Where are the Carpathians on the map of the hemispheres. Carpathian mountains on the map

The Carpathians are an ancient mountain system, but few know where the Carpathians are. The mountain system is located in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, in countries such as Hungary, Ukraine, Slovakia, Romania, Czech Republic, Poland. The mountains are long - about 1500 kilometers and have the shape of an arc.

On the map, the mountains are divided into western and eastern. By the way, it is in the western part of this system that the most high mountain, about 2600 meters. The places in these parts are incredibly beautiful; The Carpathians are very popular in the field of world tourism, moreover, they are famous for their democratic prices.

The mountain system occupies more than 70% of the territory of Romania, which is why ski tourism has gained immense popularity here. The mountains here are not as high as the Alps, but they are no less picturesque and attractive for tourists.

Carpathians on the world map.

As the map shows, in the western part of the mountain system is the famous millennial glacier, as well as many unusual and interesting caves.

In the eastern part of the state, the Carpathians form the longest volcanic chain in Europe, and the southern part, in turn, is famous for high mountains - more than 2500 meters.

The ski slopes on the territory of the Romanian Carpathians are very diverse and unusual: they have different lengths - from 5 to 35 kilometers, slope and level of difficulty, which is suitable for both ordinary tourists and athletes.

The Carpathians in these places attract not only skiers, but also lovers of history and architecture. Here, surrounded by coniferous forests, meadows, there are beautiful medieval castles, which was built by the first Romanian king for summer holidays.

Hungarian Carpathians

Until recently, the Carpathians in Hungary were not very popular, but now the resort is gaining great popularity, and the level of recreation is rated very high. NS

that state is located in the western part of the mountain range and is famous for a huge number of natural caves, which amaze even experienced tourists with their beauty.

There are several famous recreation areas in Hungary:

1. Matra - this resort has gained popularity due to the huge beech forests, clean air and mild climate.
   Huge vineyards grow here, the place is famous for high-quality wines of various varieties. In winter, the resort turns into a home for skiers, both beginners and professionals. There is also a toboggan run, which is a pleasure to be there.
2. Bükk is considered to be the largest ski park in Hungary due to its huge selection of ski slopes for professionals.
   In addition, the Carpathians are famous for a huge number of geothermal springs, which is a popular recreational resource.

Ukrainian Carpathians

The Carpathians on the map of Ukraine occupy a huge territory - as many as 4 regions, and are conditionally divided into 2 parts - Transcarpathia and Precarpathia.

The Carpathians of Ukraine are famous for their medieval castles, wonderful views, distinctive villages, which allows you to choose an interesting for everyone excursion program... The most famous among tourists are Uzhgorod, Lviv, Ternopil and many others.

The most popular castles in the mountains and foothills of the Carpathians are ...

Castle in Mukachevo

The castle in Mukachevo is located on high mountain and belongs to Transcarpathia.
According to scientists, the castle was founded in the 10-11th centuries with the aim of tracking trade caravans passing in these places.

The look that tourists are accustomed to, the castle acquired in the 17th century through a careful architectural reconstruction of the French. Him rich story, because the castle went through many wars and served as a defensive point. A separate attraction is the famous well, almost 90 meters deep, which was used for many hundreds of years, up to the beginning of the 20th century.

But, the most interesting for tourists is the story of Princess Bathory, who ruled in these parts and for 20 years drank the blood of innocent people, and also bathed in it. The story received a lot of publicity and became a plot for books, films, legends.

Ruins of the Templar castle

On the territory of the Carpathian Mountains, namely in the Carpathian region, there are the ruins of the Templar castle, which was built in the 12th century in a pronounced Romanesque style.

The castle has always been surrounded by legends, because it passed from one sacred order to another, which gave it even more mystery. By the way, in this village, which is called

Average, very mild and humid climate, which favorably affects the growth of various grape varieties, which is why the local wine is extremely famous all over the world. Khust Castle is located in the city of the same name, surrounded by high mountains, the slopes are completely covered with grass and other greenery of the Carpathians and rapid turbulent rivers.

Castle in Nevitsky

The castle in Nevitsky is located on the ledge of a high mountain; a winding and dangerous serpentine leads to it.
At the end of the 12th century, the castle was of great importance in controlling trade routes, but 100 years later it was destroyed by Khan Batu during the Mongol-Tatar raid. Later the fortress was rebuilt.

These places have an incredible array of legends, all of which are associated with love stories. These places are unusually romantic and filled with love; there are remarkable views for every tourist.

Polish Carpathians

Tatras are the most high part Carpathian Mountains, which are on the map in Poland. Not only ski resorts are famous here, but also vast valleys, such as Chokholovskaya and the Rybny Stream valley.

The highest mountain of the Carpathian mountain range is the Tatr-Genlach mountain.

In the area of ​​the High Tatras there are many reservoirs, lakes, mountain landscapes formed by stone ledges, abysses, sharp rocks.

In the area of ​​the Western Tatras there are a huge number of different caves, the relief is softer.

Carpathian mountains spread over the territory of Eastern Europe and ... the Moon. Yes, a mountain range with that name stretches along the southern "coast" of the lunar Sea of ​​Rains. Perhaps, in the near future, tourist groups will be sent there. However, at present, only the terrestrial Carpathians are of interest to us.

The mountain system begins near the Slovak capital Bratislava and ends near the Romanian city of Orshov. In the satellite image, the Carpathian Mountains resemble a writhing snake. Its head "bites" the Alps, and its tail is lowered into the Black Sea. One gets the impression that the Carpathians arose as a result of some kind of vortex process like an atmospheric cyclone.

