|  |  :: TRAVELLING :: UNTOUCHED :: |
.jpg)  Flora and fauna of the Amalfi coast
To a distracted onlooker the rough and wonderful Costiera Amalfitana with the Penisola Sorrentina does not seem to offer much to walkers. But on this promontory 25 km long, which rises to more than 1400 m of height, an extended network of paths is drawn, many of which of ancient origin. Walking on these well patterned paths you will be able to touch the wonders of the peninsula, which because of its magnificence has become Unesco heritage. Contrasts are the essence of this enchanting corner of coast: on one side the crowded coastal towns, on the other the small villages, often accessible only on foot, the isolated farms on the sides of the mountain and the wild countryside.
The mountains of the peninsula are essentially part of the Lattari mountains, which separate the gulf of Naples from the gulf of Salerno. The rocks are a sheer drop from all sides almost directly into the sea. They are made up of a particular type of sea limestone, and their permeability is responsible for the formation of deep valleys.
The vegetation is very diversified: at the lower levels there is a majority of lemons, olive trees and vine cultivations that often continue even higher up in the mountains on terraces built with great ability. In the intermediate area, far from the cultivated land, you will see oaks and small carobs. At the higher levels, above the tree line, chestnuts and alders are predominant, with ash trees and beeches, albeit the latter, which are very exploited commercially in the past, are quite rare.
The strong plants of the Mediterranean bush that have adapted to those extremes of heat and dry weather are all tenaciously attached to the earth. The wild flowers are abundant anywhere: rock roses, cyclamens, lilies, genistas, honeysuckles, poppies, the list is truly unending.
Unfortunately the fauna, mammals and birds, is scarce; the number of used cartridges on the ground suggest one of the main reasons for this.
(photo: Campania Region)
May.2002
Amalfi-coast
Unesco Heritage
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