Surely many have heard about the Ukrainian Carpathians. This is a truly wonderful and charming place, perfect for a family or romantic getaway. The mountain system is located closer to the west of Ukraine and stretches for 280 km. Sometimes tourists can encounter mountains up to 2000 m high, but the highest point is Goverla - 2061 m.

It is quite natural that many people want to visit this ecologically clean area and are trying to find out in more detail where the Carpathians are. It is worth noting that the relief here is multi-tiered. Thus, there are high-mountain areas (height up to 1500 m), mid-mountain areas (up to 1300 m), low-mountain areas (up to 400 m) and foothills.

Location of the Carpathians

To more accurately understand where the Carpathians are, you need to know that they are located on the border with countries such as Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and Romania. Nevertheless, officially the mountains are located on the territory of Ukraine, namely its four regions: Transcarpathian, Lviv, Chernivtsi and Ivano-Frankivsk. Thus, from these regions you can easily and quickly reach recreation centers and take great excursions, as well as enjoy stunning scenery and fresh air. Quite often, the region under consideration is divided into two parts: Transcarpathia and Prykarpattya. In addition to which most attracts tourists, Pop-Ivan, Petros and Khomyak are just as cool and beautiful. Their height exceeds 2000 m, which is why they are considered no less powerful and interesting. It is known that people live in the mountains, but civilization does not spoil the overall picture. At the same time, there is a completely different atmosphere around: nature is practically untouched, the air is clean, sometimes heavy, and the tops of the trees touch the human gaze. In the rivers running throughout the Carpathians, there are a wide variety of fish species, which is why fishing is one of the most favorite pastimes and local residents, and tourists.

Where the Carpathians are located is very easy to determine on the map, since it is an impressive territory, highlighted in dark brown. There is only one such site in Ukraine - in the western part of the country.

Hiking trails

Tourism in the Carpathians is most developed in the cold season. Already in mid-autumn, vacationers can visit the mountains and enjoy the first snow by climbing one of the peaks.

Most tourists have no idea where the Carpathians are, but they want to go there with all their hearts. And all because there are legends about the majestic mountains, the atmosphere around fills you with strength and joy, and the stunning nature surprises. Are you planning to visit this region in the warm season? Great! A lot of entertainment awaits you: horseback riding, massage and sauna at altitude, fishing and swimming in local rivers, communicating with animals in farm yards, practicing folk crafts and much, much more. In winter, every vacationer will be able to visit the ski resort and try out the best slopes in Ukraine; taste the famous Hutsul cuisine and warming mulled wine; visit gorges covered with ice and find other entertainment. When planning a vacation, it never hurts to consider a mountain vacation. Just don’t forget to check where the Carpathians are.

Such settlements as Guta, Yaremche, Yablunytsia, Synevyr, Mizhgorye and Svalyava have become very famous in the Carpathians. Many tourists dream of visiting there. In some villages you can even try locally produced water, which is popular throughout Ukraine and is considered medicinal. It is not surprising that in the Carpathians there are a huge number of sanatoriums and health centers, as well as recreation centers - the air and water here truly work wonders!

It is also recommended to visit famous cities: Ivano-Frankivsk, Mukachevo and Slavske. In the first of them, vacationers will be able to get acquainted with the history of this people, look at amazing sights, visit the Town Hall and much more. The Carpathians of the country Ukraine are the main attraction that people are so proud of. Arriving in Mukachevo, you should visit ancient fortresses, taste unique wine and buy souvenirs. In the village of Slavskoye you can enjoy a relaxing holiday or skiing. There is never a dull moment there, so the trip for tourists will be unforgettable.

Stunning heritage of the mountain range

When wondering where tourists are, they first of all mentally calculate the distance from their hometown to Ukrainian attractions. But they will never see those fascinating places on any map. For example, the pride of the Carpathians is the Pearl Cave, on the walls of which calcite balls are formed, somewhat reminiscent of jewelry. No less interesting will be a hike to the Enchanted Valley - a picturesque gorge with powerful rocks. It is also recommended to visit the Hanging Swamp, Stone Gate, Synevyr Nature Reserve, Lovers' Rocks and the Cave of Transparent Walls. In spring, a wonderful place for a walk will be the Daffodil Valley, which is completely covered with snow-white flowers, the diameter of which can reach 10 cm.

