general

Crete's 2.3 Million Digitized Specimens Now Available to All

Monday, 6 July 2026/Source: Haniotika Nea/1 min read

Crete has contributed to a major scientific milestone: more than 2.3 million natural history specimens from the island's collections have been digitized and made freely available online to researchers, citizens, and artificial intelligence applications. The project aims to preserve and promote Crete's remarkable biodiversity, which includes unique flora, fauna, and geological records built up over centuries of scientific study. For visitors interested in nature and ecology, this digital archive offers a way to explore Crete's natural heritage before or during a trip. The island's museums and natural history institutions played a central role in the initiative. Travelers can access the database online to learn about the plant and animal species they may encounter while hiking, exploring gorges, or visiting protected areas across the island.

Read original article → Haniotika Nea