Crete is not alone in the vastness of the sea. It is surrounded by a series of small islands, islets and rocky isles. How many are there? If we only count those over 10 hectares in area, their number comes to 34.

They differ in size, elevation, distance from the Cretan mainland, shape geological structure and history.

The largest is Gavdos (29,8 square kilometers) which is also the most remote (21 nautical miles), the highest (345 meters), the only one now inhabited (100 inhabitants) and the only one to have springs that flow even in summer. Neolithic, Minoan and Roman findings, show the lasting presence of humans on the island.

All of the other Cretan islands are uninhabited today. Of-course this does not mean that they are small, isolated, insular worlds unaffected by human presence -anything but that. Many Cretan islands were inhabited from time to time in the past. Some were abandoned as early as ancient times, other relatively recently. Large or small, nearby or more remote, inhabited or uninhabited, all Cretan islands, share a common trait: they are an island's islands. These insular microcosms are directly dependent on Crete. They are in some sense its satellites. Despite their individual differences, the satellite islands have certain common climate characteristics. They receive less rain than the opposite coast, which in turn is more arid than the interior. Conversely, humidity is high on the satellite islands, since most of them do not project more than a few dozen meters above the surface of the sea. The limestone rocks of the islands do not retain underground water, and, with the exception of Gavdos, do not have permanent springs. Sea salt, lack of water and the strong winds that buffet them year round limit the growth of trees and shrubs. The larger islands are mainly covered in phrygana and tall shrubs. The vegetation on most has been affected by browsing, not only by sheep and goats, but also by the wild rabbits and rats, intentionally or unintentionally introduced by humans. The wild rabbits dig the soil and destroy plant roots, aggravating erosion and feeding on anything green on the islands. The voracious rats complete the devastation.

Source: Natural history museum of Crete