Greek national parks (protected areas)

Greece is mainly a mountainous country with a great variety of geological formations and rocks. It is estimated that forests cover 20% of the surface of our country. There is a wide geographical variation (mountains, hills, valleys, plains, rivers, islands, beaches, lakes and lagoons.

All these features create a unique landscape, with unique specificities from region to region.

The Greek forests are among the richest in flora and fauna rare species in Europe and their composition depends on their geographical location.

In the northern part of the country, one encounters the green forest of the Rhodope mountains and Pindos, and the famous Mount Olympus.

The tree species that grow there firs ,poplars - trees, dogwood, elm , cedar , wild walnut tree , hazel , trees , cherry trees , cypresses  etc.

In the southern parts of coniferous trees dominated by different species of pine trees, mountain and oak in the lower parts.

Even at 700 meters above sea bushy formations are developed covering 13.5 % of the total forest area of country.

The species grown there consist of small trees, laurels as arbutus, willow trees and shrubs, such as ivy, thyme, oregano,

Paeonia Parnassica

holly, mullein. etc. as a series of wild flowers such as orchids , saffron , cyclamen , irises , anemones , dragon flowers , daisies , chamomile , wild pansies , violets , poppies , etc.

Also , there are riparian forests in Greece which is on par with those in other European countries and deserves to be protected as a forest of ash in the delta of Achelous and forest Delta Lokrou - Arachthou.

The risk of disappearance of the natural environment of our country led to the designation of certain areas, habitats, plants and animals are protected.

With national laws and presidential decrees, but also with international resolutions, conventions and directives, a sizable percentage of species and regions of the country are protected.

Climate change and biological diversity, along with its rich flora and fauna associated with it, has necessitated the creation of national parks

The national parks in Greece protected by state regulations, known for its rich vegetation and fauna, has enormous ecological value. Rare species of plants, animals, reptiles and birds nesting in these shelters and deserve every protection and attention.

The first National Park established in the country in 1938 is Olympus mountain ,the mountain of twelve Ancient Greek Gods

So in our country there are:

10 national forest parks ( 687,320 hectares)and 15 national parks (713,480 hectares).

Virgin forest of Frakto) Podopi

National  forest parks

 Olympus National Park

National Park of Parnitha

Parnassus National Park

National Forest Enos Kefalonia

White Mountains National Forest (Samaria-Creta)

Pindos National Park (Valia Calda)

Iti National Park

Sounio National Park

National Park Prespa

National park of Aoos

Lilium Chalcedonicum

There are also 15 national parks (713,480 hectares)

National Park Ropes Marathon 2000

Park wetlands and lake Koroneia Macedonian Tempi , 2004

Northern Pindos National Park , 2005

National Park Messolonghi ( lagoons ) , wetlands and estuaries Aitolikou  Achelous and Evinou and islands Echinades , 2006

National Park of Dadia Lefkimmis and Soufliou, 2006

National Park Lake and Lake Kerkinis Pamvotidas , 2006

National Wetland Park Evro Delta , 2007

National Park wetlands Ambracian , 2008

National Park of East Macedonia - Thrace 2008 ( Nestos )

Tzoumerkon National Park and Canyon Arachthou , 2009

National Park Kotychi - Strofylia , 2009

National Park Axios , Loudias and Aliakmona , 2009

Rhodope Mountains ( virgin forest fence ), 2009 , and

National Park Chelmos Vouraikos 2009 .

National  forest parks

The national  forest parks in Greece, famous for its rich vegetation and fauna and have tremendous ecological value. Rare species of plants, animals, reptiles and birds nesting in these havens and deserve every possible protection and attention. What follows are just a few of the most important national forest parks in Greece:

1. National forest park of Olympus, the living part of the ancient Greek gods, with over 1700 species of plants live, including 25 species unique in the world .Some of these rare plants in the region is the Lilium Chalcedonicum, the Kernera Saxatilis, the Sedum Stefco, o Galanthus Graecus etc. Also the rarest large mammal  chamois living today in Olympus.

2.National forest park of  Parnassus, the sacred mountain of the Muses of ancient Greece mythology with ten of rare species of flora  (Paeonia Parnassica),the red lilium (Lilium Chaladonicum), η Euphorbia Orphanidis, o Thymus Parnassicus ,etc

3. National forest park of Mount Iti, where Hercules met his terrible fate.

4. Parnitha, with more than 1000 species of plants and 120 species of birds

5The National forest Park of Valia Calda - the most important park of our country, where more than 80 species of birds nest It is a place of considerable ornithological value presents 11 species of raptors and 68 species of woodpeckers.

Also , is the living place of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) and wolf (Canis Lupus), while an ideal habitat for otters and amphibians are rich region (6 species) and reptiles (9 items)

6.White Mountains National Forest ( Samaria , Crete) is  another important park with the unique canyon. The Cretan wild goat and one of the rarest raptors necrovorous in Greece, the Vulture.

7.The National park of Rhodope (virgin forest of Frakto)

It is the only virgin forest in GREECE and one of the greatest in EUROPE because of its rich flora and fauna.

The scientific value of this virgin forest for the study and research of natural regeneration and forest structure evolution under completely natural conditions is really immeasurable and presents interest all over Europe.

Ottor

The fauna of all these areas consist of a large number of mammals , such as badgers , foxes , squirrels , hares , bears , wolves , deer , badgers , wild boars , wild cats , a few jackals , deer and rare species of birds, especially raptors , such as vulture , vultures , golden eagle and the golden eagle , snakeς, eagleς and owlς .

The vegetation is also awesome abundant and therefore, these parks are fairly characterized as a botanical paradise and living spaces of the ancient gods!

8. The National Park of Ainos Kefalonia the island is famous for its magnificent fir (Abies Kefalonia )

9. The national park of Aoos and Vikos canyon with rich flora consisting of rare species and among other species , the rare otter in the river .