<P> There are many villages in the Pindus, one of them being Samarina, which boasts one of the highest elevations in Greece . Many of the villages such as Perivoli and Smixi include communities of Aromanians (Vlachs), originally shepherds and farmers . In the last decades, a number of villages, such as Metsovo, developed into tourist resorts with ski facilities . </P> <P> The Egnatia Odos highway serves the region and connects it with the rest of Greece . </P> <P> Besides the imposing mountainous terrain of the range, two of the most magnificent gorges in Europe are located in the area: the Vikos Gorge and the Aoos Gorge . Together with the mountain valley of Valia Kalda they have been declared protected regionsand constitute the National Park of Northern Pindos . Furthermore, many mountain settlements with long history and unique architecture are located throughout the range . </P> <P> The Pindus ecoregion covers a wide range of elevations and habitats, from deep canyons to steep mountains . The wide range in altitude results in two major forest zones: </P>

Where is the pindus mountains located on a map