Chania is nowadays the largest residential center of western Crete, a true metropolis of a populous and multi-faceted inland. It is also one of the two largest ports of the island and a major commercial and transfer center.
The city has about 54,000 inhabitants (2011), being also the base and administrative center of the namesake municipality of 109,000 inhabitants (2011), which includes many distinct but closely related to the metropolis settlements, with Kounoupidiana, Mournies, Souda, Nerokouros, Daratso, Perivolia and Galatas being the more noteworthy.

Akrotiri is actually a large peninsula, a round projection from the main body of Crete towards the Cretan Sea. It is connected with Crete through a narrow (about 3 km wide) terrestrial section, like a neck, at the root of which the two harbors of the area have been developed: Chania in its western side, with a history lost through the centuries and Souda in the eastern part, protected at the bottom of an oblong bay.

The Theriso area, despite its low altitude has actually a mountainous morphology. Most settlements still maintain their territories on the foothills of Lefka Ori - and some residual activities there - and at the same time turning their interests towards the plain and the lowland cities.

The best companion for the wider Chania area, from Akrotiri to Therisso, is the guide Chania topoguide, available for Android devices, as well as for iOS iOS devices (iPhone και iPad). The application offers off-line maps and guides the user along the trail.