Rethymnon

Rethymnon, is one of the four prefectures of Crete and it is built at the north part of the island. In the east is the prefecture of Herakleion, to the west is the prefecture of Chania, and northward is washed by the Cretan Sea and southward by the Libyan Sea. It extends from Lefka Ori to Psiloritis and its area is 1.496 km and its population 70.095 people.

Rethymnon is Crete most mountainous province. Of its 1.496 km2, 510 are cultivated, 933 are pasture, 36 are covered by settlements and only 17 km2 are covered by Mediterranean oak, pine and maple-tree forestation.

The climate is mild Mediterrranean and particularly dry and warm. There is sunshine 67% of the year and temperatures range from 12 to 27oC. The prevailing winds are Northerly and North-Westerly, while occasional hot Southerlies arrive from the Africa continent with great strength.

While the environmental condition of the countryside is relatively good, the centuries of farming and grazing are beginning to take their toll.   
The quality of sea water is still amongst the best in Europe.

The two most interesting gorges for wildlife are those of Patsos and Prases.