National parks of Greece

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Greece is characterized by an extremely fragmented, rugged landscape hosting a great diversity of ecosystems and an outstanding biodiversity. Almost 5% of its extensive coastline consists of ecologically sensitive wetlands. Two thirds of the total population live no further than 2 km from the coast and most of the important urban centers are coastal, while almost all of the tourist infrastructure is divided among islands and the coastal mainland.

Greek climate

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Greece's climate is divided into three classes: A Mediterranean climate features mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Temperatures rarely reach extremes, although snowfalls do occur occasionally even in Athens, Cyclades or Crete during the winter. An alpine climate is found primarily in Western Greece (Epirus, Central Greece, Thessaly, Western Macedonia as well as central parts of the Peloponnese like Achaea, Arkadia and parts of Lakonia where the Alpine range pass by). A temperate climate is found in Central and Eastern Macedonia as well as in Thrace at places like Komotini, Xanthi and northern Evros; with cold, damp winters and hot, dry summers.

History and legislation

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The tradition of protected areas in Greece dates back to Ancient Greek times and the Altis and sacred grove at Olympia, amongst other sanctuaries.[1]: 173  In more recent times, the country's climatic and biological diversity, along with the rich flora and fauna that comes with it, made the need for the creation of national parks obvious as early as 1937, when the government of Ioannis Metaxas first issued a law that established national parks in Greece, Law 856/1937 On National Woodland Parks, itself building on the "protected forests" of the Forest Code of 1929.[1]: 174  In 1938, the first national park was established, centred on Mount Olympus, followed later in the same year by a second, centred on Mount Parnassus.[1]: 174  In 1986, the legal framework was overhauled by Law 1650/1986, Article 19 of which provides for the following types of protected area:[1]: 175 [2][3]: 3264 

  • Absolute Nature Reserves Areas
  • Nature Reserve Areas
  • National Parks
  • Protected Natural Formations, Protected Landscapes and Landscape Elements
  • Eco-development Areas

Among the National Parks, according to Article 19 Section 3, where a National Park (εθνικό πάρκο) has a predominantly marine or forested character, it may become a National Marine Park (θαλάσσιο πάρκο) or National Woodland Park (εθνικός δρυμός).[3]: 3264 

List of national parks

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According to the World Database on Protected Areas, as of May 2022, there are 10 National Woodland Parks (εθνικοί δρυμοί), 2 National Marine Parks (θαλάσσια πάρκα), and 15 National Parks (εθνικά πάρκα).[1]: 174–5 [4][5]

National Woodland Parks

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Name Established Area
(Core Zone)
Area
(Peripheral Zone)
Map Photo Ref.
Ainos National Woodland Park

Εθνικός Δρυμός Αίνου
1962 28.31 km2 (10.93 sq mi) N/A
 
 
  [1]
Oiti National Woodland Park

Εθνικός Δρυμός Οίτης
1966 34.68 km2 (13.39 sq mi) 38.85 km2 (15.00 sq mi)
 
 
  [2]
[3]
Olympos National Woodland Park

Εθνικός Δρυμός Ολύμπου
1938 46.1 km2 (17.8 sq mi) N/A
 
 
  [4]
Parnassos National Woodland Park

Εθνικός Δρυμός Παρνασσού
1938 37.06 km2 (14.31 sq mi) N/A
 
 
  [5]
Parnitha National Woodland Park

Εθνικός Δρυμός Πάρνηθας
1961 39.5 km2 (15.3 sq mi) N/A
 
 
  [6]
Pindos National Woodland Park

Εθνικός Δρυμός Πίνδου
1966 31.54 km2 (12.18 sq mi) 35.15 km2 (13.57 sq mi)
 
 
  [7]
[8]
Prespes National Woodland Park

Εθνικός Δρυμός Πρεσπών
1974 51.02 km2 (19.70 sq mi) 210.61 km2 (81.32 sq mi)
 
 
  [9]
[10]
Samaria National Woodland Park

Εθνικός Δρυμός Σαμαριάς
1962 47.52 km2 (18.35 sq mi) N/A
 
 
  [11]
Sounio National Woodland Park

Εθνικός Δρυμός Σουνίου
1974 6.22 km2 (2.40 sq mi) 34.8 km2 (13.4 sq mi)
 
 
  [12]
[13]
Vikos-Aoos National Woodland Park

Εθνικός Δρυμός Βίκου – Αώου
1973 32.38 km2 (12.50 sq mi) 95.95 km2 (37.05 sq mi)
 
 
  [14]
[15]

National Marine Parks

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Name Established Area
(Core Zone)
Area
(Peripheral Zone)
Map Photo Ref.
National Marine Park of Alonnisos, Northern Sporades

Εθνικό Θαλάσσιο Πάρκο Αλοννήσου Βορείων Σποράδων
1992 2,301.4 km2 (888.6 sq mi) N/A
 
 
  [16]
National Marine Park of Zakynthos

Εθνικό Θαλάσσιο Πάρκο Ζακύνθου
1999 104.33 km2 (40.28 sq mi) 37.34 km2 (14.42 sq mi)
 
