The flora of the Troodos is of great importance too and it is characteristics are largely due to the particular ecological conditions created by high altitude and rainfall, temperature and geology. That is why 52% of the endemic plants of Cyprus –that’s about 71 species, including the cyclamen cyprium, which has been recently declared as the national flower of Cyprus –can be found in the area.
Troodos is also well-known for it is splendid forests. The natural centuries-old forests of black pine (pinus nigra) grow above an altitude of 1200 m and cover a total forest area of 4700 hectares. In lower levels calabrious pine grows(pinus brutia).
The forestry station at Stavros tis psokas(Pafos forest) and Platania(near Kakopetria) both keep herds of mouflon , the heraldic wild sheep of Cyprus . the animal and plant worlds of Cyprus waters are to be seen at the Marine Life Museum in Agia Napa. The museum of Palaeontology in Larnaka houses a unique collection of fossils including the pygmy elephant and hippopotamus which once lived on the island.
Related posts:
Tags: cyprus holidays, cyprus travel, north cyprus, nothern cyprus, troodos endemic, troodos flora, troodos history, troodos nature, troodos wildlife