Cretes

Cretes is a term sometimes used to refer to the inhabitants of Crete or to Crete itself. The standard English demonym for the people from Crete is Cretans, and the Greek name for the island is Kriti.

Crete is the largest Greek island, located in the southern Aegean Sea. It is divided into four regional units—Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, and Lasithi—with Heraklion as the contemporary capital and largest city. The island features a varied landscape that includes mountains, gorges, and extensive coastlines.

Crete has a long history dating to the Minoan civilization of the Bronze Age (roughly 2700–1450 BCE), renowned for archaeological sites such as Knossos. After the Minoans, the island experienced Mycenaean influence and later came under Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman rule. It joined modern Greece in 1913 after a period of autonomy.

The modern Crete economy relies on tourism, agriculture (including olive oil, wine, and citrus), and crafts. The official language is Greek, with local dialects spoken in different areas; the population today is around 600,000.

Culturally, Crete has deep mythic associations, including the tale of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth. The island is also renowned for its archaeological remains, distinctive architecture, cuisine, and music, reflecting a continuity from ancient to contemporary Greek life.