National Forest Park of Athalassa

The administration and management of the park belongs to the Forest Department, while it is in the forest region of Nicosia, Larnaca and Famagusta. Located in a key geographic area of the island it encloses in its borders the developing areas of Aglantzia, Strovolos, Latsia and Geri. It is a source of leisure and oxygen for the locals and the visitors of the Cyprus’ capital.
The National Forest Athalassa has plenty of underground waters, relatively smooth terrain and it consists of geological formations of the Troodos Mountain range, some of which were formed during the Cenozoic era. Throughout the area, there are growing more than 300 trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, of which “natural” species are found only in the area around the two fences, while the rich fauna of the park counts about 173 species of birds, 27 species of butterflies 7 species of mammals, 6 species of reptiles, as well as an amphibian. Significant contribution to the development of the park has always been the standard planting of trees by schools and organized groups during the tree festival, organized by the competent bodies of the park.
During the last 20 years the park hosts a botanical garden where more than 200 exotic and native species of trees and bushes are hosted, a pine clone bank and the “park of the nations”.
The Athalassa Park has become a European reference for how a natural area can combine green infrastructure and urban development.