View source for Dia (island)

{{Short description|Greek island}}
{{Infobox islands
|name             = Dia
|native_name      = Δία
|native_name_lang = el
|image_name       = Dia_Island.jpg
|image_caption    = The island of Dia
|coordinates      = {{coord|35.448|25.220|region:GR_type:isle|display=it}}
| map = Crete#Greece 
| map_caption = 
|location         = 
|archipelago      = Cretan Islands
|total_islands    = 
|area_km2         = 11.909
|highest_mount    = 
|elevation_m      = 220
|country          = Greece
|country_admin_divisions_title   = [[Modern regions of Greece|Region]]
|country_admin_divisions         = [[Crete]]
|country_admin_divisions_title_1 = [[Regional units of Greece|Regional unit]]
|country_admin_divisions_1       = [[Heraklion (regional unit)|Heraklion]]
|country_admin_divisions_title_2 = Municipality
|country_admin_divisions_2       = 
|country_capital  = 
|population       = 2
|population_as_of = 2001
|density_km2      = 0
|website          = 
}}

'''Dia''' ({{Langx|el|Δία}} {{IPA|el|'ði.a|}}), also pronounced locally '''Ntia''' ({{Lang|el|Ντία}} {{IPA|el|'di.a|}}), is an uninhabited island off the northern coast of the [[Greece|Greek]] island of [[Crete]]. The island is 5&nbsp;km long, 3&nbsp;km wide and is located approximately 13&nbsp;km north of Heraklion. Administratively, Dia is part of the community of Elia within the municipal unit of [[Gouves, Greece|Gouves]], [[Hersonissos|Hersonissos municipality]] in [[Heraklion (regional unit)|Heraklion]].

In the south coast of Dia there are four coves, from west to east Agios Georgios, Kapari, Panagia (Madonna) and Agrielia. One more cove, Aginara, is to the east.

==History==
The island was formerly known as '''Standia''', by [[Rebracketing#In_Greek_2|juncture loss]] in the phrase {{Lang|el|στήν Δία}} (Greek for 'on Dia').

It was the principal port of Crete for centuries.<ref>T.A.B. Spratt, ''Travels and Researches in Crete'', '''1''':[https://books.google.com/books?id=SS1OAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA35 35] (1865)</ref> Its four south coves have been used as anchorages since the [[Minoan civilization|Minoan]] period.

==Mythology==
The islet looks like a giant lizard when viewed from the city of [[Heraklion]]. [[Greek mythology]] tells of a giant lizard that tried to destroy the island of Crete, however, Zeus turned it into stone with a thunderbolt, thus creating the island.

The island is visible from Crete's capital city of Heraklion, as it would have been in the time of the [[Minoan civilization|Minoans]], from [[Knossos]].  Because of this, it was sometimes identified as the island that [[Theseus]] escaped to after killing the [[minotaur]].

==Environment==
On Dia there are a number of protected wildlife species including the snail [[Albinaria]] retusa, the lizard ''[[Podarcis erchardii]] schiebeli'', a wild subspecies of the [[European rabbit]] (''Oryctolagus cuniculus cnossius''), and [[Eleonora's falcon]], known as {{Transliteration|el|mavropetritis}} in Greek.<ref>[http://www.ornithologiki.gr/gr/oiwnos/cur/show_article.php?artID=162&locale=gr O μαυροπετρίτης στη Δία της Κρήτης] Greek Ornithological Organisation (Greek)</ref> The island has been recognised as an [[Important Bird Area]] (IBA) by [[BirdLife International]] because it supports a breeding population of 300–380 pairs of the Eleonora's falcons.<ref name=bli>{{cite web |url= http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/dia-island-crete-iba-greece|title= Dia Island, Crete|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2022|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 27 December 2022}}</ref>
Dia is part of the European Network of Nature ([[Natura 2000]]) and is a protected hunting ground.<ref>Δίκτυο Natura 2000 [http://www.ekby.gr/ekby/el/PP_main_el.html Protected areas]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NISOS DIA |url=https://www.protectedplanet.net/555722238?locale=en |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Protected Planet}}</ref>  There are also a number of protected plants such as ''[[Carlina diae]]''.

==Ancient port==
[[File:Isola della Standia - Francesco Basilicata - 1618.jpg|thumb|250px|Dia as ''Standia'' during late [[Kingdom of Candia|Venetian times]], [[Francesco Basilicata]]]]
In 1976, [[Jacques Cousteau]] carried out underwater exploration around Dia and found the remains of an ancient port in the waters between Heraklion and Dia.<ref>Greekislands.com [http://www.greekhotel.com/crete/heraklion/heraklion-sightseeing/shipwreck-la-therese-gr.htm French Rear Admiral's ship "La Therese" (1669)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326110102/http://www.greekhotel.com/crete/heraklion/heraklion-sightseeing/shipwreck-la-therese.htm |date=2012-03-26 }}</ref>

==Visiting==
Day trips, but no camping, is allowed to Dia.  Swimming, snorkeling and walking along the beach are popular activities.  No cars are allowed.<ref>[https://www.rental-center-crete.com/blog/dia-island-crete/  Dia Island: History, Myth, Attractions, Beaches and Car Rental]</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of islands of Greece]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b53011739s ''Standia'' map] by [[Marco Boschini]]

{{Commons category|Dia (island)|Dia}}
{{Cretan islands}}
{{Aegean Sea}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dia (Island)}}
[[Category:Populated places in Heraklion (regional unit)]]
[[Category:Hersonissos]]
[[Category:Islands of Crete]]
[[Category:Landforms of Heraklion (regional unit)]]
[[Category:Mediterranean islands]]
[[Category:Islands of Greece]]
[[Category:Places in Greek mythology]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of Crete]]