Dia (Greek: Δία['ði.a]), also pronounced locally Ntia (Ντία['di.a]), is an uninhabited island off the northern coast of the Greek island of Crete. The island is 5 km long, 3 km wide and is located approximately 13 km north of Heraklion. Administratively, Dia is part of the community of Elia within the municipal unit of Gouves, Hersonissos municipality in Heraklion.
In the south coast of Dia there are four coves, from west to east Agios Georgios, Kapari, Panagia (Madonna) and Agrielia. One more cove, Aginara, is to the east.
The island was formerly known as Standia, by juncture loss in the phrase στήν Δία (Greek for 'on Dia').
It was the principal port of Crete for centuries.[1] Its four south coves have been used as anchorages since the Minoan period.
Mythologyedit
The islet looks like a giant lizard when viewed from the city of Heraklion. Greek mythology tells of a giant lizard that tried to destroy the island of Crete, however, Zeus turned it into stone with a thunderbolt, thus creating the island.
The island is visible from Crete's capital city of Heraklion, as it would have been in the time of the Minoans, from Knossos. Because of this, it was sometimes identified as the island that Theseus escaped to after killing the minotaur.
Environmentedit
On Dia there are a number of protected wildlife species including the snail Albinaria retusa, the lizard Podarcis erchardii schiebeli, a wild subspecies of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus cnossius), and Eleonora's falcon, known as mavropetritis in Greek.[2] The island has been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports a breeding population of 300–380 pairs of the Eleonora's falcons.[3] Dia is part of the European Network of Nature (Natura 2000) and is a protected hunting ground.[4] There are also a number of protected plants such as Carlina diae.
In 1976, Jacques Cousteau carried out underwater exploration around Dia and found the remains of an ancient port in the waters between Heraklion and Dia.[5]
Visitingedit
Day trips, but no camping, is allowed to Dia. Swimming, snorkeling and walking along the beach are popular activities. No cars are allowed.[6]
island, greek, Δία, also, pronounced, locally, ntia, Ντία, uninhabited, island, northern, coast, greek, island, crete, island, long, wide, located, approximately, north, heraklion, administratively, part, community, elia, within, municipal, unit, gouves, herso. Dia Greek Dia di a also pronounced locally Ntia Ntia di a is an uninhabited island off the northern coast of the Greek island of Crete The island is 5 km long 3 km wide and is located approximately 13 km north of Heraklion Administratively Dia is part of the community of Elia within the municipal unit of Gouves Hersonissos municipality in Heraklion DiaNative name DiaThe island of DiaDiaShow map of CreteDiaShow map of GreeceGeographyCoordinates35 26 53 N 25 13 12 E 35 448 N 25 220 E 35 448 25 220ArchipelagoCretan IslandsArea11 909 km2 4 598 sq mi Highest elevation220 m 720 ft AdministrationGreeceRegionCreteRegional unitHeraklionDemographicsPopulation2 2001 Pop density0 km2 0 sq mi In the south coast of Dia there are four coves from west to east Agios Georgios Kapari Panagia Madonna and Agrielia One more cove Aginara is to the east Contents 1 History 2 Mythology 3 Environment 4 Ancient port 5 Visiting 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksHistory editThe island was formerly known as Standia by juncture loss in the phrase sthn Dia Greek for on Dia It was the principal port of Crete for centuries 1 Its four south coves have been used as anchorages since the Minoan period Mythology editThe islet looks like a giant lizard when viewed from the city of Heraklion Greek mythology tells of a giant lizard that tried to destroy the island of Crete however Zeus turned it into stone with a thunderbolt thus creating the island The island is visible from Crete s capital city of Heraklion as it would have been in the time of the Minoans from Knossos Because of this it was sometimes identified as the island that Theseus escaped to after killing the minotaur Environment editOn Dia there are a number of protected wildlife species including the snail Albinaria retusa the lizard Podarcis erchardii schiebeli a wild subspecies of the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus cnossius and Eleonora s falcon known as mavropetritis in Greek 2 The island has been recognised as an Important Bird Area IBA by BirdLife International because it supports a breeding population of 300 380 pairs of the Eleonora s falcons 3 Dia is part of the European Network of Nature Natura 2000 and is a protected hunting ground 4 There are also a number of protected plants such as Carlina diae Ancient port edit nbsp Dia as Standia during late Venetian times Francesco Basilicata In 1976 Jacques Cousteau carried out underwater exploration around Dia and found the remains of an ancient port in the waters between Heraklion and Dia 5 Visiting editDay trips but no camping is allowed to Dia Swimming snorkeling and walking along the beach are popular activities No cars are allowed 6 See also editList of islands of GreeceReferences edit T A B Spratt Travels and Researches in Crete 1 35 1865 O mayropetriths sth Dia ths Krhths Greek Ornithological Organisation Greek Dia Island Crete BirdLife Data Zone BirdLife International 2022 Retrieved 27 December 2022 Diktyo Natura 2000 Protected areas Greekislands com French Rear Admiral s ship La Therese 1669 Archived 2012 03 26 at the Wayback Machine Dia Island History Myth Attractions Beaches and Car RentalExternal links editStandia map by Marco Boschini nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dia Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Dia island amp oldid 1182748800, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
