Sofrana Islands
| Sofrana Islands | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Waters | Carpathian Sea | |
| archipelago | Dodecanese | |
| Geographical location | 36 ° 3 ' N , 26 ° 24' E | |
|
||
| Number of islands | 3 | |
| Main island | Zaforas (Megalo Sofrano) |
|
| Total land area | 1.427 km² | |
| Residents | uninhabited | |
The Sofrana Islands ( Greek νησίδες Σοφρανά nisídes Sofraná ) are a small group of three uninhabited rocky islands in the Carpathian Sea , around 55 kilometers south of the island of Astypalea with a total area of around 1.4 km². More nearer islands are the Cyclades -Insel Anafi about 56 kilometers northwest and Karpathos, southeast located around 75 kilometers. The islands are administered by the municipality of Astypalea in the Greek South Aegean region . The name of the eponymous main island, which is also called Zaforas , is related to the Greek name zaforá ζαφορά 'saffron', which refers to the crocus species Crocus cartwrightianus , which is widespread in the Aegean Sea . The Italian name of the main island is Zafrana (Italian zafferano 'saffron').
With an area of 1.281 km², Megalo Sofrano is by far the largest of the islands, followed by Mikro Sofrano with 0.104 km².
The individual islands
| Surname | Greek name | Area km² |
location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zaforas / Zafora / Megalo Sofrano | Ζαφοράς ( m. Sg. ) / Ζαφορά ( f. Sg. ) / Μεγάλο Σοφράνο ( n. Sg. ) | 1.281 | 36 ° 04 ′ 25 ″ N , 026 ° 24 ′ 03 ″ E |
| Sochas | Σοχάς ( m. Sg. ) | 0.032 | 36 ° 03 ′ 27 ″ N , 026 ° 24 ′ 17 ″ E |
| Micro Sofrano | Μικρό Σοφράνο ( n. Sg. ) | 0.104 | 36 ° 02 ′ 50 " N , 026 ° 24 ′ 34" E |
nature
Because of their remote location and because they are surrounded by deep sea, the islands are an important resting place for migratory birds as well as breeding grounds for seabirds and an important terrestrial ecosystem . The flora is characterized by the presence of endemics and so-called "small island specialists".
flora
The vegetation is characterized by Phrygana stocks and in the coastal area by halophytes . The occurrence of the "small island specialists" Silene holzmannii on Mikro Sofrano, the dog chamomile Anthemis scopulorum and the rock dweller Asperula tournefortii as well as other Aegean endemics is significant .
fauna
There are also some rare reptile species such as the Aegean bare finger ( Mediodactylus kotschyi ) and Podarcis erhardii zafranae, an endemic subspecies of the Cycladic wall lizard .
natural reserve
Together with other uninhabited rocky islands, the Sofrana Islands in the Natura 2000 network of protected areas in the southern Aegean Sea form an Area of Community Importance (SCI) GR 4210011 Vrachonisia Egeou: Velopoula, Falkonera, Ananes, Christiana, Paxia, Fteno, Makra, Astakidonisia, Syrna Gyro Nisia (Βραχονήσια Νοτίου Αιγαίου: Βελοπούλα, Φαλκονέρα, Ανάνες, Χριστιανά, Παχειά, Φτενό, Μακρά, Αστακιδονήσια, Σύρνα-Γύρω νησιά).
Because of their importance for rare bird species that breed here, such as Eleanor's falcon ( Falco eleonorae ) and coral gull ( Larus audouinii ), the islands are classified as a European bird sanctuary GR4210023 Islands of the Carpathian Sea: Megalo Sofano, Sochas, Mikro Sofδrano, Avgo, Divounia, Chamili, εakidonisia (ς Καρπάθιου Πελάγους: Μεγάλο Σοφράνο, Σοχάς, Μικρό Σοφράνο, Αυγό, Διβούνια, Χαμηλή, Αστακιδονήσια) reported and as " Important Bird Area " GR173 Islets of Karpathian Sea classified (GR173 Νησίδες Καρπάθιου Πελάγους).
Individual evidence
- ^ Charles Arnold (ed.): The islands of the Mediterranean. A unique and complete overview . 2nd Edition. marebuchverlag, Hamburg 2008, ISBN 3-86648-096-2 .
- ↑ Προσδιορισμός και χαρτογράφηση των ορνιθολογικά ευαίσθητων στα αιολικά πάρκα πλλλλανατης (πλκλλithological). ornithologiki.gr (PDF; 1.9 MB)
- ↑ Data sheet on flora and fauna of the islands of the Carpathian Sea, itia.ntua.gr ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 103 kB)
- ↑ Distribution areas of real lizards in Europe ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Natura 2000 area GR4220011, Greek ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Natura 2000 Standard Data Form - Gr4220023 ANAFI: Anatoliko Kai Voreio Tmima Kai Gyro Nisides. Retrieved January 26, 2015 .
- ↑ Data sheet for SPA GR4210023 , minenv.gr ( Memento of the original from January 9th, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF)
- ↑ IBA GR173 Islets of Karpathian Sea ornithologiki.gr
