Animals and birds living in Greece. Flora and fauna of Greece
Geographical location and relief of Greece
Greece is located on a territory that includes southeastern Europe, the south of the Balkan Peninsula, individual islands of the Mediterranean, Ionian and Aegean seas, united into several archipelagos. The total area of the islands is 20% of the entire territory of the country.
Greece borders:
- Bulgaria,
- Turkey,
- Macedonia,
- Albania.
Its total area is 131 thousand 944 square meters. km. The length of the country's coastline is 15 thousand. km. Greece is washed by the Mediterranean, Aegean, Ionian and Libyan seas.
About 80% of the country's territory is mountains and plateaus. Mountain ranges account for 25% of the territory, mainly medium-altitude mountains from 1200 to 1800 m. In the central part of the mainland of the country there is the Dinaric Highlands with the Pindus mountain system. Mount Parnassus (2457 m) rises above the Gulf of Corinth. The east is dominated by highlands and robberies. The Rhodope Mountains are located in Thrace.
The eastern part of the country is characterized by flat terrain (coast - Arta, Volos, Lamia, Peloponnese). The largest intermontane depression is the Thessalian plain. Mountain ranges separate the plains of Boeotia from the plains of Attica. The coasts are formed by rocks.
The Peloponnese Peninsula is connected to the mainland through the Isthmus of Corinth. The Argolis Peninsula is located between the gulfs of Argolikos and Saronikos. The Peloponnese Mountains are a continuation of the Pindus Mountains. The ridges extending from the Peloponnese form the bays and capes of Tenaron, Akritas, Malea.
Thrace and Greek Macedonia are located on the northern shore of the Aegean Sea. The rivers Aliakmon, Strymon, Vardar, Nestos originate from the Balkan Peninsula, whose plains are separated by hills.
On the coast of the Aegean Sea is the Halkidiki peninsula, on its part of Aion Oros there is Mount Athos (2033 m).
Greece's natural resources include:
- fuel resources – lignin, brown coal;
- natural gas;
- oil;
- ore deposits - iron ore, manganese ore, chromium, nickel, copper aluminum (bauxite), polymetallic ores, copper ores, lead, silver, sulfide ores;
- building materials - sandstones, limestones, marble, granite, asbestos, emery, pumice.
Climatic features of Greece
Note 1
The country's climate is greatly influenced by mountain ranges. Only in the lower parts of the mountains near the sea and on the plains is the Mediterranean subtropical climate pronounced with dry and hot summers and mild, wet winters.
The western part of the Greek Peninsula has a milder and wetter climate than its eastern part. In the mountains, precipitation ranges from 1200-1400 mm (on the windward side) to 600-700 mm (on the leeward side). The average amount of precipitation per year in the flat area is 350-500 mm.
The dry climate increases from north to south and from west to east.
In winter, thanks to the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea, the air temperature is maintained quite high. Negative average monthly temperatures can only be found in the mountains.
In the lower parts of the mountains and in the lowlands, plant growth does not stop even in winter. The dry summer period begins in June. Already at the beginning of June, grain is harvested from the fields.
In July and August in the lowlands, the average air temperature fluctuates and can reach 40-45ºС, this is the hottest and driest period of the year. The rainy season begins in October. Wet southern and western winds give way to dry northern winds. After the first heavy rains, the area again takes on a green appearance.
Flora and soils of Greece
The soil and vegetation cover has characteristic features: altitudinal zonation, frequent change within the same zone of the species composition of vegetation and soil types.
Limestone is widespread, which determines the presence of thin soils; limestones often come to the surface.
The soils of the plains are quite fertile, formed mainly on alluvial deposits, and dry out greatly in summer.
Note 2
The vegetation of Greece is diverse and has more than 6 thousand species. It varies depending on the altitude above sea level. Forests occupy only 19% of the territory, shrubs predominate - 25%.
Thickets of evergreens - shiblyak, maquis, freegan - are widespread. Many scientists believe that this is secondary vegetation that formed on the site of oak forests cut down in ancient times.
- Plains and foothills. Covered with Mediterranean evergreen vegetation. There are groves of evergreen oaks, pines, plane trees and cypresses. Mastic pistachio grows. The “evergreen belt” is represented by cultivated vegetation, the main representative being the olive tree. Gardens of Mediterranean fruit trees, vineyards, and pyramidal cypress trees are widespread.
- Coastal lowlands (mainly Northern and Central Greece). Most of the territory is occupied by grain crops, tobacco and cotton plantations.