Treatment in the Carpathians

The Carpathians occupy an impressive place on the map, the same as in the hearts of many Ukrainians. This is why tourists come here from different countries and for various purposes. It's no secret that the Carpathian climate, fresh air, healing mineral springs help restore strength and strengthen the body. Comfortable hotels, recreation centers and other health resort establishments await their guests all year round. They are located in picturesque places, usually near rivers and dense forests.

Pleasure for everyone

The peculiarity of the Carpathians is that almost anyone can visit them. Affordable prices and indescribably beautiful landscapes will help make your vacation or recovery unforgettable and interesting. Also, at certain periods of time, tourists will receive a pleasant surprise - discounts on trips and various bonuses. In addition, the cost of the trip varies depending on the region chosen for vacation, the number of days of stay and the intended cultural program.

Where are the Carpathians? The Carpathians are a large mountain system located in Eastern Europe. The length of the mountain range is 1500 km, width - 420-1000 km, and area - 188 thousand km 2. The highest point is Gerlachovsky Štit (2654 m). This mountain is located on the territory of Slovakia.

The Carpathians are divided into Western, Eastern and Southern. By their nature, these are medium-altitude forested mountains, often having rather soft outlines. On average their height is 1000 meters. In general, the Carpathians are elongated in the northwest - southeast direction. The northeastern part of the Carpathian Mountains belongs to Ukraine. Together with Romania, these countries are the owners of the largest pieces of the Carpathian mountain system (about 70% in total).

Perhaps you are interested in the question, in which countries are the Carpathians located? They are located within the borders of Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Serbia.

Origin of mountains

The age of the modern Carpathians, by geological standards, is moderate - 25 million years. First, the Outer Carpathians arose - the part of the Carpathians that faces north, northeast, east. Behind them was the sea. Therefore, there (in its place) there are thick layers of sandy deposits.

As for even more ancient times, once on the site of the current mountains there was a chain of ridges called the Precarpathians. However, they were later destroyed, and by the beginning of the Mesozoic, an almost flat plain was formed.

Natural conditions

Many people are interested in the question: where are the Carpathians? They stretch between the Alps and the Caucasus, although they are much closer to the Alps. We can also say that the Carpathian mountain system is located between the Alps and the Black Sea.

The natural conditions of the region are generally quite favorable. The climate is determined by the altitudinal zone and where the Carpathians are located. It is warm, temperate continental. Characterized by a large number of days with cyclones and precipitation. The average temperature in January is from -15 to -5 °C. In summer, temperatures vary greatly with altitude. In the high mountain zone it is quite cool during this period of the year.

Precipitation increases significantly with altitude. In the highlands their annual amount is 1600-2000 mm. The increase in precipitation with altitude is +12% for every 100 meters. And the temperature drops by about 1 degree. Wind speed increases by 0.3 m/s for every 100 meters. Therefore, hurricanes are not uncommon near the peaks. Thousands of hectares of forest die from them every year.

Precipitation in the Carpathians is often of a torrential nature, and its volume can reach 100 mm/day. Heavy rains lead to floods on rivers, which is also facilitated by human economic activity.

Altitudinal zone

Altitudinal zonation is well defined in the Carpathian Mountains. Broad-leaved and mixed forests grow in the foothill zone. In the zone of 600-1500 meters, dark coniferous forest formations are common, and at even higher altitudes - low-growing shrubs. The most high areas The mountains are occupied by subalpine meadows. There are no glaciers in the Carpathians.

As for the types of tree species, the most common are beech, Norway spruce and fir. You can also find hornbeam, oak, birch, pine, larch, and alder. Common shrubs include raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and lingonberries.

Geographical features The distribution of precipitation is that in summer the eastern slopes of the mountain system are wetter, and in winter, on the contrary, the western ones. IN winter period Avalanches are common in the mountains every year. However, they are not so strong as to pose a danger to infrastructure, as in the Caucasus. There are no such steep slopes here, and the snow collection area is much smaller. At the same time, the amount of snow falling is also inferior to the Caucasus.