A narrow mountain range crosses the territory of several countries of Eastern Europe at once. Austria, Hungary, Serbia and the Czech Republic own only tiny pieces of it. Poland and Ukraine got much more. The largest pieces of the mountain pie are owned by Slovakia and Romania. In the latter, the mountains occupy a significant part of the territory.

Scientists are still debating the name of the mountains. It is curious that in almost all languages ​​of the peoples inhabiting the above countries, the word "Carpathians" sounds almost the same. In some cases, it literally means "mountain" or "stone wall". There is also a version that the "Carpathians" came from the tribe of carp that inhabited these places in the 1st century AD. At the same time, linguists cannot explain why this people acquired just such a name.

It should be borne in mind that the Eastern Carpathians are considered an earthquake-prone region. Very strong earthquakes happened here. In Romania there is the so-called Vrancea seismic zone. The strength of the shocks in it reached 8.3 points on the Richter scale. Their echoes were recorded even in Finland. The element played out most strongly in 1940 and 1977. Then Bucharest suffered greatly. However, in comparison with Japan, where earthquakes occur almost every day, the Carpathians seem to be an island of complete stability.

Between the Alps and the Black Sea

Southern Carpathians in late autumn

Despite its relatively modest size, the Carpathians have a complex structure. In the western part, the Outer and Inner Western Carpathians are distinguished. They are divided into 12 areas. And those, in turn, are on 60 mountainous regions! Perhaps the most famous of these are the Czech Tatras. This is followed by the Outer and Inner Eastern Carpathians. There are fewer mountainous regions - only about a dozen. They are adjacent to the Western Romanian, Southern, Serbian Carpathians and the Transylvanian plateau. For simplicity, the Carpathians are conventionally divided into Western, Eastern and Southern.

On the physical and geographical map, the mountain system looks like a thin strip. With a total length of the mountains of 1500 km, their width ranges from 100 to 340 km. The narrowest part is in Ukraine, and the widest is in Romania. The highest peak is the Gerlachovsky Shtit Mountain in Slovakia. Its height reaches 2654 m. The Carpathians are separated from the Alps by a narrow gap only 14 km wide!

Only here

There is a whole collection of caves in the Lower Tatras

To get an idea of ​​the most interesting places in the Carpathians, we will take a virtual trip through the mountainous country. Let's start from the western part, then move to the east, and from there we go down to the south. The natural border between the Czech Republic and Slovakia is the so-called White Carpathians. The reserve of the same name is located here, which is spread over the territory of two countries at once. There are several types of orchids in these places! But there is a stereotype that these delicate flowers are exclusively from the tropics.

In Slovakia, there is the Šarišská Vrchovina mountain range. It is known for its Lachnov canyon with an unusual rock called the "Moiseev Pillar". And the name "Slovak Paradise" speaks for itself. There is no better place for adventure lovers. Caves, abysses, canyons and waterfalls attract them like a magnet. In addition to natural sites, in these places there are interesting man-made sights. For example, they go to the Slovak mountains of Muranska Planina to see the ruins of the ancient Murano castle.

The High Tatras in Poland are really great - it is here that one of the highest points of the Carpathians is located. Tourists are attracted here very beautiful lake under the name "Sea Eye". Located in an oval-shaped valley, it actually looks like a huge eye. The largest Polish waterfall, called Siklava, is no less picturesque. The water falls here from a height of 70 m.

The Low Tatras are known for their panoramic points, the role of which is played by the peaks of Kraljeva Hola, Khabenets and Dereshe. The Demanovska Valley with its caves is considered the most beautiful in this area. It should be noted that in the local mountains there is a whole collection of all kinds of caves. One of them is called "The Cave of the Dead Bats". There are many centers scattered along the mountain valleys and slopes, from where the tourist routes.

Hungary has the Matra mountain range. People come here to rest on thermal springs and ride alpine skiing... There are vineyards at the foot of the mountains, which is why the region is famous for its wineries. The Berzhen massif is popular among tourists. Its heritage is the Duna-Ipoi National Park with a large number of springs, winding rivulets and turbulent streams.

Gorgan means "talus". The mountain range in the Ukrainian Carpathians has the same name. These places have long been chosen by extreme lovers, since the area is replete with wild tourist routes. Manyavsky waterfall and Mountain Lake Synevyr, which is located on the territory of the national park of the same name.

Peles castle in the mountains of Romania

The Southern Carpathians are also called the Transylvanian Alps. This entire beautiful mountainous country fits entirely on the territory of Romania. The highest point is Mount Moldovyanu (2544 m). Most of the country's ski resorts are located here. Do not forget that Romania is a country of castles. It is worth coming here to see with your own eyes the royal castle "Peles" in Sinai and Dracula's castle in the town of Bran.

Mountaineers and rock climbers go to Romanian Muntenia. The Unir salt mine, which is now a museum and a balneological resort, is very spectacular. And the landscapes in Pyklele Mary look alien. Here, on an area of ​​30 hectares, mud volcanoes gurgle and spit with slurry.

There are also places for rafting enthusiasts. For example, the Jiu River Gorge in Oltenia is one of the most popular rafting routes in Romania. The Danube is usually associated with a calm current. However, in the Kazan gorge, the water literally boils because of the narrowness of the canyon. This sight is worth seeing with your own eyes.

The mountain lake Eye Bey, located in the historical region of Banat, does not freeze even in winter, so during this period many migratory birds gather on its shores. Along with them come lovers to observe the life of birds. The lake is worth visiting for just admiring the beautiful landscapes and taking spectacular photos.

