Pedoclimatic and Landscape Conditions of Greek Olive Groves

Greece belongs to the temperate continental climate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. The continental part of the country represents about 80% of total land while the remaining 20% is distributed among 6.000 islands. Soil is commonly dry and rocky and only 20% is considered arable. Low content in organic matter is also a common limitation of soils in Greece. Land is mainly sloping and mountainous and therefore prone to soil erosion. The climate is typical Mediterranean with mild rainy winter, relatively warm and dry summer, and extensive sunshine period throughout most of the year. The average annual temperature can be lower than 8 °C in some Northern mountainous areas while it can be higher than 20 °C in other areas. In the same rationale, average annual precipitation is as low as 300 mm in Cyclades islands and as high as 2000 mm in Pindos mountain. The climate in the major part of the country is suitable for this crop, favoring constant expansion even nowadays that available land is scarce and mainly exploited for touristic and urban uses. Indeed, 14% of agricultural land and 75% of the land devoted to fruit tree growing, respectively, is covered by olive groves with approximately 150 million olive trees.