Image via WikipediaZakynthos (also known in English as Zante), Greece is much more than a place for sun and surf. It may very well be the hidden gem of eco-tourism in the Mediterranean.Zakynthos, or Zante, lies off of the western coast of Greece. It is part of the Ionian island chain, and covers an area of roughly 158 square miles. It's long been a popular tourist destination. The island's regular, year-round population of around 40,000 sees more than ten times that number in annual visitors. Most are from other Mediterranean countries. However, the island has a thriving foreign tourist presence as well.
A majority of visitors, particularly those from the Mediterranean area, come mainly for the sunshine and pristine beaches. Its clear blue waters are a big draw, particularly during the months of July, August and September. Temperatures during these months hover between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the island maintains a fairly warm climate year-round, rarely dropping below the 50's.
Today Zakynthos is becoming more widely recognized as an ecological gem. Its ecological uniqueness was downplayed in recent years, something that is changing with the times.
The balmy island is home to one of the world's most fascinating endangered creatures, the Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). Careless tourism and poor development planning in past decades nearly decimated their population. Today, however, the Caretta caretta is a protected species and has become a major part of Zakynthos' allure.
The Loggerhead is found in a number of areas, including the Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. A fully-grown adult can be 84 inches long. It is, in fact, the largest hard-shelled turtle in the world. This marine turtle has a very low reproductive rate, and can have long periods of dormancy between fertility cycles. This biological fact is helping to accelerate the extinction of this reptile.
However, the biggest contributor to its disappearance is humans. Developers on Zakynthos gave little regard to Caretta caretta in the early years of the tourism boom. Hotels and clubs were built haphazardly along Laganas Bay in the early 1980's. They severely encroached on the Loggerhead's main territory, causing their nesting grounds to nearly disappear off Zakynthos forever.
Today the beautiful bay is a protected area; thanks to a 1992 European Commission directive. Funding from the European Union helped Greece staff the park. Development was curbed and contained so that the turtles could nest in safety and rebuild their population.
The area is now known as the National Marine Park of Zakynthos. Officials in Greece work hard at maintaining a balance between preserving the area and keeping tourism dollars flowing. A code of conduct dictates what kinds of activities are allowed to take place in the area. It covers development, fishing, swimming and a number of other activities.
Officials also educate tourists on the plight of the Loggerhead and other endangered life forms, like the Sea Daffodil. It manages eco-tours within the park, allowing visitors to observe the marine reptiles without disturbing their nesting territories.
Eco-tourists may also observe the endangered monk seal, or Monachus monachus, on the western shores of Zakynthos. Sightings have become rarer, since it's estimated that fewer than 500 remain in the entire world. The seal is protected in the Alonissos Marine Park on Alonissos Island. Seals that drift over to Zakynthos' shores lose their protected status.
Local groups, however, have raised a great deal of awareness about this marine mammal in recent years. It has prompted locals and tourists alike to avoid disturbing the ones who venture into the waters around Zakynthos.
Besides its endangered species', the island is home to diverse terrain and a variety of locally grown products. Eco-tourists can observe mountains, coastal cliffs and fertile plains. They may also sample local produce like olives (and olive oil), grapes, citrus fruits and currants, including the Zante currant, native to Zakynthos.
Eco-tourism opportunities will likely increase as greater emphasis is placed on preserving Zakynthos, Greece's flora and fauna. Zante's campaign to educate visitors may be its ticket to ensuring the survival of its endangered plants and animals.
Information about the Greek island of Corfu can be found at: http://www.yourcorfu.net and includes hotel reviews: http://www.yourcorfu.net/hotels
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