Heraklion Prefecture

Infobox Pref GR
name = Heraklion
name_local = Νομός Ηρακλείου
flag_reg =


periph = Crete
capital = Heraklion
population = 302,846
population_as_of = 2005
pop_rank = 6th
pop_dens = 114.7
popdens_rank = 7th
area = 2,641
area_rank = 19th
postal_code = 70x xx - 71x xx
area_code = 2810, 289x0
licence = HK, HP
provinces = 7
municip = 26
commun =
ISO = GR-91
website = [http://www.nah.gr/ www.nah.gr]

Heraklion (Greek Ηράκλειο - "Irákleio" or "Iráklio"), also Heraklio is a prefecture of Greece, one of the four prefectures of Crete. The capital is the city of Heraklion.

Geography

The prefecture of Heraklion is bounded with the prefectures of Rethymno to the west and Lasithi or Lassithi to the east. The valley of farmlands are situated in the central and the northern parts and within the coastline and valleys. The mountains dominate the rest of the prefecture including the south. The main mountains are parts of Ida or Idi Mountains to the west and Asterousia in the south. The prefecture includes the island of Dia to the north.

Ancient history

Within the Heraklion Prefecture's boundaries are a number of significant Neolithic and Minoan settlements, most notably the ancient palace complexes of Knossos and Phaistos. [A.Evans, 1921] [C.M.Hogan, 2007] [Phaistos profile] While both archaeological sites evince Neolithic habitation, it is the rich finds of Minoan civilisation, which flourished approximately 2000 to 1600 BC, that command the greatest scholarly attention.

Population history

*1991 - 263,868, density: 99.91/km²
*2001 - 292,482, density: 110.75/km²

Climate

Except for the mountains which receives mild to cool winters unlike northern Greece, the warm to hot Mediterranean climate dominates the prefecture.

Ancient cities

*Knossos
*Phaistos
*Gortys
*Tylissos

Municipalities

Transport

*GR-90/E65
*GR-97
*GR-99

Noted inhabitants

* El Greco (medieval Castilian nickname meaning "the Greek"), by which Δομήνικος Θεοτοκόπουλος "Domênikos Theotokópoulos", is best known. (Born 1541, Fodele, Heraklion and died in April 7, 1614, Toledo, Spain), a world-famous painter, sculptor and architect
*Nikos Kazantzakis was born in a village which at that time was called "Varvaroi". (Today its name is Mirtia.) The municipality which Mirtia is a part of is named after him, and its seat is Peza.

Communications

The followiong television channels serve the prefecture:
*Creta Channel
*Kriti TV

ee also

* List of settlements in the Heraklion prefecture

Line notes

References

* Arthur J. Evans, (1921-35) "The Palace of Minos", volumes 1-4
* C. Michael Hogan (2007) "Knossos fieldnotes", Modern Antiquarian [http://letmespeaktothedriver.com/site/10854/knossos.html#fieldnotes]
* Phaistos profile [http://www.uk.digiserve.com/mentor/minoan/phaistos.htm]

External links

* [http://www.culture.gr/2/21/maps/crete/iraklio/iraklio.html Monuments in the prefecture of Heraklion]