- Chania Prefecture
Infobox Pref GR
name = Chania
name_local = Νομός Χανίων
flag_reg =
periph =Crete
capital =Chania
population = 156,371
population_as_of = 2005
pop_rank = 19th
pop_dens = 65.8
popdens_rank = 17th
area = 2,376
area_rank = 27th
postal_code = 73x xx, 740 55
area_code = 282x0, 28310
licence = ΧΝ
provinces = 5
municip = 23
commun = 2
ISO = GR-94
website =Chania prefecture is one of the four prefectures of
Crete ; it covers the westernmost quarter of the island. Its capital is the city ofChania . Chania borders only one other prefecture, that ofRethymno Prefecture to the east. The western part of Crete is bounded to the north by theCretan Sea , and to the west and south by theMediterranean Sea . The prefecture also includes the southernmost island in Europe,Gavdos and is divided into 5 provinces:Apokoronas , Kissamos,Kydonia ,Selino , andSfakia .Description
Chania prefecture, often informally termed 'Western Crete', is a beautiful and in many parts unspoilt part of the island. Districts include verdant
Apokoronas , mountainousSfakia , andSelino in the far South West corner. Some other notable towns in the Chania prefecture are: Hóra Sfakíon,Kastelli-Kissamos ,Paleochora ,Maleme ,Vrisses ,Vamos ,Georgioupolis andKalives .The natural park of
Samaria Gorge , a major tourist attraction and a refuge for the rare Cretan wild goat or "kri kri ", is in the South of the prefecture of Chania. The White Mountains or "Lefka Ori ", through which the Samaria, Aradena, Imbros and other gorges run, are thelimestone peaks topped by snow until May that occupy much of Chania prefecture. They contain more than 40 peaks over 2,000 meters high. The highest peak in this area isPahnes , at 2,453 meters above sea level.Western Crete is popular with tourists for its spring flowers that linger on into early May in the mountains. Birdwatching is also popular, with the
lammergeier andgolden eagle especially sought for. As an island, Crete has many endemic species of plant and animal.Crete's only freshwater lake, Lake
Kournas , is in the prefecture close to the border withRethymno Prefecture , 47 km from Chania. It is relatively large, with a perimeter of 3.5 km. The lake used to be called 'Korisia' after ancient 'Korion', a city thought to be in the area with a temple toAthena . The lake used to be reportedly full of eels but now is better known for its terrapins and tourists. Tavernas and pedalo rental shops line part of the shore. Overall, however, the lake retains its beauty, the White Mountains reflected in the mirror-like waters.Municipalities and communities
See also:
List of settlements in the Chania prefecture Miscellaneous
*
Kydon TV
*Eleftherios Venizelos (famous inhabitant of the Chania prefecture)External links
* [http://www.thehotel.gr/ Hotels and Villas in Chania, Crete]
* [http://www.hotels-chania.gr/ Catalogue of hotels in Chania, Crete]
* [http://www.travel-to-crete.com/place.php?place_id=4 Chania Prefecture by Travel-to-Crete.com]
* [http://www.hit360.com/english/destinations/showcounty.php?county_id=17 Chania Hotels Travel Guide] with 360° panoramic images.
* [http://www.thegreektravel.com/crete/chania.html Travel Guide to Chania ]
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