Crete has a temperate Mediterranean climate, however the island can be described as a miniature continent as it experiences huge variations in its climate.
This variation is perhaps shown most clearly in its rainfall, which ranges almost as much as in the United States. The rainy season varies annually, sometimes arriving as early as August and other years not until December. We believe that such variations and uncertainty regarding the climate year on year will make agriculture an insecure and unreliable source of income for the people of Crete.
The climatic variation experienced is a result of the island being exposed to four weather systems. During summer the climate is dry, sunny and often hazy, where as in winter cloud cover and intense rainfall alternates with days of bright sunshine and clear skies.
The diverse climate experienced by Crete- a result of its geographical position and variation in altitude and terrain enables the island to support an array of flora. The island boasts oak, cypress, palm, cedar and olive trees. The area also supports a large number of endemic plants and herbs and a great variety of flowers such as tulips, cyclamen and orchids.
The flora has had to adapt to the area. The hot dry atmosphere and strong winds during summer means that plants which are not irrigated or have deep roots to reach ground water are unable to survive. Prickly Oak manages to retain water effectively in order to survive these conditions.
References
Cretan Adventures (no date) [www] http://www.cretanadventures.gr/en/about_crete_geography.html (25th June 2009)
Rackham O and Moody J, 1996 The making of the Cretan Landscape, Manchester, Manchester University Press