The climate of Transcarpathia is hotter and moderately humid, sometimes droughts occur there.

Each district has its own interesting features. The Carpathians have the following:

1. The mountains are still being formed. Earthquakes occur there periodically, with a magnitude of up to 5-7 on the Richter scale. Due to the great depth of the source, seismic waves spread very far, and in history there was even a case when tangible tremors reached Moscow.
2. The Carpathian Mountains arose around the same time as the Alps and Himalayas.
3. Previously, the Carpathians were in full swing with active volcanic activity. The peaks of some volcanoes are visible in the vicinity of Uzhgorod, Khust, Mukachevo.
4. The minimum distance from the Alps to the Carpathians is only 14 kilometers. And the width of the Carpathian mountain system in some places reaches 450 km.
5. The Carpathians have their own set of mineral deposits. Oil was found here, as well as gas, gold, marble, and ozokerite.
6. On the territory of this mountain system, the remains of various ancient animals were discovered: mammoths, huge deer, and various birds.
7. Human activity in this region has been quite unusual. Shortly before the formation of the USSR, most of the forests here were cut down, and then, already in the Soviet era, forest planting took place at an accelerated pace, which made it possible to once again cover these mountains with forests. IN last years barbaric deforestation took place here, due to which half of the territory of the Ukrainian Carpathians was deforested. The wood is exported to Europe. Now almost all Carpathian forests are of secondary origin.
8. The Carpathians are home to the world's largest musical instrument - the trembita. This is a huge tube made of wood, from 3 to 8 meters long. The sound from it spreads across mountain valleys over a distance of more than 10 kilometers.

Resorts of the Carpathians

The Carpathian Mountains abound with ski resorts. This mountain system is not as popular among tourists as the Alps, but many vacationers also come here. First of all, our own, locals. For example, in Ukrainian ski slopes Ah, first of all, Ukrainians skate. The Carpathians have their pros and cons. The first include low altitudes (which means it’s easier to breathe here), gentle and safe slopes, a low risk of avalanches, and the absence of severe frosts and extreme weather. As well as reasonable prices and relative proximity to our borders.

Skiing starts in December and ends in March. Altitudes from 1000 meters are used. It should be taken into account that due to climate warming, ski opportunities may decrease. This, by the way, applies to the Alps and even the Caucasus. Therefore, before leaving there, it is worth consulting regarding the current and forecast weather.

The best ski resort The Carpathian Mountains are recognized by the Polish resort of Zakopane. It is located in the south of this state, in a small town with the same name. The total length of its ski slopes is 60 kilometers. Both beginners and experienced skiers can ski here. You can come there from late October to mid-April.

Resorts of Ukraine (Carpathians)

You can go to the Ukrainian resort of Bukovel. It is located in the Ivano-Frankivsk region and is distinguished good quality pistes and excellent infrastructure. If there are no weather vagaries (which are happening more and more often in Europe), then stable snow cover can be seen here from the beginning of December until the end of April.

Rock climbing

Carpathians - perfect place for those who refrain from too dangerous climbs, but still don’t mind getting a good workout. The mountains here are quite flat and low. Some of them have become favorite destinations for tourists.

The most difficult mountain to climb is Gerlachovsky Stit, with a height of 2654 meters. This is the highest peak of the Carpathians. It is located in Slovakia and is quite popular among tourists. But climbing it requires professional skills, and climbing is only allowed in the company of a guide.

It is much easier to conquer Mount Goverla (2061 m), the highest point of the Ukrainian part of the Carpathians. It is located on the Montenegrin ridge. Climbing this hill will not be difficult, and in the summer dozens of visitors do this every day. On the slopes of this mountain are the sources of the largest river in Eastern Europe, the Prut.

In Romania, the highest mountain is Moldoveanu (2544 m). Climbing it is more difficult than Hoverla, but if you have certain skills it will not be difficult.

Hiking in the Carpathians is also quite common.

