Mount Parnon
Geography
Physical
The Parnon Massif is divided into three parts. The northernmost, which is the highest, runs 30 kilometres (19 miles) from just north of Ano Doliana in North Kynouria, eastern Arcadia, southeast to Platanaki Pass. Platanaki, ancient Glyppia, is on the ancient route from Therapnes to South Kynouria between the peaks of Parnon, 1,935 metres (6,348 feet), and Psaris, 1,836 m (6,024 ft). Altitudes on the north rise from 1,100 m (3,600 ft) to 1,300 m (4,300 ft) increasing toward the peak to 1,600 m (5,200 ft) to 1,800 m (5,900 ft) with a tree line at 1,750 m (5,740 ft). Below it are forests of Black Pine and fir; above it, grasslands.
Between the pass and Kounoupia to the south is 22 km (14 mi) of central Parnon, lower in altitude than the northern. The remaining 38 km (24 mi), even lower in altitude but still mountainous, runs from Kounouria to the sea at Epidaurus Limera, which is in Monemvasia. Parnon proper does not extend into the Malea Peninsula.
In addition to the range of Parnon, two forelands can also be defined, east and west. Kynouria is located in the east foreland. In the west two lengths can be distinguished: from the northern flank of Parnon to Gkoritsa in Therapnes (on the road to Platanaki Pass), which is 6 km (3.7 mi) to 15 km (9.3 mi), and southward into the Malea Peninsula, 3 km (1.9 mi) to 9 km (5.6 mi) wide.
Political
The nearest places are:
- Ano Doliana, north
- Agios Petros, north
- Kastanitsa, northeast
- Agios Vasileios, east
- Platanaki, east
- Palaiochori, east
- Kosmas, southeast
- Geraki, south
- Kallithea, southwest
- Vamvakou, west
Geology
The Parnon range is predominantly limestone. The mountain is home to the fifth deepest cave in Greece, the Peleta Sinkhole (depth as of 2006 is -543 m) and the impressive vertical cave Propantes (-360m).
See also
References
- ^ Unless otherwise cited this section relies heavily on Cartledge, Paul (2002). Sparta and Lakonia: A regional history 1300–362 BC (PDF). Taylor & Francis e-Library. London and New York: Routledge. pp. 13–14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-25. Retrieved 2011-09-01.
External links
- Parnon Trail
- Greek Mountain Flora
- "Oros Parnonas (GR2520006)". Natura 2000. European Environment Agency.
- Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 20 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 860. .