The Karaburun Peninsula has a typical Mediterranean overgrowth. But the peninsula also offers a couple of only is this region growing special products such as the “Hurma”- olive (an olive which through a microclimate effect ripens directly on the tree and need no further treatment before consumption), the narcissus flower with its unique scent and the artichoke. Most of the Peninsula is covered with maquis. 27.000 hectares are covered with pine woods.  The following are typical for the area: strawberry tree, wild olive tree, sandal tree, turpentine tree, kermes oak, Persian lilac, maple-tree, mastic tree and the omnipresent rockrose.

Ever since old times the Karaburun Peninsula was known for its vineyards and olive groves. But plant diseases and emigration made the villagers abandon the growth of grapes. However olive growth represents still the most common agricultural activity. About 470.750 olive trees (2560 hectares) produce 3500 tons of olives. Unfortunately part of the trees is not harvested since the groves are not accessible by land road or situated on steep terrain. This results into an important economical loss. During the last years, some entrepreneurs have rented large terrains for the laying-out of new olive tree plantations. Next to this, great efforts are made to transform the whole Karaburun Peninsula into an organic crops producing region. 

What is left over of the once omnipresent vineyards can be resumed in 60 hectares of seedless grapes and 10 hectares of grapes with seeds.

The most important agricultural activities of the Karaburun Peninsula consist of cut-flowers (narcissi and hyacinth), mandarins and artichokes. The yearly narcissi and hyacinth production is good for about 22000 flowers. 140 hectares are used for artichoke production, resulting in 6.450.000 artichokes. Lemon, mandarins and oranges are grown on 90 hectares. The yearly production amounts 1060 tons.

HEALING PLANTS

The Karaburun Peninsula has a rich natural collection of healing plants. In the hills and valleys one can find some 67 medicinal herbs and plants. Spurge, pennyroyal, common poppy, perforate St. John’s-wort, caper, thyme, silifa, Aaron’s rod, sea squill, sage and wild lavender are only some of them.

The Karaburun Peninsula has a rich wildlife stock. On land as well as in the sea, one can see various species, of which some are quite rare. Wild boar, fox, marten, badger, otter, hare, squirrel,  birds of prey (eagle, buzzard, falcon etc.), water-turtles, river-crabs, chameleon, snakes, lizards as well as many butterflies and other insects like beetles, grasshoppers, praying mantis etc. are part of the Karaburun fauna. 

The maritime fauna of the Karaburun Peninsula is also quite interesting, since one can find nearly all maritime species encountered in the seas surrounding Turkey.  Until recently the importance of the fish stock decreased dramatically due to uncontrolled and prohibited fishing techniques. But protection measures and controlled exploitation of the fishing grounds have stopped this downwards trend.   

Certainly one of the most important species present along the coasts of the Karaburun Peninsula, is the extinction threatened Mediterranean Monk seal (Monachus monachus) of which only 500 individuals are surviving in the world, of which about 100 in Turkey. The shores of the Karaburun Peninsula hide several sea caves, where the Mediterranean Monk seals give bird and feed their pups during their first months. Most of the caves have been located and great efforts are made to protect the seals in order to guaranty the survival of this most vulnerable species. 

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