Crete- Our Region Our region belongs to the municipality of Archanes –Asterousia. It is rich in natural beauties,
history and culture. An elongated strip of land is starting from the northern part of the county , near the city cent of Heraklion , and reaches the south coast of the island , at the exit for the Libyan Sea .
A municipality with an extremely diverse terrain , thanks to the two mountain ranges , the Jiouchtas and Asterous fertile plains , which in antiquity were the scene of great civilizations , and the hilly bouts , torrents and ravines are forming ideal environments for rare species of fauna and flora .
Asterousia
Gypaetus barbatus Τhe Αsterousia is a relatively low mountain range that extends south of Heraklion, between the plains of Messara and the Libyan Sea. The highest peak has an altitude of 1231 m and is called Kofinas.
The area of Asterousia is included in Natura 2000 network, as the area has ecological and archaeological importance. In Asterousia you meet the endangered bearded vulture “Gypaetus Barbatus”. Other important predators encountered in the region are” Gyps fulvus” vulture, the golden eagle “Aquila chrysaetos” and the peregrine falcon “Falco peregrinus”.
Written by Eleni, Year 5
Aquila chrysaetos
Jiouchtas
Felis silvestris The mysteriou wildcat of Crete is an endem subspecie of the European wildcat.
On the eastern side of the mountain range is located th unknown but important palm forest of Agios Nikitas.