Native name: Δία | |
|---|---|
 The island of Dia | |
  Dia  Dia | |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 35°26′53″N25°13′12″E / 35.448°N 25.220°E /35.448; 25.220 |
| Archipelago | Cretan Islands |
| Area | 11.909 km2 (4.598 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 220 m (720 ft) |
| Administration | |
Greece | |
| Region | Crete |
| Regional unit | Heraklion |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 2 (2001) |
| Pop. density | 0/km2 (0/sq mi) |
Dia (Greek:Δία['ði.a]), also pronounced locallyNtia (Ντία['di.a]), is an uninhabited island off the northern coast of theGreek island ofCrete. 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 ofGouves,Hersonissos municipality inHeraklion.
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 asStandia, byjuncture loss in the phraseστήν 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 theMinoan period.
The islet looks like a giant lizard when viewed from the city ofHeraklion.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 theMinoans, fromKnossos. Because of this, it was sometimes identified as the island thatTheseus escaped to after killing theminotaur.
On Dia there are a number of protected wildlife species including the snailAlbinaria retusa, the lizardPodarcis erchardii schiebeli, a wild subspecies of theEuropean rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus cnossius), andEleonora's falcon, known asmavropetritis in Greek.[2] The island has been recognised as anImportant Bird Area (IBA) byBirdLife 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][5] There are also a number of protected plants such asCarlina 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.[6]
Day trips, but no camping, is allowed to Dia. Swimming, snorkeling and walking along the beach are popular activities. No cars are allowed.[7]
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