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With an area of 8337 sq km, a length of 257 km and a width of between 12 and 60 km, Crete is the 5th largest island in the Mediterranean. The opposing enchantment of this island is fascinating in its high, inaccessible mountains full of wild, deep gorges and 3922 caves.
Four large mountain ranges mark the landscape: the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) in the west with the highest mountain at 2452 m, the Ida Mountains in the middle with the 2456 m high Psiloritis (highest mountain of all the Aegean Islands), the Dikti Massive at 2148 m in the east and the Asterousia Mountains at 2131 m in the south. The 811m high Jouchtas, stone profile of the sleeping Zeus, watches over the lively town of Iraklion. Because of the mountain ranges, Crete has many gorges to offer, which are perfect for hiking. For the most part of the winter, the mountains in the high plateaux are covered with snow. Most rivers only flow for a few weeks - during the thaw.
Between the mountain ranges of Crete lie more high plateaux and plains. To the south is the Libyan Sea and a rugged coastline with many hidden, lonely beaches.
Crete is divided into four prefectures from west to east: Chania, Rethymnon, Iraklion and Lassithi.