- Mountain slopes From 120 to 460 m - evergreen and deciduous forests - black spruce, oak, beech, walnut, sumac. With increasing altitude, mountain forests and shrubs are replaced by deciduous (maple, oak, ash, sycamore, beech, chestnut) and coniferous (pine, fir) forests. Above 2 thousand m subalpine meadows grow.
Fauna of Greece
Among the representatives of the animal world of Greece there are few mammals, especially large ones. The most common mammals are rodents (voles, porcupines, dormice, mice, gray hamsters, etc.), insectivores (hedgehogs, shrews, moles), and bats.
Large animals can be found in the mountains, these are: brown bear, European bear, wild boar, mountain goat, wolf. Common: foxes, wild cat, stone marten, roe deer, jackal, fallow deer, lynx, badger, hares.
Among the reptiles there are lizards, turtles, and snakes. These animals easily tolerate lack of moisture and heat during the dry summer season. The Greek tortoise, the most common tortoise species in the country, lives in wooded areas. The most typical representatives of lizards are the rock (wall), Peloponnesian, Greek sharp-headed, Ionian and green lizard. Among the snakes, snakes, snakes, and horned vipers are common. Lots of terrestrial mollusks.
Note 3
There are animals listed in the Red Book: monk seal, Mediterranean sea turtle.
Bird species composition is widespread in Greece. Typical representatives are: wild ducks, quails, pigeons and wood pigeons, mountain and gray partridges, rollers, hoopoes, kingfishers, black vultures, kites, falcons, eagles, owls. Common sightings include Dalmatian Pelican, Long-billed Cormorant, Stork, Rock Bunting and Green Woodpecker. There are many representatives of passerines - canary finch, rock sparrow, Greek swallow.
The nature of Greece is diverse. There are many untouched places here that can be admired at any time of the year. The country is the southernmost in Europe. The average annual number of sunny days is 300. Winter accounts for 65 days. Rainy and cloudy days are rare in Greece. Nature depends on climatic zones, and in Greece there are three of them. This is due to the geographical location of the country and the different terrain. The Alpine climate (in the mountainous part of the country, above the level of the forest belt) is cool and humid, the Mediterranean climate is mild with dry summers and moderate. The capital of Greece, Athens, is located in the transition zone from a temperate to a Mediterranean climate.
Weather conditions in Greece
The weather in Greece is characterized by summer warmth already in May. Moreover, the water is not yet warmed up at this time. Due to the high temperatures in summer, the swimming season here can last until mid-October, and in especially hot years until November. Winters are mostly mild, with little precipitation. The exception is the mountainous regions, where small villages are covered with snow at Christmas.
A unique feature of Greece are the “alkeonide days”. They got their name from local birds - alkeonids, which have offspring during this period. For Russian-speaking citizens, they can be called “Indian summer”, only the “Alkeonid days” begin in January. Temperatures can reach 20 degrees Celsius. This miracle of nature cannot be predicted. The island part of Greece is practically cut off from the rest of the country in winter. Strong winds and storms are a severe test for the unprepared. But winter is the basis of all nature in Greece. After all, it is then that everything that was scorched by the scorching sun is renewed and prepared for the arrival of the new green season.
Natural complexes of Greece
Greece stretches along the coast for 800 km, and the nature here is almost the same type. The western part of the country is represented by several chains of the Pindus mountain range. This low area is considered the largest in Greece. Mount Zmolix is the highest point, located at 2637 meters above sea level. In front of Pindus, a lowland stretched along the entire coast; and from the east there is a territory of plateau with several flowering valleys. In the heart of Greece, in the picturesque region of Thessaly, there is the famous Olympus - the highest point in the country (2917 meters). This is a separate massif, which is famous not only for its history, but also for its beauty. The mountain ranges of Parnassus, Pieria, Menikion and Falakron radiate from it. Between them are rich, fertile lowland lands.
Vegetation of Greece
The country's mountain system is represented by ancient limestone rocks into which moisture easily passes. For the dry climate of Greece, there is quite a lot of vegetation, but in most regions it is monotonous, consisting of evergreen shrubs and trees characteristic of the subtropics. At the same time, the flora of the state as a whole includes more than 6,000 species of vegetation; about 250 of them are registered in Crete alone. The coastal areas and central part of Greece are covered with rich forests, mostly man-made.
