# data[].attributes.body
Crete (Greek: Κρήτη, Kríti ['kriti]; Ancient Greek: Κρήτη, Krḗtē) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Corsica. Crete and a number of surrounding islands and islets constitute the region of Crete (Greek: Περιφέρεια Κρήτης), one of the 13 top-level administrative units of Greece. The capital and the largest city is Heraklion. As of 2011, the region had a population of 623,065.

Crete forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece, while retaining its own local cultural traits (such as its own poetry and music). It was once the centre of the Minoan civilisation (c. 2700–1420 BC), which is the earliest known civilisation in Europe. The palace of Knossos lies in Crete.

# data[].attributes.headline
Climate          WEATHER IN CRETE TODAY                      The climate of Crete is generally described as mild Mediterranean, differentiating itself with continental characteristics in the mountains. In general, a basic characteristic of the local climate are large deviations from place to place.The geographical position and the morphology of the soil of Crete drastically affect the climate of the wider area, which, in turn, is affected by the climatic characteristics of three continents, as well as by the insular character and the local changes caused by the mountainous morphology, especially between the northern and the southern positions of the island.The yearly temperatures fluctuate between 14 and 15 degrees Celsius, the mainland has generally warmer summers and colder winters, while the southern coasts are warmer both in winter and summer in relation to the northern coasts.Crete has a privileged geographical position in the Mediterranean, which gives it a mild climate with mild changes of the weather. The winter, which usually starts in the middle of December, is mild. Its colder months are January and February. The plains of Crete are among the warmer areas of Greece, especially their eastern and south-eastern part, which resembles North Africa. This is particularly obvious in the vegetation of the area, which is very similar to that of North Africa (e.g. the beautiful palm forest of Vai).The sunshine lasts almost the whole year with greater intensity from April to October. The hottest months are July and August, but generally because of the sea breeze and the effect of the etesian winds, the summer is relatively cool. The presence of clouds is small and decreases as we move from the west to the east. The rains increase as we move from the east to the west and from the coastline to the mainland. The changes from place to place are strong. The White Mountains (Lefka Ori), for example, accept about 2 meters of rainfall and snowfall every year, while the south-eastern coasts of Crete to accept a considerably less quantity.In Crete, as in almost all parts of the world, the climate change has started to manifest itself. A typical example is the desertification of mountain areas of the island, which are “stripped” of their vegetation and look like lunar landscapes. These landscapes, however, are significant pockets of biodiversity, while some species have adapted themselves to the new conditions and survived. In fact, they can be found only there and nowhere else in the world.

# data[].attributes.subject
Climate          WEATHER IN CRETE TODAY                      The climate of Crete is generally described as mild Mediterranean, differentiating itself with continental characteristics in the mountains. In general, a basic characteristic of the local climate are large deviations from place to place.The geographical position and the morphology of the soil of Crete drastically affect the climate of the wider area, which, in turn, is affected by the climatic characteristics of three continents, as well as by the insular character and the local changes caused by the mountainous morphology, especially between the northern and the southern positions of the island.The yearly temperatures fluctuate between 14 and 15 degrees Celsius, the mainland has generally warmer summers and colder winters, while the southern coasts are warmer both in winter and summer in relation to the northern coasts.Crete has a privileged geographical position in the Mediterranean, which gives it a mild climate with mild changes of the weather. The winter, which usually starts in the middle of December, is mild. Its colder months are January and February. The plains of Crete are among the warmer areas of Greece, especially their eastern and south-eastern part, which resembles North Africa. This is particularly obvious in the vegetation of the area, which is very similar to that of North Africa (e.g. the beautiful palm forest of Vai).The sunshine lasts almost the whole year with greater intensity from April to October. The hottest months are July and August, but generally because of the sea breeze and the effect of the etesian winds, the summer is relatively cool. The presence of clouds is small and decreases as we move from the west to the east. The rains increase as we move from the east to the west and from the coastline to the mainland. The changes from place to place are strong. The White Mountains (Lefka Ori), for example, accept about 2 meters of rainfall and snowfall every year, while the south-eastern coasts of Crete to accept a considerably less quantity.In Crete, as in almost all parts of the world, the climate change has started to manifest itself. A typical example is the desertification of mountain areas of the island, which are “stripped” of their vegetation and look like lunar landscapes. These landscapes, however, are significant pockets of biodiversity, while some species have adapted themselves to the new conditions and survived. In fact, they can be found only there and nowhere else in the world.

# data[].attributes.headline
Fauna                THE CRETAN FAUNA ALSO INCLUDES THOUSANDS OF SPECIES.

# data[].attributes.subject
Fauna                THE CRETAN FAUNA ALSO INCLUDES THOUSANDS OF SPECIES.

# data[].attributes.body
It has been estimated that the endemic animal species are about 1.000, most of which are invertebrate, like spiders, insects etc. Many of them are endemic. A typical example are the spiders, the endemism of which is more than 40% on the island, which means that almost half of the spider species on Crete exist only on Crete and nowhere else in the world.

# data[].attributes.headline
Natural History Museum of Crete                     has been functioning and operates under the framework of the University of Crete since 1980, being a pioneer institute at national and European level in the following activities:Study and Management of the Natural Environment of CretePublic awareness, education and sensitisation of local people as well as the visitors of the areaLink University activities with Cretan societySet up a network of Ecological Museums in Greece and throughout the Eastern Mediterranean Eastern Mediterranean is unique at a global level due to the great ecological and cultural complexity. The evenness as well as the contrast, the stability, many affinities and the special features characterizes the area.The aim of the Natural History Museum of Crete is the study, protection and promotion of the special features of the area of Eastern Mediterranean.The foundation and the development of NHMC were favoured by the following conditions:The potential of the University of Crete and its ability to promote modern technologies in the field of environmentThe geographical position of Crete, lying it the center of Eastern Mediterranean and the southernmost part of the European UnionThe warm acceptance and support of the local society.

# data[].attributes.subject
Natural History Museum of Crete                     has been functioning and operates under the framework of the University of Crete since 1980, being a pioneer institute at national and European level in the following activities:Study and Management of the Natural Environment of CretePublic awareness, education and sensitisation of local people as well as the visitors of the areaLink University activities with Cretan societySet up a network of Ecological Museums in Greece and throughout the Eastern Mediterranean Eastern Mediterranean is unique at a global level due to the great ecological and cultural complexity. The evenness as well as the contrast, the stability, many affinities and the special features characterizes the area.The aim of the Natural History Museum of Crete is the study, protection and promotion of the special features of the area of Eastern Mediterranean.The foundation and the development of NHMC were favoured by the following conditions:The potential of the University of Crete and its ability to promote modern technologies in the field of environmentThe geographical position of Crete, lying it the center of Eastern Mediterranean and the southernmost part of the European UnionThe warm acceptance and support of the local society.