They are transitional in altitude between the Ornon Mountains, which trends from west to east starting at Kavousi in Ierapetra and ending at Praesos in the east, and the north coastal plain around and west of Sitia.

[1] Geologically, there is little difference between the Ornon Mountains and their northern foothills, which are west of Sitia.

Archaeologists of the early 20th century discovered that the foothills up to the occupation line had been heavily settled by Minoan civilization, which makes sense, because Sitia is a good port, and the Minoans seldom settled the vulnerable coasts but moved up into the mountains valleys, with some notable exceptions, such as the town of Mochlos.

Consequently, the Western Siteia Foothills have been excavated at many sites, including such villages as Lastros, Myrsini, Mouliana, Plakalona, and others.

Media related to Western Siteia Foothills at Wikimedia Commons