There are many in the Carpathians interesting places. Moreover, each country has its own attractions and resorts.

Slovakia

The Sarišska Vrhovina mountain range in Slovakia is famous for a beautiful canyon with an interesting rock called the “Moses Pillar”. There are in those places and a large number of caves, canyons and waterfalls. In addition to natural attractions, there are also man-made ones: the ruins of the ancient Murano castle.

Poland and Hungary

The Tatra Mountains are quite popular in Poland. They are divided into high and low. In the first there is beautiful lake, similar to the human eye. And also the highest waterfall in Poland called Siklawa. The height of the water column is 70 meters. As for the second, you can see various caves there. One of them is called "Cave of Dead Bats".

The Carpathian Mountains of Hungary are of interest mountain range Matra. There you can visit thermal springs and go skiing. Wine production is developed in the region. And the Duna-Ipoi National Park is replete with springs, streams and rivulets.

Romania

The Southern Carpathians rise on the territory of Romania. There are many ski resorts here. And the castles are even more interesting. Especially the Royal Peles Castle and Dracula's Castle.

There are also places for rafting in the Carpathians of Romania. The most popular is the Jilu River Gorge in Oltenia. And in Romanian Muntenia you can go rock climbing and see mud volcanoes.

Others interesting objects Romania became stone columns that were formed by the solidification of volcanic lava. And in Romanian Transylvania there is a reserve where about 100 bears live, which previously lived in captivity.

Conclusion

The Carpathians are a large mountain system in Europe. They are located on the territory of several states at once. The part of the mountain system closest to Russia is the Ukrainian Carpathians. The climate in the Carpathians is soft and humid, with a pronounced altitudinal zone. The landscapes are forest and in some places taiga. Almost all forests are secondary, there are many clearings and secondary meadows. However, there are also many interesting places there. As for the Ukrainian Carpathians specifically, they will be of interest mainly to ecologists (the fight against uncontrolled logging) and skiers (there are good slopes). However, if you study all mountain system entirely, the Carpathians abound in interesting objects and places, both natural and man-made. In the Carpathians you can engage in hiking, rafting, skiing, viewing caves, canyons, attractions, visiting nature reserves, castles, photographing mountain panoramas and so on. This means that these mountains are suitable for tourists of all categories. Thus, the article examined in detail the question of where the Carpathians are located.

In Europe, on the territory of Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and Romania (55% of the area of ​​the Carpathians). It stretches for 1.5 thousand km from the Devin Gate (on the Danube River near the city of Bratislava) to the Iron Gate (on the Danube River), forming an arc convex to the northeast and east. The width in the northwest is about 250 km, in the northeast about 120 km, in the southeast up to 430 km. The area is about 210 thousand km 2. The predominant heights are 800-1200 m, the highest is 2655 m (Mount Gerlachovski-Štit).

Relief. The Carpathians are a complex system of echelon-shaped mountain ranges and ridges, separated by longitudinal and transverse valleys. Orographically they are divided into the Western Carpathians (with the southwestern spur of the Lesser Carpathians, height up to 768 m), Eastern Carpathians and Southern Carpathians; The northern ranges of the Western and partly Eastern Carpathians form the Beskids. The Carpathians also include the Western Romanian Mountains and the Transylvanian Plateau adjacent to the Southern Carpathians from the north, and the Banat Mountains (altitude up to 1446 m) from the west.

The mountains are characterized by rounded peaks and gentle slopes (except for the northwestern and southeastern parts). Along the outer side of the arc of the mountains there is a strip of foothills (40-60 km wide) with a height of 400-500 m, in the southeast up to 907 m. The axial zone of the Carpathians is formed by an intermittent chain of blocky massifs, the highest of them (more than 2 thousand m) are the Tatras (with Mount Gerlachovsky-Štit), Low Tatras, Rodna, Fagaras, Paryn, Retezat. The ridges of the highest ridges bear traces of Pleistocene glaciation; the most clearly alpine landforms are expressed in the Tatra and Fagaras massifs. Karst relief forms are typical for many regions of the Carpathians, especially clearly manifested in the Slovak Karst (Slovak Karst) massifs (for example, Agtelek Cave), Bükk, etc. River valleys in limestone often form canyons. A strip of volcanic massifs stretches along the inner side of the Carpathian arc. In the western part, their height usually does not exceed 1300 m (Kremnicke Vrchy, Stiavnicke Vrchy, Vigorlat massif, etc.), sometimes they have the appearance of table mountains, in places they form sharp contours. In the east, the volcanic mountains are higher (up to 2100 m, Mount Pietros in the Caliman massif), they are separated by deep basins and river valleys. The relief of the Transylvanian plateau (height 600-800 m) is a complex combination of rolling hills, flat watersheds and river valleys; mud volcanoes are found in its marginal parts.

