Mountains of the Balkans on a contour map. Balkan Mountains on the Map - Stara Planina. Stara Planina as a ski resort

In ancient times, X to him s) is a mountainous country on the Balkan Peninsula. Extends from the river Timok to Chernoy m. Almost in a strictly easterly direction for 600 km. Near the Black Sea, the Balkan Mountains end in a cliff 70 m high, forming Cape Emine. The width of the Balkan Mountains ranges from 20 to 80 km, and they are widest in the eastern, most lower part, and narrowest in the middle, highest part. Through the mountains there are up to 30 passes suitable for communication.

Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina).

The Balkan Mountains are mostly folded mountains, but there is a system of fault structures in the east. The tops of the ridges are predominantly rounded and covered with lush pastures. To the Danube Plain, the mountains descend more gently in a series of parallel ridges covered with forest. To the south, the Balkan Mountains break off steeply, especially in the middle part, where the southern slope is devoid of vegetation and cut through by numerous valleys of mountain streams. The Balkan Mountains are divided into three parts: the western one - from the mouth of the Timok River to the valley of the Iskar River, the central one - from the Ns-kyr River to the Vratnik Pass (Iron Gates) and the eastern one - from the Vratnik to the Black Sea.

The Western Balkans (Bulgarian - Zapadna Stara Planina), 182 km long, stretch from northwest to southeast, gradually rising in the same direction. To the northeast, the slopes of the mountains are steep and covered with forest, while the southwestern slopes are flat and bare. The highest point of the Western Balkans is the peak of Mijur - 2169 m. Vratchanska Planina stands out among the mountains - a wide waterless karst ridge, abruptly breaking off to the Iskar gap. The railway connecting the city of Sofia with the Danube plain passes through the latter.

The Central Balkans (Bulgarian - Sredna-Stara Planina), 260 km long, have a latitudinal direction, are distinguished by the highest height of their peaks [m. Botev (Yumrukchal) -2376 m]. The ridges of the Central Balkans are significantly dissected and the passes are relatively low, covered with snow in winter, but still passable. Main passes: Troyansky, Shipka (see) (1270 m).

The Eastern, or Lesser, Balkans (Bulgarian - Iztochna-Stara Planina), 155 km long, are distinguished by a significant width (up to 80 km) with a low altitude (in the west - 1000 m, in the east - up to 500 m). The mountain valleys here are wide and open towards the Black Sea. Both slopes of the mountains are covered with forests.

To the north of the Balkan Mountains stretches the Danube Plain. To the south of the Central Balkans and parallel to them stretches Sredna Gora, separated from them by the Trans-Balkan basin, irrigated by the river. Tundzhy.

Despite their relatively low height, the Bapkan Mountains are an important landscape and climatic boundary and form a watershed between the tributaries of the Danube and the rivers flowing into the Aegean and Marmara Seas.

A railway passes through the Balkan Mountains in three bridges. Exploration and development of minerals in the Balkan Mountains began in earnest only after Bulgaria became a People's Democracy. Coal mining is underway in the Central Balkans, combustible gases have been discovered in the Eastern Balkans, manganese ore near Burgas, marble and other types of mineral raw materials are being mined. The mountain rivers in B. have a large supply of hydropower, which is used for the network of hydroelectric stations that is being created in the country. Enterprises of the timber industry are located at various points in the country within the BG. B. g. are rich in mineral springs (the districts of the cities of Chirpan, Slivon, Stara Zagora, and others), which are used by the people's government of Bulgaria to create health resorts and rest homes for the working people.

Lit .: Dobrynin B. F.,

Balkan mountains(Bulgarian. Stara Planina, Also Balkan; Turkce. Koja-Balkan, Koca Balkan) - a large mountain system in (western spurs also on the territory of modern and Macedonia). They cross Bulgaria from west to east, dividing it into Northern and Southern Bulgaria. The length of the mountains is about 555 km, the height is up to 2.376 m (mountain). They are a natural continuation of the Southern Carpathians, crossed by the river at the Iron Gates. They became the basis for the names of the Balkan Peninsula and the Balkans.

