Heraklion or Iraklion (Greek: Ηράκλειο, Irákleio, IPA: [iˈɾaklio̞]; Venetian: Candia), is the largest city and capital of Crete.

 It is also the fourth largest city in Greece. Its name is also spelled Herakleion, a transliteration of the ancient Greek and Katharevousa name, Ἡράκλειον, or Iraklio, among other variants. For centuries it was known as Candia, a Venetian adaptation of the earlier Greek name Χάνδαξ or Χάνδακας, which in turn came from the Arabic rabḍ al-ḫandaq. Under the Ottoman Empire, it was called Kandiye. In the local vernacular, it is often called Κάστρο (Kástro, "castle") and its inhabitants Καστρινοί (Kastrinoí, "castle dwellers").

Zaros (Greek: Ζαρός) is a municipality in the Heraklion Prefecture, Crete, Greece. Population 3,370 (2001).

Zaros village, at an altitude of 340 metres, is a village with a lake and gorge nearby. The village has a couple of hotels and it is 44 km from Heraklion at the southern foothills of Mount Psiloritis. The population of 3,400 produce olive oil, sultanas, vegetables and spring water. There are a couple of fish farms that serve both trout and salmon. In Zaros, there are cafes near Lake Votomos, as well as a tavern that serves fresh trout called I Limni (The Lake). Close by is Rouvas Gorge, which is part of the Psiloritis mountain range and is on the hiking route known as the E4 European Walking Path. Nearby Zaros village are traditional water mills which have been working since the 16th century, as well as archaeological sites and monasteries. Zaros is also famous for its water derived from Lake Votomos and bottled by a bottling plant called Votomos SA.

Heraklion (Greek Ηράκλειο - Irákleio or Iráklio), also Heraklio is a prefecture of Greece, one of the four prefectures of Crete. The capital is the city of Heraklion.

The prefecture of Heraklion is bounded with the prefectures of Rethymno to the west and Lasithi or Lassithi to the east. The valley of farmlands are situated in the central and the northern parts and within the coastline and valleys. The mountains dominate the rest of the prefecture including the south. The main mountains are parts of Ida or Idi Mountains to the west and Asterousia in the south. The prefecture includes the island of Dia to the north.