Lesson: Preserved Areas

Country: Cyprus

Teacher: ASKAN TEHRANI

please

Preserved Areas of Cyprus

• Larnaca Salt Lake (Alyki)

• Akamas Peninsula

Alyki Salt Lake

Akamas Peninsula

AlykiLarnaca Salt Lake

Alyki

During the winter months

the lake fills with

water.

In the summer

the water

evaporates, leaving a crust

of salt.

AlykiThe Legend

According to the legend, St Lazarus asked an old womanfor food and drink. Sherefused, claiming that her vineshad dried up. St Lazarusreplied: “may your vines be dryand be a salt lake forever more.”

and …a more scientific explanation

• The salt water penetrates theporous rock between the lake andthe sea, making the water verysalty.

Alyki

• Until recently, salt harvested from Alyki

used to be one of Cyprus major exports.

• It was collected and then carried by donkeys.

• With rising labour costs and

because of the expansion of the urban area,

salt harvesting stopped in 1986.

Alyki

Alyki is very important as a resting-place and for wintering waterbirds

like Flamingoes, Cranes, Stilts, Swans, Gulls and many other birds

during migration.

Akamas Peninsula

Akamas Peninsula

The Akamas peninsula, is a unique area with very rich flora and fauna.

Almost all the geological formations of Cyprus can be found here, from

narrow deep valleys, caves and islets to gorges such as that of Avakas,

resulting in a real geological mosaic.

Akamas Peninsula landscape

Akamas Peninsula landscape

Akamas Peninsula landscape

Akamas Peninsula landscape

Akamas Peninsula

As regards fauna, the endemic Paphos butterfly can be considered the emblem of the area.

On the remote beaches of Lara, the sea turtles, Caretta Caretta and Chelonia Mydas, breed in large numbers.

Akamas Peninsula fauna

Akamas Peninsula fauna

AGRINO – the Cyprus Muflon

Akamas

In the Akamas there are about 530 plants, of which 35 are endemic. Some of these plants are endemic* to the area.

(endemic* =can be found only here)

Akamas Peninsula

Alyssum akamasicum and Centaurea akamantis

have taken their name from the area itself, while species such as

Centaurea veneris, Tulipa cypria, Gladiolus triphyllus

and many others are found only in Cyprus and mostly in Akamas.

Crocus Cyprius

Gladiolus triphyllus

Anagallis

arvensis caerulea

Alyssum

akamasicum

Centaurea akamantis

Anagallis arvensis arvensis

Anacamptis pyramidalis

Allium ampeloprasum

Scabiosa cyprica

Cyclamen cyprium

Tulipa cypria

Centaurea veneris

Cephalorrynchus cyprius

Thlaspi cyprium

Orobanche cypria

PreservedArea.flv

BUT

having areas declared as preserved

is not enough

!!WE HAVE TO PROTECT THEM!!!