Created to protect the nature and landscape of the Lattari Mountains, the park encompasses the entire Sorrento-Amalfi Peninsula, which separates the gulfs of Naples and Salerno, and part of the neighboring Agro Nocerino-Sarnese.
Its territory of 16,000 hectares extends from the coastal strip to the summit of Monte Faito, the highest point of the mountain range that forms the backbone of the peninsula. In its central part also rise Monte Finestra of 1145 meters, Monte Cerreto of 1316 meters, Monte San Michele with its 1444, until descending towards the west to Monte San Costanzo, which with its 497 meters, actually, it's just a hill. The northern part of the massif overlooks the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese area, the southern part reaches the sea with very high limestone walls.
The karst phenomena typical of the limestone rock are manifested in the presence of the numerous caves that open on the southern slope due to the erosive action of the sea. And they are also at the origin of the innumerable sources of the rivers and streams that descend towards the sea, crossing the coasts, and also of the thermal waters, now unused, which for centuries made the fortunes of Castellammare di Stabia.
The considerable altitude differences produce a great variety of microclimates, which produce different landscapes and favor biodiversity. Along the coastal strip, the carob tree, the wild olive tree and other species typical of the Mediterranean scrub prevail; in the intermediate band we find holm oaks, manna ash, downy oaks and, among the shrubs, strawberry trees and heather; further up is the kingdom of chestnut and alder, with hornbeam, beech and ash. Also in the coastal strip, where man has managed to create even very daring terraces, vines and citrus fruitsare grown, especially lemons: above all, the very famous ones of Sorrento and Amalfi. In some particularly humid areas, with climatic conditions similar to the tropical belt, species of prehistoric fern naturally grow such as Woodwardia radicans and Pteris cretica and the endemic carnivorous Pinguicola hirtiflora.
Established by presidential decree of the Campania regional council on 13 November 2003, but operational for a few years, the park also includes the Valle delle Ferriere state nature reserve, the Punta Campanella Marine Protected Area and the natural area of the Bay of Ieranto.
The park includes the territories of 27 Municipalities, from the hinterland to the coastal area of the province of Naples and Salerno. All the Municipalities of the Amalfi Coast: Vietri, Cetara, Tramonti, Maiori, Minori, Atrani, Amalfi, Scala, Ravello, Furore, Conca dei Marini, Praiano, Cava dei Tirreni and Positano. On the Sorrento Coast, Vico Equense, Meta, Piano di Sorrento. And then Pimonte, Gragnano, Lettere, Agerola, Castellammare di Stabia, Angri, lower Nocera, Sant'Egidio del Monte Albino, Pagani and Corbara.
The headquarters of the park is in Castellammare di Stabia, in the Reggia di Quisisana, at the foot of Monte Faito.
