Crete, modern Greek KRÍTI, ancient Greek CRETE, OR KRETE, Latin CRETA, Turkish KIRID, Venetian CANDIA, island in the eastern Mediterranean that is an administrative region of Greece. Crete is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean and the largest of the islands forming part of modern Greece. The island is dominated by harsh mountains     out of the sea. Crete's east-west mountainous     consists of four main groups that rise to the island's highest point, the     of Mount Ídhi, Stavros, 8,058 feet (2,456 m) high. The gradually     northern coast provides several natural harbours and coastal plains, where major     have grown up; Khaniá, Réthimnon, and Iráklion are located there. The Mesará Plain extends along the south-central part of the island for about 18 miles (29 km) and is Crete's major expanse of flatland. The island has only a few small rivers, together with     and seasonal water courses.