Lefka Ori of Crete

Photographer: Kotsaftis Xristos
Summary Author: Kotsaftis Xristos; Jim Foster

The photo above shows a long dead carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) still holding sentinel on a rock outcrop in the Lefka Ori (White Mountains), on the island of Crete, Greece. The Lefka Ori are composed chiefly of limestone. Even though they’re the southern-most range in Europe, they’re nonetheless high enough to receive snow during the winter months and hold it until early spring. The highest point is 8,047 ft (2,453 m), and nearly two dozen summits are higher than 7,000 ft (2,134 m). Both the snow covered uplands and the blanched limestone rocks contribute to the name of the range, which is the largest on Crete, occupying a considerable area of the central and western portions of the island. Photo taken on June 8, 2009.