Mediterranean vegetation can be observed on the coasts of the Aegean and Ionian seas, and on the islands of this territory. Thyme and thorny bushes grow at altitudes of up to 600 meters. Further, at a distance of up to 1200 meters above sea level, a forest belt with deciduous trees dominates. At higher elevations, coniferous species predominate, accustomed to temperature changes. In the central part of the country, at an altitude of about 1800 meters, chestnut, beech, and mighty cedar are found, forming a mixed forest belt. In the high mountain regions, grasses predominate and a wide variety of wildflowers are found.
Fauna of Greece
The country's fauna is very interesting and diverse, represented by both large fauna and very small ones. Hundreds of years ago, red deer could often be found here, but they were mercilessly exterminated, and the animal almost disappeared from the country. The mountain ranges are home to brown bears and mountain goats. Wolves, foxes, and wild cats live in the forests. In addition, there is a halo of habitat for a small number of jackals, lynxes, and European bears. Among the ungulates, it is not uncommon to stumble upon a roe deer, wild boar, or fallow deer.
Since there are no deep rivers here, and in the dry season the existing ones become smaller, river species do not exist in Greece. But among the marine inhabitants there are rare ones listed in the Red Book, such as the monk seal and the leisurely Mediterranean turtle. Experts carefully monitor their population. The world of insects in Greece is rich, among them swarms of locusts, which annually destroy hectares of fields, cause great damage to agriculture. The Apulian tarantula that lives here is deadly.
Feathered fauna thrive here, which is why the country is famous for its diversity of birds. Quails, partridges, wild ducks, ducklings, kingfishers and brightly colored hoopoes have long chosen this area. It is not difficult to meet birds of prey - kites, falcons, eagles, owls and even vultures. Near the coast you can find pelicans, cormorants and flocks of graceful flamingos.
Minerals
The natural resources of Greece are represented by a variety of species. But all of them are quite small in number and not voluminous. Among the fuel resources, lignite and brown coal are present in large quantities. Since 1981, oil and gas fields began to be developed near the island of Taros. Crystalline rocks allow you to mine a lot of ore. In the north these are iron ores, near Macedonia - manganese, polymetallic, brown, chromium and nickel. Bauxite is also found. There are much more non-metallic minerals in Greece. There is an abundance of pumice, sandstones, and valuable marble. Emery and magnesite are mined in smaller volumes.
Unique natural places in Greece
Greece is a country of amazingly beautiful landscapes. The seas that wash it are part of the Mediterranean and leave a special imprint on the nature, flora and fauna of the coast. But besides the sea front, there is something to see here. It seems that it was not in vain that the gods of Olympus chose this place for the everyday life of the celestials. Centuries-old history has created unique miraculous monuments in this territory that cannot be ignored.
Prehistoric forest of Lesvos
This is a unique prehistoric petrified forest. It is a world treasure and the largest such accumulation of petrified trees. On an area of 150 square kilometers there are hundreds of specimens that are protected by UNESCO. Some of the fallen trees reach 15 meters in trunk girth. There are also preserved vertical fossils with completely intact root systems. Such natural monuments are scattered all over the world, but it is in Greece that the largest petrified tree is located, more than 7 meters high. According to scientists, the age of these “sculptures” is approximately 20 million years.
Psiloritis Natural Park
The mountain system in Crete was recognized as a natural park only in 2001. Here nature does not skimp on miracles: bizarre fossils, majestic rocks, threatening cliffs, spectacular topography, caves and cracks. It’s not for nothing that the founders of the geopark call this place “a journey into the past.” Psiloritis is more than 250 million years old.
Helmu-Wuraiku Park
In this park, the unique and stunningly beautiful Vouraikos River gorge is most popular. On the vertical walls of this underground kingdom, as if under X-rays, centuries-old history can be clearly traced. Rocks from different eras and frightening cracks only adorn this world heritage. UNESCO recognized it as a protected site in 2009.
There is also another very interesting place here - the Cave of Lakes. 13 underground pools of different sizes are located as if on a staircase leading to heaven. In summer, the water in the lakes barely reaches the edges of the reservoirs. But during the rainy season it begins to flow from one to another. In addition to these amazing waterfalls, the cave is famous for its stalactites and stalagmites, which nature and time have generously rewarded the park with. The sights are at least 200 million years old. According to legend, this is where you can find the path to the river of the underground kingdom of Styx.
Vikos Aoos in Ioannina
This national park was founded in 1973. It is located in the Pindus mountain range. Its area is 126 square kilometers. Here is the world's deepest gorge, listed in the Guinness Book of Records, and the Timfi mountain peak, almost 2.5 kilometers high. The enchantingly beautiful Vikos Canyon annually attracts hundreds and thousands of tourists and researchers.