There are places for rafting lovers in the Romanian Carpathians

And, of course, one cannot fail to mention the Romanian Transylvania. The local nature reserve, located in the town of Zernesti, is home to about a hundred bears rescued from captivity. Excursions around the reserve are organized for tourists. It is also worth seeing the fantastic stone columns in the Apuseni Mountains, formed by the solidification of basalt lava. And at the former Turda salt mine, anyone can rent a boat and ride on a luxurious underground lake.

Nuances of the Carpathian weather

Snow in the mountains lies from December to March. At other times, you can safely go hiking.

Since the Carpathian Mountains occupy a large area and are characterized by different heights, weather conditions can be quite different even in the same area. The higher the colder. The farther south, the warmer. There may be no snow in the mountain valleys even in winter. The farther from the Black Sea, the more continental the climate. Despite such a variety of conditions, however, there are some climatic patterns.

The coldest month is January. average temperature in the north and east of the Carpathians it fluctuates around -5 ° C, in the south - about -3 ° C. However, it can be colder on the mountain tops - down to -10 ° C. By Russian standards, such temperatures are not considered frost. The average July temperature in the foothills in the north is + 18 ° C, in the south + 20 ° C. High in the mountains, even at the height of summer, the temperature can be no higher than + 5 ° C. In general, the temperature regime in the Carpathians is favorable all year round.

If we talk about precipitation, then the least of them falls in the east and south of the Carpathians (800 mm per year). In the Western and Romanian Carpathians, their number grows to 1000 mm. In high-mountainous areas, this figure increases by 1.5-2 times. The maximum precipitation occurs in the summer. Most often it is rains. The duration of the snow cover in the foothills is 2-3 months. There are no glaciers and eternal snows in these places.

The moral is simple. Ski season in the Carpathians it usually starts in December and ends in March. They ride at altitudes of 1000 m. This means that the rest of the year is quite suitable for hiking. At altitudes up to 1000 meters, this can be done in winter. But for high-altitude routes, warm clothes will be needed even in summer.

If you want to avoid the rains, it's best to hike in the spring or fall. True, even in summer, the risk of getting wet increases only in high mountain areas. If the route passes along the foothills or slopes at low altitudes, you should not be afraid of rain. It is enough to stock up on a raincoat and a waterproof tent.

Hiking hits

And now let's get acquainted with the popular tourist routes in those countries where the Carpathians are located:

Czech

There are up to a thousand caves in the Moravian Karst

The Krkonose Mountains are very popular in the Czech Republic. They are located on the border with Poland. The most popular route here is the ascent to Mount Snezhka (1603 m). The path passes through a picturesque mountain valley with unusual name Aubrey blew. Those who wish can go upstairs using the cable car. It starts at Peci pod Sněžkou.

Another popular route is the source of the Elbe. The powerful European river, on which Hamburg stands, originates in the Labskiy meadow. Here you understand that all the largest rivers in the world are born from springs or formed from small streams. The starting point is the tourist center Horni Misecki. It is located next to the spa town of Spindleruv Mlyn. Alpine routes along the Yeseniki ridge are also in demand. The landscapes there are considered to be the most beautiful in the country.

The Moravian Karst is one of the most interesting tourist sites. The length of this mountain range reaches 25 km. Its uniqueness is that the mountains are permeated with a system of caves, of which there are more than a thousand. Drawings of primitive people can be seen underground. In the same places there is another popular object - Macocha Canyon, which is considered the largest in Central Europe. Its depth is 138 m.

Poland

The Tatras are for the Poles what the Alps are for the French. The main tourist center of these places is the city of Zakopane. It serves as a starting point for a hiking trail that includes the Koscieliska Valley, the Giewont and Kasprowy Wierch Mountains, the Eagle Path, the Five Lakes Valley, the Morskie Oko Lake and Mount Rysy (2499 m), which is the highest peak in Poland. The program usually includes a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

Slovakia

There are many lakes of glacial origin in the High Tatras

Very attractive place for trekking, the Slovak Paradise reserve is considered. The hiking trails are equipped with bridges and stairs. You can cross small rivers along artificial fords. The trail passes by numerous waterfalls. The gorge is 4 km long. You can get into it from tourist center"Podlesok" near Hrabushits. The hike belongs to the average category of difficulty.

The Slovak High Tatras have 26 peaks, the height of which exceeds 2500 m. The most visited is the Gerlachovsky peak with a height of 2654 m. It is quite easy to climb. It is from its top that the most spectacular panoramas open up.

Another popular mountain is the Lomnicky Peak (2634 m). At its top is the highest Slovak weather station. You can climb to it on foot or using the cable car from Tatranska Lomnica. In clear weather, a good half of Slovakia is visible from the mountain!

The High Tatras is the place where the largest number of water bodies is concentrated, which in the distant past created glaciers. Now there are about a hundred of them. The transparency of the water in the lakes reaches 12 m. The so-called Mengusovskaya Valley stretches between the ridges. Tourists come here in any season. At the end of the valley is the Velke Gintsovo pleso lake. It is considered the deepest in the Tatras.

Tatra valleys are also attractive with cascades of waterfalls. The Studeny Stream waterfall is recognized as one of the most visited. Among the famous is the Obrovski waterfall, which falls from a height of 20 m. No less spectacular Big waterfall... It stands out with a thirteen-meter cascade. Routes to them start from Tatranska Lomnica.

There are also tourist routes along the Low Tatras. Usually they pass along the central ridge, which stretches for as much as one hundred kilometers. The ridge consists of a chain of 55 peaks, the height of which exceeds 1700 m. Those who wish can choose either a difficult one-day high-altitude hike, or routes of medium difficulty, where the elevation differences are small.

