Heraklion serves as the largest city and administrative capital of Crete, the largest Greek island, and functions as the capital of the Heraklion regional unit. Located on the northern coast of the island, it holds the distinction of being the fourth largest city in Greece overall and the most populous urban center among all Greek islands. The city sits within a region that has been continuously inhabited since at least 7000 BCE, establishing it as one of Europe's oldest inhabited areas.