Chania

Chania (SAMPA [xa'nja]) (also transliterated as Hania) (Greek Χανιά) is the second major city of Crete and the capital of the prefecture of the same name. It lies along the North coast of Crete, about 70 km from Rethymno and 145 km from Heraklion.

It was the ancient Venetian capital of the island until the Turk conquest.

It has an international airport (code CHQ) named after Sfakia, Kisamos, Paleohora.

The center of Chania is said to be the nicest of all Crete, especially the Venetian harbour with a lighthouse dating from the 15th century.

The natural park of Samaria Gorge, the last refuge of the Cretan wild goat or krikri, is in the prefecture of Chania.