Romania

Sinai neighborhood

Very picturesque places in the vicinity of the famous Romanian resort of Sinai. There is walking route, which includes not only a visit to this picturesque town, but also the famous Dracula's castle in the town of Bran. The route starts in the city of Brasov. The program provides for an ascent to the Cross of Heroes on Mount Karaiman, as well as a visit to Lake Bolboch and Omu Peak (2507 m).

Our tourist club offers the following hiking programs in the Carpathians:

• New Year in the Carpathians (accommodation in the estate and auto excursions)
• Snowy Carpathians: accommodation in estates and car excursions

Carpathian slopes

Ski areas in the Carpathians are located at altitudes from 800 to 2400 m

The ski season in the Carpathians lasts from December to March. The ski areas are located at altitudes from 800 to 2400 m. Many resorts use artificial snowmaking, so the season can increase significantly.

In the Czech Carpathians there is ski resort Bila. The trails are laid on the slopes of the Zboynicka and Javorina mountains, which are part of the Beskydy massif. The resort has been operating since 1965. It is located at an altitude of 518 m.The length of the slopes is from 700 to 1000 m.

In Poland, ski centers are located along the border with Slovakia. These are the resorts of Szczyrk, Zakopane, Szczawnica, Krynica. In Zakopane alone, there are about a dozen ski centers and about 90 lifts. The largest Polish ski jump is also located here.

Most ski resorts are in Slovakia. Their number has exceeded a hundred, and they are all located in the Carpathians. Various conditions allow everyone to ride - from beginners to extreme sportsmen. There are often thermal springs in the resorts. In winter, hiking trips to the Studenovskie waterfalls are organized, which turn into enchanting ice cascades in the cold.

In Romania, the main ski resorts are concentrated in the very center of the country in the districts of Brasov and Prahova. The famous ski centers Azuga, Busteni and Sinai are located in Prahova Valley. The Poiana Brasov ski area also includes the slopes near the city of Predeal. Ski slopes operate at altitudes from 1000 to 2400 m.

Close Carpathians

Mountain village

The good thing about the Ukrainian Carpathians is that they are closer to the rest, and you do not need a visa to visit them. Eastern extremity of the great European mountainous country spread over the territory of four regions - Transcarpathian, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lvov and Chernivtsi.

The length of the Ukrainian Carpathian section is 280 m, and the width is about a hundred kilometers. On average, the mountains are not high - about 900-1000 m, but there are peaks of more than 2000 m. These, for example, include Hoverla (2061 m). It is considered the highest point in the country.

The Carpathians have united more than a dozen ski resorts - "Zakhar Berkut", "Zhdenievo", "Krasiya", "Slavskoe", "Pilipets" and others. They are all located in scenic spots and away from large settlements. Business card the local Carpathians are considered the resort "Bukovel". The skiing season here lasts from November to mid-April. They ride more only on "Dragobrat", where sometimes the season ends in mid-May.

Many natural masterpieces can be found in the mountains. These include, for example, Mount Makovitsa (984.5 m) in the vicinity of the city of Yaremche. The huge talus on its slope looks like a giant elephant that came to a watering hole. It is often called that - Elephant Mountain. You can rest on the banks of the Prut River. This route cannot be called a hike. It is rather an easy walk.

There is an interesting route to the place where the Knyagin meteorite fell. This event took place in 1866. Scientists have estimated the weight of the space guest at 280 kg. It is said that small debris can still be found today. The Black Mlaki tract, where the cosmic catastrophe occurred, can be reached from the villages of Knyaginya or Stuzhytsya. The trail goes by mineral springs and oak trees more than a thousand years old. The total length of the route is 14 km.

Another route allows you to walk along the bottom of the ancient sea! Once upon a time, the Carpathians were really under water. A marked path has been laid from the village of Verkhovyna-Bystraya in the Transcarpathian region to Mount Plishka. It offers a view of the Uzhansk National nature Park... In 1968, a fossilized skeleton of a fish was found in these places, which swam here about 36 million years ago. Similar finds can be seen in the Transcarpathian Museum of Local Lore in the Uzhgorod Castle.

What a trip without a faithful friend!

The Ukrainian Carpathians are well developed in terms of tourism, so the account interesting routes goes to tens. There are treks to the mountains "High Stone", "Parashka", "Pikuy", "Spitz", "Homyak", "Gemba" and others. A special route is dedicated to the two thousand-meter mountains - there are six of them in Ukraine.

The Gorgan Mountains are highlighted as a separate item. There is a combined version called "Five Carpathian Passes". He walks along the Verkhovynsky ridge. There are routes along the Marmaros massif, Svidovetsky ridge, to the Russkiy Put pass - you cannot list everything. One thing is clear - you won't get off in the Carpathians in two days. You need to come here for at least a week. Better two.

Without a doubt, the most famous and popular mountains in Europe are the Alps. But in this part of the world there is another mountain system, which is inferior to the Alps in height, but surpasses them in size. And she, too, attracts a lot of attention from tourists and winter lovers. Where are the Carpathians located? In which countries are they located? When were these mountains formed, and why are they interesting?

"Stone Mountains"

The word "Carpathians" evokes approximately the same images and plots in everyone: dark forest, thick fog, creeping along the slopes, sorcerers-molfars and, of course, the castle of the famous Count Dracula. These mountains are really shrouded in a kind of aura of mysticism and mystery. But not everyone knows exactly where the Carpathians are and when they were formed.

The name of this mountain system was first used by Claudius Ptolemy back in the second century AD. It is also found in the works of Herodotus. In particular, the "father of history" mentions the Karpis river. It is believed that this tributary of the Danube took its name from the mountains from the slopes of which it flows.