 
  [17]
[18]

National Parks

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Name Established Area
(Core Zone)
Area
(Peripheral Zone)
Map Photo Ref.
Amvrakikos Wetlands National Park

Εθνικό Πάρκο Υγροτόπων Αμβρακικού
2008 287.63 km2 (111.05 sq mi) 1,522.7 km2 (587.9 sq mi)
 
 
  [19]
[20]
Axios-Loudias-Aliakmonas Delta National Park

Εθνικό Πάρκο Δέλτα Αξιού – Λουδία – Αλιάκμονα
2009 337.79 km2 (130.42 sq mi) N/A
 
 
  [21]
Chelmos-Vouraikos National Park

Εθνικό Πάρκο Χελμού – Βουραϊκού
2009 544.4 km2 (210.2 sq mi) N/A
 
 
  [22]
Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park

Εθνικό Πάρκο Δάσους Δαδιάς – Λευκίμμης – Σουφλίου
2006 432.0 km2 (166.8 sq mi) N/A
 
 
  [23]
National Park of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Εθνικό Πάρκο Ανατολικής Μακεδονίας και Θράκης
2008 929.47 km2 (358.87 sq mi) 1.88 km2 (0.73 sq mi)
 
 
  [24]
[25]
Evros Delta National Park

Εθνικό Υγροτοπικό Πάρκο Δέλτα Έβρου
1977 128.96 km2 (49.79 sq mi) 61.91 km2 (23.90 sq mi)
 
 
  [26]
[27]
Lake Kerkini National Park

Εθνικό Πάρκο Λίμνης Κερκίνης
2007 824.15 km2 (318.21 sq mi) N/A
 
 
  [28]
National Park of Lakes Koronia-Volvi and the Macedonian Tempe

Εθνικό Πάρκο Κορώνειας – Βόλβης και Μακεδονικών Τεμπών
2004 159.28 km2 (61.50 sq mi) 1,921.57 km2 (741.92 sq mi)
 
 
  [29]
[30]
[31]
Kotychi-Strofylia Wetlands National Park

Εθνικό Πάρκο Υγροτόπων Κoτυχίου – Στροφιλιάς
2009 159.75 km2 (61.68 sq mi) 72.01 km2 (27.80 sq mi)
 
 
  [32]
[33]
National Park of the Messolonghi-Aitoliko Lagoon, lower reaches and estuaries of Acheloos and Evinos rivers and Echinades islands

Εθνικό Πάρκο Λιμνοθαλασσών Μεσολογγίου – Αιτωλικού, κάτω ρου και εκβολών ποταμών Αχελώου και Εύηνου και νήσων Εχινάδων
2006 360.73 km2 (139.28 sq mi) 256.22 km2 (98.93 sq mi)
 
 
  [34]
[35]
North Pindos National Park

Εθνικό Πάρκο Βόρειας Πίνδου
2005 1,462.59 km2 (564.71 sq mi) 483.87 km2 (186.82 sq mi)
 
 
  [36]
[37]
Prespa Lakes National Park

Εθνικό Πάρκο Δρυμού Πρεσπών
2009 324.03 km2 (125.11 sq mi) N/A
 
 
  [38]
Rodopi Mountain Range National Park

Εθνικό Πάρκο Οροσειράς Ροδόπης
2009 549.29 km2 (212.08 sq mi) 1,200.63 km2 (463.57 sq mi)
 
 
  [39]
[40]
Schinias-Marathon National Park

Εθνικό Πάρκο Σχινιά – Μαραθώνα
2000 14.39 km2 (5.56 sq mi) N/A
 
 
  [41]
National Park of Tzoumerka, Peristeri & Arachthos Gorge

Εθνικό Πάρκο Τζουμέρκων Περιστερίου Χαράδρας Αράχθου
2009 723.6 km2 (279.4 sq mi) 95.94 km2 (37.04 sq mi)
 
 
  [42]
[43]
[44]
[45]
[46]

Layout

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Each national park consists of a core and the area surrounding it. According to Greek Law the core cannot be smaller than 15,000,000 square metres (5.8 sq mi), with the exception of marine national parks. The surrounding area must be larger than, or at least equal to, the size of the core.[citation needed]

In the core of the national park, only scientific research, mild recreational activities, and the acquiring of environment related information are permitted. The creation of menageries, fish farms, the building of roads, outposts, camping and hiking infrastructures, along with woodcutting infrastructures and pastures are permitted in the surrounding area of the national park.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Mylonopoulos, D.; Moira, P.; Parthenis, S. (2011). "The Legislative Framework of the Management of the Protected Areas in Greece. The Case of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos". Journal of Coastal Research. 61: 173–181. doi:10.2307/41510792.
  2. ^ "Law No. 1650 on the protection for the environment". United Nations Environment Programme. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Law 1650" (PDF) (in Greek). Food and Agriculture Organization. pp. 3257–3272. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Greece". Protected Planet. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  5. ^ Tziolas, A. (January 2018). "e-Magazine of National Parks". Academia.edu (in Greek). pp. 1–2. Retrieved 14 May 2022.