Geopark Sitia on Crete
Sitia joined the global network of natural parks in 2015. This territory belongs to the eastern part of the island of Crete. Locals call it a “fossil treasure” due to the huge number of caves and gorges. Also found here are the remains of mammals from the Pleistocene era, which dates back to a period up to 3 million years ago. The geopark is a treasure of Crete and all of Greece; this unique place has more than 170 caves that have not yet been fully explored.
Greece is a country unique in its beauty and natural components. Here seascapes are combined with mountain ranges. Deep gorges and canyons give way to lowlands and plains where agriculture flourishes. The country's nature is beautiful in its diversity, but it is whole and unified. One of the most beautiful places on earth is unique in its beauty.
Greece is a surprisingly calm and safe country, where it seems that there is only one thing left to do - enjoy a carefree vacation. But no one has canceled natural dangers. Poisonous and aggressive animals - all this exists in Greece. And when planning to leave worries at home, there is no need to put yourself at risk. What creatures pose a danger to humans and how to protect yourself in Greece?
Mosquitoes
In the summer, Greece seems to become a haven for mosquitoes of all kinds. And rumors persist among tourists that mosquitoes can infect all possible diseases. In fact, they rarely carry malaria (the last time such reports surfaced was a couple of years ago), but in the summer they cause a lot of trouble for vacationers. They also carry larvae, which in themselves are harmless. However, if the very thought of these larvae brings unpleasant emotions, it is better to buy repellents.
Scorpios and snakes
It is believed that there are about 25 species of snakes in Greece. Most of them will not harm a person, but will bite if they feel threatened. Most often, tourists unknowingly step on snakes in the summer. The high season, as luck would have it, coincides with the breeding season of these reptiles. Therefore, anyone who meets an aggressive mother and her brood will be doubly unlucky.
Only one is poisonous in Greece snake - ohya, which is responsible for the deaths of people in different countries. But, fortunately, its poison is not always so powerful as to be fatal. However, when bitten, signs of fever, vomiting, and headaches may appear.
Scorpios in Greece they are visible only at night, so the risk of bumping into them is extremely low. But if you consider yourself to be a lover of outdoor recreation, camping, hiking, it is better to wear boots, trousers and socks as precautions against scorpions and snakes. It is also worth remembering that scorpions are more often found on rocks or other stone surfaces that retain heat for a long time. If an unpleasant incident has happened and a scorpion or snake has bitten you, there is no other way out - you need call a doctor immediately.
Moray eels and sea dragon
Those who like to look for underwater treasures of unprecedented beauty near reefs or rocks have the risk of encountering moray eels, which are known for their sharp teeth. They launch an attack only in case of danger, but you should be on your guard, and even better, avoid the rocky bottom with crevices. If a moray eel bites you, you need to immediately seek help - there may be tissue death and loss of limbs or serious scars.
Enjoy your meeting with sea dragon too little. Most often, they can be disturbed in the sand, in shallow water, while the dragonets are hunting for fish. They have thorns, upon which a person will feel numbness, nausea, and possible convulsions. If you step on an unknown object while swimming and get injured, it is better to see a doctor to find out the cause. There are cases when dragons themselves attacked a person calmly floating by.
Sea urchins
Tourists manage to step on sea urchins in the first days of rest. And although many gourmets are happy to cook these inhabitants for lunch, these creatures are also capable of greatly spoiling the rest of inattentive travelers. The right precautions are to swim away from rocks (sea urchins especially love them) and buy special shoes. Also, you don’t need to pick up hedgehogs and try to take a closer look at them - it’s better to pass by. You should not remove needles that have entered your body on your own. You need to get out of the sea and wash the wound with fresh water. To avoid an allergic reaction and pain, it is recommended to seek the help of a doctor and administer a pain reliever.
Brown bears
It is unlikely that one of the couple hundred brown bears in Greece will be encountered along the way, but their existence must be remembered. This is especially true for climbers and those who like to go hiking. Bears live on the Pindos and Rhodope mountain ranges. When you meet, it is better to run immediately, but it would be wiser to hire a guide who knows the area before the hike.
Ticks and sand fleas
Ticks They bother not only residents of Russia - if you are going to the mountains or forests of Greece, you need to take all known precautions. First of all, these are closed clothes, which will also protect against mosquitoes. Secondly, you need to stock up on anti-tick sprays. They mainly tolerate Lyme disease, but no one had heard of encephalitis in Greece. By the way, this is why the attitude of doctors towards patients with such bites here is quite calm: they do tests, after the examination they recommend simply observing the body’s reaction and if the condition worsens, contact them again.