The word "Carpathians" itself, according to some researchers, comes from the name of the Thracian tribe "Carps", who lived on this territory in the III-IV centuries. Other scholars associate it with the Proto-European word kar, which translates as “stone”. True, the "stone mountains" of the Carpathians can be called a stretch. After all, most of the mountain system is represented by gentle valleys and peaks with smooth outlines, where rocky ledges and pointed peaks are extremely rare.

However, there is a third version, which connects the origin of the toponym with the Slavic word "hrb", which means "ridge". Considering the location of the Carpathians, this version looks quite plausible. After all, it was the Slavic tribes and peoples who, for many centuries, mastered and populated this area.

Where are the Carpathians: countries and major cities

The total area of ​​the mountain system is 190 thousand square kilometers, length - 1500 kilometers. Where are the Carpathian mountains? They are located in the eastern part of Central Europe. On the map, they form an arc, which in geological terms is an offshoot of the Alpine-Himalayan fold area.

In which states are the Carpathians? Where are their natural boundaries? The mountain system covers the territory of eight European countries... It:

1. Czech.
2. Poland.
3. Slovakia.
4. Ukraine.
5. Hungary.
6. Romania.
7. Serbia.
8. Austria.

About 70% of the total area of ​​the Carpathian mountainous country falls on two states - Romania and Ukraine. But only its extreme western spurs enter Austria. The most big cities located within the Carpathian Mountains:

1. Bielsko-Biala (Poland).
2. Zakopane (Poland).
3. Banska Bystrica (Slovakia).
4. Kosice (Slovakia).
5. Zilina (Slovakia).
6. Cluj-Napoca (Romania).
7. Brasov (Romania).
8. Oradea (Romania).
9. Sibiu (Romania).
10. Uzhgorod (Ukraine).
11. Kolomyia (Ukraine).
12. Vrsac (Serbia).

This is where the Carpathians are. It remains to find out what parts this mountain system consists of.

Structure of the Carpathians

The Carpathian Mountains consist of eight orographic parts (see map below):

1. Outer Western Carpathians.
2. Inner Western Carpathians.
3. Outer Eastern Carpathians.
4. Inner Eastern Carpathians.
5. Southern Carpathians.
6. Western Romanian Carpathians.
7. Transylvanian plateau.
8. Serbian Carpathians.

In addition, a number of separate massifs are distinguished within the mountain system: Beskydy, Ore Mountains, Tatras (the highest part of the Carpathians), Gorgan, Rodna, Peniny, Fagaras and others. The average heights of the Carpathian Mountains range from 800-1200 meters. The highest point is Mount Gerlahovski Shtit.

Carpathian mountains: main features and interesting facts

Here is some of them:

1. Despite the insignificant heights and gentle forms, the Carpathians are young mountains. They arose at about the same time (of course, by geological standards) with the Alps and Himalayas.
2. Mountain building processes in the Carpathians continue to this day. This is evidenced by earthquakes, which are regularly recorded here. The strength of individual shocks reaches 5-7 points on the Richter scale.
3. The Carpathians were once characterized by active volcanic activity. The cones of extinct volcanoes can be seen in the vicinity of Uzhgorod, Mukachevo and Khust.
4. The Carpathian bowels are rich in numerous minerals. The main mineral resources of the mountain system are oil, gas, ozokerite, marble and gold.
5. The width of the Carpathian Mountains in some places reaches 450 kilometers.
6. The Alps are only 14 kilometers away from the Carpathians. The border between the two largest mountain ranges in Europe lies exactly between Vienna and Bratislava.
7. At the beginning of the twentieth century, numerous remains of prehistoric animals - mammoths, huge deer and various birds - were discovered on the territory of the mountainous country.
8. The Carpathians are considered the birthplace of the world's largest musical instrument- trembita. The length of this wood tube is 4 meters. It is capable of spreading sound over 10-20 kilometers.

The origin and age of the Carpathian mountains

Long before the formation of the modern mountain system, a chain of ridges existed in its place, connecting the Sudetes with Dobrudja (a hill in the territory of Romania). Geologists call it Prakarpaty. Subsequently, these mountains were destroyed by powerful movements of the earth's crust, and in their place, by the beginning of the Mesozoic, an almost flat plain was formed.

The age of the Carpathian geosyncline is quite "young" - only 25 million years. The formation process of the mountainous country began at the end of the Paleogene period and proceeded gradually. The structures of the Outer Carpathians were the first to emerge. For a long time, the sea splashed between the outer and inner ridges of the Carpathian Mountains. During its existence, thick strata of sandy deposits have accumulated here.

Climate and flora of the Carpathians

The climate of the territory is moderately continental and rather humid. Average temperatures in July are + 17 ... 20 ° C, in January from -2 to -5 ° C. Precipitation falls from 600 to 2000 mm per year.

In the Carpathians, the altitudinal zonation of landscapes is clearly traced. Deciduous and mixed forests grow up to a height of 600 meters, dark coniferous forests grow from 600 to 1500 meters, and undersized shrubs grow even higher. The peaks of many Carpathian mountains are covered with meadows of the subalpine type. In the Ukrainian Carpathians, they came up with their own name - "meadows".

In the Carpathian forests, most often you can find European spruce, fir and beech. Oak, hornbeam, pine, alder, birch and larch are also common. The lower tier is occupied by thickets of raspberries, blackberries, lingonberries and blueberries.

The main resorts of the Carpathians

Where are the most popular ski resorts in the Carpathians located and what are they called? And what are they? Bukovel, Dragobrat, Slavskoe (Ukraine) are usually ranked among the most famous Carpathian resorts; Zakopane, Szczyrk, Karpacz, Krynica (Poland), Poianu-Brasov, Sinaia, Predeal (Romania), Jasnu (Slovakia).

