national park greek national park region northwestern greece park founded national parks mainland greece located kilometres north city northern mountain range named major area encompasses hectares acres mountainous terrain numerous rivers lakes caves deep dense coniferous deciduous forest park ecological network spans elevation range meters people visit park year activities including canoe hiking mountain core park area hectares acres comprises spectacular carved river gorge main long depth meters gorge mount meters peak number traditionally preserved settlements form park peripheral zone park relatively small human population combined great variation conditions favors existence rich variety flora species area national park supports wide diversity fauna large mammals brown bear park european strongholds variety natural habitats ecosystems rank valuable parks nature conservation greece evidence human presence area dated years ago area park sparsely populated historical times 17th 19th century local communities acquired autonomous status flourished economically increased trade major center folk medicine recent decades seen remedy economic decline heavily local settlements preserving natural environment local architecture geography geology located southern slopes mount main located villages depth southeast northwest direction landscape long gorge belongs park core zone presents diverse relief characterized abrupt changes altitude point gorge measures deep wide rim rim result listed deepest canyon world proportion width gorge contest claim steep slopes rocky cliffs dominate middle higher zones respectively numerous sides gorge action water walls creates extended carved millions years river tributary seasonal year round flow occurring lower gorge nature area gorge impassable year deep cross section mountain slopes expose series rock formations ages upper layers depth consist relatively young limestone depth consist era consist cretaceous limestone deepest layers grey dominant investigation basin revealed deposits consist limestone derived material carried river higher elevations glacial action years ago subsequent middle deposits product extended run years ago outer unit attributed human activities associated caused extended soil erosion basin contains evidence major phases largest earliest taking place final phase glacial activity probably occurred ago special feature limestone resulting water nature large middle pleistocene surface runoff glacial fed directly river channel network limestone terrain covered ice sediment permanently frozen result came close modern valley bottoms contrast periods effective occurred surface drainage network internal drainage system limestone water pores extended underground drainage system developed caves channels time roofs collapse producing rocky perpendicular slopes reason water scarce met water appear surface gorge northern park close town river passes channels formed nearby mountains creating gorge long canyon east west direction features numerous stone single arched bridges 17th 19th centuries monasteries built local architectural style characterized great number secondary currents southern gorge northern deep steep perpendicular walls bring large quantities limestone material compact rocks lie gorge date early period oldest rock formations park age determined means sea fossils found inside lies mountain range highest peaks unique feature area natural pools formed erosion local stream beds high altitude zone number alpine lakes home rare species found surrounded alpine pasture biggest lake formation created retreat glaciers located height mount maximum depth surface covers acres number vertical caves found area village lies near peaks bear names inspired mythology studied explored enthusiasts cave cave depth deepest worldwide discovered british surveyed large number expeditions nearby depth drains water coming surrounding mount represents series fault blocks largely composed limestone limestone northern lower slopes dominated younger rocks consist thin beds graded softer extended glacial conditions prevailed mount late period years ago glacial landscape developed especially southern slopes plateau terrain villages lateral terminal form major landscape features additional forms glacial deposits extend sea level include rock glaciers limestone settlements villages inside additional near borders peripheral zone settlements western region sparsely populated total population people villages nucleus like form houses situated central square rocky pathways historically villages region connected system paths small roads functioned like single entity separate communities economic past reflected architecture villages today preservation local architectural legacy law buildings area constructed local traditional materials compliance local architecture characteristic features stone bridges connection outside world roads built 1950s sixteen stone bridges seven churches region listed protected historical monuments climate climate mediterranean transitioning continental mediterranean character characterized annual distribution precipitation high winter months experiencing drought period months summer continental climatic element attributed high annual temperature variation degree difference mean maximum mean minimum annual temperature exceeds climate area unique complex relief variation altitude position area regard coastline mean annual temperature annual precipitation respectively extremely low temperatures occur area winter months compared mediterranean divisions area belongs humid zone cold winters wildlife park varied geology topography resulted unique variety flora fauna main habitat zones sub mediterranean woodland mainly consists deciduous forests woodlands extends elevation combined areas agricultural land tree addition semi open