History GreeceArea : 19670 sq.mi
Population : 10787690 hab.
In brief
From 2800 BC: the Minoan civilization blossomed on the island.
1450 BC: the expansion of the Minoan civilization was interrupted by the explosion of the Santorini volcano.
From 69 to 330 BC: the Romans occupied the island.
From 824 to 951: Crete was in the hands of the Arabs.
1204: the island came under Venetian domination.
1645: the Ottoman Empire took over.
1669: the Turks controlled the island.
1913: Crete was attached to Greece.
1941: the Germans attacked and invaded the island.
1974: the Republic of Greece was declared.
1981: Greece joined the European Union; the Socialist party and Andréas Papandréou became Prime Minister.
1985: Socialist Khristos Sardzetakis was elected President of the Republic.
1990: Costas Karamanlis became President, and Constantin Mitsotakis Prime Minister.
1993: Andreas Papandreou was re-elected Prime Minister.
1996: Papandréou resigned because of poor health, and died a few months lather. Socialist Costas Simitis succeeded him and held office for 2 consecutive terms.
2004: Right-wing Karamanlis took office, and remained for 2 consecutive terms.
2004: Athens was host to the Olympic Games.
2009: Socialist George Papandreou takes the office of Prime Minister