Zakopane is perhaps the best ski resort in the Carpathians. Where are its tracks? The resort is located in the southern part of Poland, in a small town of the same name. The total length of its tracks is 60 kilometers. They are designed for all categories of skiers - from beginners to professionals. The skiing season lasts from late October to mid-April.

Bukovel is the main Ukrainian ski resort located in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. It is different quality tracks and excellent infrastructure. The ideal snow cover remains here from the beginning of December to the end of April.

Notable peaks

Gerlachovski Shtit (2654 m) is the highest mountain in the Carpathians. It is located on the territory of Slovakia, near the town of Gerlachov. Today the mountain is very popular among tourists. However, climbing to its top requires serious preparation and is allowed only with an experienced guide.

Hoverla (2061 m) - the highest point of the Ukrainian Carpathians, is located within the Montenegrin ridge. Climbing this mountain is relatively easy, so in summer time its top is conquered by dozens of tourists every day. Hoverla is known for the fact that the largest river in Eastern Europe, the Prut, originates from its slopes.

Moldoveanu (2544 m) is the highest peak in Romania. Located in the heart of the country, within the Fagaras mountain range. Climbing Moldovyana is a bit more difficult than climbing Hoverla, but it does not cause any particular difficulties for experienced tourists.

The length of the Carpathian Mountains is about 1,500 kilometers. They arc cover most of the Central European Lowland. The width of the Carpathians varies and is 240 kilometers in the northwestern part, 340 kilometers in the southwestern part and about 100 kilometers in the northeastern part.

According to its geographical location, the Carpathians are divided into three parts: Western, Southern and Eastern. The Western Carpathians are located in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary. It is in Hungary that the highest point of the Carpathians is located - Mount Gerlach, whose peak rises at an altitude of 2655 meters above sea level. The Southern Carpathians are entirely located on the territory of Romania, and most of the Eastern Carpathians are located in Ukraine.

Western Carpathians

The Western Carpathians are the longest part of all the Carpathian mountains. Their length exceeds 400 kilometers, and the average width is approximately 200 kilometers. The Western Carpathians consist of several ridges and mountain ranges that stretch from west to east. The local mountains are characterized by alpine forms of peaks, as well as many high-mountainous lakes.

The northern part of the mountains is formed by the ranges of the Western Bexids. The central part of the Western Carpathians consists mainly of high mountain ranges, and the southern part is formed by medium-altitude mountain ranges.

Eastern Carpathians

The Eastern Carpathians are almost entirely located on the territory of Ukraine, therefore they are often called the Ukrainian Carpathians. Within Ukraine, they are divided into three parts: internal, central and external. The mountains are located on the territory of four Ukrainian regions: Chernivtsi, Lvov, Ivano-Frankivsk and Transcarpathian.

In Ukraine, the Carpathians are conditionally divided into two regions: the Carpathian and Transcarpathian regions. The Carpathian Mountains include the mountains located in the Chernivtsi and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, and the Transcarpathian region - in the Transcarpathian region.

Highest point The Ukrainian Carpathians are Mount Hoverla, whose height is 2061 meters. The mountain is located near the villages of Yablunytsya and Yasinya on the border of Chernivtsi and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.

Southern Carpathians

The Southern Carpathians are completely located on the territory of Romania and represent the extreme southern part of the mountains. This massif is often called the Transylvanian Carpathians. The ridge is about 300 kilometers long. The South Carpathians encompass five Romanian historical regions: Wallachia, Oltenia, Banat, Muntenia and Transylvania.

This part of the Carpathian Mountains is the highest and most earthquake-prone.

In Europe, on the territory of Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine and Romania (55% of the area of ​​the Carpathians). It stretches for 1.5 thousand km from the Devinsky Gate (on the Danube River near the city of Bratislava) to the Iron Gate (on the Danube River), forming a convex arc to the north-east and east. Width in the north-west is about 250 km, in the north-east about 120 km, in the south-east up to 430 km. The area is about 210 thousand km 2. The prevailing heights are 800-1200 m, the highest is 2655 m (Mount Gerlachovski-Shtit).

Relief. The Carpathians are a complex system of en-echelon mountain ranges and ridges, separated by longitudinal and transverse valleys. Orographically, they are divided into the Western Carpathians (with the southwestern spur of the Small Carpathians, height up to 768 m), the Eastern Carpathians and the Southern Carpathians; the northern ridges of the Western and partly Eastern Carpathians form the Beskydy. The Carpathians also include the Western Romanian Mountains and the Transylvanian Plateau, adjacent to the Southern Carpathians from the north, and the Banat Mountains (up to 1446 m) from the west.

The mountains are characterized by rounded peaks and gentle slopes (except for the northwestern and southeastern parts). Along the outer side of the arch of the mountains stretches a strip of foothills (width 40-60 km), height 400-500 m, in the southeast up to 907 m.The axial zone of the Carpathians is formed by an intermittent chain of block massifs, the highest of them (more than 2 thousand m) are the Tatras (with Mount Gerlahovski-Shtit), Low Tatras, Rodna, Fagarash, Paryng, Retezat. The crests of the highest ridges bear traces of the Pleistocene glaciation, the most vividly alpine relief forms are expressed in the Tatra and Fagaras massifs. For many regions of the Carpathians, karst relief forms are typical, which are especially clearly manifested in the Slovak Karst (Slovak Kras) massifs (for example, the Agtelek cave), Bükk, etc. River valleys in limestones often form canyons. A strip of volcanic massifs stretches along the inner side of the Carpathian arc. In the western part, their height usually does not exceed 1300 m (Kremnické-Vrhy, Stiavnické-Vrhy, Vigorlat massif, etc.), sometimes they have the appearance of table mountains, in places they form sharp contours. In the east, the volcanic mountains are higher (up to 2100 m, Mount Pietros in the Caliman massif), they are separated by deep hollows and river valleys. In the relief of the Transylvanian Plateau (altitude 600-800 m) there is a complex combination of hilly hills, flat watershed surfaces and river valleys; mud volcanoes are found in its marginal parts.

