LOCATION
GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE
The territory of Otranto presents different geological characteristics. Inland you notice tuffs limestone dating back to the Pliocene; the coastline, however, offers extensive terraces with marked differences in the level and nature of karst rocky crags.
The climate is relatively mild throughout the year, with lower temperatures in January (average 6 ° -10 °) and highest in the months of July and August (average 25 ° -30 °). The annual precipitation normally range between 700 and 800 mm. Otranto, almost always, is crossed by more or less intense winds and high humidity.
GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE
The territory of Otranto presents different geological characteristics. Inland you notice tuffs limestone dating back to the Pliocene; the coastline, however, offers extensive terraces with marked differences in the level and nature of karst rocky crags.
The climate is relatively mild throughout the year, with lower temperatures in January (average 6 ° -10 °) and highest in the months of July and August (average 25 ° -30 °). The annual precipitation normally range between 700 and 800 mm. Otranto, almost always, is crossed by more or less intense winds and high humidity.
HYDROGRAPHY
The river is born from Hydro source of Charlemagne (provincial Otranto-Uggiano La Chiesa), runs through the valley for three miles, skirting Monte Cavallo, and empties into the sea near the public gardens. It represents the surface hydrography in the territory of Otranto. The river has an average flow of 600 It / sec. There are, however, in the fief of Otranto, other pools of fresh water on the surface, as the source of Fontanelle and those of St. Stephen, St. Andrew and Specchiulla. The aquifer is more profound, with minor and with a higher salinity in the south; shallower, with greater range and with a decent salinity in the north.
The port town is the division between two coastal stretches quite distinct on the southern coast, north of Capo d’Otranto, to the dock in Porto Badisco, there are prominent cliffs overlooking the sea and picturesque coves; the coast to the north, on the other hand, is almost entirely flat and sandy. The territory of Otranto also boasts the presence of two basins, the Lakes Alimini. They have different characteristics: Fontanelle, further south, comes from a spring underground sweet; Alimini Grande, from brackish water, is fed from the first by means of a channel.
HYDROGRAPHY
The river is born from Hydro source of Charlemagne (provincial Otranto-Uggiano La Chiesa), runs through the valley for three miles, skirting Monte Cavallo, and empties into the sea near the public gardens. It represents the surface hydrography in the territory of Otranto. The river has an average flow of 600 It / sec. There are, however, in the fief of Otranto, other pools of fresh water on the surface, as the source of Fontanelle and those of St. Stephen, St. Andrew and Specchiulla. The aquifer is more profound, with minor and with a higher salinity in the south; shallower, with greater range and with a decent salinity in the north.
The port town is the division between two coastal stretches quite distinct on the southern coast, north of Capo d’Otranto, to the dock in Porto Badisco, there are prominent cliffs overlooking the sea and picturesque coves; the coast to the north, on the other hand, is almost entirely flat and sandy. The territory of Otranto also boasts the presence of two basins, the Lakes Alimini. They have different characteristics: Fontanelle, further south, comes from a spring underground sweet; Alimini Grande, from brackish water, is fed from the first by means of a channel.
FLORA
The whole area has a rich vegetation. The plant most present, especially in the area of Alimini Lakes, is certainly the maritime pine (Pinus pinaster). There are also the Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) and pine (Pinus pinea). In the undergrowth of the many pine trees are known to exist flomide shrub (Phlomisfruticosa), thyme (Thymus capitatus) and the leaf lobed sage (Salvia triloba). The fief Otranto offers a wide area of Mediterranean vegetation, which includes a dense evergreen shrubs, such as mastic, myrtle, thyme and lianas, and meadows of clover, bindweed, and connect the white orchid. There are also wetlands where they grow the carex (Whiskers). Also noteworthy plants from some colorful flowers, gorse, myrtle, helichrysum, and garrigue. Along the ancient dunes in the area Alimini grow rosemary, tamarisk, juniper, mastic, myrtle and psammophilous. The flora of Otranto is enriched for more from a group of endemics (Teucrium japygicum, Centaurea japygica, Thymus spinulosus, Crocus thomasii, Anthemishydruntina).
