The prefecture of Lasithi

Ierapetra (Greek: Ιεράπετρα) is a municipality and a town in the east of the Greek island of Crete, in the prefecture of Lasithi. File links The following pages link to this file: Lasithi Myrtos Sitia Ierapetra Agios Nikolaos (Greece) Categories: GFDL images ... Lasithi (Greek: Λασήθι) is a prefecture of Greece on the island of Crete. ... Crete (Greek Κρήτη Kriti; called Candia in the Venetian period) is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea. ... Lasithi (Greek: Λασήθι) is a prefecture of Greece on the island of Crete. ...

The municipaliy has an area of 394.774 square kilometres and a population of 21,025 (2001). The municipality consists of the town of Ierapetra, several villages and hamlets and the island of Chrissi.

Economy

The area's main economic activities are agriculture in the winter and tourism in the summer. The agricultural production can be divided into two main parts. Whereas olive oil has been produced all over the municipality at least since Minoan times, for the last thirty years large quantities of fruit and vegetables have also been exported. These are grown in plastic greenhouses, which spread over an area of 13,000,000 square meters between the town of Ierapetra and Nea Myrtos. They were introduced by the dutchman Paul Kuypers. Mainly because of the greenhouse production the inhabitants of Ierapetra are on average the richest on Crete. Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. ... El Nido, Philippines Tourism is the act of travel for the purpose of recreation and business, and the provision of services for this act. ... A bottle of olive oil. ... Fresco from the Palace of Minos, Knossos, Crete The Minoans were a pre-Hellenic Bronze Age civilization in Crete in the Aegean Sea, flourishing from approximately 2600 to 1450 BC when their culture was superseded by the Mycenaean culture, which drew upon the Minoans. ... A greenhouse in Saint Paul, Minnesota. ... Paul Herman Felix Kuypers (b. ...

Town of Ierapetra

View over the main boulevard

Lat: 35:01N, Lon: 25:44E The town of Ierapetra (in the local dialect Gerapetro) is located on the south coast of Crete, along the beach of Ierapetra Bay. It lies south of Agios Nikolaos and southwest of Sitia and is an important regional centre. With its 11,450 inhabitants (1999) it is the most populous town in the prefecture of Lasithi, and the fourth town of Crete. Ierapetra is popularly known as the southernmost town of Europe, nicknamed "bride of the Libyan Sea" because of its position as only town on the south coast of Crete. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2133x1230, 1266 KB)View Over Ierapetra Bay Picture taken by User:Hippalus in October 2005 I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2133x1230, 1266 KB)View Over Ierapetra Bay Picture taken by User:Hippalus in October 2005 I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation... Agios Nikolaos is Greek (Aγιος Nικολαος) and means Saint Nicholas. ... Sitias harbor Sitia is a port town in the far east of Crete. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Lasithi (Greek: Λασήθι) is a prefecture of Greece on the island of Crete. ... World map showing Europe Political map Europe is one of the seven continents of Earth which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiographic one, leading to various perspectives about Europes borders. ...

Fortress of Kales

Ierapetra has had a place in the history of Crete since the Minoan period. The Greek and later Roman town of Hierapytna was on the same sight as present day Ierapetra. In the Classical Age Ierapytna became the strongest town of eastern Crete. Later, in the 3rd century BC, Hierapytna was infamous for its tendency to piracy. Its importance ended when it was destroyed by the Romans in 67 BC. It was soon rebuilt, but was soon surpassed by the city of Gortyn. Today remains of the Roman harbor can still be seen in the shallow bay. In AD 824 it was destroyed by Arab invaders, only to be rebuilt as a base for pirates (again!). In the Venetian Age, from the 13th to the 17th centuries, Ierapetra - now known by its present name - became prosperous again. The fortress of Kales, built in 1626 to protect the harbor, is a remnant of this period, although local myth says it was built by the Genoese pirate Pescatore in 1212. In July 1798 Ierapetra made a small step into world history: Napoleon stayed with a local family during his voyage to Egypt. The house where he stayed can still be seen. In the Ottoman period a mosque was built in the town. Finds from Ierapetra's past can be found in the local Museum of Antiquities, formerly a school for Turkish children. The centrepiece of the exhibition is a well preserved statue of Persephone. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1777x791, 672 KB) Summary The Venetian fortress in Ierapetra Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1777x791, 672 KB) Summary The Venetian fortress in Ierapetra Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... // Prehistoric Crete Little is known about the rise of ancient Cretan society, because very few written records remain. ... Octavian, widely known as Augustus, founder of the Roman empire The Roman Empire was a phase of the ancient Roman civilization characterized by an autocratic form of government. ... It has been suggested that Greco-Roman be merged into this article or section. ... Look up pirate and piracy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Arabs (Arabic: عرب ) are an ethnic group found throughout the Middle East and North Africa. ... The Most Serene Republic of Venice (Venetian: Serenìsima Repùblica Vèneta; Italian: ) was a Venetian city-state in Northeastern Italy, based around the city of Venice. ... Events September 30 - Nurhaci, chieftain of the Jurchens and founder of the Qing Dynasty dies and is succeeded by his son Hong Taiji. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Genoa (GE) Mayor Giuseppe Pericu (since May 30, 2002) Elevation 20 m Area 243 km² Population  - Total (as of April 30, 2005) 611,476  - Density 2,571/km² Time zone CET, UTC+1 Coordinates Gentilic Genovesi Dialing code 010 Postal code 16100 Patron St. ... Events The first Great Fire of London burns most of the city to the ground Battle of Navas de Tolosa Childrens crusade Crusaders push the Muslims out of northern Spain In Japan, Kamo no Chōmei writes the Hōjōki, one of the great works of classical Japanese... 1798 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Napoleon I Bonaparte, Emperor of the French, King of Italy (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was a general of the French Revolution; the ruler of France as First Consul (Premier Consul) of the French Republic from 11 November 1799 to 18 May 1804; then Emperor of the French (Empereur... Greece was part of the Ottoman Empire from the 14th century until its declaration of independence in 1821. ... The Badshahi Masjid in Lahore, Pakistan with an iwan at center, three domes, and five visible minarets A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith. ... Persephone, the Maiden: the late Archaic Kore of Antenor from the Acropolis, Athens In Greek mythology, Persephone (Greek Περσεφόνη, PersephónÄ“) was the queen of the Underworld, the Kore or young maiden, and the daughter of Demeter. ...

