Dikti
| Mount Dikti | |
|---|---|
 Selakano valley surrounded by the main ridge of Dikti | |
| Elevation | 7,047 ft (2,148 m) |
| Prominence | 5,899 ft (1,798 m) |
| Listing | Ultra |
| Location | |
| Location | Island of Crete, Greece |
| Coordinates | 35°07′09.15″N 25°29′52.27″E / 35.1192083°N 25.4978528°E |
Dikti or Dicte (Greek: Δίκτη) (also Lasithiotika Ori, Greek: Λασιθιώτικα Όρη) is a mountain range on the east of the island of Crete in the regional unit of Lasithi. On the west it extends to the regional unit of Heraklion. According to the Greek Mythology, Zeus was reared on this mountain in a cave called Dictaeon Andron (Psychro Cave). On the north of the main massif, the plateau of Lasithi is located. The topology of the mountain range is rich with many plateaus (Lasithi, Katharo, Omalos Viannou, Limnakaro), valleys and secondary peaks. Some important peaks are Spathi 2148m, Afentis Christos/Psari Madara 2141m, Lazaros 2085m, Madara 1783m, Skafidaras 1673m, Katharo Tsivi 1665m, Sarakino 1588m, Afentis 1571m, Selena 1559m, Varsami 1545m, Toumpa Moutsounas 1538m, Platia Korfi 1489m, Mahairas 1487m, Virgiomeno Oros 1414m, . The main masif forms a horse-shoe around the valley of Selakano. Large part of the mountain area, including the Selakano valley, are forested with pines (Pinus brutia), Kermes oaks (Quercus coccifera), cypresses (Cupressus sempervirens), Holm Oaks (Quercus ilex) and Cretan Maples (Acer sempervirens). The fertile valleys and plateaus of Dikti/Dicte are of significant importance in the local economy.
The dominant feature of Dikti is the Lasithi Plateau, the largest and most arguably most picturesque plateau in Crete. It is a place with a long history. Diktaion Antron, is located here, a cave where -according to the Mythology- Zeus was born. In a different myth, Dias (Zeus) was born in Idaion Antron in Mt Idi. A third myth is a compromise of the two, claiming that Zeus was born in Diktaion Antron but raised in Idaion.
See also
- Britomartis
- Diktynna