White Mountains (Samaria)
Quick facts
- European Diploma of Protected Areas (code GR940001)
- Since 1979
- Country: Greece
- Administrative region: Not available
- Surface area: 49 km2 (4850.00 ha)
- Marine area: Not available
Source and more information: Council of Europe
Description
Site contact authorities
| Manager | Direction des Forets de la Canée (Chania) Crète |
|---|---|
| Information | H. Kargiolaki E. Papadakis |
| Official contact international | |
| Official contact national | |
| Official contact regional | |
| Official contact local |
Description
| General character of the site | A gorge of considerable geomorphological interest in the White Mountains of western Crete. A foothpath starts at 1200m and ends at sea level. Steep rock faces, mountain streams and numerous fresh water springs, forests of Pinus brutia and Cypressus sempervirens and relicts of former cultures in the deserted village of Samaria, combine to create a unique impression. |
|---|---|
| Quality | |
| Vulnerability | To bring drinking water to Agia Roumeli, pipelines have been laid on the river bed. The development of tourism in the neighbourhood of the park is in danger of getting out of control. |
| Designation | |
| Owner | The park is state-owned. It is administered by the Chania Directorate of Forestry, Crete. |
| Documentation | Council of Europe - European Diploma Series (1980), Gorge of Samaria National Park Greece, Strasbourg, 19 p.. |
| Habitat types | |
| Flora | |
| Fauna | |
| Potential vegetation | |
| Geomorphology | The National Park occupies the Western Part of the White Mountains. Its Northern part is a forested open large valley with steep walls. Seasonal streams have formed deep opening on the mother rock. The southern part is a typical gorge with very steep, almost vertical walls (max Height = 400 m and minimum distance between walls = 3-4 m). |
| Educational interest | The rich fauna and flora of the gorge and its interesting ecosystems are of unique educational interest. There is also an Information Centre that offers information about the Park. |
| Cultural heritage | The gorge has always been a refuge especially during the wars. Within the gorge are five chapels. The most ancient is "Osia Maria" that was built around 1200 a.C. Ancient ruins were also found, probably an ancient tomb at the site of "Ag. Nikolaos", while the Minoan town of Tarra is believed to be at the southern end of the gorge. Samaria was inhabited until 1962. |
| Justification | |
| Methodology | |
| Budget | |
| Management plan | |
| URL official | |
| URL interesting | http://www.west-crete.com/walks/mountains.htm |
