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Aspromonte National Park, whose name comes from the Aspromonte massif, is located in the province of Reggio Calabria, in a protected area.
It was created in 1989 and its territory was defined in 1994, whose value was reduced from 76,000 hectares to 64,153. The Aspromonte massif, which belongs to the Calabrian Alps, is composed principally of igneous rocks (granites) and metamorphic rocks (gneiss and schists). Some peaks are about 2,000 meters high: the highest is Montalto peak (1955 m). The landscape is fabulous from there, since it is possible to see Etna and the Aeolian Islands. Lake Rumia and Costantino offer wonderful panoramas too and they are located in the area of Gambarie in Bonamico Valley.
The park is characterised by a low latitude, a variation of altitude and a vicinity to the sea which together allowed the creation of a varied flora and fauna which comprehend also rare species

Flora. There are more deciduous oaks like downy oaks (Quercus pubescens), durmasts (Quercus petraea) and Quercus frainetto on the ionic slope, while chestnut trees (Castanea sativa) are more common on the Tyrrhenian slope.
The xerophilous Mediterranean scrub is present in the coastal area (Pistacia lentiscus, Myrtus communis, Erica arborea, Arbutus unedo, Euphorbia dendroides, ecc.), while cirtrus and olive trees are present in the cultivated areas. The vegetation typical of woods is present in the internal area and at high altitudes. Its extension is about 40.000 ha and it is possible to find holm oaks (Quercus ilex) at low altitudes, conifers and deciduous trees from 600 to 800 meters, black Calabrian pines or Laricio pines (Pinus nigra subsp. Laricio) between 800 and 1700 meters. Silver firs (Abies alba) and beech trees (Fagus sylvatica) are present above 1,200 meters.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)