Likely, sand fleas pose an even greater danger to tourists who come to Greece just for a beach holiday. They become active at night, can jump high and spread dangerous infections. Bites are accompanied by itching, irritation, and sometimes fleas bite into the skin. After a bite, you can purchase a cream containing a pain reliever. You should not scratch the bite; it is better to seek the help of a doctor.
Stingrays
Stingrays- another danger that awaits in Greece. If you accidentally step on or touch an electric ramp, the current discharge will knock anyone off their feet. And the stingray, which has a spine containing poison, is capable of delivering a powerful blow and even piercing a boat. If hit in the chest or abdomen, it can be fatal. In other cases, lack of medical care within 24 hours also leads to death. Those who know the seabed well are familiar with the main rule of “communication” with the stingray: no contact, and then its poison will not threaten you. This stingray likes to lie on the sandy bottom, so sometimes it is better to look closely at the water to avoid a dangerous neighborhood.
Despite the dangers posed by some animals, holidaying in Greece is no less dangerous than in any other country. The main thing that a tourist should remember is that attention will protect you from incidents. You should not walk through dangerous terrain without consulting with knowledgeable people, pick up unknown (living) objects from the bottom of the sea and touch animals. And then no natural dangers will overshadow your vacation in Greece.
photo: picturesfromgreece.com
Greece is located in southeastern Europe, in the south of the Balkan Peninsula, as well as on the islands of the Mediterranean, Aegean and Ionian seas. The area is 131944 km2. The territory of Greece ranges from approximately 35°00` to 42°00` in latitude and 19°00` to 28°30` in longitude. It borders with Bulgaria 494 km, Macedonia 228 km, Turkey 206 km and Albania 282 km. It is washed by the Mediterranean, Ionian, Aegean and Libyan seas, the length of the coastline is more than 15,000 kilometers. The islands are united into several archipelagos. The total area of the islands is 24,800 km2, which is 20% of the territory.
According to the nature of natural conditions in Greece, 8 regions are distinguished. Northern Greece has the least subtropical climate and vegetation, with alternating plains and mountain ranges of south-eastern extent.
Thessaly and its bordering ridges and massifs. Western Greece is the most mountainous and wettest part of the country. The Ionian Islands are fertile, with an even subtropical climate. Central Greece is low-water, with the driest and hottest summers. Southern Greece with the mildest climate in continental Greece. Crete is the largest southern island of Greece. On the island there is the delightful Mirabelon Bay, and the palm-lined Vai beach with white sand and banana plantations, and the longest Samaria gorge in Europe, and all kinds of caves. The islands of the Aegean Sea are less fertile and more mountainous than the islands of the Ionian Sea.
Relief of Greece
The terrain is predominantly mountainous. 80% of the country's territory is made up of mountains and plateaus, while mountain ranges occupy 25% of the territory; medium-altitude mountains with heights from 1200 to 1800 meters predominate. The eastern part of the country, the Peloponnese, the coasts (the city of Arta in the Amvrakikos Gulf, the western coast, the cities of Volos and Lamia) are flat.
In the central part of mainland Greece is the Pindus mountain system (Dinaric Highlands). The western part of the peninsula (Epirus) is limestone. In the north of the country, the relief is determined by granites and gneisses with limestones, northern Pindus. In the east there are highlands and robberies, the Thessalian plain is the largest intermountain depression.
The Pindian Mount Parnassus (2457 m) and Olympus (2917 m) rise above the Gulf of Corinth. Mountains separate the plains of Attica from the plains of Boeotia. The coasts are formed by steep cliffs.
Statistical indicators of Greece
(as of 2012)
The Peloponnese is a peninsula connected to the mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth. The Peloponnese Mountains are a continuation of the Pindus Mountains. The ridges extending to the south and southeast of the Peloponnese form the bays, capes Akritas, Tenaron (Matapas) and Malea. The eastern peninsula of Argolis is located between the Saronikos and Argolikos gulfs. The coast is dissected and bordered by the plains of Argolis, Laconia and Elis.
Greek Macedonia and Thrace border the northern shore of the Aegean Sea. The rivers Aliakmon, Vardar, Strymon and Nestos originate from the Balkan Peninsula. Their plains are separated by hills. In Thrace there are the Rhodope Mountains, the plains are filled with dry sand and clay. On the northern coast of the Aegean Sea is the Halkidiki peninsula. Its parts are Kasandra, Sithonia and Aion Oros. Mount Athos (2033 m) is located on Aion Oros.