Square in Pano Mera

Present day Ierapetra consists of two quite distinct parts, Kato Mera and Pano Mera. Kato Mera is the old town on the southwestern headland. It is characterized by a medieval street layout with narrow alleyways, cul-de-sacs and small houses, creating a village-like atmosphere. The former mosque and the "house of Napoleon" can be found in this neighbourhood. Pano Mera is the much bigger new town, with wider streets and three and four storey houses. Pano Mera is still expanding towards the west, north and east. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 1347 KB) Summary Small square in Pano Mera, Ierapetra. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 1347 KB) Summary Small square in Pano Mera, Ierapetra. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... For the musical group, see Cul de Sac (group). ...

A typical street in Kato Mera

Ierapetra's main shopping street is Koundouriotou. In the centre the town hall, the museum and two cinemas can be found. The local hospital lies in Pano Mera. To the west is the southern headland with the fortress and a port for fishing boats. Further east is a short beach with bars and restaurants, followed by the quay for ferries to Chrissi. Further on lies the main boulevard with hotels, bars, restaurants and souvenir shops. At its end a new promenade leads alongside Ierapetra Bay's long beach. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 1151 KB) Summary A typical street in Kato mera, Ierapetra. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 1151 KB) Summary A typical street in Kato mera, Ierapetra. ... City Hall is a 1996 film directed by Harold Becker. ... Ierapetra (Greek: Ιεράπετρα) is a municipality and a town in the east of the Greek island of Crete, in the prefecture of Lasithi. ...

The local government has planned the development of a new international port. This plan is being opposed by some citizens who think it will destroy the local environment and scenery. They are supported by Ecocrete.gr, the local environmental tribune.

Villages and hamlets

Winter in Anatoli

Aghia Fotia, Agios Ioannis, Anatoli, Amoudares, Christos, Drakalevri, Episkopi, Ferma, Gdochia, Gra Lighia, Kaimenos, Kalamafka, Kalogeri, Kamara, Kato Horio, Kavousi, Kentri, Koutsounari, Males, Mathokotsana, Melises, Meseleri, Monastiraki, Minos, Mythi, Mournies, Myrtos, Nea Anatoli, Nea Myrtos, Pachia Ammos, Panaghia, Pano Horio, Psathi, Riza, Selakano, Stavros, Stomio, Sykia, Thrypti, Vainia, Vasiliki, Vatos, Xerambela, Xerokambos Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1050, 537 KB) Summary Winter in Anatoli Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1050, 537 KB) Summary Winter in Anatoli Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Episkopi Ierapetras is an average village (aprox. ... Gra Lighia is located approximately 5km west of Ierapetra. ... Myrtos Myrtos is a coastal village in the west of the municipality of Ierapetra in the prefecture of Lasithi on the island of Crete in Greece. ... Stomio is a village in the Cretan municipality of Ierapetra located 1. ... Vasiliki is the name of a village in the municipality of Ierapetra on Crete, and the name of the nearby Minoan archeological site. ...

Chrissi

Main article: Chrissi

The beach

Chrissi (Golden) or Gaidhouronisi (Donkey Island) is an uninhabited island some twelve kilometers off the coast of the town of Ierapetra. It is five kilometers long and on average one kilometer wide. The island's average height above sea level is ten meters; Kefala, the highest point of the island, is 31 meters above sea level. The island is renowned for its white beaches, sand dunes and forest of pines and junipers. There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... Download high resolution version (1675x1154, 257 KB) Chrissi Island, Ierapetra, Crete. ... Download high resolution version (1675x1154, 257 KB) Chrissi Island, Ierapetra, Crete. ... This article is about the sand formations, for other meanings see Dune (disambiguation) Mesquite Flat Dunes in Death Valley National Park In physical geography, a dune is a hill of sand built by eolian (wind-related) processes. ... Species About 115. ... Species Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. ...

