Lasithi
| Lasithi Prefecture Νομός Λασιθίου |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
|
|
| Country: |  Greece |
| Capital: | Agios Nikolaos |
| Periphery: | Crete |
| Population: | 77,917 (2005) Ranked 41st |
| Area: | 1,823 km² (704 sq.mi.) Ranked 36th |
| Density: | 43 /km² (111 /sq.mi.) Ranked 38th |
| Number of municipalities: | 8 |
| Number of communities: | none |
| Postal codes: | 72x xx |
| Area codes: | 284x0Lasithin prefektuuri |
| Licence plate code: | ΑΝ |
| ISO 3166-2 code: | GR-92 |
| Website: | www.lassithi.gr |
Lasithi Prefecture (Greek: Νομός Λασιθίου) is the easternmost prefecture on the island of Crete, to the east of the prefecture of Heraklion. Its capital is Agios Nikolaos, the other major towns being Ierapetra, Sitia and Neapoli. The mountains include the Dikte to the west and the Sitia Mountains to the east. The Sea of Crete lies to the north and the Libyan Sea to the south.
To the east of the village of Elounda lies the island of Spinalonga, formerly a Venetian fortress and a leper colony. On the foot of Mount Dikti lies the Lasithi Plateau, famous for its windmills. Vai is well-known for its datepalm forest.
Thanks to stunning beaches and its mild climate year-long, Lasithi attracts many tourists. Mass tourism is served by places like Vai, Agios Nikolaos and the island of Chrissi. More off-beat tourism can be found in villages on the south coast like Myrtos, Makrys Gialos or Makrigialos, Xerokambos and Koutsouras.
The prefecture is home to a number of ancient remains. Vasiliki, Fournou Korifi, Pyrgos, Zakros and Gournia are ruins of Minoan date, Lato and Itanos were Doric towns.
Contents |
History
The history of Lasithi can be traced over at least three millennia.[1] The region has considerable ancient history antecedents, including the Dorian era settlement of Olous and Lato.[2]
A sanjak (subprefecture) under Ottoman rule, it was cited as "Laşit" in official records.
Population records
- 1991: 70,762, density: 38.82/km²
- 2001: 76,318, density: 41.77/km²
Transport
Municipalities
| Municipality | YPES code | Seat (if different) | Postal code | Area code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agios Nikolaos | 3401 | 721 00 | 28410-2 | |
| Ierapetra | 3402 | 722 00 | 28420-2 | |
| Itanos | 3403 | Palaiokastro | 723 00 | 28430-6 |
| Lefki | 3404 | Ziros | 720 56 | 28430-9 |
| Makrys Gialos | 3405 | Koutsouras | 720 55 | 28430-2 |
| Neapoli | 3406 | 724 00 | 28410-3 | |
| Oropedio Lasithiou | 3407 | Tzermiado | 720 53 | 28440-2 |
| Sitia | 3408 | 723 00 | 28430-2 | |
| Vrachasi |
Provinces
- Province of Mirambelos - Neapolis
- Province of Lasithi - Tzermiado
- Province of Ierapetra - Ierapetra
- Province of Sitia - Sitia
Note: Provinces no longer hold any legal status in Greece.
See also
References
- ^ Livingston Vance Watrous, Lasithi, a History of Settlement on a Highland Plain in Crete, 1982 - 89 pages
- ^ C.Michael Hogan, Lato Fieldnotes, The Modern Antiquarian, Jan 10, 2008
External links
|
|||||||
