Throats of Samaria
Since the Sixties, the Peak saw tourism developing in a spectacular way. It acts above all of balneal and cultural tourism, but for a few years, the country holidays and sporting have been increasingly popular, has the image of the throats of Samaria, excursion considered in the whole world.
The autonomy of Crete The revolt of 1898, supported by England, allows the proclamation of the autonomy of Crete. The fifteen years of independence are one period of economic and cultural revival: the island leaves two centuries of insulation. The situation still improves thanks to Enosis, the fastening of Crete in Greece on on May 17th, 1913 by the treaty of Sevres, impelled by Eleftherios Venizelos, Cretan political great man and Greek Prime Minister. It is at this time that the four current prefectures are defined: Héraklion, Caned, Lassithi and Réthymnon.
Greece takes share with the First World War at the sides of the Allies and particularly concentrates its efforts on the Turkish enemy who supports Germany. After the war, the Turks of Crete leave the island massively, replaced by the Greeks of Asia Mineure.
During the inter-war period, it is the proclamation of the Greek Republic, the return to monarchy and the dictatorship of the soldiers.
The battle of Crete
During the Second world war , Crete - geostrategic position par excellence - is attacked at the time of the terrible battle of Crete from Friday to.
On May 20th, 1941, the III E Reich launches an airborne invasion on Crete under the name of code “Merkur Operation”. 17' 000 Fallschirmjäger (parachutists) German are released on three points: Maleme, Héraklion, and Réthymnon. Their goal is to capture these three aerodromes to allow the arrival of reinforcements air-transported by Luftwaffe which has the control of the sky then, whereas Royal Navy is still main seas and prevents all unloadings.
During two weeks, the battle makes rage; 4000 German paras are killed, and 500 captured. In spite of the German victory over the British and New Zealand troops of the Freydenberg general, which lost 15' 000 men, no other airborne operation of scale will be launched by the Germans until the end of the war and Fallschirmjäger will be employed like troops of elite on all fronts.
The Greek and allied forces are withdrawn in Crete whereas Germany decides to bombard the island, destroying villages and cities of which Réthymnon and Héraklion. Greece capitulates but a wild resistance is organized which will last until the withdrawal of the German forces in 1944, and this in spite of violent reprisals which left deep traces in the spirit of Cretan until today.
The modernization of Crete
After the civil war of end of the year 40, Crete evolves Greece parallel to, benefitting from industrial and agricultural modernization. From the Sixties, it turns to tourism.
As the remainder of the country, Crete undergoes political instabilities and the dictatorship of the Colonels of 1967 to 1974, then it benefits from the liberalization and the modernization which follow the entry of Greece in the European Community in 1981.
Today, Crete saw primarily incomes of tourism, modern and very developed, which attracts each year more than two million visitors come from the four corners from the world. Agriculture remains however an important resource of the island with a rich production of olive oil, but also fruit and vegetable and of wine, thanks to a fertile ground for the area and a very good irrigation.