The western tip of the island has some remains of past settlement: a few Minoan ruins and a 13th century chapel dedicated to Agios Nikolaos (Saint Nicholas). It was inhabited into Byzantine times. The main sources of wealth were fishing, salt export, and the export of porfira (Tyrian purple), a scarlet dye made from shells. After the Byzantine period the island was abandoned, although later it was used as a hideout. Fresco from the Palace of Minos, Knossos, Crete The Minoans were a pre-Hellenic Bronze Age civilization in Crete in the Aegean Sea, flourishing from approximately 2600 to 1450 BC when their culture was superseded by the Mycenaean culture, which drew upon the Minoans. ... (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ... Saint Nicholas is the common name for Saint Nicholas of Myra, who had a reputation for secret gift-giving. ... Byzantine Empire (Greek: Βυζαντινή Αυτοκρατορία) is the term conventionally used since the 19th century to describe the Greek-speaking Roman Empire during the Middle Ages, centered at its capital in Constantinople. ... Fishing is the activity of hunting for fish. ... A magnified crystal of a salt (halite/sodium chloride) In chemistry, a salt is any ionic compound composed of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions so that the product is neutral and without a net charge. ... Tyrian purple is a purple dye made in the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre from a secretion of Spiny Dye-Murex (Murex brandaris), a marine snail. ...

Nowadays the island is protected as an "area of intense natural beauty". Especially in summer, the island attracts many tourists. As camping is forbidden on the island, only day trips are possible. Ferries leave the quay at Ierapetra daily at 10 A.M. and return at 5 P.M. Visitors are not allowed to roam freely over the island, but only on designated paths and some beaches close to the eastern tip of the island. There is a small tavern at the ferry landing. A nature reserve (natural reserve, nature preserve, natural preserve) is an area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research. ...

700 meters to the east of Chrissi lies the rocky islet of Mikronisi (Small Island).

Other natural and geographical features

Bramiana Wetlands

• Bramiana Dam, an artificial dam and lake. The lake was made to supply the local greenhouses with water in the dry summer. The lake area is the biggest wetland on Crete, and has become a nature reserve known for its birdlife.
• Mount Dikti
• Mount Thryptis
• Selakano Forest
• Sarakina Gorge
• Ha Gorge
• Avgo Gorge

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1365x1024, 222 KB) Summary The artificial wetlands at Bramiana Dam Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1365x1024, 222 KB) Summary The artificial wetlands at Bramiana Dam Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... A greenhouse in Saint Paul, Minnesota. ... A subtropical wetland in Florida, USA, with an endangered American Crocodile. ... For other meanings of bird, see bird (disambiguation). ...

Minoan sites

• Gournia, Minoan city on Mirambelo (Mirabello) Gulf.
• Pyrgos, between Myrtos and Nea Myrtos.
• Vasiliki, near the village of the same name.

Gournia is the site of a Minoan palace complex on the island of Crete, Greece, excavated in the early 20th century by the American archaeologist, Harriet Boyd-Hawes. ... Fresco from the Palace of Minos, Knossos, Crete The Minoans were a pre-Hellenic Bronze Age civilization in Crete in the Aegean Sea, flourishing from approximately 2600 to 1450 BC when their culture was superseded by the Mycenaean culture, which drew upon the Minoans. ... For other places that have the same name, click Pyrgos (disambiguation) Pyrgos is an archaeological site of the Minoan civilization near Myrtos in the municipality of Ierapetra on the south coast of Crete. ... Myrtos Myrtos is a coastal village in the west of the municipality of Ierapetra in the prefecture of Lasithi on the island of Crete in Greece. ... Vasiliki is the name of a village in the municipality of Ierapetra on Crete, and the name of the nearby Minoan archeological site. ...

Miscellaneous

• In the 1964 movie Zorba the Greek the famous scene in which Anthony Quinn dances the Sirtaki on the beach was shot on Ierapetra Beach.
• The Greek composer Giannis Markopoulos (born 1939) lived in Ierapetra until he left high school in 1956 to study music in Athens.

1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... Zorba the Greek is a 1964 movie by Michael Cacoyannis, originally titled Alexis Zorbas, based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis. ... Anthony Quinn (April 21, 1915 – June 3, 2001) was a Mexican-American actor, painter, and writer. ... Sirtaki (Sirtáki, or Syrtáki) is a popular dance of Greek origin. ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... High school - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... City flag. ...

External links

• Municipial website (in Greek)
• most extensive webguide to Ierapetra
• short webguide (in Greek)
• short webguide and pictures
• interactive map of the town of Ierapetra
• extensive webguide to Chrissi
• map of Chrissi
• statistical and geographical information
• Ecocrete against new harbor (in Greek)