Troodos is the biggest mountain range of Cyprus, located in the center of the island. Troodos' highest peak is Mount Olymbus at 1,952 meters.
Their green slopes, dotted with tiny villages, the forest paths, the cool weather and, last but not least, the ancient monasteries, attract many people to discover this beautiful and still wild landscape.
The geology of the area has a scientific importance that reaches beyond the boundaries of Cyprus. The internationally known ophiolite complex of Troodos is one of only a few in the world lending themselves to specialized scientific research and , particularly, the understanding of the formation of the ocean crust.
Today Troodos is considered to be the best preserved and the most systematically studied ophiolite complex in the world. It is doubtful whether there is any other complex which has influenced to such a degree modern geological theories about the continental spreading and lithospheric plates.
The peculiarity of the Troodos flora is largely due the particular ecological conditions created by high altitude, and high rainfall, the temperature and the geology. This is why, in such a small area, radius 4-5 km, 52% of the endemic plants of Cyprus - that is 67 species out of a total 127 - can be found.
There is plenty to see in the mountains. You will see breathtaking panoramic views, mist and clouds on the mountain peaks, waterfalls and crystal clear creeks as well as a great variety of flora and fauna. If you are lucky, there could even be a chance to meet Cyprus horned sheep -the Moufflon.
The mountains are covered in trees of pinus, cedar, cypresses and oks and convince every guest that Cyprus is an island of contrasts.
In addition to its natural beauty, Troodos is the setting for a remarkable group of lavishly frescoed Byzantine churches
The heights are snow covered from January to March and have become a venue for skiers. In high summer the Troodos pine forests offer a cool escape from the lowlands.
Their green slopes, dotted with tiny villages, the forest paths, the cool weather and, last but not least, the ancient monasteries, attract many people to discover this beautiful and still wild landscape.
The geology of the area has a scientific importance that reaches beyond the boundaries of Cyprus. The internationally known ophiolite complex of Troodos is one of only a few in the world lending themselves to specialized scientific research and , particularly, the understanding of the formation of the ocean crust.
Today Troodos is considered to be the best preserved and the most systematically studied ophiolite complex in the world. It is doubtful whether there is any other complex which has influenced to such a degree modern geological theories about the continental spreading and lithospheric plates.
The peculiarity of the Troodos flora is largely due the particular ecological conditions created by high altitude, and high rainfall, the temperature and the geology. This is why, in such a small area, radius 4-5 km, 52% of the endemic plants of Cyprus - that is 67 species out of a total 127 - can be found.
There is plenty to see in the mountains. You will see breathtaking panoramic views, mist and clouds on the mountain peaks, waterfalls and crystal clear creeks as well as a great variety of flora and fauna. If you are lucky, there could even be a chance to meet Cyprus horned sheep -the Moufflon.
The mountains are covered in trees of pinus, cedar, cypresses and oks and convince every guest that Cyprus is an island of contrasts.
In addition to its natural beauty, Troodos is the setting for a remarkable group of lavishly frescoed Byzantine churches
The heights are snow covered from January to March and have become a venue for skiers. In high summer the Troodos pine forests offer a cool escape from the lowlands.
Ορεινό σύμπλεγμα Τροόδους
Είναι ένας επιβλητικός ορεινός όγκος ελλειπτικής μορφής, που καταλαμβάνει το κεντρικό-δυτικό τμήμα του νησιού. Καλύπτει έκταση 3.200 περίπου τετραγωνικών χιλιομέτρων και αποτελείται αποκλειστικά από πυριγενή πετρώματα, τα οποία αποτελούν το γνωστό Οφιολιθικό Σύμπλεγμα του Τροόδους.
Η οροσειρά χαρακτηρίζεται από ψηλές βουνοκορφές, απότομες πλαγιές, φαράγγια και βαθιές κοιλάδες. Η ψηλότερη βουνοκορή του Τροόδους είναι η Χινοίστρα με ύψος 1,952 μέτρα.
Η μεγάλη βροχόπτωση που δέχεται η οροσειρά του Τροόδους βοηθά στη σχετικά γρήγορη ανάπτυξη των δασών, τα οποία καλύπτουν το μεγαλύτερο τμήμα της.
Η μεγάλη βροχόπτωση που δέχεται η οροσειρά του Τροόδους βοηθά στη σχετικά γρήγορη ανάπτυξη των δασών, τα οποία καλύπτουν το μεγαλύτερο τμήμα της.
Η βλάστηση είναι πλούσια σε είδη δέντρων (μαυρόπευκος, τραχεία πεύκη (αγριόπευκος), κέδρος), θάμνων και αγριολούλουδων ανάλογα με το υψόμετρο. Στις κοιλάδες της οροσειράς φυτρώνουν ο πλάτανος και ο σκλήδρος ενώ στις πλαγιές απαντά η λατζιά, η αντρουκλιά, η τριμιθιά, η ξισταρκά και άλλα πλατύφυλλα είδη.
Το Τρόοδος είναι ο δημιουργός του υγιεινού, ήπιου κλίματος του νησιού. Πάνω απ' όλα όμως το Οφιολιθικό Σύμπλεγμα του Τροόδους είναι το "θεμέλιο" πάνω στο οποίο έχει κτιστεί το νησί, είναι η γεωλογική και μoρφολογική σπονδυλική στήλη της Κύπρου.
Κάθε Χειμώνα οι ψηλότερες κορυφές καλύπτονται με χιόνι, δίνοντας έτσι την ευκαιρία στους λάτρεις των χειμερινών σπορ να τα απολαύσουν. Αλλά και το Καλοκαίρι με το δροσιά του δάσους προσφέρει απίθανες αποδράσεις από τις πόλεις.
2 comments:
I had no idea that you would have snow!! You really have the best of both worlds don't you? Your boy's on the sled I presume :-))
Efharisto = Thank you Kim. When you come to Cyprus you will see a lot of surprises! Yes, we do have snows every winter, up on the mountains, where they belong. Yes my two boys (Perry & Renos) some years ago.
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