Area

1790 km²

Highest peak

Argentera, 3297m

Unesco status

On the tentative list of France and Italy since 2013

Nature of the property

Cross-border natural property

Unesco criteria

Criteria VIII (geology), IX (biological and ecological processes), X (natural habitats and remarkable species)

Date of candidacy

february 2017

Important Fauna

Ibex (Capra ibex), Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), the European wolf (Canis lupus lupus), salamander Strinati (Hydromantes strinatii) bats and insects.

Important Flora

Saxifrage with multiples flowers (Saxifraga florulenta), Bérard thistle (Berardia subacaulis)

Outstanding Universal Value (V.U.E)

The O.U.V. of the Mediterranean Alps is based on the geology and biological and ecological processes

Scene of a succession of three major orogenic events spread over more than 400 million years (formation of the Variscan and Alpine chains and opening of the Mediterranean), today, our territory bears traces to an extraordinary geological past.

The unusual topography is characterised by strong altitudinal and climatic contrasts, the foundation of the development of unique biological and ecological processes: adaptation and migration of species in reply to the climate changes, genetic evolution in the refuge areas, endemisms and paleoendemisms. Therefore, it is an unusual non-standard biodiversity.

Climate

Unique altitudinal contrast over only 50 km, 7 thermo-climatic belts overlap each other. From the thermo-Mediterranean climate of the coast to the Alpine orotemperate climate.

Protected spaces included in the property

Mercantour National Park, Maritime Alps Natural Park, Ligurian Alps, Marguareis Natural Park, Regional protected area of Hanbury Botanical Gardens, Natura 2000 area of the Province of Imperia and the protected littoral area of the Maritime Alps