Inland waters of Greece
On the narrow Greek peninsula with a highly dissected surface, large river systems could not form. Mountain rivers predominate, short, with a steep fall.
Rivers flow to the sea in narrow, often canyon-like valleys. The longest river in Greece, stretching for almost 300 km and entirely within the country, is Aljakmon (Vistritsa). The largest high-water rivers - Moritsa (Ebros), Nestos (Mesto), Strymon (Struma) and Vardar - originate in the central, massive part of the Balkan Peninsula and flow through the territory of Greece only in parts of their lower reaches. All of them irrigate the northern part of the country.
The sickest river in Western Greece is Acheloos, the richest in hydropower reserves. The Thessalian plain is irrigated by the Tnyos River. The most abundant and longest river of the Peloponnese peninsula is Alpheos. The rivers are fed primarily by rain and snow-rain. Characterized by sharp seasonal fluctuations in flow. In rainy winter and spring, when the snow melts in the mountains, the rivers are full of water and stormy: they swell after each rainfall. In summer they become very shallow, some even dry out completely. The wetter western half of Greece has more permanent rivers than the eastern half and has a denser river network.
The rivers of Greece are not suitable for navigation, but they play a fairly important role as sources of energy. They are of even greater economic importance for irrigating fields during dry periods.
There are over 20 lakes in Greece, ranging in area from 10 to 100 square meters. kilometers. The largest and deepest of them are lakes Trichonis (95.5 km2) in the west, Volvi (75.6 km2) and Vegoritis (72.5 km2) in the north. One of the largest lakes on the Balkan Peninsula, Prespa (283 km2), is only a small part of Greece. It is mainly located on the territory of Yugoslavia and partly extends into Albania.
There are many karst lakes in Greece. They are usually small and feed mainly on groundwater. The largest of them is Ioannina (22 km2) in the north-west of the country.
Minerals of Greece
Greece's mineral resources are varied, although small. The only fuel resource is brown coal and lignite. It was only in 1981 that the newly discovered natural gas and oil fields near the island of Thassos began to be developed. The most important ore deposits are associated with ancient crystalline rocks.
In the vicinity of Athens, on the islands of Euboea and the Cyclades, iron ore is mined, manganese ore is found, and there are nickel, chromium, copper, polymetallic ores, and bauxite (aluminum ore). There is an abundance of building materials - limestone, sandstone, and the most valuable types of marble.
Since ancient times, ores of lead, copper, silver and other metals have been mined in Greece. One of the oldest mines in the world near the city of Lavrion, on the Attica Peninsula, annually produces about 18 thousand tons of lead and about 15.5 tons of silver. Complex sulphide ores containing these metals are also mined near Alexandroupolis in Thrace and in the eastern Peloponnese. Near Kozani, in northern Greece, rich deposits of chromite iron ore and large deposits of asbestos were discovered. Greece is also rich in magnesite raw materials. Very good quality pumice is mined on the islands of Thira and Nisyros. The island of Naxos has the world's largest emery deposit.
Granite, marble and other building materials are being developed in the Cyclades. Paros has been famous since ancient times for its quarries where marble is mined. Among the mineral resources, rich deposits of bauxite, reserves of St. 650 million tons.
Climate of Greece
The influence of mountains on the country's climate is great. In Greece, only on the plains and in the lower parts of the mountains near the sea is a typically Mediterranean subtropical climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The higher you go in the mountains, the lower the temperature and the more precipitation you get per year. In the mountains above 1000 m, and in the northern and northeastern parts of Greece, even at altitudes of 500-600 m, snow falls annually in winter, and summer, unlike the plains, is not so dry.
The elongated ridges, predominantly from north to south, are a significant barrier to moisture-carrying westerly winds.
The western part of the Greek Peninsula has a wetter and milder climate than its eastern half. On the windward side of the mountains, 1200-1400 mm of precipitation falls, and on the leeward side - half as much. On the plains of the eastern part of the country, their number drops to 350-500 mm per year. Moreover, the maximum occurs in November-December, when cyclones most often sweep over the Mediterranean Sea. Dryness in Greece increases both from west to east and from north to south.
Thanks to the release of huge reserves of heat by the water mass of the Mediterranean Sea, the air temperature is maintained quite high in winter. The average January temperature in the north of the country is 4 ° C, and in the southern part of the Aegean Sea 11-13 ° C. Negative average monthly temperatures in January are observed only in the mountains: in the north of Greece at an altitude of 700-800 m, in the south - from an altitude of 1400-1500 m above sea level.
