The southernmost island in Europe, Crete is the largest of all the Greek islands and covers an area of 8,336 km2 (3,219 square miles) and it is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean.
Crete, Kriti or Kreta was also the centre of the Minoan civilization dating back to 2600–1400 BCE, and is believed to be the oldest civilization in Europe. When visiting Crete you still have an opportunity to see remnants of this civilisation at Knossos Palace.
