title: Elasa
text: # Elasa
  
  Elasa (Greek: Ελάσα) is an island that can be found northeast of Crete in the Aegean Sea, about 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 kilometres; 4.0 miles) from the palm tree forest of Vai. It is rocky and uninhabited covering 1.9 square kilometres (0.7 square miles). Its highest point is 79 metres (259 feet) above sea level. Administratively it comes within the Itanos municipality in Lasithi.
  
  ## Environmentally protected area
  
  Elasa is a neighbour of the Dionysades islands and is part of an environmentally protected area with many rare plants and animals including the Mediterranean monk seal.
  
  