Flora and fauna

Self- vegetation and animal species in Apulia

A huge number of biotopes of vegetable and animal species characterizes the region, even if only the 7% of the territory has been declared protected area. The territory is marked by the Mediterranean maquis. On the other hand, the fauna produces three different zones.

Vegetation and animals of the Apulian territory

flowery fields and olive

The Apulian self-vegetation was once rich of woods; today the territory shows the Mediterranean maquis and the so-called ganga (rocky pasture). Among the arboreal species we find the Aleppo Pine, in particular on the Gargano coast and in the area of the Gulf of Taranto, and the holm-oak, typical of the Salento; on the so-called Murgia we can admire Beeches, Durmasts, Hornbeams and Maples.

Mediterranean scrub and olive trees

The Mediterranean maquis represents the distinctive trait of this territory: it is a self-vegetation mostly characterized by shrubs which stand up to the summer dry weather such as the Lentisk, the Broom, the maritime Cistus, the thorny Oak tree, the Strawberry-tree, the Myrtle, the Juniper, the Phoenician, the Carob, the Caper, the Fig-tree, the White-thorn, the thorny Plum-tree, the Blackberry bush and so on.

seagull on the Tremiti Islands

The fauna of the territory produces three large areas. About 20 years ago, it was possible to admire, on the Gargano, wolfs and roes which are completly disappeared. There are only few wild boars but we can still admire the badger, the fox, the porcupine, the mole, the weasel and the squirrel. In the zones of Murgia and Salento there are few mammals, mostly rodents such as the fieldmouse. Among the birds we find the lark and the meadow pipit. The lowland is characterized by the presence of the meadow chicken.

pink flamingos

The region shows two national parks: the Gargano National Park with many areas and reserves such as the Foresta Umbra, the reserve of Falascone and the lakes of Lesina and Varano, and the Alta Murgia National Park with its Karst phenomena, the steppe landscapes with lichens, mosses, wild orchids, amphibians and many bird species. There are also two regional parks (Lama Balice and Portoselvaggio – Torre Uluzzo ), three maritime reserves (Torre Guaceto, Porto Cesareo and the Tremiti islands) and many natural reserves and protected areas.

horses of murge

The protected areas offer a refuge for many species. In the woods of the Gargano we can find the roe which is also the symbol of the park. The moist zones give hospitality to numerous migratory birds, such as the rare flamingo. There are also the sparrow-hawk which feeds on the hen-pheasant, a typical and rare species of the steppe areas.

Weather Puglia

Meteo Puglia
Useful information for tourists

Useful information for tourists in Apulia

  • Language:

    Italian

    Currency:

    Euro

    International code:

    0039

    Travel document:

    Identity card for community citizens; passport for extra-community tourists

  • Useful numbers:

    • Carabinieri 112
    • State Police 113
    • Firemen 115
    • Finance Police 117
    • First Aid 118
  • How to reach Apulia:

    By plane

    Bari Airport: Karol Wojtyla. Brindisi Airport: Papola Casale. Foggia Airport: Gino Lisa

    By train

    Trenitalia links the main Italian cities of Apulia

    On highway

    A14 from Bologna through Foggia and Bari to Taranto

    A16 from Napoli; in Canosa it converges with A14.

The Baroque in Lecce, architectonic expression of the 16th century

Basilica di Santa Croce

In 1539 emperor Carlo V chooses the city of Lecce as the chief town of Apulia making it a real building yard. This prosperous period is deeply linked with the famous architectural phenomenon called the Baroque of Lecce.

Secular olive-groves with crooked trunks appearing as real natural sculptures

Secular olive-groves

Symbol of the flora of the whole region is the olive tree, which characterizes the territory from the Tavoliere to the end of the Salento with immense fields.

Secular olive-groves

The olive trees with their beauty and charm, given by their secular crooked trunks, embody the history of Apulia thanks to their millenarian presence on the territory. They are the oldest and largest group of millenarian vegetal specimens in the world.