Typical for the Carpathians are elevation surfaces of different heights, basins, the bottoms of which in the foothills lie at an altitude of 200-300 m (Upper Moravian, Auschwitz, Sandomierz, etc.), in the mountains - at an altitude of 500-700 m (Dorn, Brasov, etc.). Due to their relatively low altitude, the mountains are relatively easy to pass, especially in the central part. The main passes, through which the railway and the highway are laid, are located mainly at an altitude of 500-1000 m (Duklianski-Priesmik, Yablunytsky, Predeal, etc.).

Geological structure and minerals. Tectonically, the Carpathians are a fold-cover system of the Iberian-Elburz branch of the Alpine-Himalayan mobile belt, which in the southeast joins the Balkan fold system, and in the west is separated by a transverse superimposed trough of the Vienna Basin from the Alpine fold system. From the outside Carpathian system it is bordered by the Ciscarpathian foredeep, through which it borders on the platform areas: the West European platform in the north, the East European platform in the east and the Epibaikal Moesian platform in the southeast. The foredeep is filled with Miocene molasses (in the east and southeast, Miocene Pliocene), enclosing strata of Middle Miocene salt rocks (evaporites). The arcuate curved fold system of the Carpathians surrounds the Pannonian (in the west) and Transylvanian (in the east) Neogene molasse depressions. At their base, there are blocks of the pre-Mesozoic continental crust - Alcapa, Tissia and Dacia.

In the structure of the folded system of the Carpathians, the Outer and Inner megazones are distinguished. The outer megazone is composed mainly of the Upper Jurassic-Paleocene terrigenous flysch overlain by the argillaceous-siliceous series of the Oligocene - Lower Miocene. Structurally, this megazone is a package of tectonic covers displaced for many tens of kilometers in the direction of adjacent platforms. Fold-integumentary dislocations also extend to the inner wing of the forward deflection; in the southeast, in the axial zone of the trough (on the territory of Romania), salt tectonics is manifested with the formation of salt diapirs with piercing cores. The main deformations in the Outer megazone occurred before the Middle Miocene, and in the foredeep, in the Pliocene (in the southeast, including the Quaternary). The structure of the Inner megazone mainly involves Paleozoic metamorphic rocks and Late Paleozoic granitoids (fragments of the Middle European Hercynian fold structure), as well as shelf carbonate and carbonate-terrigenous Mesozoic strata, which experienced, together with Paleozoic rocks, tectonic displacement in the middle and late Mesozoic also later. In the Inner megazone, Middle Triassic - Upper Jurassic ophiolites (relics of the crust of the ancient Tethys ocean) have been established. On the border of the Inner and Outer megazones in the Northern Carpathians, a narrow Peninsky (Cliff, or Klippovaya) zone stretches, consisting mainly of large fragments of Triassic-Cretaceous carbonate rocks surrounded by marls. The main deformations in this zone occurred at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary in the Laramian tectogenesis.

The Carpathian fold system arose in the Cenozoic, mainly on the site of a marginal marine basin in the northern part of the Tethys Ocean. This basin has developed since the mid-Triassic, in connection with the formation of rifts on the outskirts of the ancient European continent, crossing the Hercynian basement. The formation of the folded-cover structure of the Carpathians was caused by the collision (collision) of the microplates of Alkapa, Tissia and Dacia (“rejects” of the African lithospheric plate) with the southern margin of the Eurasian plate, as well as underthrusting (subduction) of the oceanic crust of the marginal marine basin under the microplates. An outbreak of volcanism in the rear of the Carpathian fold system was associated with the processes of collision and subduction. The Carpathians retain tectonic mobility (especially the Eastern Carpathians), accompanied by intense seismicity (the epicentral Vrancea zone in Romania). Earthquakes occurring in the Eastern Carpathians are felt in the European part of Russia (for example, in Moscow in 1978 - up to 4 points).

In the Ciscarpathian trough, deposits of oil and natural combustible gas, ozokerite, rock and potassium salts, and native sulfur are concentrated. Oil deposits are known in the frontal part of the Outer Carpathian megazone. There are deposits of dolomites, limestones, marbles, raw materials for stone casting in the Peninsky zone. Deposits of pyrite-polymetallic, copper-pyrite, barite and ferromanganese ores are confined to the metamorphic complex of the Inner megazone of the Carpathians; Deposits of mercury, gold-polymetallic and barite ores, as well as alunites, perlites, kaolins, and bentonite clays are associated with volcanic rocks. In the Transylvanian intermontane depression there are deposits of combustible gas, rock and potassium salts, sulfur, brown coal. A special place among natural resources The Carpathians are occupied by mineral waters (including carbonic and nitrogen sulfate waters), brines of chloride and sulfate-chloride composition, thermal and subthermal waters of increased mineralization. There are sources of rarely found low-mineralized waters with a high content of organic matter (Truskavets).

The climate is temperate, transitional from maritime to continental. The average January temperature in the foothills is from -5 ° С in the north and east to -2 ° С in the south, at the most high peaks it drops to -10 ° С. In some intramontane basins, temperature inversions are observed in winter. The average July temperature in the foothills is from 17 ° С in the north and east to 20 ° С in the south, in the upper belt of the mountains it drops to 4 ° С. Annual precipitation in the foothills varies from 600-800 mm on the outer side of the arc of the Eastern and Southern Carpathians to 900-1000 mm in the Western Romanian Mountains and the Western Carpathians. In the alpine zone, the amount of precipitation increases to 1400 mm in the south and 2000 mm in the northeast and northwest (in the Tatras). The maximum precipitation occurs in the summer, most of it falls in the form of rains. The duration of the snow cover in the foothills is 2-3 months (in some areas it is formed sporadically), in the mountains 5-7 months. Snow avalanches are not uncommon. The snow line in the Tatras is located at an altitude of about 2300 m. There are no modern glaciers in the Carpathians.

