Chania prefecture

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Chania prefecture is one of the four prefectures of Crete, Greece. It covers the westernmost quarter of the island. Its capital is the city of Chania. Chania is bounded with the only prefecture, the Rethymno prefecture to the east. The Cretan Sea is to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the west and south. The prefecture includes the southernmost point and island in Europe, Gavdos.

Description

Chania prefecture, often informally termed 'Western Crete', is a beautiful and in many parts unspoilt part of the island. The prefecture is subdivided into five Provinces: Apokoronas, mountainous Sfakia, Kissamos, Kydonia and Selino in the far South West corner.

Notable towns in the Chania prefecture are: Hora Sfakion, Kastelli-Kissamos, Paleochora, Maleme, Vrysses, Vamos, Georgioupolis and Kalives.

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 the limestone 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 is Pahnes, at 2,452 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 and golden 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 with Rethymno 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 to Athena. 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

Municipality YPES code Seat Postal code Area code ((0)30-)
Akrotiri - Pythari 731 00 28210-6
Anatoliko Selino - Kampanos 730 09 28230-5
Armeni - Kalives 730 08 28250-3
Chania - Chania 731 00 28210-2 thru 7
Eleftherios Venizelos - Mournies 733 00 28210-9
Fres - Fres 730 06 28210-7
Georgioupolis - Kavros-Kournas 730 07 28250-9
Innachorio (or Inachori or Oinachori) - Elos 730 13 28220-6
Kandanos - Kandanos 730 04 28220-3
Keramia - Gerolakos 731 00 28210
Kissamos - Kastelli-Kissamos 734 00 28220-2
Kolymbari - Kolymbari 730 06 28240-2
Kryonerida - Vrysses (Apokoronas) 730 07 28250-5
Mythimna - Drapani 730 04 28220-3
Mousouri - Alikianos 730 05 28220-3
Nea Kydonia - Nea Kydonia 731 00 28210-3
Pelekanos - Paleochora 730 01 28230-2
Platanias - Gerani 730 04 28210-6
Sfakia - Hora Sfakion 730 11 28250-9
Souda - Souda 732 00 282210-2
Theriso - Vamvakopoulo 731 28210-9
Vamos - Vamos 730 08 28250-2
Voukolies - Voukolies 730 02 28240-3

Communities

Municipality YPES code Seat Postal code Area code ((0)30-)
Asi Gonia - Asi Gonia 740 55 28310-4
Gavdos - Gavdos 730 01 28230-4

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