{{Short description|Forest in Cyprus}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Machairas Forest | alt_name = {{lang|el|Μαχαιράς}} | iucn_category = | image = Machairas-from-lazanias.jpg | image_caption = Machairas Forest with Kionia Peak, seen from Lazanias. | location = near [[Lazanias]], [[Nicosia District]], [[Cyprus]] | map = Cyprus | map_width = | map_alt = | map_caption = Location in Cyprus | relief = yes | coordinates = {{coord|34.9406|33.1909|region:CY_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | area = {{convert|46.37|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} | established = 1885 | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = }}
In a general sense, the '''Machairas Forest''' is the forested area at the eastern end of the [[Troodos Mountains|Troodos mountain range]] or [[Massif|massif]] in south-central [[Cyprus]] and, more specifically, it is a state forest and national park covering around {{convert|46.37|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} in the northern foot-hills of Kionia Peak, the highest point in the eastern Troodos.<ref name=brochure>"The Machairas National Forest Park", information brochure published by the Press and Information Office, Nicosia, 2006; available from the Forestry Department website: www.moa.gov.cy/moa/fd/fd.nsf/All/CDA39B728D54EEAAC225810800356E03?OpenDocument </ref><ref name=polignosi>"Μαχαιράς δάσος" (Machairas Forest); article in "Polygnosi" the Cypriot encyclopedia run by Politis newspaper and the Bank of Cyprus - www.polignosi.com - retrieved Aug 2025 (in Greek)</ref>
Machairas forest is a [[Cyprus Mediterranean forests|Mediterranean type forest]] consisting primarily of Calabrian pine (''[[Pinus brutia]]''), which is similar to the Aleppo pine, and Golden Oak (''[[Quercus alnifolia]]''), the national tree of Cyprus. In some areas these are mixed together and in others they occur separately.<ref name=DoE>"Natura 2000 - Standard Data Form Dasos Machaira"; publ. by Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Environment, Engomi, Cyprus, date: 2019, website: www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environmentnew.nsf/all/825E6DC5EFF93104C225848D003781B5/$file/CY2000004.pdf?openelement - retrieved Aug 2025; pp. 6-7</ref>
Machairas Forest is the eastern part of the Troodos massif (an ophiolite complex). The highest point is Kionia peak at {{convert|1423|m|ft|abbr=on}}, but to the east the forest is only {{convert|400|m|ft|abbr=on}} high. As well as the State Forest, there is private land around [[Machairas Monastery]]. This monastery has a commanding position at the head of a wooded valley on one of the highest available slopes of Kionia Peak. The forest is named after this monastery, which itself has a name derived from the Greek word for sword or knife.<ref name=polignosi/><ref name=Jeffery>"A Description of the Historic Monuments of Cyprus" by George Jeffery, Architect. Publ. Government Printing Office, Nicosia, 1918; p.214</ref> Rainfall ranges from {{convert|446|mm|in|abbr=on}} to {{convert|707|mm|in|abbr=on}} per annum.<ref name=DoE/> The relief is mountainous with narrow deep valleys and high mountain peaks. The mean daily maximum temperature in August (the hottest month) is {{convert|30.5|C|F|abbr=on}}. Numerous streams flow from the mountains of the forest, which feed other larger streams and rivers, such as the [[Pediaios]], the [[Gialias]], the Maroni and the [[Alikos]], a tributary of the Gialias.<ref name=polignosi/>
Under the Woods and Forests Delimitation Ordnance, 1881, the Forest Delimitation Commission delimited the Machairas Forest in 1884 and in 1885 the forest within these bounds came under the protection and management of the government of Cyprus.<ref name=Gaz1884>Cyprus Gazette, 02 Aug 1884, publ. Government Printing Office Nicosia, 1884</ref><ref name=Gaz1885>Cyprus Gazette, 07 Feb 1885, publ. Government Printing Office Nicosia, 1885</ref> By 1921 the total area of State Forest Lands was {{convert|678.6|mi2|km2|abbr=on}} of which {{convert|15.26|mi2|km2|abbr=on}} was Machairas Forest. There were at that time five main forests the largest being [[Paphos Forest]].<ref name =BlueBook1921>Cyprus Blue Book 1921,publ. Government Printing Office Nicosia, 1922; page 284</ref>
Machairas was declared a "National Forest Park" in 2004 consisting of the Machairas forest ({{convert|43.93|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}) and the Lythrodontas forest ({{convert|1.31|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}) by decree 61.368 of 22 Dec 2004. Decree No. 62.114 of 01 Jun 2005 added the adjacent "Vounia tou Anemou" ({{convert|1.126|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}).<ref name=brochure/>
Administratively, the largest part of the forest is located in the village area of [[Lazanias]], while a smaller part extends into the administrative areas of the villages of [[Kapedes]], [[Gourri]] and [[Politiko]].<ref name=polignosi/> [[File:Machairas Forest (Cyprus) map.jpg|thumb|center|upright=3|Machairas Forest]]
==References== {{reflist}}
[[Category:Forests of Cyprus]] [[Category:Protected areas of Cyprus]]
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