Parco Nazionale all'Elba
National Park Tuscan archipelago
Text by the Agenzia Turismo per l'Arcipelago Toscano
Embracing an area that expands 600sq.km. between Livorno and the Argentario's promontory, within the National Park area are situated seven islands: Capraia, Elba, Giannutri, Giglio, Gorgona, Montecristo and Pianosa. Also included are the tiny rock formations known as the formiche (ants) di Grosseto and other tiny islands. The largest of the islands in the tuscan Archipelago is Elba (223,5 sq.kms.) and the smallest is Gorgona with an area of 2,23sq.kms. The island farthest from the coast is Montecristo which is located 68 kms from the coast. The closest of the islands are Elba and Capraia with only 34 kms separating them.
Despite their reduced dimensions, the islands are each endowed with a vast variety of landscapes and scenery and despite their close proximity are each quite unique.Elba for example,boasts a divided and complex land structure where as the neighbouring Pianosa is entirely flat and the island of Montecristo is simular to a cone in formation. Along the sea shapen coastlines caves and inlets alternate with small beaches protected by wild promontories and colorful covers rock faces quashing reminders of the presence of man.
Landscape and Morphology are derived from the diverse geological origins of the various islands. Gorgonia and Montecristo are composed entirely of granite whereas Giglio and Elba are formed from a mixture of Granite and rock deposits. Interestingly, Giannutri and Pianosa consist of limestone whilst Capraia was formed as a result of a fusion of rock through volcanic activity.
The traditional industry, before the tourist boom, was that of mining which once constituted the primary economic resource of the islands. The intensity of the mining activities which developed over the years is now reflected in the current state of vegetation.
Nelle zone più ventose si sviluppa la macchia
"bassa" dove prevale il cisto rosso e il cisto marino. Un bel bosco misto a carpino nero, ontano nero e castagno, con esemplari relitti di tasso ricopre pendici del monte Capanne, nell'isola
d'Elba. Particolare importanza hanno gli endemismi, limitati ad alcune isole, come la viola e il fiordaliso dell'Elba, come la linaria di Capraia.
Birdlife constitutes the most predominant
species of fauna present on the islands
with 600 nesting couples of the royal seagull,
200 couples of the Corsican seagull and
both the major and the minor species of
the shag for a total of 30 nesting couples.
Also common is the imperial crow and the
pilgrim falcon, the blue rock-thrush and
the wild pigeon. Naturally, the islands
are also a temporary home to a variety of
passing migratory birds.
The sea that surrounds the islands is home to all typical Tyrrhenian Sea species; sea anemone, sea-fans, coral, starfish. Also present are various types of dolphin, the brownstone bass and the rare moon fish. Occasional sightings of the sperm-whale and the common razor-back. Extremely sporadic are sightings of the nun seal.
Informations:
Ente Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago toscano
- Via Guerrazzi,1 - 57037 Portoferraio (LI)
tel. 0565.919411 - fax 0565.919428 - internet site: www.islepark.it
Similar Information
- National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago
- National Park offices
- National Park offices in Rio nell'Elba
- National Park offices in Marciana
- Law governing prohibitions in the National Park D.P.R. 22/7/96-art. 3
- Law governing prohibitions in "Zone 1" D.P.R. 22/7/96 - art. 4
- Law governing authorisations in the National Park D.P.R. 22/7/96 art. 5
- Ministerial Decree enacting National Park - D.M. Ambiente 19 december 1997 , art. 2
- Official Website of the National Park
