The centre of her worship was Cydonia, whence it extended to Sparta and Aegina (where she was known as Aphaea) and the islands of the Mediterranean.
Canea probably occupies the site of the ancient Cydonia, a city of very early foundation and no small importance.
The neighbouring plain is famous for its fruitfulness, and the quince is said to derive its name Cydonia from the town.
Along with Gortyna and Cydonia, it held for many years the supremacy over the whole of Crete; and it always took a prominent part in the civil wars which from time to time desolated the island.
The quince is now the only member of the genus Cydonia, the three shrubby quinces previously included are now classified in Chaenomeles.