MUNICIPALITY of GORTYNA

It is an area of "remarkable" history, and outstanding nature beauty, making this area unique, the Municipality of Gortina combines mountains, plains and sea, just starting from the middle of the municipality of Heraklion extending from Psiloritis to Asterousia Mountains, ending to Libyan Sea. Ancient Gortina consists certainly a benchmark, with its rich history, enlightening modern cultures and civilizations. The dynamic economy developed in Gortyna is almost exclusively based on agriculture and livestock, since the two former municipalities which have been unified, those of Ag. Varvara and Rouvas, are mainly mountainous, whereas the third, the municipality of Gortina is a plain.

Olives and vegetables are cultivated in this region, feeding the markets of Greece, but also the external markets, throughout the entire year because of the temperate climate. Similar is also the activity in the livestock sector and there are several manufacturing companies. Within the administrative boundaries of the municipality there are wonderful beaches some of them organized, whereas tourist activity is also developing.

Agia Varvara Region

Mountainous area, mainly engaged in livestock and less in agriculture. However, there are companies involved in the secondary sector, such as oil presses, cheese factories, raki distilleries, as well as businesses in the tertiary sector, such as trade, and services provision. It consists one of the cold regions of Crete during winter, whereas the weather is rather cool during summer, and comprises many villages.

Rouvas Area

Mountainous region whose residents are engaged in livestock farming. "Leaning" on Psiloritis from the side of Heraklion, it hosts the unique forest of Rouvas, a forest of high ecological value, a refugee for rare and endangered species of the Cretan fauna and flora. It is a region rich in water gushing from the Proloritis mountainous rocks.

Kofinas Region

The area is dominated by Mount Kofinas. The tourist has the opportunity to observe nests of large raptors, rich fauna, important archaeological sites dating back to the prehistoric era, Byzantine churches and more. Many inhabitants are involved in agriculture and livestock, whereas some of them are involved in tourism due to the beaches extending to Libyan Sea and tourism.