Lasithi prefecture
Lasithi (Greek: Λασήθι) is a prefecture of Greece on the island of Crete. It lies east of the prefecture of Heraklion. Its capital is Agios Nikolaos, the other major tows are Ierapetra, Sitia and Neapoli. The mountains includes the Dikte to the west and the Sitia mountains to the east.
To the east of the village of Elouda 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 date palm forest.
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 and Koutsouras.
There are several small islands besides Spinalonga and Chrissi: Koufonisi, Panisada, Dragonada and Pseira to name a few.
The prefecture counts a lot of ancient remains. Vasiliki, Fournu Korfi, Pyrgos, Zakros and Gournia are ruins of Minoan date, Lato and Itanos were Doric towns.
Population history
- 1991: 70,762, density: 38.82/km²
- 2001: 76,318, density: 41.77/km²
Persons
- Vicenzo Kornaros, poet was born in the Sitia area.
Transportation
Municipalities
| Municipality | YPES code | Seat | Postal code | Area code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agios Nikolaos | 3401 | Agios Nikolaos | 721 00 | 28410-2 |
| Ierapetra | 3402 | Ierapetra | 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 | Neapolis | 724 00 | 28410-3 |
| Oropedio Lassithiou | 3407 | Tzermiado | 720 53 | 28440-2 |
| Sitia | 3408 | Sitia | 723 00 | 28430-2 |
See also: List of settlements in the Lasithi prefecture