rocky sites lower middle slopes near human settlements rocky cliffs habitat found altitude hosts important bird species mediterranean golden eagle flora forests composed diverse species deciduous coniferous trees great variety important element region flora apart rich variety plant species high degree balkan greek species recent studies flora national park counted plants including medicinal poisonous taxa park forests abundant species associated cool local climate horse chestnut large valley gorge form gallery forest banks woodland mountain area village characterized different species upper hills dominates exceptionally high trees higher altitudes pure forests pine fir found studies non flora recorded presence moss species area national park including newly described taxon herbs gorge areas park regarded medicinal properties harvested local colloquially referred doctors greek special recipes copies ancient greek recipes famous borders greece plants recipes include lemon gas plant popular known colloquially greece mountain tea elder bush chemical screening native plant species shown high number characterized active ingredients collection dried species local plants herbs exhibited local natural history museum village fauna preserves richest mountain forest ecosystems terms wildlife diversity greece numerous species large mammals wolves wild horses deer found area year round wild cats live area rare range home endangered brown bear southernmost point european habitat park special attractions existence rare species lives higher altitudes far human activity especially rocky cliffs example secondary gorge total bird species observed park considered conservation priority area hosts species populations bird species limited distribution greece owl willow bird communities inhabit forest ecosystems considered complete greece community includes species nest feed area like alpine shore western rock alpine swift second comprises birds prey like vulture egyptian vulture falcon common search food wider zone contains variety suitable habitats support dense populations amphibians reptiles lives meadows considered threatened taxon alpine living alpine lakes region associated local dragons dragon battles yellow common area numerous fish brown trout found park rivers species structural complexity forests existence small streams ponds forest openings rocky sites dead trees old diverse fauna exists occurs especially including specialized species human history evidence human presence area dated years ago period favorable climatic conditions prevailed permitted hunting seasonal basis important artifacts unearthed rock shelter banks 9th 4th centuries small settlement existed including stone houses yielded important findings historical period local population sparse land mainly supplying era ottoman rule especially 17th 19th century local greek orthodox communities granted special privileges ottoman authorities time area acquired autonomous status inside ottoman_empire locals exempt fiscal crippled prosperous lowland communities period large groups villagers emigrated metropolitan centers members successful professional classes finally returning home villages region wealth building luxurious environment art healing called doctors developed flourished accompanied impressive cultural intellectual life produced renowned scholars greece area sparsely populated result world war dwellings remain shut abandonment traditional rural economy affected cultural landscape considered regions greece tourism constitutes principal source revenue local economy highly seasonal character intense development terms accommodation tourism infrastructure occurred 1980s mainly state initiatives park management designated effort conserve local fauna flora geological formations area administration management belongs district forest offices supervised forest level office village plays essential role management issues apart government efforts incentives given local management organizations local population participate protection park park core according law forestry activities grazing hunting fishing prohibited peripheral zone restrictions necessary measure realization aims park apart mentioned activities dangers park include land erosion landslides threaten local flora fauna issue impact tourism recent decades hand extreme conditions construction maintenance necessary infrastructure network mainly access routes telecommunications difficult vast area national park present lack road infrastructure remote sensing means monitoring human activities area impact ecosystem analysis begun taking detailed picture territory covering following items slopes road networks land cover use human settlements tourist sites use remote sensing geographic information system techniques essential value park management constitutes basis impact analysis objective present state regional policy carefully combine tourism development area preservation natural cultural heritage poses ideal solution potential bringing desired balance socio economic development environmental protection specific objectives development include reviving traditional activities small scale farming stock raising establishing network communities recreation national park natural tourist attraction high potential local tourism industry favored national european funds provides modest accommodation tourism services respect local tradition culture national parks europe stated need sustainable form tourism greater area rivers area destination canoe additional forms adventure sports include climbing hiking mountain local paths order observe area natural features architecture popular trails region include crossing lasts approximately seven hours considered medium difficulty hiking peaks viewpoint accessible foot 15th century offer views gorge gallery
Vikos–Aoös National Park