Context:
During excavations for an airport on Greece’s largest island of Crete, a large circular monument dating back 4000 years was unearthed.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
About Crete Island:
- Geographical Details:
- Crete is the largest island in Greece and ranks as the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.
- It is situated in the southern part of the Aegean Sea, an extension of the Mediterranean Sea.
- The island is bordered by the Sea of Crete to the north, the Libyan Sea to the south, the Myrtoan Sea to the west, and the Carpathian Sea to the east.
- Crete spans an area of 8,336 square kilometers.
- The island is elongated, stretching approximately 260 km from east to west and about 60 km at its widest point.
- It features rugged mountain ranges running from west to east, with Mt. Ida (Psiloritis), standing at 2,456 meters, being the highest peak.
- Historical Overview:
- Crete has been inhabited since the Paleolithic Age by early hominids.
- It is known for the Minoan Civilization, the earliest advanced European civilization, which flourished on the island between 2700-1420 BCE.
- The Minoan Civilization ended following a major earthquake, and the Mycenaean civilization subsequently took control of the island.
- Over the centuries, Crete was ruled by various powers including the Romans, Byzantines, Andalusians, Venetians, and Ottomans.
- After gaining independence from Ottoman rule, Crete became part of Greece.
- During World War II, Crete was occupied by Nazi German forces and was the site of the notable “Battle of Crete.”
-Source: The Hindu
