As is well known, Greece is an ancient civilization of Europe. With the entry of Greek investment immigration into the Chinese market, traveling to Greece has become a longing for many Chinese people. Mount Olympus is one of the Greek scenic spots that many people love. Mount Olympus, the highest peak in Greece, is one of the main attractions within the national park. It is rich in history and cultural knowledge, and also allows you to appreciate the diversity of its ecosystem.
Every day, when the sun rises from the east, the dawn first illuminates the peak of this sacred mountain; when the sun sets and the moon rises from the east, the magnificent peak of Mount Olympus is bathed in the sunset glow. People believe that above the sea of clouds is where the gods rule the world; this is Mount Olympus, the source of Greek culture. Now, please follow National Geographic and join us in searching for the gods among the mountains.
Established in 1938, Mount Olympus National Park is located in Greece and covers an area of approximately 92 square miles (about 238 square kilometers). Mount Olympus is a sacred and precipitous mountain range, standing majestically and towering among the mountains of Greece. In winter, its peaks are covered in snow; in summer, its valleys are shaded by lush trees.
Myth-Laden Mountain
The Myth-Laden Mountain is the highest peak in Greece, and Mount Olympus is also the legendary home of the gods. In ancient Greek culture, the gods endowed this mountain range with sacred and glorious power. Through the passage of centuries, ancient Greek culture still occupies an incomparable position in Western culture and is an indispensable element in the origin of European culture.
Pantheon
The highest peak of this mountain is Mytikas, reaching a height of 9,573 feet (about 2,918 meters). The elders call this the Pantheon, the place where all gods gather. It is believed that the twelve gods lived in the mountains, and the ancient Greek poet Homer referred to this place as the "mysteriously shrouded place in the mountains."
The Olympic Games
Located on the side of the mountain, the village of Dion was once a sacred city of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia (Balkan Peninsula). Here, King Archelaus held the Olympic Games for nine consecutive days to worship Zeus (the supreme god in Greek mythology). Recently, an archaeological site was excavated in Dion village. Archaeological work is still ongoing, and an archaeological museum here exhibits its unique historical artifacts. In summer, the ancient theater within the archaeological museum presents exquisite performances during the Mount Olympus Festival.
Climate
Mount Olympus is a classic Mediterranean mountain, typically warm and dry in summer and humid in winter. High-altitude areas are often covered with thick snow for seven consecutive months (from November to May of the following year). Regardless of the season, as the climbing altitude increases, the temperature changes accordingly; generally, for every 200 meters of ascent, the temperature drops by an average of 1 degree Celsius.
Vegetation
Mount Olympus is home to one-quarter of all plant species in the Greek flora, totaling more than 1,700 varieties. The diversity of plants here benefits from the climatic conditions at different altitudes on the mountain and its humid geographical location near the sea. Deciduous trees and shrubs are the main trees at an altitude of 1,640 feet (500 meters), while dense pine and fir trees grow at slightly higher elevations. Coniferous forests grow at higher altitudes on the mountain, including the rare Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii). At an altitude of 8,202 feet (about 2,500 meters), the number of trees is lower than at lower elevations, and large areas of wildflowers bloom.