Slovak Ore Mountains

The Slovak Ore Mountains (Slovak: Slovenské rudohorie [ˈslɔʋɛnskɛː ˈɾudɔɦɔɾɪ̯ɛ], Hungarian: Gömör–Szepesi-érchegység, German: Slowakisches Erzgebirge or Zips-Gemer-Erzgebirge) are an extensive mountainous region of Slovakia's Spiš and Gemer region, and in small part in northern Hungary, within the Carpathians.[1] It is the largest mountain range in Slovakia. In the geomorphological system, the Slovak Ore Mountains belong to the Inner Western Carpathians.

Slovak Ore Mountains
Zadiel canyon in the Slovak Karst
Highest point
PeakStolica
Elevation1,476 m (4,843 ft)
Geography
Range coordinates48°45′00″N 20°15′00″E
Parent rangeInner Western Carpathians
The Slovak Ore Mountains in Slovakia

The mountains are bordered by Zvolen in the west, Košice in the east, the rivers Hron and Hornád in the north, and the Juhoslovenská kotlina and Košice Basin (Košická kotlina) in the south. The region includes the Domica Cave (jaskyňa Domica), one of the biggest caves in Europe, Zádiel canyon and Krásna Hôrka Castle.

Subdivision

Geomorphologically, the Slovak Ore Mountains are grouped within the Inner Western Carpathians. The mountains do not have a central ridge - they consist of several independent sections, geomorphological regions:[2]

Characteristics

Basic data:

  • highest peak: Stolica, 1,476 m AMSL
  • length: app. 140 km
  • width: app. 40 km
  • area: app. 4000 km²

Since this is a very extensive geomorphological unit, no general characterization is appropriate. The geomorphological structure is varied and has crystalline, Mesozoic and volcanic rocks.

Since time immemorial, especially in the early modern period, the mountains were, as the name suggests, heavily mined but are not any more.

Protected areas

Slovenské rudohorie contains the Muránska planina National Park, Slovak Karst National Park and Slovak Paradise National Park.

References
  1. Lonely Planet Czech & Slovak Republics Lisa Dunford, Brett Atkinson, Neil Wilson - 2007 - Page 423 "Do all this and more, among the fanciful underworld formations of the Slovak Karst (Slovensky kras). This region of limestone canyons and caves lies at the eastern end of Slovenské rudohorie (the Slovak Ore Mountains), a major range that reaches the border with Hungary. Its most spectacular landscapes are within the 440-sq-km Slovak Karst National Park, promoted to a Unesco World Heritage site in 1995. The region's highlights include Domica Cave (Domica jaskyňa), said to be one of the biggest caves in the world, Zadielska canyon near the Hungarian border, and the dramatic Krásna Hôrka Castle."
  2. Mazúr, E., Lukniš M., 1986: Geomorfologické členenie SSR a ČSSR. Časť Slovensko. Slovenská kartografia, Bratislava


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