Typical for the Carpathians are leveling surfaces of different heights, basins, the bottoms of which in the foothills lie at an altitude of 200-300 m (Upper Moravian, Auschwitz, Sandomierz, etc.), in the mountains - at an altitude of 500-700 m (Dorn, Brasov, etc.). Due to the relatively low altitude, the mountains are relatively easy to pass, especially in the central part. The main passes through which the railway and highway are laid are located mainly at an altitude of 500-1000 m (Dukljanski-Priesmik, Yablonitsky, Predeal, etc.).

Geological structure and minerals. Tectonically, the Carpathians are a fold-cover system of the Iberian-Albourse branch of the Alpine-Himalayan mobile belt, which in the southeast merges with the Balkan fold system, and in the west is separated by a transversely superimposed trough of the Vienna Basin from the Alpine folded system. On the outer side, the Carpathian system is bordered by the Pre-Carpathian foredeep, through which it borders with platform areas: the Western European platform in the north, the East European platform in the east and the epi-Baikal Moesian platform in the southeast. The foredeep is filled with Miocene molasse (in the east and southeast - Miocene-Pliocene), containing strata of Middle Miocene salt rocks (evaporites). The arched fold system of the Carpathians surrounds the Pannonian (in the west) and Transylvanian (in the east) Neogene molasse depressions. At their base are blocks of pre-Mesozoic continental crust - Alcapa, Thissia and Dacia.

In the structure of the folded system of the Carpathians, the External and Internal megazones are distinguished. The outer megazone is composed mainly of Upper Jurassic-Paleocene terrigenous flysch, overlain by a clayey-siliceous series of the Oligocene - Lower Miocene. Structurally, this megazone is a package of tectonic nappes displaced many tens of kilometers in the direction of adjacent platforms. Fold-sheet dislocations also extend to the inner wing of the forward trough; in the southeast, in the axial zone of the trough (on the territory of Romania), salt tectonics manifested itself with the formation of salt diapirs with piercing cores. The main deformations in the Outer Megazone occurred before the Middle Miocene, and in the foredeep - in the Pliocene (in the southeast - including the Quaternary period). The structure of the Inner Megazone involves mainly Paleozoic metamorphic rocks and Late Paleozoic granitoids (fragments of the Central European Hercynian folded structure), as well as shelf carbonate and carbonate-terrigenous Mesozoic strata, which, together with Paleozoic rocks, experienced tectonic movement (shaping) in the middle and end of the Early Cretaceous, and also later. In the Inner Megazone, Middle Triassic - Upper Jurassic ophiolites (relics of the crust of the ancient Tethys Ocean) have been established. On the border of the Inner and Outer megazones in the Northern Carpathians there is a narrow Pieniny (Cliff, or Klippova) zone, consisting mainly of large fragments of Triassic-Cretaceous carbonate rocks surrounded by marls. The main deformations in this zone occurred at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary during the Laramie era of tectogenesis.

The Carpathian fold system arose in the Cenozoic, mainly on the site of a marginal marine basin in the northern part of the Tethys Ocean. This basin developed starting in the mid-Triassic due to the formation of rifts crossing the Hercynian basement on the margin of the ancient European continent. The formation of the fold-cover structure of the Carpathians was caused by the collision (collision) of the Alcapa, Thissia and Dacia microplates (“outliers” of the African lithospheric plate) with the southern margin of the Eurasian plate, as well as the underthrust (subduction) of the oceanic crust of the marginal marine basin under the microplates. An outbreak of volcanism in the rear of the Carpathian fold system was associated with the processes of collision and subduction. The Carpathians retain tectonic mobility (especially the Eastern Carpathians), accompanied by intense seismicity (the Vrancea epicentral zone in Romania). Earthquakes occurring in the Eastern Carpathians are felt in the European part of Russia (for example, in Moscow in 1978 - up to 4 points).

