| Official Name | Region of Crete (Periferia Kritis, Περιφέρεια Κρήτης) |
| Status | Largest island of Greece, fifth largest in the Mediterranean |
| Area | 8,336 km² (about the size of Corsica) |
| Population | approx. 635,000 (2025) |
| Capital | Heraklion (Iraklio, approx. 175,000 inhabitants) |
| Language | Greek (Cretan dialect, English widely spoken) |
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Time Zone | CET+1 (UTC+2), Daylight Saving Time CET+2 |
| Electricity | 230V, Type C/F — German plugs fit |
| Drinking Water | Safe in cities, bottled water recommended in villages |
| Religion | Greek Orthodox (over 95%) |
| Telephone Code | +30 (Greece), area codes 281x (Heraklion), 282x (Chania) |
| Highest Mountain | Psiloritis/Ida (2,456 m), Lefka Ori/Pachnes (2,453 m) |
| Visa | EU/Schengen — no visa required for EU citizens |
| Airports | Heraklion (HER) + Chania (CHQ) |
