The
island of Crete (covers an area of 8,261 sq. km and has a shoreline
of almost 1,050 km) is the largest Greek island and the 5th largest
island in the Mediterranean. It is divided in four counties (Hania,
Rethimno, Iraklio and Lasithi) and has approximately
600,000 residents. It is located in a significant geographical
position between Europe, Asia and Africa.
The
county of Hania lies on the west end of Crete. It is surrounded
by the Cretan sea on the North, the Ionian sea on the West, and
the Libyan sea on the South, while on the east it has a common
border with the county of Rethimno. Its area is 2,376 sq. km and
has a mountainous terrain. The main mountain range is Lefka
Ori (White Mountains) which stretches for 45 km from East
to West and for 35 km from North to South. This mountain complex
has 111 peaks ranging in height from 2,000 m to 2,453 m. The central
part of these mountains ends up into the Libyan Sea to the South
and is split by deep gorges and ravines (one of them is the famous
Samaria Gorge). Also the coasts of the region are of great
tourist interest with large bays and endless sandy beaches.
The
town of Hania is the capital of the county and the second largest
in population town (population 70,000) of the island after Heraklion.
It is located on the north side of the county and is divided into
the New Town and the Old Town. The New Town has
an excellent city-plan with wide streets, fine buildings, an indoor
market located in the center of the city, many squares and parks.
Hania
has regular bus connection with the other towns of Crete and daily
connections to Athens, Thessaloniki and other
towns, by boat and by plane.
By
airplane: The airport of Hania is located in Acrotiri,
15 km from the town of Hania. Every day there are 3-4 internal
flights (approx. 40 min). During the summer period Hania is connected
to many places abroad through charter flights.
By
boat:Souda bay, 7 km from the town of Hania, is daily
connected by boat to Piraeus (approx. 10 hours). During the summertime
both night and day crossings take place, while in the wintertime
only night crossings. Furthermore, in certain days one could take
the boat from Kasteli (40 km from Hania) to Peloponnese.
By
bus: The intercity bus service (KTEL) runs several buses daily
connecting Hania with Rethymno and Heraklion. Also, several times
a week one could travel to Thessaloniki by bus (the bus leaves
the bus-station to Souda bay, then by boat to Piraeus, and finally
by the same bus to Thessaloniki).
The
island of Crete (covers an area of 8,261 sq. km and has a shoreline
of almost 1,050 km) is the largest Greek island and the 5th largest
island in the Mediterranean. It is divided in four counties (Hania,
Rethimno, Iraklio and Lasithi) and has approximately
600,000 residents. It is located in a significant geographical
position between Europe, Asia and Africa. 
The
county of Hania lies on the west end of Crete. It is surrounded
by the Cretan sea on the North, the Ionian sea on the West, and
the Libyan sea on the South, while on the east it has a common
border with the county of Rethimno. Its area is 2,376 sq. km and
has a mountainous terrain. The main mountain range is Lefka
Ori (White Mountains) which stretches for 45 km from East
to West and for 35 km from North to South. This mountain complex
has 111 peaks ranging in height from 2,000 m to 2,453 m. The central
part of these mountains ends up into the Libyan Sea to the South
and is split by deep gorges and ravines (one of them is the famous
Samaria Gorge). Also the coasts of the region are of great
tourist interest with large bays and endless sandy beaches.
By
airplane: The airport of Hania is located in Acrotiri,
15 km from the town of Hania. Every day there are 3-4 internal
flights (approx. 40 min). During the summer period Hania is connected
to many places abroad through charter flights.
By
boat: Souda bay, 7 km from the town of Hania, is daily
connected by boat to Piraeus (approx. 10 hours). During the summertime
both night and day crossings take place, while in the wintertime
only night crossings. Furthermore, in certain days one could take
the boat from Kasteli (40 km from Hania) to Peloponnese.
By
bus: The intercity bus service (KTEL) runs several buses daily
connecting Hania with Rethymno and Heraklion. Also, several times
a week one could travel to Thessaloniki by bus (the bus leaves
the bus-station to Souda bay, then by boat to Piraeus, and finally
by the same bus to Thessaloniki).
