MOUNT OLYMPUS
Mount Olympus is famous throughout the world for its history, its cultural significance and its ecological treasures as well as its place in mythology. An entire Greek ecosystem is contained within its graded heights. It is the highest mountain in Greece, rising to 2,918 metres, with a lengthy Alpine belt above 2,500 m. and more than 10 peaks exceeding 2650 m. The highest peaks are Mytikas (2,918 m.) followed by Skolio (2911 m.) and Stephani (2909 m.), together forming a central group.Lying to the North West of Olympus, and just as vast, is the mountain range of Titaros Over 1700 varieties of plants have been identified on Olympus, 23 of which are unique to the region, to be found nowhere else on this earth.
These are complemented by a wealth of animal and bird life, including 32 species of mammal, 108 types of bird, numerous reptiles and snakes and a great variety of insects, principally butterflies. In 1938 Olympus was declared a "National Forest" and in 1981 its worldwide importance was declared an "International Area of outstanding environmental significance to the biosphere". Each year the mountain attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. Olympus was the first mountain in Greece to be afforded protection under legislation, which awarded it the status of a "National Park", this being ratified in 1985 under new regulations concerning places of outstanding natural beauty. In 1981, under the auspices of The International Committee for Mankind and the Biosphere, the National park was recognised as an "area of international importance for the environment of mankind". Olympus is held up worldwide as an example of a protected ecosystem. It is dedicated to the protection of the natural habitat of this vast resource of plant and animal wildlife, and is available for scientific research in the worldwide service of mankind.
Of particular interest is the land formation of the area. With its countless peaks, deep gorges, magnificent ravines, hollow amphitheatres, caves and chasms, as well as a multitude of springs, lakes and ponds and fast flowing torrents of water it offers a terrain of infinite variety.
The climate is influenced by its geographical situation, the massive bulk of the mountain, its rocky nature and its slopes. This frequently causes what is known as "heat inversion" and the existence of many "micro climates" due to these factors and the moisture content of the air.
Generally speaking, there are four identifiable levels of vegetation within the National Park. At the lowest level there are the usual trees, bushes, shrubs and vegetation common to this altitude. The next level has mainly mixed deciduous and coniferous trees, the third level consists of mountainous forests of coniferous pine trees and, at the highest level, Alpine vegetation. The plant life of the region is unique with a wide variety of indigenous species, 23 of which are only to be found here. Fauna recorded includes 32 species of mammal, 108 varieties of birds as well as a wealth of insects, notably butterflies.
Seventy kilometres of coastline in the shadow of Mount Olympus are an international point of reference for Pieria. Enchanting beaches and golden sand complete the picture of Southern Pieria with its countless small tavernas literally on the beach. Seventy kilometres of cosmopolitan and virgin sandy beaches watched over for centuries by the divine power of Mount Olympus bending over their every word, their slightest movement that send secret messages to any visitor who experiences the delight of this mystery: enjoying the blue Mediterranean waters of the Aegean Sea, while lifting his head to see the unique skyline of Mount Olympus.
Seventy kilometres of coastline in the shadow of Mount Olympus are an international point of reference for Pieria. Enchanting beaches and golden sand complete the picture of Southern Pieria with its countless small tavernas literally on the beach. Seventy kilometres of cosmopolitan and virgin sandy beaches watched over for centuries by the divine power of Mount Olympus bending over their every word, their slightest movement that send secret messages to any visitor who experiences the delight of this mystery: enjoying the blue Mediterranean waters of the Aegean Sea, while lifting his head to see the unique skyline of Mount Olympus.