Karpathos island
The island of Karpathos is located in the southeastern Aegean between the islands of Rhodes and Crete. With an area of 330 sq. Km, it is the second largest island of the Dodecanese and occupies the highest peak (Good Lake) with 1215m. height
The Protected Area of Karpathos comprises 52.1 km2 of marine land and approximately 102 km2 of land.
The Karpathos Eco-Development Area comprises the area named “North Karpathos and Sharia and coastal marine zone”, totaling 113 Km2 belonging to the NATURA 2000 Protected Areas Network, code GR4210003, designated SPA , implementing Directive 79/409 / EU) and as a Special Conservation Area (SCI, implementing Directive 92/43 / EU).
The area, for the most part, is particularly mountainous, with deep ravines, streams and steep terrain with steep slopes, while the coasts are steep, rocky and sometimes pine-covered.
The dominant vegetation is the phrygana, while along the eastern coast there are clumps of rough pine forests.
The biodiversity of the protected area is large and is characterized by numerous rare and endemic species of plants and animals that are protected by International Conventions and Greek law.
The Karpathos Eco-Development Area comprises the area named “North Karpathos and Sharia and coastal marine zone”, totaling 113 Km2 belonging to the NATURA 2000 Protected Areas Network, code GR4210003, designated SPA , implementing Directive 79/409 / EU) and as a Special Conservation Area (SCI, implementing Directive 92/43 / EU).
The area, for the most part, is particularly mountainous, with deep ravines, streams and steep terrain with steep slopes, while the coasts are steep, rocky and sometimes pine-covered.
The dominant vegetation is the phrygana, while along the eastern coast there are clumps of rough pine forests.
The biodiversity of the protected area is large and is characterized by numerous rare and endemic species of plants and animals that are protected by International Conventions and Greek law.
Typical examples are the salamander Lyciasalamandra helverseni, commonly "cohyllina", which is the only endemic to urine in Greece, and the frog Pelophylax cerigensis, a local endemic to Karpathos.
Both are considered highly endangered species.
The rich flora includes more than 940 species of plants, of which 87 are endemic, rare or threatened.
In the northwestern part of the island lies the bay of Tristomo, one of the most important parts of the marine area of the protected area. Tristomo is an enclosed bay with a natural harbor and two majestic rocks at both ends of its entrance.
The bay's marine substrate is soft and sandy on the inside, while on the outside it is tough. On the hard substrate, bivalve Arca noae is found in large populations, while the inner muddy substrate hosts a significant population of bivalve Pinna nobilis.
The island of Sharia is characterized by steep cliffs, slopes and rocky shores. Along the coastline there are surface and underwater caves, which are suitable shelters for the Mediterranean seal. Extensive shrubs, pharynx, rough pine forest clusters and isolated areas of abandoned olive groves are found in the terrestrial area.
The whole island has been designated as an Important Bird Area of Greece in accordance with Directive 79/409 / EUC, hosts many rare and endemic species of plants and animals and is of great archaeological value.
The geomorphology of both Karpathos and Sharia are the most suitable areas for the habitat and development of endangered species of marine fauna and birds. The rocky caves of the coast are the beloved home of the monk seal Monachus monachus. On the seaside rocks again the Mavropetritis and the Aegean gull have been nesting. Sharia also hosts a remarkable number of rare predatory birds, such as Spezaetus, Aetogerakina and Mavropetritis.
In addition, the protected area is of great archaeological interest. The ancient cities of Vroukounta and Nisyros preserve dozens of excavated tombs, ruins of walls and fortifications, part of Hellenistic walls, but the Byzantine monuments were not lacking, as they lived until the 7th century. A.D.
Of particular interest are the medieval buildings in the Sharia Palaces used as a base for Arab pirates in the 8th century AD.
Both are considered highly endangered species.
The rich flora includes more than 940 species of plants, of which 87 are endemic, rare or threatened.
In the northwestern part of the island lies the bay of Tristomo, one of the most important parts of the marine area of the protected area. Tristomo is an enclosed bay with a natural harbor and two majestic rocks at both ends of its entrance.
The bay's marine substrate is soft and sandy on the inside, while on the outside it is tough. On the hard substrate, bivalve Arca noae is found in large populations, while the inner muddy substrate hosts a significant population of bivalve Pinna nobilis.
The island of Sharia is characterized by steep cliffs, slopes and rocky shores. Along the coastline there are surface and underwater caves, which are suitable shelters for the Mediterranean seal. Extensive shrubs, pharynx, rough pine forest clusters and isolated areas of abandoned olive groves are found in the terrestrial area.
The whole island has been designated as an Important Bird Area of Greece in accordance with Directive 79/409 / EUC, hosts many rare and endemic species of plants and animals and is of great archaeological value.
The geomorphology of both Karpathos and Sharia are the most suitable areas for the habitat and development of endangered species of marine fauna and birds. The rocky caves of the coast are the beloved home of the monk seal Monachus monachus. On the seaside rocks again the Mavropetritis and the Aegean gull have been nesting. Sharia also hosts a remarkable number of rare predatory birds, such as Spezaetus, Aetogerakina and Mavropetritis.
In addition, the protected area is of great archaeological interest. The ancient cities of Vroukounta and Nisyros preserve dozens of excavated tombs, ruins of walls and fortifications, part of Hellenistic walls, but the Byzantine monuments were not lacking, as they lived until the 7th century. A.D.
Of particular interest are the medieval buildings in the Sharia Palaces used as a base for Arab pirates in the 8th century AD.
