Crete: Difference between revisions
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A large [[island]] in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] south of [[Greece]], currently part of [[Greece]]. It is centered at 35 degrees 15 minutes of North latitude and 24 degrees 45 minutes East longitude. | |||
[[Image:Greece-Factbook.gif|thumb|left|350px|Greece and Crete]] | |||
==Economy== | |||
Crete has the lowest unemployment in Greece. The tourist sector forms the largest part, but there is substantial agricultural production and processing. | |||
==Current military== | |||
There is a large [[Royal Air Force]] base at Heraklion and a US-UK [[signals intelligence]] facility. | |||
==Second World War== | |||
In [[Operation Mercury]], Crete was conquered by German [[air assault]] forces, but at extremely heavy cost that prevented Germany from using large airborne forces in the rest of the war. | |||
==Ancient society== | |||
[[Image:Ancient greece so 1926.jpg|thumb|550px|Crete in the context of ancient Greece]] | |||
It was the site of the [[Minoan civilization]]. | |||
In stories from [[Greek mythology]], [[King Minos]] had a [[Minotaur]] inside a giant [[labyrinth]], but it was killed by the [[Athens|Athenian]] [[hero]] [[Theseus]] who used string to find his way out of the maze. | |||
Not much is known about the [[linguistics|languages]] of early Minoan [[civilization]] which are called [[Linear A]] and [[Linear B]], but are believed to be the precursors to the [[Greek (language)|Greek language]]. | |||
Revision as of 18:05, 18 April 2010
A large island in the Mediterranean Sea south of Greece, currently part of Greece. It is centered at 35 degrees 15 minutes of North latitude and 24 degrees 45 minutes East longitude.
Economy
Crete has the lowest unemployment in Greece. The tourist sector forms the largest part, but there is substantial agricultural production and processing.
Current military
There is a large Royal Air Force base at Heraklion and a US-UK signals intelligence facility.
Second World War
In Operation Mercury, Crete was conquered by German air assault forces, but at extremely heavy cost that prevented Germany from using large airborne forces in the rest of the war.
Ancient society
It was the site of the Minoan civilization.
In stories from Greek mythology, King Minos had a Minotaur inside a giant labyrinth, but it was killed by the Athenian hero Theseus who used string to find his way out of the maze.
Not much is known about the languages of early Minoan civilization which are called Linear A and Linear B, but are believed to be the precursors to the Greek language.