R01.jpg|[[Kazarma fortress]] at the top in [[Sitia]]
</gallery>

===Demographics===
According to official census data by the [[Hellenic Statistical Authority]], the region's population has increased by 1,343 people between 2011 and 2021, experiencing a rise of 0.22%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός - ELSTAT |url=https://www.statistics.gr/el/2021-census-res-pop-results |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=www.statistics.gr |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330170115/https://www.statistics.gr/el/2021-census-res-pop-results |url-status=dead }}</ref> The island is home to 308,608 men and 315,800 women, accounting for 49.4% and 50.6% of the population respectively.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Population of Crete according to [[Hellenic Statistical Authority|ELSTAT]]
!Crete
!1981
!1991
!2001
!2011
!2021
|-
|Population
|502,165
|540,054
|601,131
|623,065
|624,408
|-
|Change
| --- --- ---
| +7.27%
| +10.7%
| +3.58%
| +0.22%
|}
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{| class="wikitable"
|+Cretan regional units by population according to [[Hellenic Statistical Authority|ELSTAT]]
!Regional Unit
!Population (2021)
!Change between 2011 and 2021 (%)
|-
|Heraklion
|305,017
| -0.2%
|-
|Lasithi
|77,819
| +3.2%
|-
|Rethymno
|84,866
| -0.9%
|-
|Chania
|156,706
| +0.1%
|}

===Economy===
{{Further|Economy of Greece}}

The economy of Crete is predominantly based on services and tourism. However, agriculture also plays an important role and Crete is one of the few Greek islands that can support itself without a tourism industry.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=z3vxvYOZkj4C&pg=PR11 The rough guide to Crete, Introduction, p. ix] by J. Fisher and G. Garvey.</ref> The economy began to change visibly during the 1970s as tourism gained in importance. Although an emphasis remains on agriculture and stock breeding, because of the climate and terrain of the island, there has been a drop in manufacturing, and an observable expansion in its service industries (mainly tourism-related). All three sectors of the Cretan economy (agriculture/farming, processing-packaging, services), are directly connected and interdependent. The island has a per capita income much higher than the Greek average, whereas unemployment is at approximately 4%, one-sixth of that of the country overall.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}{{when|date=December 2021}}

As in many regions of Greece, [[viticulture]] and [[olive]] groves are significant; [[Orange (fruit)|oranges]], [[Greek citron|citrons]], [[avocado]]es and [[banana]]s<ref>{{Cite web |last=Τζιάλλα |first=Χριστίνα |date=2018-03-23 |title=Μπανάνες Κρήτης {{!}} |url=https://www.gastronomos.gr/agora/proionta/mpananes-kritis/54021/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=Gastronomos.gr |language=el}}</ref> are also cultivated. Dairy products are important to the local economy and there are a number of specialty cheeses such as [[mizithra]], [[anthotyros]], and [[kefalotyri]].

20% of Greek wine is produced in Crete, mostly in the region of Peza.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crete.org.uk|title=Crete information|website=Crete}}</ref>

The [[Gross domestic product]] (GDP) of the region was €9.4 billion in 2018, accounting for 5.1% of Greek economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was €17,800 or 59% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 68% of the EU average. Crete is the region in Greece with the fifth highest GDP per capita.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/10474907/1-05032020-AP-EN.pdf/81807e19-e4c8-2e53-c98a-933f5bf30f58|title=Regional GDP per capita ranged from 30% to 263% of the EU average in 2018|website=Eurostat}}</ref>

===Transport infrastructure===
{{See also|Transportation in Crete}}

====Airports====
The island has three significant airports, [[Heraklion International Airport, "Nikos Kazantzakis"|Nikos Kazantzakis]] at Heraklion, the [[Chania International Airport|Daskalogiannis]] airport at Chania and the smaller [[Sitia Public Airport|Sitia]] airport. The first two serve international routes, acting as the main gateways to the island for travellers. Work has begun plan to replace Heraklion airport with a new airport at [[Kasteli Airport|Kasteli]], where there is presently an air force base, and the new Kasteli Airport is due to open by 2027.

====Ferries====
The island is well served by ferries, mostly from [[Port of Piraeus|Piraeus]], by ferry companies such as [[Minoan Lines]] and [[ANEK Lines]] with links to the [[Cyclades]] and [[Dodecanese]] islands. [[Seajets]] also operates routes to [[Cyclades]].

The main ports from west to east are at [[Kissamos]] (ferry link to Peloponnese), [[Souda]] (Chania), [[Rethymno]], [[Heraklion]] (links to Cyclades), [[Agios Nikolaos, Crete|Agios Nikolaos]] and [[Sitia]] (link to Dodecanese).

