The Carpathian Mountains - a stone country

On our planet, a lot of places that can surprise with its beauty and uniqueness. One of these wondrous corners of nature is the Carpathian Mountains.

Description of the mountain system

Their arc passes through the territory of Ukraine, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Serbia, Austria. In the mountain system, it is possible to distinguish the Western, Eastern, Southern Carpathian Mountains, as well as the Western Romanian Mountains. And between them is the Transylvanian plateau. The eastern part of the system is characterized by the highest seismic hazard in Europe. So, in 1940 in Romania there was a devastating earthquake, in which about 1000 people died. And 1977 brought with it an even greater catastrophe. The number of victims exceeded one and a half thousand, and tremors were felt even in Leningrad and Moscow.

By its relief, structure, landscape, the Carpathian mountains are very diverse. The height at which the Transylvanian plateau is located, for example, is 600-800 meters. The highest point of the system is Gerlachowski-Stit. It is located 2655 meters above sea level. In general, the Carpathians stretch for 800-1200 meters. This is relatively small, but because this mountain system is completely passable. At an altitude of 500 to 1000 meters, railways and highways were built.

The Carpathian Mountains are of great economic importance, because there are deposits of minerals such as gas, oil, ozocerite, marble, stone, potassium salts, mercury, stone and brown coal. There are also deposits of manganese and iron ores, rare and non-ferrous metals.

Animal and plant life

As far as the plant world is concerned, it is completely subordinated to the laws of zonality. The lower belt is occupied by oak forests, which gradually replace beeches at an altitude of 800 to 1300 meters. Although mostly beech forests can be found in the Western Romanian mountains and the southern part of the Carpathians. With the increase in altitude, they give way to mixed forests, where, in addition to beeches, fir and spruce also grow. Forests end at an altitude of 1500-1800 meters. Here, mainly coniferous species grow: spruce, pine, larch. They are replaced by subalpine shrubs and meadows. In this belt you can find juniper, alder, pine stlanik. Even higher - alpine meadows and shrubs, which in some places alternate with rocks and screes. At the highest peaks, the rocks are bare or covered with lichens.

However, a very significant picture of the spread of vegetation in the Carpathians has changed the economic activity of man. So, if earlier in the foothills oak and oak-beech forests grew, now they are completely cut down, and in their place - vineyards and arable land. Yes, and many coniferous forests are also virtually brought to naught.

For the preservation of natural landscapes, nature reserves and parks were opened in almost all countries where the Carpathian Mountains are located. Description of the animal world can be reduced to the concept of forest fauna. In the reserves and outside them are common martens, bears, rabbits, squirrels, wolves, lynxes, wild boars, deer, chamois, roe deer, capercaillie, owls, woodpeckers, cuckoos.

Population

We have already said a few words about the economic activities of man. It should be noted that the Carpathian Mountains are inhabited unevenly. Of course, basically a man chose a foothills for himself, where very favorable conditions for gardening and field cropping. As already mentioned, vineyards are common, and this means that winemaking in these parts is in high esteem. But you can meet settlements in the mountains. People there are engaged mainly in cattle breeding.

Corner of rest

The Carpathian Mountains are an excellent place to relax. Tourists like to come here to do mountaineering, go skiing or snowboarding. There are several world-famous resorts: Polish Krynica and Zakopane, Hungarian Paradfurde and Buxsek, Czechoslovak Tatranska Lomnica or Piešниany. And of course, the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine. Clean air, magnificent nature, hospitable hosts, a unique historical heritage. And, importantly, the absence of a language barrier. The most popular among the guests of the region are Mizhhirya, Svalyava, Yablunitsa, Yaremche. Rest houses, sanatoriums, boarding houses, ski bases in Ukraine offer to explore the Carpathians not only on skis and snowboards, but also on bicycles, jeeps, on foot or on horseback. For lovers of hunting - beautiful hunting grounds. And also exciting excursions, cozy cafes, quiet streets and excellent mood.