In the Cis-Carpathian trough, deposits of oil and natural combustible gas, ozokerite, rock and potassium salts, and native sulfur are concentrated. Oil deposits are known in the frontal part of the Outer Megazone of the Carpathians. In the Pieniny zone there are deposits of dolomite, limestone, marble, and raw materials for stone casting. Deposits of pyrite-polymetallic, copper-pyrite, barite and ferromanganese ores are confined to the metamorphic complex of the Inner Megazone of the Carpathians; Volcanic rocks are associated with deposits of mercury, gold-polymetallic and barite ores, as well as alunites, perlites, kaolins, and bentonite clays. In the Transylvanian intermontane depression there are deposits of flammable gas, rock and potassium salts, sulfur, and brown coal. A special place among natural resources The Carpathians are occupied by mineral waters (including carbon dioxide and nitrogen sulfate), brines of chloride and sulfate-chloride composition, thermal and subthermal waters of high mineralization. There are sources of rare low-mineralized waters with a high content of organic matter (Truskavets).

The climate is temperate, transitional from maritime to continental. The average January temperature in the foothills ranges from -5°C in the north and east to -2°C in the south, in the most high peaks it drops to -10°C. In some intramountain basins, temperature inversions are observed in winter. The average July temperature in the foothills ranges from 17°C in the north and east to 20°C in the south; in the upper mountain zone it drops to 4°C. Annual precipitation in the foothills varies from 600-800 mm on the outer side of the arc of the Eastern and Southern Carpathians to 900-1000 mm in the Western Romanian Mountains and Western Carpathians. In the high mountain zone, the amount of precipitation increases to 1400 mm in the south and 2000 mm in the northeast and northwest (in the Tatras). Maximum precipitation occurs in summer, most of it falls in the form of rain. The duration of snow cover in the foothills is 2-3 months (in some areas it forms sporadically), in the mountains it is 5-7 months. Avalanches are common. The snow line in the Tatras is located at an altitude of about 2300 m. There are no modern glaciers in the Carpathians.

Surface waters. The Carpathians are one of the main watersheds in Europe. Most of the rivers belong to the Danube basin (the largest are Tisza, Olt, Jiu, Siret, Prut and their tributaries), the rivers of the northern slopes belong to the Vistula and Odra basins, and the rivers of the northeastern slopes belong to the Dniester basin. The rivers are fed by mixed snow and rain. Their regime is characterized by sharp fluctuations in water flow throughout the year. The greatest flow is observed in spring (due to snow melting) and in the first half of summer (due to heavy rains). Floods and catastrophic floods and mudflows are common. The rivers of the Carpathians have significant reserves of electricity (cascades of hydroelectric power stations have been built), many of them are used for irrigation purposes. To combat floods, dams and canals were built along the rivers. There are about 450 small lakes in the Carpathians; in the highlands they occupy mainly the bottoms of ancient glacial carts.

