Quercus ilex, the holly oak, also (ambiguously, as many oaks are evergreen) evergreen oak, is a large evergreen oak native to the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the section Ilex of the genus, with acorns that mature in a single summer.
Quercus ilex, the holly oak, also (ambiguously, as many oaks are evergreen) evergreen oak, is a large evergreen oak native to the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the section Ilex of the genus, with acorns that mature in a single summer.
Dikti or Dicte (Greek: Δίκτη) (also Lasithiotika Ori; Greek: Λασιθιώτικα Όρη "Lasithian Mountains"; anciently, Aigaion oros (Ancient Greek: Αἰγαῖον ὄρος) or Latin: Aegaeum mons) is a mountain range on the east of the island of Crete in the regional unit of Lasithi. On the west it extends to the regional unit of Heraklion.According to some versions of Greek mythology, Zeus was reared on this mountain in a cave called Dictaeon Antron (Psychro Cave). On the north of the main massif, the Lasithi Plateau is located. The topology of the mountain range is rich with plateaus (Lasithi, Katharo, Omalos Viannou, Limnakaro), valleys and secondary peaks. Some important peaks are Spathi (2,148 m) (the highest point), Afentis Christos/Psari Madara (2,141 m), Lazaros (2,085 m), Madara (1,783 m), Skafidaras (1,673 m), Katharo Tsivi (1,665 m), Sarakino (1,588 m), Afentis (1,571 m), Selena (1,559 m), Varsami (1,545 m), Toumpa Moutsounas (1,538 m), Platia Korfi (1,489 m), Mahairas (1,487 m), Virgiomeno Oros (1,414 m). The main massif forms a horseshoe around the valley of Selakano. Large parts of the mountain area, including the Selakano valley, are forested with pines (Pinus brutia), Kermes oaks (Quercus coccifera), cypresses (Cupressus sempervirens), Holm Oaks (Quercus ilex) and Cretan Maples (Acer sempervirens). The fertile valleys and plateaus of Dikti/Dicte are of significant importance in the local economy.
The dominant feature of Dikti is the Lasithi Plateau, the largest plateau in Crete. It is a place with a long history. Diktaion Antron, is located here, a cave in which — according to one legend — Zeus was born.
The Aspromonte is a mountain massif in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria (Calabria, southern Italy). In Italian aspro means "rough" whereas in Greek it means "white" (Άσπρος), therefore the name literally translates to either "rough mountain" or "white mountain". It overlooks the Strait of Messina, being limited by the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas and by the Pietrace river. The highest peak is Montalto (1,955 m (6,414 ft)). The constituting rocks are mostly gneiss, and mica schists, which form characteristic overlapping terraces. The massif is part of the Aspromonte National Park.
In the short coastal strip citrus fruits, vine and olives are grown, while at high elevations the vegetation is composed mostly by oak and holm oak under 1,000 m (3,300 ft), and by pine, Sicilian fir and beech over it. Olive trees grow in abundance. Also, the rare bergamot, the lemony-yellow fruit used in perfumes and flavouring for Earl Grey tea, only grows in the southern Aspromonte.
The Torre Guinigi is a tower in Lucca in the region of Tuscany, central Italy. It is a typical example of local Romanesque-Gothic architecture. The height of the tower is 45 metres (148 ft) with a total of 233 steps to reach the top.
The tower dates from the latter half of the 14th century, when a number of wealthy families were building towers within Lucca's walls as status symbols. It is one of the few remaining towers within the city. It is known for the holm oaks growing on top of the tower.