PortsCrete has two of the most important ports of the East Mediterranean Sea, the port of Heraklion and the port of Chania (Souda). The island is connected with mainland Greece and quite a few of the Aegean islands, Europe and the rest of the world with a large number of passenger ships (ferry-boats) and freighter ships. The two ports play a significant role in effectively supporting the efforts of Crete to be an important commercial centre in the Mediterranean. There are also two smaller ports in Rethymno and in Agios Nikolaos. Additionally there are many small ports, marinas and anchorages around the island.
AirportsThere are two international airports operating in the island in Heraklion (Nikos Kazanztzakis) and in Chania (Ioannis Daskalogiannis) while a smaller one located in Sitia (East Crete) will soon be operational. The island is connected with most of the airports in Greece, Cyprus and many other European countries, with regular or charter flights. Companies that operate regularly on these airports are Olympic Airways, Aegean Airlines and Cyprus Airways. Air traffic during the summer months increases quite a bit reaching 130 plane arrivals per day at Heraklion Airport.
Roads The main road in Crete is the national road that follows the north seashore of the island from East to West. This is a fairly good road that handles most of the traffic of the island. The rest of the roads range from smaller asphalt roads to all kinds of dirt roads. There is an extensive public bus service (KTEL) covering all the island.

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Universities, Research CentersThere are three higher education institutions in Crete, the University of Crete with schools in Heraklion and Rethymnon, the Technical University of Crete, based in Chania and the Technological Education Institute of Crete, based in Iraklion, with schools in Hania, Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra and Sitia. Heraklion is also the base of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH) one of the most important research organizations in Greece. The Foundation comprises six research Institutes with five of them based in Crete (Biology, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Laser and Microelectronics, Mediterranean Studies) There is also the Institute of Marine Biology based in Gouves with an exceptional aquarium and a number of institutions in the field of Agronomics (Institute of Viticulture, Vegetable crops and Floriculture of Heraklion, The Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, Institute of Subtropical Plants and Olive Tree of Chania, an extended network of agronomic research stations etc.)The whole island is a field for archaeological and historical research carried out mainly by the Ministry of Culture and the University of Crete.

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Telecommunications
There is a fairly good cable network throughout the island operating by OTE (Organisation of Telecommunications of Hellas). Internet is also available via dial up connections and ADSL (up to 4mbps - only in major urban centers).
Mobile telephony (GSM 900/1800/3G) covers even the most remote part of the island and it is provided by three or four companies with a wide selection of programs.

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Hospitals - Health
The medical services in Crete are generally of high standards. There is at least one general hospital in the major cities and medical centers in alsmost every smaller town. Very well equipped private clinics and doctors' offices of all medical specialties can also be found in the large cities.
The major Social security organisation in Greece is IKA (Social Insurance Institute). It covers 5,530,000 workers and employees and provides 830,000 pensioners with retirement pension.


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