The olive or olive It is one of the fruits with the greatest use, not only at present; but from the very beginnings of civilization. used with gastronomic, medicinal and aesthetic purposes. Oils made from the fruit of the olive tree are famous and highly valued in the world and it is a product that has been consumed for millennia.
In fact, on the Island of Crete in Greece there is an olive tree that can testify to this due to its age: more than 3000 years.
Among the oldest trees in the world
The olive tree of Vouves, located on one of the largest islands in Greece, Crete, it is nothing more and nothing less than 3000 years old and still produces olives for our consumption. To get an idea, this olive tree witnessed the emergence of the bases of our culture from Greece itself: literature, philosophy, the beginning of science, democracy and even the extension of the Roman Empire. So there is no doubt that this tree It forms an important part of the world’s heritage.
This is one of the 14 ancient olive trees that remain on the island and that are protected by the Association of Municipalities of the Olive Tree of Crete (ACOM), being considered as true living monuments and part of the cultural heritage of the area.
These olive trees are witnesses and main protagonists of the development of the area. It is not possible to know for sure if this tree was planted or if an olive seed germinated naturally; the truth is that it formed an important part of the economy of this community thousands of years ago and that to this day offers us its fruits.
It is possible to know the age of these trees due to their internal rings, with a circumference of 10 meters; it is possible to determine that it is one of the oldest trees in the world. In order to protect this heritage, the region’s government has taken the initiative to promote these trees as tourist attractions. Without a doubt, the inhabitants of the area feel very proud of the legacy of these trees and it is understandable. The average tree in the world now has a diameter of no more than one meter.
An ecological initiative
The initiative to present the Vouves olive tree has been a complete success. Many people are in awe of how long this tree has managed to survive and how its people have been able to preserve it. This not only speaks of the care and culture of this area, but also of how Today’s society is beginning to appreciate nature, what it offers us and its importance for our survival.
The ecological tourism it is much more than an economic activity; it is a way of educating the general population about the value of nature. So this initiative can make a truly important change in our way of thinking and acting.