However, even in the lowlands in winter there are sometimes short-term frosts, and snow falls, which lies for several hours. Typically, during the winter, the growing season of plants in the lowlands and lower parts of the mountains is not interrupted even in January. Deciduous trees shed their leaves, but, for example, orange and tangerine trees stand decorated with golden fruits, which ripen only by mid-December. Before they even have time to pick the citrus fruits, almonds and Japanese cotoneaster begin to bloom, and anemones begin to bloom. In February, wildflowers bloom on the coastal plains. From mid-March, summer crops are planted and sown. Apricots, cherries and cherries ripen in April. Harvesting meadow hay. By the end of May, bread and summer vegetables ripen in the south of the country.
The summer dry period begins in June. Plant life is dying out, the landscape is taking on an increasingly yellow-brown color. In southern Greece, grain is harvested from the fields by the beginning of June, and by July grain is harvested throughout the country.
The driest and hottest months are July and August; the average air temperature in the lowlands ranges up to 40° and even 45°. On the coasts, the summer heat is softened by sea breezes. During these months, most fruits ripen - figs, pomegranates, etc. In September, grapes ripen. The rainy season begins in October. Northern dry winds give way to wet western and southern ones. After the first heavy autumn rains, the earth again takes on a spring look: the meadows are covered with green cover, the fields are again cultivated from the mountains to the lowlands, to winter pastures. Rivers and streams are filled with water.
Soils and flora of Greece
The soil and vegetation cover of Greece is characterized by altitudinal zonation, frequent change of different types of vegetation and different soil types in one zone. Due to the widespread distribution of limestones, thin soils predominate, and limestones come to the surface in many places. The soils of the plains were formed mainly on alluvial deposits and are quite fertile, but dry out greatly in summer.
The vegetation of Greece is very diverse (there are more than 6 thousand plant species) and varies depending on the altitude. Shrubs predominate: they cover 25% of the country's territory, while forests cover only 19%. In ancient times, only a small part of the land was suitable for cultivation and cultivation of agricultural crops. In order to obtain new territories for arable land and gardens, they began to cut down the forests covering the mountain slopes. Therefore, now only 12% of the country’s territory is occupied by forests.
They say that "Greece was eaten by goats." Indeed, sheep and goats, bred by the Greeks for a long time, ate and trampled the young shoots of trees. Thickets of evergreens – maquis and shiblyak – are widespread here. Thickets of freegana - low, poorly leafed, thorny subshrubs - are also typical for Greece. Many scientists believe that this is secondary vegetation that formed on the site of oak forests cut down in ancient times.
The plains and almost all the foothills are covered with evergreen Mediterranean vegetation. The most characteristic features of this belt are maquis and freegana. There are groves of pines, evergreen oaks, cypresses and plane trees. The mastic pistachio, a deciduous plant, grows on the peninsula. If you make a notch on it, juice will flow out - mastic; it is used to make a transparent varnish that is used to cover paintings.
The so-called “evergreen belt” mainly consists of cultivated vegetation. Its most typical representative is the olive tree. It is impossible to imagine Greece without olive groves. The olive branch has long been a symbol of Greek culture, the Greek land. Meanwhile, the olive tree is as alien here as the Greek tribes. The birthplace of the olive tree is the sultry shores of Phenicia. The Phoenicians, fearless sailors, were the first to explore the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. They brought the seeds of an unprecedented plant to Crete. In Crete they loved curiosities. This is how the first olive grove appeared near the palace of Minos.
In the coastal lowlands (especially in Central and Northern Greece), most of the land is occupied by grain fields, as well as cotton and tobacco plantations. Vineyards and orchards of Mediterranean fruit trees are widespread on the plains and in the foothills. Pyramidal cypress trees are often found near settlements. Orchards are often bordered by tall natural hedges of agaves and prickly pears, which complement the colorful picture of the cultivated vegetation of the evergreen belt.
Evergreen and deciduous forests grow from 120 to 460 m - oak, black spruce, walnut, beech, sumac. Following the “evergreen belt” is the belt of mountain forests and shrubs, in which, with increasing altitude, cultivated vegetation is increasingly replaced by natural vegetation, evergreen forests and shrubs are replaced by deciduous ones, and the latter by coniferous ones, reaching the upper border of the forest; wild flowers such as anemones and cyclamens.
Higher up the slopes, first deciduous (oak, maple, plane tree, ash, linden, chestnut, beech in the upper part) and then coniferous (fir, pine) forests grow; above 2000 m – subalpine meadows.
