The capital of Sfakia is Chora Sfakion which is situated on the south western coast. Sfakia covers an area of 472 km. sq. and it is located approximately 72km from Chania and 150 km from Heraklion, both of which are popular cities in the north of Crete. Both of these cities have airports reflecting the fact that most tourists visit the North of Crete in comparison to the South.
Sfakia is shaped by the White Mountains which “are still coverd in snow in April, with the highest of them all towering 8,000feet” (Trudgill, P. 2008; p.3). Crete is also shaped by a total of 17 gorges which run south into the Libyan Sea. This includes the Samaria Gorge which is the longest gorge in Europe measuring 18km in length. Locals refer to the Samaria Gorge as the “Farangas” or the “Great Gorge.” (Explore Crete, 2009)
Chora Sfakion has a native population of 500 inhabitants who are primarily occupied with fishing, sheep herding and goat raising. Cheese production such as Anthotyros is also a popular activity in the area (Welcome to Sfakia Crete, 2009). Typically the village and its surroundings does not have the extensive tourist infrastructure associated with resorts on the north coast (Chora Sfakion, 2009) but tourism provides a significant source of income.
Chora Sfakion
References:
Trudgill, P. (2008) In Sfakia: Passing time in the world of Crete, Lycabettus Press, Athens
Chora Sfakion, Sfakia, 2009
URL: http://www.chora-sfakion.com/index.php?p=2
[10/06/09]
Explore Crete, Samaria Gorge, 2009
URL: http://www.explorecrete.com/hiking/samaria.html
[10/06/09]
Welcome to Sfakia, Crete, Villages of the Sfakia Region, 2009
URL: http://www.sfakia-crete.com/sfakia-crete/villages2.html#4
[10/06/09]
