Lassithi

The prefecture of Lasithi is located at the eastern part of the island. The main occupation of the inhabitants is agriculture and cattle breading. Its geographical location with its quite warm climate helps the production of early horticultural products and bananas. The plateau of Lasithi is one of the most fertile areas in the island, at an altitude of 850 m, and it is ideal for producing potatoes and apples.

As far as the origin of its name is concerned, there are several versions, however the most possible are the following: the one that mentions the town of Sitia, as the Venetian conquerors wrote it as La Sitti and it is supported by Paul Favre, and the other version that mentions the ancient Greek word "lasios", which means a verdant place. Agios Nickolaos is its capital with its small harbour constructed round a deep bay.

Agios, as the Cretans call the town, and Elounda but also other towns such as Ierapetra, Sissi and Sitia have evolved in modern tourist centers and big complexes of hotels. However, the prefecture offers peaceful beaches with idyllic bays, intense alternations between the landscape and nature, namely the palm forest of Vai, the marvelous forest of pines and wild cypresses of Selakano, and also the archaeological and historical areas, like the palace of Zakros, of Agia Triada (the Holy Trinity) and the magnificent historical monastery of Toplou.