Greece, like the Balkans in general, abounds in walnuts. They are called acorns of the gods, and they grow on deciduous trees with a spreading crown up to 30 meters high. Jam is made from unripe nuts; ripe nuts and nut butter are very healthy and tasty.
Fauna of Greece
Little natural vegetation has been preserved in Greece; the country's fauna is poor in mammals, especially large ones, which were exterminated by humans for several millennia. Red deer are almost extinct, but small animals such as rabbits and hares are common. Larger animals are still found in the mountains: ibex and brown bear are found in Pinda and the mountains along the Bulgarian border, and wolves are found in more remote forest areas. Also among the predators in Greece you can see a wild cat, a fox, a jackal, a stone marten, a badger, a wild boar, a European bear, and a lynx. Among the ungulates, there are the Cretan wild goat, fallow deer, roe deer, and wild boar. Greece is home to many animals listed in the Red Book, among them: the Mediterranean sea turtle, the monk seal.
The most numerous mammals are rodents (porcupine, gray hamster, mice, dormouse, voles, etc.), southern species of bats and insectivores - shrews, hedgehogs, moles. Greece has a variety of reptiles - turtles, lizards, snakes. They easily tolerate heat and lack of moisture during the dry summer season. The wooded areas are home to the Greek land tortoise, the most commonly found tortoise species in the country. Of the numerous lizards, the most typical for Greece are the rock or wall lizard, the Greek sharp-headed lizard, the Peloponnesian lizard, the Ionian lizard, and the largest in Europe, the green lizard. Among snakes, snakes, grass snakes, and horned vipers are especially common.
The world of birds is also diverse. Quails, wild ducks, wood pigeons and clint pigeons, gray and especially mountain partridges, brightly feathered hoopoes, rollers, kingfishers, and among predators - kites, black vultures, eagles, falcons, owls are the most typical representatives of the bird fauna of Greece and the entire Mediterranean. There are numerous flocks of seagulls on the sea coasts.
The long-billed cormorant, Dalmatian pelican, and stork are also typical for Greece. The forests are home to the southern green woodpecker and mountain bunting. Representatives of the passerine order are typical for the country - the stone sparrow, the canary finch, and the Greek swallow. There are also many species of terrestrial mollusks (snails). Thus, in Crete there are 120 species of mollusks, of which 77 are unique to this territory.
Olive tree
The flora and fauna of Greece is very rich and diverse, since the territory of Greece is located in different climatic zones. There are tropical plants, date palms. The main plant of Greece and very valuable can be considered the olive tree. It has been grown here since ancient times to this day. It is the olives grown in Greece that are considered the best in the world.
Fauna of Greece
The fauna of Greece is also very rich; there are many porcupines, badgers, hares, ducks, and wild boars. A large number of foxes, lynxes and brown bears. The more northern regions of Greece are inhabited by wolves and jackals, in the south by partridges, eagles and owls. The aquatic world of Greece is very rich; a huge number of shellfish and fish are caught here every year.
Lynx in the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula
There are few wild animals left in Greece and their population is very small. Historically, for about eight thousand years, people constantly destroyed plants and animals in this country. The most common animals in Greece remain numerous varieties of mice, badgers, porcupines, and hares. There are also species that are listed in the Red Book, such as the monk seal and sea turtle.
There are a great variety of reptiles in Greece - lizards and snakes, since they are less sensitive to the hot climate of Greece.
Among the class of birds you can most often find here are partridges, kingfishers, wild ducks and predators - kites, eagles and owls.
On the coasts of Greece there are many seagulls, as well as many marine inhabitants - shellfish and fish.
Flora of Greece
The flora of Greece is very rich - more than 5,000 plants, including many wild flowers and unique plant species. The most common are freegana and maquis bushes. The Chalkidiki peninsula is rich in pine forests. Plane trees and cypresses are very common. They are long-lived (approximate age reaches several thousand years). Olive is the most valuable and widespread tree in Greece.
Beautiful views open up to our eyes during spring flowering; all the slopes are strewn with flowers - cyclamens, lilies, tulips.
Greece is very rich in walnuts, where they are called “acorns of the gods”; they grow on spreading trees with a crown reaching 30 meters in height. Jam is made from green nuts, and ripe ones are used not only for food, but also for making oil from them.
The flora and fauna of Greece on the island of Corfu are very informative, described by the great naturalist Gerald Durrell - he spent almost 5 years on this island as a child.