Types of landscapes. The Carpathians are characterized by high-altitude zones with a predominance of mountain forests (occupying 300 thousand hectares) and mountain-meadow landscapes. In the past, forest-steppe, oak and beech-oak forests were widespread in the foothills, now almost completely cut down. In their place are gardens, vineyards, arable land, secondary forests (steppe forests in the west). The landscapes of the basins have been greatly changed. In the mountains, natural landscapes are better preserved. The lower belt of mountains (up to an altitude of 500-600 m in the north and 600-800 m in the south) is occupied by oak and hornbeam-oak forests. Higher up (up to 1100-1250 m in the north and 1300-1350 m in the south) they are gradually replaced by beech forests, which are most common in the Southern Carpathians, Western Romanian Mountains and along the inner side of the arc of the mountains. In the Eastern Carpathians there are areas of beech-sycamore and beech-ash-sycamore forests. Up to an altitude of 1200-1300 m in the north and 1500-1550 m in the south there are mixed forests (beech, white fir and European spruce). They are especially developed along the outer side of the Carpathian arc, where they often descend to the foothills and often replace the landscapes of beech forests, and in the Western Carpathians. The upper limit of the forest zone (up to 1500-1600 m in the north and 1700-1800 m in the south) is formed by coniferous forests (mainly spruce, less often larch and pine), they are most developed in the Eastern Carpathians. As a result of human economic activity, coniferous forests in many places have been largely destroyed, their upper limit has been reduced by 100-200 m compared to the natural limit. Forests in the Carpathians are formed mainly on brown soils, including podzolized ones.

The forest zone gives way to a belt of subalpine shrubs and meadows (up to an altitude of 1700-2000 m in the north and 2100-2200 m in the south). It is represented mainly by crooked forests - thickets of mountain (dwarf) pine, juniper, green alder - and areas of grass and forb meadows. Higher up (up to 2300-2400 m) there is a belt of alpine meadows and shrubs, which does not have a continuous distribution and is found mainly in the Western and Southern Carpathians, where it alternates with screes and rocks. The vegetation is represented by formations of high-mountain species of grasses and sedges with the participation of alpine forbs, as well as thickets of rhododendron and dwarf willows. Mountain peat-meadow soils predominate. On some peaks rising above 2300-2400 m, there are fragments of the subnival belt with stone placers and rocks, bare or covered with lichen spots.

The Carpathians are characterized by high biodiversity and relatively well-preserved ecosystems, mainly forests. There are 225 areas of primeval forests in the mountains (each area is more than 10 hectares), beech and beech-spruce forests of the Carpathians are the most extensive in Europe. There are 3,988 plant species (1/3 of all species in Europe), of which 481 species are endemic (Aisoforme, Salzburg eyebright, crowbar, Kochi rhododendron, etc.). There are many rare species, especially in the subalpine and alpine zones (Bartsia alpine, eight-petalled dryad, diphasiastrum alpine, chestnut rush, late Lloydia, alpine aster, Rhodiola rosea, arrow-shaped willow, narcissus angustifolate, etc.).

Environmental problems and protected natural areas. Intensive deforestation, construction settlements, roads and recreational facilities in the Carpathians led to the appearance of secondary plantations and meadows in place of primary forests, increased erosion, disruption of animal migration routes, an increase in the number of rare species, a decrease in biodiversity, etc. The planting area of ​​even-aged spruce forests (including in the beech forest belt), which are susceptible to wind blows and diseases, has been increased. There is forest degradation due to acid rain, water pollution large rivers, however, the small rivers of the Carpathians are still among the cleanest in Europe. Protected natural areas occupy 16% of the area of ​​the Carpathians, the largest of them are Tatra national park(Slovakia, Poland), International Biosphere Reserve Eastern Carpathians (Ukraine, Slovakia, Poland), National parks Low Tatras, Slovak Karst, Polonyny (Slovakia), Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, national parks Synevyr, Skole Beskydy, Uzhansky, Gorgani Nature Reserve, Nadsyansky Landscape Park (Ukraine), Retezat National Park (Romania). In the Carpathians there are mountain climatic and balneological resorts. Tourism is developed; winter sports. In 2003, the countries of the Carpathian region at the 5th Conference of Ministers of Ecology " Environment for Europe” the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians was signed.

Lit.: Geology of the USSR. M., 1966. T. 48: Carpathians. Part 1: Geological description; Geodynamics of the Carpathians. K., 1985; Ukrainian Carpathians. Nature. K., 1988; Nature of the Carpathian National Park. Kiev, 1993; Melnyk A.V. Ukrainian Carpathians: ecological and landscape development. Lviv, 1999; The national parks and biosphere reserves in Carpathians: the last nature paradises. S. 1., 1999; Holt S. Ecoregion conservation in the Carpathians. S. 1., 2000; idem. The Carpathian mountains. S. 1., 2000; Khain V. E. Tectonics of continents and oceans (year 2000). M., 2001; Mosbach Webster R. The Carpathians: Kingdom of the Carnivores. WWF. Danube-Carpathian program. Vienna, 2001.

