North Central Greece

This area includes most of the huge plain of Thessaly on the southern end, where cotton, grains and tobacco are cultivated.

Mt. Vourinos

This mountain, located southwest of Kozani, at an altitude of 1866 meters, or 6120 feet, is known for its flowers, which are specialized for serpentine rock.

One flower found here is not known anywhere else in the world-- a lovely gold drop (Onosma elegantissima) found on the mountain's middle slopes .

Other flora on these slopes (up to 1600 meters) include a special kind of vetch, an endemic rock rose, and many others. Higher up are a many other plants and quite a number of types of birds of prey, many of which breed here.

Jackals are also found on this mountain. Access is difficult, but there is a dirt road on the southwest side inbetween Varis and Exarchos.