Why does Crete’s northern coast have more natural harbours than its southern coast?

The northern coast of Crete features more natural harbours than the southern coast due to the island's asymmetrical topography. While the southern side of the island is characterized by a rugged, steep-falling limestone massif, the northern side possesses a more gradual slope. This gentle incline along the northern coast facilitates the formation of coastal plains and natural harbours, which have historically supported the development of major towns such as Chaniá, Réthymno, and Irákleio.12