The Dolomites – mountains born by the sea
The Dolomites bud from the union of various mountain groups that overtop the provinces of Belluno, Bolzano, Trento, Udine and Pordenone. These mountain groups mainly consist of dolomite rock, and this feature associates them.
Dolomite rock or dolostone, named after its discoverer, a French naturalist Dolomieu, is characterized by a light color that gives life to candid reflexions when illuminated by the sun. That’s why the Dolomites are also called “Monti Pallidi” that means “Pale Mounts”.
The Dolomites were born 250 million years ago, from an accumulation of shells, corals and calcareous algae, the remains of which can still be found impressed in the rock as an evidence of the marine origins of these mounts. The vegetation is mainly formed with coniferous forests that climb up to 1800 meters on Northern slopes, and up to 2200 meters on sunny ones. Above these altitudes, there are pine and mountain pine forests.
The Dolomites – A World Heritage Site
There are numerous nature parks, born in order to protect this peculiar nature. Thanks to the work of conservation and to the activity of various committees, in 2009 the Dolomites were recognized by the World Heritage Committee as a part of the World Heritage. This prestigious acknowledgment, appointed by the UNESCO, confirms the extraordinary distinctiveness of the Dolomites.
