Giant Mountains
Czech and Polish mountain range / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Giant Mountains, Krkonoše, or Karkonosze (Czech: [ˈkr̩konoʃɛ] ⓘ, Polish pronunciation: [karkɔˈnɔʂɛ] ⓘ, German: Riesengebirge pronounced [ˈʁiːzn̩ɡəˌbɪʁɡə] ⓘ), are a mountain range located in the north of the Czech Republic and the south-west of Poland, part of the Sudetes mountain system (part of the Bohemian Massif). The Czech-Polish border, which divides the historic regions of Bohemia and Silesia, runs along the main ridge. The highest peak, Sněžka (Polish: Śnieżka), is the Czech Republic's highest natural point with an elevation of 1,603 metres (5,259 ft).
Giant Mountains | |
---|---|
Krkonoše / Karkonosze | |
Highest point | |
Peak | Sněžka / Śnieżka |
Elevation | 1,603 m (5,259 ft) |
Coordinates | 50°44′10″N 15°44′25″E |
Naming | |
Etymology | "Giant"+"Mountains" (see Names) |
Geography | |
Countries | Czech Republic and Poland |
Regions, Voivodeship | Liberec, Hradec Králové and Lower Silesian |
Subdivisions | Western Giant Mountains, Eastern Giant Mountains, Wielki Staw and Mały Staw |
Rivers | Elbe, Jizera, Úpa, Mumlava, Bóbr and Kamienna |
Range coordinates | 50°46′N 15°37′E |
Borders on | Jizera Mountains and Rudawy Janowickie |
Geology | |
Orogeny |
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Age of rock | Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic |
Type of rock |
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On both sides of the border, large areas of the mountains are designated national parks (Krkonoše National Park in the Czech Republic and Karkonosze National Park in Poland),[1] and these together comprise the Krkonoše/Karkonosze Transboundary Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme.[2] The source of the River Elbe is within the Giant Mountains. The range has a number of major ski resorts, and is a popular destination for tourists engaging in downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking, cycling and other activities.