The impressive relief of this prefecture harbours a nature that is rich and enchanting. From the inland, where imposing, beautiful mountains dominate only to kindle the imagination and feed legends and dreams, all the way to the inland, with the valleys and the plains wearing away in enchanting shores.
The entire prefecture has great biodiversity, a fact reflected in the existence of extensive NATURA areas and of landscapes of natural beauty; these are all under a regime of protection due to the large number of rare animals and birds indigenous there - plants, as well, the species of which are calculated to over two thousand (many of them being aromatic and having medicinal properties). In the north of the prefecture lies the richest and most untouched sea habitat in the Aegean, with many dolphins, seals, Careta–Careta turtles and other sea creatures, while in the north-east there is a palm tree forest unique in Europe, the world-renowned forest of Vay.
Also of great interest are the varied geologic formations such as canyons and caves; in some areas, these formations create geologic parks - and these are also among the most important ones in Crete.
The one thing, however, that could very well act for this prefecture as a unique selling point is its coastline of more than 300 km, with its precious sand beaches and its seas with crystal clear waters and multitudes of small uninhabited isles − a piece of heaven for nature-lovers and for explorers of the sea-world alike.