Surface waters. The Carpathians are one of the main watersheds of Europe. Most of the rivers belong to the Danube basin (the largest are Tisza, Olt, Zhiu, Siret, Prut and their tributaries), rivers northern slopes- the Vistula and Odra basins, the rivers of the northeastern slopes - the Dniester basin. The rivers are fed by mixed snow and rain. Their regime is characterized by sharp fluctuations in water flow throughout the year. The largest runoff is observed in spring (due to snow melting) and in the first half of summer (due to heavy rains). Floods and catastrophic floods, mudflows are not uncommon. The rivers of the Carpathians have significant reserves of electricity (cascades of hydroelectric power plants have been built), many of them are used for irrigation purposes. To combat floods, dams and canals have been built along the rivers. In the Carpathians there are about 450 small lakes, in the highlands they occupy mainly the bottoms of ancient glacial carts.

Types of landscapes... For the Carpathians, altitudinal zonation is typical with a predominance of mountain-forest (occupy 300 thousand hectares) and mountain-meadow landscapes. In the foothills in the past, there were forest-steppe, oak and beech-oak forests, now almost completely cut down. In their place are gardens, vineyards, arable land, secondary forests (steppe in the west). The landscapes of the hollows have been greatly changed. The natural landscapes are better preserved in the mountains. The lower mountain belt (up to a height of 500-600 m in the north and 600-800 m in the south) is occupied by oak and hornbeam-oak forests. Higher (up to 1100-1250 m in the north and 1300-1350 m in the south), they are gradually replaced by beech forests, which are most common in the Southern Carpathians, the Western Romanian mountains and along the inner side of the arch of the mountains. In the Eastern Carpathians, there are areas of beech-sycamore and beech-ash-sycamore forests. Up to an altitude of 1200-1300 m in the north and 1500-1550 m in the south, there are mixed forests (beech, white fir and European spruce). They are especially developed on the outer side of the Carpathian arc, where they often descend to the foothills and often replace landscapes of beech forests, and in the Western Carpathians. The upper border of the forest zone (up to 1500-1600 m in the north and 1700-1800 m in the south) is formed by coniferous forests (mainly of spruce, less often of larch and pine), they were most developed in the Eastern Carpathians. As a result of human economic activity, coniferous forests in many places have been largely reduced, their upper border is reduced by 100-200 m in comparison with the natural border. Forests in the Carpathians are formed mainly on brown soils, including podzolized ones.

The forest zone is replaced by a belt of subalpine shrubs and meadows (up to an altitude of 1700-2000 m in the north and 2100-2200 m in the south). It is represented mainly by crooked forests - thickets of mountain (elfin) pine, juniper, green alder - and areas of grass-forb meadows. Higher (up to 2300-2400 m) there is a belt of alpine meadows and shrubs, which does not have continuous distribution, it is found mainly in the Western and Southern Carpathians, where it alternates with talus and rocks. The vegetation is represented by formations of high-mountain species of grasses and sedges with the participation of alpine forbs, as well as thickets of rhododendron and dwarf willows. Mountain peat-meadow soils prevail. On some peaks, rising above 2300-2400 m, there are fragments of a subnival belt with stone placers and rocks, bare or covered with lichen spots.

The Carpathians are characterized by high biodiversity and relatively good conservation of ecosystems, mainly forest. In the mountains there are 225 areas of primeval forests (each area is more than 10 hectares), the beech and beech-spruce forests of the Carpathians are the most extensive in Europe. There are 3988 plant species (1/3 of all species in Europe), of which 481 species are endemic (aizovidnaya crumbs, Salzburg eyebright, lumpy stone, Kochi rhododendron, etc.). There are many rare species, especially in the subalpine and alpine belts (alpine bartsia, eight-petal dryad, alpine diphaziastrum, chestnut rush, late Lloydia, alpine aster, rosea rosea, arrow-shaped willow, narrow-leaved daffodil, etc.).

Environmental problems and protected natural areas. Intensive deforestation, construction settlements, roads and recreational facilities in the Carpathians led to the emergence of secondary plantations and meadows in place of primary forests, increased erosion, disruption of animal migration routes, an increase in the number of rare species, a decrease in biodiversity, etc. The area of ​​planting of spruce forests of the same age (including in the belt of beech forests), prone to windblows and diseases, has been increased. Degradation of forests is observed due to acid rain, the waters of large rivers are polluted, but the small rivers of the Carpathians are still one of the cleanest in Europe. Protected natural areas occupy 16% of the area of ​​the Carpathians, the largest of them - Tatransky national park(Slovakia, Poland), International Biosphere Reserve Eastern Carpathians (Ukraine, Slovakia, Poland), National Parks Low Tatras, Slovak Karst, Poloniny (Slovakia), Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, Synevyr National Parks, Skole Beskydy, Uzhansky, Gori Reserve, landscape park Nadsyansky (Ukraine), Retezat National Park (Romania). There are mountain climatic and balneological resorts in the Carpathians. Tourism is developed; winter sports. In 2003, the countries of the Carpathian region at the 5th conference of ministers of ecology "Environment for Europe" signed the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians.

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M. N. Petrushina; V.E. Khain ( geological structure and minerals).