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The mountain has Alpine relief and mountain climate, with Mediterranean influence along the valleys of the rivers Struma and Mesta. Vihren (2,914 m) is the highest among the 61 peaks above 2, 500 m. There are many rivers and streams, the sources of the rivers Banderishka, Demianitsa, Sandanska Bistritsa etc, and more than 70 thermal springs.
Forests cover more than half the area of the mountain and comprise all coniferous species of Bulgaria, as well as many deciduous. The white and black furs are an example, the Baykusheva fur being the oldest known tree. It is around 1, 300 years old, 16 m high and has a circumference of 5.72 m. All trees more than 280 years of age have been declared natural phenomena. Plants characteristic of the height above 2, 000 m. are: pine-scrub, Siberian juniper, heath-berry, the spotted gentian, etc. At greater heights, Pyrin poppy, edelweiss and willow can be found.
Rare animal species inhabiting Pyrin include wild goats, wild cats, deer, boar, wolves, bears, foxes, martens, squirrels, and rare birds, among which the almost-extinct wood-grouse. There is a great variety of butterflies. Endangered species include the Greek turtle, the speckled polecat, the brown bear, the wild cat, the wild goat, the rock eagle, the wood-grouse, the owl, the speckled woodpecker, etc.
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