Other characteristic plants of the entire area of Salento enhance the agro Otranto: the caper, wild onions, watermelon asinine, the bramble, the poppy, the Marguerite daisy, oregano, nettles, shepherd’s purse, couch grass the wild rocket, wild mint, sage, liana, thyme. Among the evergreens we see the wild pear tree, holm oak and arbutus.
The real star, however, these areas remains the olive tree. Do not forget, however, the mulberry and fig. The grounds of the estate hydruntino are suitable for spontaneous growth of mushrooms, such as the morel, the algarico delicious and the algarico blood, the middlings, the morel of St. George, the fly agaric, the algaricopanterino and l ‘algarico bruise, the mangy citrine.
FLORA
The whole area has a rich vegetation. The plant most present, especially in the area of Alimini Lakes, is certainly the maritime pine (Pinus pinaster). There are also the Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) and pine (Pinus pinea). In the undergrowth of the many pine trees are known to exist flomide shrub (Phlomisfruticosa), thyme (Thymus capitatus) and the leaf lobed sage (Salvia triloba). The fief Otranto offers a wide area of Mediterranean vegetation, which includes a dense evergreen shrubs, such as mastic, myrtle, thyme and lianas, and meadows of clover, bindweed, and connect the white orchid. There are also wetlands where they grow the carex (Whiskers). Also noteworthy plants from some colorful flowers, gorse, myrtle, helichrysum, and garrigue. Along the ancient dunes in the area Alimini grow rosemary, tamarisk, juniper, mastic, myrtle and psammophilous. The flora of Otranto is enriched for more from a group of endemics (Teucrium japygicum, Centaurea japygica, Thymus spinulosus, Crocus thomasii, Anthemishydruntina).
Other characteristic plants of the entire area of Salento enhance the agro Otranto: the caper, wild onions, watermelon asinine, the bramble, the poppy, the Marguerite daisy, oregano, nettles, shepherd’s purse, couch grass the wild rocket, wild mint, sage, liana, thyme. Among the evergreens we see the wild pear tree, holm oak and arbutus.
The real star, however, these areas remains the olive tree. Do not forget, however, the mulberry and fig. The grounds of the estate hydruntino are suitable for spontaneous growth of mushrooms, such as the morel, the algarico delicious and the algarico blood, the middlings, the morel of St. George, the fly agaric, the algaricopanterino and l ‘algarico bruise, the mangy citrine.
FAUNA
Speaking of quadrupeds we can notnot mention the fox and the hare, animals very much present in the territory of Otranto. Recall, also, weasels, hedgehogs and marten, and, some times, you may even see some yew and wild cat. The lizard, the snake, the lizard, the gecko salamander and stand out among reptiles saurians; the viper, one of the poisonous reptiles. Many species of beetles. The snake rat snake, usually black in color, is the most common.
The area of the Lakes Alimini boasts the presence of many species of birds and aquatic wildlife: sparrows, magpies, quail, woodcock, doves, thrushes, coots, pheasants, ducks, cormorants, herons, Garganey, African grays, knights of Italy, paragraphs and starling.
FAUNA
Speaking of quadrupeds we can notnot mention the fox and the hare, animals very much present in the territory of Otranto. Recall, also, weasels, hedgehogs and marten, and, some times, you may even see some yew and wild cat. The lizard, the snake, the lizard, the gecko salamander and stand out among reptiles saurians; the viper, one of the poisonous reptiles. Many species of beetles. The snake rat snake, usually black in color, is the most common.
The area of the Lakes Alimini boasts the presence of many species of birds and aquatic wildlife: sparrows, magpies, quail, woodcock, doves, thrushes, coots, pheasants, ducks, cormorants, herons, Garganey, African grays, knights of Italy, paragraphs and starling.
