The prefecture of Heraklion is the largest in Crete island and it has the greatest population and the highest per capital income of the island Crete. There are seven provinces (eparchies) in this prefecture: Malevizi, Temenos and Pediada on the north coast and Pirgiotisa, Kainourio, Monofatsi and Viannos in the centre and on the south coast. The main cities are Timbaki, Ano Viannos, Matala and Mires.
The northwestern area of the prefecture of Heraklion is comprised of the three provinces of Malevizi, Temenos and Pediada. The main city is Heraklion. This area is the largest among the grape-producing areas of Crete and its main products are sultana raisins, Malevizi (Malmsey) wine and table grapes (Rosaki). In these valleys Sir Arthur Evans, the British archaeologist, excavated the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the remains of a great civilization.
