Heraklion Prefecture

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. 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

Provinces
Note: Provinces no longer hold any legal status in Greece.
 * Province of Pyrgiotissa - Vori
 * Province of Kenourgio - Mires
 * Province of Malevizio - Agios Myron
 * Province of Temenos - Heraklion
 * Province of Pediada - Kasteli
 * Province of Monofatsio - Pyrgos
 * Province of Viannos - Pefkos

Transport

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

Persons

 * 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