Lassithi Prefecture in Crete

The Prefecture of Lassithi occupies the easternmost part of Crete and has an area of 1,818 square kilometres.

Its population totals approximately 70,000 and the principal occupations are farming, stock-breading and tourism. The main products of the Prefecture are cereals, olive oil, olives, carobs and currants. There are two theories as to the origin of the name "lassithi": the first relates it to the ancient Greek word "lasios", which means fertile area - and indeed Lassithi has been verdant since ancient times - while the second, attributed to Paul Favre, relates the name to Sitia, which the Venetians rendered "La Sitti". The capital of the Prefecture is Agios Nikolaos, an attractive harbour standing on a deep bay.