====Road network====
[[File:Kreta - Europastraße75 2.jpg|thumb|250px|[[A90 motorway (Greece)|A90 motorway]] near [[Malia, Crete|Malia]]]]

Most of Crete is served by the road network. A modern highway is currently being upgraded along the north coast connecting the four major cities ([[A90 motorway (Greece)|A90 motorway]]), the sections bypassing the main cities (Heraklion to Malia, Rethymno, Chania to Kolymvari) are at motorway standard, while the sections in between, and west to Kissamos and east to Sitia, should be completed by 2028. A link will also connect to the new [[Kasteli Airport|Kasteli international airport]] .<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/greece/new-road-in-crete-set-to-improve-journey-times-and-safety|title=New road in Crete set to improve journey times and safety-Projects|website=ec.europa.eu|language=en|access-date=18 January 2018}}</ref>

In addition, a [[European Union]] study has been devised to promote a modern highway to connect the northern and southern parts of the island via a [[tunnel]]. The study proposal includes a {{Convert|15.7|km|mi|abbr=on}} section of road between the villages of Agia Varvara and Agia Deka in central Crete. The new road section forms part of the route between [[Messara Plain|Messara]] in the south and Crete's largest city [[Heraklion]], which houses the island's biggest airport and ferry links with mainland [[Greece]].

====Railway====
Also, during the 1930s there was a narrow-gauge industrial railway in Heraklion, from Giofyros in the west side of the city to the port. There are now no railway lines on Crete. The government is planning the construction of a line from Chania to Heraklion via Rethymno.<ref name="books.google.gr">Rackham, O. & Moody, J., 1996. [https://books.google.com/books?id=k4dHmA9jq4wC The Making of the Cretan Landscape], Manchester University Press,</ref><ref>ΤΟΠΙΟ: Αγνωστα Βιομηχανικά Μνημεία Ι: υπολείμματα του βιομηχανικού σιδηροδρόμου Ηρακλείου http://to-pio.blogspot.gr/2011/11/blog-post_17.html</ref>

===Development===
The construction sector in Crete responded well during the pandemic and has come out strong in the post-recession recovery period. Total construction spending recovered and is expected to peak a record high (approximately 8% higher than 2019 average levels) signalling consistent expansion in construction projects and real estate investments in Crete.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Stavros |date=2022-01-20 |title=Construction Activity in Crete - Key Trends And Prospects to 2022 |url=https://arencos.com/construction-activity-in-crete-key-trends-and-prospects-to-2022/ |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=ARENCOS}}</ref> The evolution of the private sector in Crete is tightly linked with the demand for tourism-related investments. Moreover, the recovery of the tourism sector is expected to lead to further growth in housing prices and rental demand.

Newspapers have reported that the Ministry of Mercantile Marine is ready to support the agreement between Greece, [[South Korea]], [[Dubai Ports World]] and [[China]] for the construction of a large international [[container (cargo)|container]] port and [[free trade zone]] in southern Crete near [[Tympaki]]; the plan is to expropriate {{Convert|850|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of land. The port would handle two&nbsp;million containers per year, but the project has not been universally welcomed because of its environmental, economic and cultural impact.<ref name=ncp>[http://www.no-container-port-in-timbaki.net/facts_en.php No Container Transshipment Hub in Timbaki] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070123131440/http://www.no-container-port-in-timbaki.net/facts_en.php |date=23 January 2007 }}. Retrieved 27 May 2007.</ref> As of January 2013, the project has still not been confirmed, although there is mounting pressure to approve it, arising from Greece's difficult economic situation.

There are plans for underwater cables going from mainland Greece to Israel and Egypt passing by Crete and Cyprus: [[EuroAfrica Interconnector]] and [[EuroAsia Interconnector]].<ref name="EA">{{Cite web |url=http://www.euroasia-interconnector.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/EuroAsia_Interconnector_Project_and_Progress_English.pdf |title=EuroAsia Interconnector Project and Progress |access-date=16 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216204614/http://www.euroasia-interconnector.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/EuroAsia_Interconnector_Project_and_Progress_English.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="EAF">{{Cite web|url=https://www.euroafrica-interconnector.com/|title=EuroAfrica Interconnector|language=en-GB|access-date=18 April 2019}}</ref> They would connect Crete electrically with mainland Greece, ending energy isolation of Crete. At present Greece covers electricity cost differences for Crete of around €300&nbsp;million per year.<ref name="CRE">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cretalive.gr/crete/hmerida-gia-thn-hlektrikh-diasyndesh-euroasia-interconnector-meso-ths-krhths|title=Η ηλεκτρική διασύνδεση EuroAsia Interconnector θα εξασφαλίσει ενεργειακά την Κρήτη|website=Cretalive|date=7 February 2018 |access-date=18 April 2019}}</ref>