Beskids
From Free net encyclopedia
The Beskids (Polish: Beskidy, Czech and Slovak: Beskydy) is a traditional name for a series of mountain ranges in the eastern Czech Republic, northwestern Slovakia, southern Poland and in Western Ukraine. The highest peak, at 1725 m, is Babia Góra-Babia Hora located on the Polish-Slovak frontier.
The Beskids are approximately 600 km in length and 50-70 km in width. They begin in Moravia (at the Moravian Gate), continue to the north of the Tatra Mountains and end in Ukraine. The eastern border of the Beskids is disputed: according to older sources it is the sources of the Tisza River, according to newer sources the Beskids end at the Ushok pass at the Polish-Ukrainian border. The name of the highest mountain depends on the definition of the eastern border of the Beskids.
The Beskids are part of the Outer Western Carpathians, only the Lesser Beskids (sl: Nízke Beskydy, pl: Beskid Niski)) and the Beskids situated to the east of them are part of the Eastern Carpathians.
The name of the mountains probably comes from a Thracian or Illyrian origin. The Beskids are currently rich in forest and coal. In the past they were rich in iron ore, with important plants in Ostrava and Třinec.
There are many tourist attractions, especially the increasingly-popular skiing resorts.
See also: Bieszczady MountainsTemplate:Poland-geo-stub Template:Cz-geo-stub Template:Slovakia-geo-stub Template:Ukraine-geo-stub
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