The unknown Greece - mini travel guides
Protection Policy
Photo: Natalia Lytra
Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and
the second highest mountain in the Balkans. The
terrain contains many charming and splendid features
amongst which are sheer rocky peaks, deep gorges,
alpine fields and thick forest all combining to create the
rare magic of Mount Olympus. In total there are 52 peaks
ranging from altitudes of 760 m to 2918 m (2493 ft to
9573 ft) which combined with the sheer ravines create
scenes of unique beauty.
Stefani Olympus
In 1938, Olympus, the highest Greek mountain, the
residence of the twelve ancient gods, was the first area
which was declared as a National Park, and the aim
was “... preserving in perpetuity the natural environment
of the area, meaning the flora and fauna, the natural
landscapes, as well as its cultural and other values of
the area...” Scientific research had to be supported and
people had to become aware of the environmental
conditions. Furthermore tourism had to be developed in
the wider area.
In 1981 UNESCO declared Olympus a "Biosphere
Reserve”. The European Community has included
Olympus in the European Ecological Network Natura
2000 and in the list of “The Most Important Bird areas of
the European Community”. Specific laws prohibit any
kind of exploitation in the east side of the mountain,
about 10,000 acres, which constitute the core of the
National Park. The wider area around it was designated
as “peripheral zone of the National Park” so that its
management and exploitation won’t affect negatively the
protection of the core.
Published by: Nature Friends Greece | www.nfgr.org
In 1985 the whole Olympus has been declared an
archaeological and historical place in order to preserve
its monumental and historical physiognomy.
Climate
The climate of Olympus is affected by its geographical
location, size, volume, strata and the exposure of the
mountain slopes. Generally speaking it has a
Mediterranean climate, warm and dry in the summer and
wet in the winter. For approximately seven months of the
year it is covered in snow (from November to May).
The average temperature in the winter ranges from
20°C to +10°C (4 °F to 50 °F) and in the summer from
0°C to 20°C (32°F to 68°F) , though this is not to say
that there are not some exceptions that fall outside these
ranges. Every 100 m up Mount Olympus the
temperature drops by approximately half a degree.
Thus if at sea level the temperature is 20°C ( 68°F) at the
same time on Mytikas Peak (2918 m) the temperature
will be approximately 5°C (41°F). Finally strong winds
are a common phenomenon on Mount Olympus and
sometimes the wind reaches speeds of over 100 km
per hour.
Flora
Over 1,700 species of plants have been recorded on
Mount Olympus which represent 25% of all Greek flora.
Most of those plants exist in low altitudes. Half of those
can be found only in the Balkan Peninsula and 23 of
them are native plants. The treefossil, Jankaea
heldreichii, from the glacial era presents great interest to
the scientists.
Fauna
Thirty two species of mammals have been recorded
on Mount Olympus the most common being the chamois
(Rupicapra rupicapra), deer (Capreolus capreolus), wolf
(Canis lupus), wild pig (Sus scrofa), fox (Vulpes vulpes),
The unknown Greece mini travell guides, Issue 1
Olympus the mountain of Gods and Muses
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