There are many places on our planet that can surprise with their beauty and uniqueness. One of such marvelous 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, one can distinguish the Western, Eastern, Southern Carpathians, 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 seismological hazard in Europe. So, in 1940, a devastating earthquake occurred in Romania, in which about 1,000 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.
The Carpathian Mountains are very diverse in their relief, structure, landscape. The height at which the Transylvanian Plateau is located, for example, is 600-800 meters. The highest point of the system is Gerlachowski-Sztit. It is located at 2655 meters above sea level. Basically, the Carpathians stretch for 800-1200 meters. This is relatively little, and therefore this mountain system is quite passable. At an altitude of 500 to 1000 meters,railway tracks and highways.
The Carpathian Mountains are of great economic importance, because there are deposits of such minerals as gas, oil, ozocerite, marble, rock, potash s alt, mercury, coal and brown coal. There are also deposits of manganese and iron ores, rare and non-ferrous metals.
Animals and flora
As for the plant world, it is completely subject to the laws of explanation. The lower belt is occupied by oak forests, which are gradually replaced by 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 an 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. Coniferous species grow mainly here: spruces, pines, larches. They are also replaced by subalpine shrubs and meadows. In this belt you can find juniper, alder, pine dwarf. Even higher - alpine meadows and shrubs, which in some places alternate with rocks and talus. At the highest peaks, the rocks are bare or covered with lichens.
However, human economic activity has changed the picture of the distribution of vegetation in the Carpathians quite significantly. So, if earlier oak and oak-beech forests grew in the foothills, now they are completely cut down, and in their place there are vineyards and arable land. Yes, and many coniferous forests are also practically reduced to nothing.
To preserve natural landscapes wereReserves and parks have been opened on the territory of almost all countries where the Carpathian Mountains are located. Description of the animal world can be reduced to the concept of forest fauna. Martens, bears, hares, squirrels, wolves, lynxes, wild boars, deer, chamois, roe deer, capercaillie, owls, woodpeckers, cuckoos are common in and outside the reserves.
Population
We have already said a few words about human economic activity. It should be noted that the Carpathian Mountains are unevenly populated. Of course, basically people have chosen for themselves the foothills, where there are very favorable conditions for gardening and field cultivation. As already mentioned, vineyards are common, which means that winemaking is held in high esteem in these parts. But you can find settlements in the mountains. People there are mainly engaged in cattle breeding.
Relaxation corner
The Carpathian Mountains are an excellent place to relax. Tourists love to come here to go mountain climbing, skiing or snowboarding. There are several world-famous resorts here: the Polish Krynica and Zakopane, the Hungarian Paradfurde and Bükksek, the Czechoslovakian Tatranska Lomnica or Piestany. And of course, the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine. The purest air, magnificent nature, hospitable hosts, unique historical heritage. And, importantly, the absence of a language barrier. The most popular among the guests of the region Mezhhirya, Svalyava, Yablunitsa, Yaremche. Holiday houses, sanatoriums, boarding houses, ski bases of Ukraine offer to explore the Carpathians not only on skis andsnowboarding, but also on bicycles, jeeps, on foot or on horseback. For lovers of hunting - excellent hunting grounds. As well as exciting excursions, cozy cafes, quiet streets and a great mood.
