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 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 The tradition of protected areas in Greece dates back to Ancient Greek times and the Altis and sacred grove at Olympia, amongst other sanctuaries. 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. 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. In 1986, the legal framework was overhauled by Law 1650/1986, Article 19 of which provides for the following types of protected area: 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).
List of national parks 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).
National Woodland Parks NameEstablishedArea(Core Zone)Area(Peripheral Zone)MapPhotoRef. Mount Ainos National Woodland ParkΕθνικός Δρυμός Αίνου1962 N/A Oiti National Woodland ParkΕθνικός Δρυμός Οίτης 1966 Olympus National ParkΕθνικός Δρυμός Ολύμπου1938 N/A Parnassos National Woodland ParkΕθνικός Δρυμός Παρνασσού1938 N/A Parnitha National Woodland ParkΕθνικός Δρυμός Πάρνηθας1961 N/A Pindos National Woodland ParkΕθνικός Δρυμός Πίνδου1966 Prespes National Woodland ParkΕθνικός Δρυμός Πρεσπών1974 Samaria National Woodland ParkΕθνικός Δρυμός Σαμαριάς1962 N/A Sounio National Woodland ParkΕθνικός Δρυμός Σουνίου1974 Vikos-Aoos National Woodland ParkΕθνικός Δρυμός Βίκου – Αώου1973
National Marine Parks NameEstablishedArea(Core Zone)Area(Peripheral Zone)MapPhotoRef. National Marine Park of Alonnisos, Northern SporadesΕθνικό Θαλάσσιο Πάρκο Αλοννήσου Βορείων Σποράδων1992 N/A National Marine Park of ZakynthosΕθνικό Θαλάσσιο Πάρκο Ζακύνθου1999
National Parks NameEstablishedArea(Core Zone)Area(Peripheral Zone)MapPhotoRef. Amvrakikos Wetlands National ParkΕθνικό Πάρκο Υγροτόπων Αμβρακικού2008 Axios-Loudias-Aliakmonas Delta National ParkΕθνικό Πάρκο Δέλτα Αξιού – Λουδία – Αλιάκμονα2009 N/A Chelmos-Vouraikos National ParkΕθνικό Πάρκο Χελμού – Βουραϊκού2009 N/A Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National ParkΕθνικό Πάρκο Δάσους Δαδιάς – Λευκίμμης – Σουφλίου2006 N/A National Park of Eastern Macedonia and ThraceΕθνικό Πάρκο Ανατολικής Μακεδονίας και Θράκης2008 Evros Delta National ParkΕθνικό Υγροτοπικό Πάρκο Δέλτα Έβρου1977 Lake Kerkini National ParkΕθνικό Πάρκο Λίμνης Κερκίνης2007 N/A National Park of Lakes Koronia-Volvi and the Macedonian TempeΕθνικό Πάρκο Κορώνειας – Βόλβης και Μακεδονικών Τεμπών2004 Kotychi-Strofylia Wetlands National ParkΕθνικό Πάρκο Υγροτόπων Κoτυχίου – Στροφιλιάς2009 National Park of the Messolonghi-Aitoliko Lagoon, lower reaches and estuaries of Acheloos and Evinos rivers and Echinades islandsΕθνικό Πάρκο Λιμνοθαλασσών Μεσολογγίου – Αιτωλικού, κάτω ρου και εκβολών ποταμών Αχελώου και Εύηνου και νήσων Εχινάδων2006 North Pindos National ParkΕθνικό Πάρκο Βόρειας Πίνδου2005 Prespa National ParkΕθνικό Πάρκο Δρυμού Πρεσπών2009 N/A Rodopi Mountain Range National ParkΕθνικό Πάρκο Οροσειράς Ροδόπης2009 Schinias-Marathon National ParkΕθνικό Πάρκο Σχινιά – Μαραθώνα2000 N/A National Park of Tzoumerka, Peristeri & Arachthos GorgeΕθνικό Πάρκο Τζουμέρκων Περιστερίου Χαράδρας Αράχθου2009
Layout Each national park consists of a core and the area surrounding it. According to Greek Law the core cannot be smaller than , with the exception of marine national parks. The surrounding area must be larger than, or at least equal to, the size of the core.
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.
See also
List of Ramsar sites in Greece Wildlife of Greece
References