Protected areas and national parks

Articles: Protected areas and national parks

Stories in this category and its subcategories.

Diarizos Valley, Cyprus

Diarizos Valley, Cyprus

The Diarizos Valley stretches through the heart of western Cyprus, where ancient traditions meet rare wildlife in one of the island's most important conservation zones. Located east of Paphos and carved by the fourth-longest river in Cyprus (Diarizos River), this valley combines ecological significance with centuries of winemaking heritage across 14 traditional villages. The area covers 8,804 hectares and serves as both a Natura 2000 protected site and an Important Bird Area recognized for its unique biodiversity. vkcyprus.com The Diarizos River flows for 42 kilometers from two sources on the southeastern slopes of the Paphos Forest near Mount Olympus. Its name derives from the Greek word for two roots, referencing the Platys and Kaminaria tributaries that merge north of the…

Read more
Larnaca Salt Lake Cyprus

Larnaca Salt Lake Cyprus

Larnaca Salt Lake is a complex network of four salt lakes of different sizes to the west of the city of Larnaca. The largest is Lake Aliki, followed by Lake Orphani, Lake Soros, and Lake Spiro. Three of these lakes interconnect to form the second largest salt lake complex in Cyprus after Limassol Salt Lake. Wikipedia-com The total surface area of the lakes adds up to 2.2 square kilometers, positioned between Larnaca International Airport and the historic Hala Sultan Tekke mosque. This location makes the salt lake one of the most visible natural landmarks for anyone arriving in Cyprus by air. Historical Background Archaeological finds show that the salt lake area has been inhabited since the Late Bronze Age, with…

Read more
Akrotiri Environmental Protected Area, Cyprus

Akrotiri Environmental Protected Area, Cyprus

The Akrotiri Peninsula stands at the southernmost tip of Cyprus, where wetlands, salt lakes, and coastal habitats create one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in the Mediterranean. This protected area combines ancient traditions with modern conservation to safeguard a landscape that supports rare species found nowhere else on Earth. tripadvisor.com Akrotiri Peninsula covers 60 square kilometers within the British Sovereign Base Area, just southwest of Limassol. The area centers around the Akrotiri Salt Lake, Cyprus's largest aquatic system, surrounded by coastal dunes, Mediterranean juniper forests, saltmarshes, and reedbeds. It holds designations as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, a Special Protection Area for birds, and a Special Area of Conservation. Historical Background Thousands of years ago, Akrotiri existed as…

Read more