M. N. Petrushina; V. E. Khain (geological structure and minerals).

Another vacation was approaching. My friends and I decided to go on vacation. Between by sea and hiking in the mountains we chose the second option. Our choice fell on Carpathians, because the friends who were already there described everything so beautifully for us that there were simply no other options. The mountains were calling to us, and we carefully planned our trip.

Where are the Carpathians located?

From geography lessons I remember that The Carpathians are located in Central and Eastern Europe, and are divided into internal and external, which in turn are divided into western and eastern. Also The Carpathians are located on the territory of seven states. Probably, every country has its own zest, but I were interested in the Eastern Carpathians. For our small company the easiest thing was visit the Carpathians in Ukraine, because it is inexpensive and there are no problems with transport. Getting to the beginning of the route was not at all difficult, but this is a slightly different story, like our adventures along the route.

Routes of the Eastern Carpathians

Everyone knows that The Eastern Carpathians are located on the territory of Ukraine and Romania, as well as partly in Poland. In order to get to the mountains, you need to go to Ivano-Frankivsk or Transcarpathian region.

We decided go to the Transcarpathian region to walk the route along the Marmarosh ridge, which starts in Rakhiv district. Here we found ourselves in the border zone, and therefore we had to take permission in order to go along the planned route. We went to the mountains from the village of Delovoe (this is where the sign that symbolizes the center of Europe is located).

Our goal was to climb Mount Pop Ivan Marmaroshsky (height 1932 meters). On the mountain we discovered pillars that separate the borders of the two states. Interestingly, to the highest point Marmaros, which is located in Romania - Mount Farkeu, whose height is 1961 meters, You can go through without permission from the Romanian border guards, but they definitely won’t let you in any further.

If you open any geography reference book, you will see that The Western Carpathians are located on the territory of Serbia, Hungary, where mountains occupy a very small part of the country, and also in Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.

When we were traveling on the train from Ivano-Frankivsk, there was a guy in our compartment who works as a conductor in the Carpathians. He said that There are many interesting and unique places in the Western Carpathians. For example, it is best to go to Poland by ski holiday. There is an excellent resort there. He also advised go to Hungary, there mountains occupy a very small part of the country, but it is in this country is the most high point Carpathian mountain Gerlakhovsky Shtit,height which reaches 2655 meters.

For myself, I have identified several obvious advantages of going to the mountains:

• beautiful nature, beautiful landscapes;
• fresh air;
• an opportunity to take a break from the everyday hustle and bustle.

In fact the Carpathians are very cool, it’s not for nothing that they say that better than the mountains there can only be mountains.

One of the most attractive types of recreation, in terms of its availability, is vacation in Ukraine. If only Crimean peninsula already familiar to almost everyone, the Carpathians are an unexplored region. Not only tourists from abroad, but most of our compatriots cannot even imagine what the Carpathians are.

Carpathians on the map

Relaxing in the Carpathians in winter means, first of all, skiing. The most prestigious and popular resort is Bukovel. To every lover alpine skiing there will be entertainment to suit your taste. Trails of any complexity, comfortable lifts, plenty of food outlets, excellent equipment rental - all this will be provided by Bukovel.

Tourist map of the Carpathian Mountains. Attractions

Don’t think that Bukovel is the only decent place in the Carpathians. Brought to a new level of comfort and such ski resorts, like Dragobrat - the highest mountain resort, Podobovets, Pylypets and Slavskoye. Particularly attractive on holiday in the Carpathians is the opportunity to wonderfully meet New Year. Crowds of tourists come to Carpathian resorts to plunge into the celebration of the most important holiday of the year.
Those who know how to work well especially like to relax. And in order to work well, you need high-quality tools and equipment. If you need electric trolleys, then in the Baltic-Forklift store you can find any type of electric trolleys and stackers, be sure to do so before purchasing the equipment.

Map of the Carpathians