The Lassithi Prefecture is situated on the east side of Crete. The Cretan Sea is to its north, the Ikarian Sea to its east and the Lybean Sea to its south. Lasithi is separated into 8 municipalities: Ag.Nikolaos, Ierapetra, Sitia, Neapoli, Lasithi Plateau, Makrys Gyalos, Lefki and Itanou.

There are numerous versions of how the prefecture got its name, two of which are more popular. The first version is supported by Paul Favre who wrote that the Venetian conquerors referred to the area as La Sitti. According to the second version the name of the prefecture derives from the ancient Greek word "lasios" which means verdurous area. The capital of the prefecture is Agios Nikolaos.

The climate is mediterranean, mild and sweat without extreme shifts from one season to the next. These weather conditions make the area ideal for farming and the products are of extremely high quality and taste.

Apart from the traditional cultivations and cattle activity which used to be the main income of the inhabitants, today 's economy is also based to big extent on tourism. The area attracts a great number of visitors, Greek and foreign, especially in the summer months.