Flora and Fauna of Peria region
Location
Pieria is one of the thirteen prefectures of the Greek district of Macedonia.
It is located southwest of Thessaloniki and borders the prefectures of Imathia, Kozani and Larissa to the west and the Aegean Sea to the east. It is an area with beautiful nature, including many forests, rivers, wetlands and rich flora and fauna.
Pieria is a prefecture, where you can spend your holidays twelve months a year.
This is partly due to the wonderful beaches of Pieria, which are perfect for a summer holiday. Secondly, Mount Olympus and the Pieria Mountains are located here and are perfect for hikers and mountaineers. To summarize, the western and southern parts of the region are mountainous and cover 60% of the total area. The northern and central parts in the east are flat.
The capital of Pieria district
The capital of Pieria is the city of Katerini, which lies 68 kilometers (42 mi) from Thessaloniki. Katerini is located on the Athens-Thessaloniki route. About 80,000 inhabitants live in this city. In the city center there is the very popular Katerini Park, a favorite of both locals and tourists who enjoy walking around it.
A treasure trove of possibilities
Those who come on holiday in the summer will be able to enjoy the beautiful resorts that are located along the 70-kilometer coastline. The famous beaches are Korinos, Paralia, Olympiaki Akti (Olympic coast), Litochoro, Leptokarya, Platamonas and Neoi Poroi. Most of these beaches are beautiful sandy beaches.
If you like active holidays, you have come to the right place because you can participate in various sports activities such as hiking, mountain biking, mountain climbing, paragliding and all kinds of water sports in a beautiful natural environment where mountains and beaches are close to each other.
Excavated knowledge and culture
Pieria is also very rich in history and culture. There are several archaeological sites where the remains of buildings and objects are visible. The most famous are Dion, the Neolithic settlement of Makrigialos, ancient Pydna and the castle of Platamonas.
Litochoro
Litochoro is a pretty, traditional village on the slopes of Mount Olympus. From here begins one of the many mountain trails leading to the peak of Olympus. From here you can cross the Enipeas Gorge, where the river flows. This is a wonderful hike through beautiful, wild nature.
Pieria Mountains
Northwest of Olympus are the Pieria Mountains. These are mountains of exceptional beauty and geomorphological softness.
Here, nature is an art, unlike the rugged terrain of Olympus, where high peaks often intertwine with deep canyons.
Everything is “nicer” here. According to Greek mythology, the Nine Muses lived here.
These mountains are also famous for their rich flora and fauna and wonderful traditional mountain villages such as Skotina, Milia, Elatochori and Ryakia.
Olympus
The highest mountain in Greece, with the peak of Mykitas at 2,918 meters (9,600 ft). According to Greek mythology, it was the home of twelve Greek gods. This massive mountain is the second highest mountain in the Balkans and is located on the border of Pieria and Larissa prefectures.
The peak, Mykitas, is located in Pieria. It is a paradise for hikers who can reach the peak via many different paths. Every year, thousands of nature lovers come here to admire the beautiful landscapes of Olympus. Shelters are stationed in different places and at different heights to accommodate tourists.
It was the first mountain in Greece designated as a National Park (in 1938) and placed under protection.
Wetlands of Peria
There are several wetlands in Pieria:
- wetlands of the Aliakmon River in Elos Agathoupoli
- Aliki Kitrou wetlands
- Neoi Poroi wetlands.
Made by Natalia Janicka
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