Geology

Stara Planina is composed mainly of Paleozoic and Precambrian crystalline schists and granites, as well as Mesozoic limestones, sandstones, conglomerates, and flysch. They consist of parallel ridges with smoothed top surfaces.

Major passes

• Petrokhansky pass
• Churek pass
• Shipka Pass
• Republic Pass

Relief

The relatively gentle northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains pass into the foothills (the Cis-Balkans), which go down to the Lower Danube Plain; the southern slopes are usually steep.

Hydrography

Stara Planina is crossed by the valleys of the breakthrough of the Iskar (in the west) and Kamchia (in the east) rivers.

Karst caves

Karst is developed in the Balkan Mountains, below are the largest and most famous caves:

• Rabish cave with rock paintings
• Syeva-Dupka
• Ledenika and others

Minerals

Deposits of copper, lead-zinc and iron ores, coal and brown coal.

Climate

The Balkan Mountains are an important climate divide between northern and southern Bulgaria; in the ridge part, 800-1.100 mm of precipitation falls annually, and the mountains are covered with snow for several months.

Flora and fauna

The northern, more humid slopes up to a height of 1700-1800 m are covered with forests of oak, beech, hornbeam, as well as coniferous species - pine. The peaks are occupied by meadows (meadows). In the eastern part of the mountains there are dense deciduous forests with evergreen undergrowth and lianas.

Zoning

Stara Planina is divided into Western Stara Planina, which has a predominantly southeastern strike; Middle Stara Planina, the highest and clearly isolated; Eastern Stara Planina, lowered and branching into separate spurs.

Story

In the northern part of the Balkan Mountains there are monuments of the era of the Bulgarian national liberation (Monument of Freedom, etc.). The Steneto National Park is located.

Recreational economy and tourism

There are numerous mineral springs in the Balkan Mountains, on the basis of which resorts (Vyrshets, Ribaritsa, Teteven, etc.) operate. On the slopes there are a number of monasteries (Sokolsky Monastery,

Balkan mountains, Also Staraya Planina(Bulgarian Stara Planina, Balkan, Serbian Stara Planina, other Greek Αἶμος, Latin Haemus) is a large mountain system in Bulgaria (the western spurs are also on the territory of modern Serbia).

This range crosses Bulgaria from west to east, dividing it into Northern and Southern Bulgaria. According to Bulgarian historical terminology: Stara Planina separates Moesia (Northern Bulgaria) from Thrace and Macedonia. The length of the ridge is about 555 km, the highest peak is Mount Botev (2376 m). The Balkans are a natural continuation of the Southern Carpathians, crossed by the Danube River at the Iron Gates. These mountains became the basis for the geographical names "Balkan Peninsula" and "Balkans".

• 1 Geology
• 2 Major passes
• 3 Relief
• 4 Hydrography
• 5 Karst caves
  • 5.1 Minerals
• 6 Climate
• 7 Flora and fauna
• 8 Regionalization
• 9 History
• 10 Recreational economy and tourism
• 11 Links

Geology

Stara Planina is composed mainly of Paleozoic and Precambrian crystalline schists and granites, as well as Mesozoic limestones, sandstones, karst, conglomerates, and flysch. Consists of parallel ridges with smoothed top surfaces.

Major passes

• Petrokhansky pass
• Iskar river gorge
• Churek pass
• Shipka Pass
• Republic Pass
• Vyrbish pass

Relief

The relatively gentle northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains pass into the foothills (the Cis-Balkans), which go down to the Lower Danube Plain; the southern slopes are usually steep.

Hydrography

Stara Planina is crossed by the valleys of the breakthrough of the Iskar (in the west) and Kamchia (in the east) rivers.

Here, the Timok, Lom, Ogosta, Vit, Osam rivers originate and flow to the north, to the Danube.

Karst caves

Karst is developed in the Balkan Mountains, especially in the western part. Below are the largest and most famous caves:

• Rabish cave with rock paintings
• Syeva-Dupka
• Ledenika and others

Minerals

Deposits of copper, lead-zinc and iron ores, coal and brown coal.

Climate

The Balkan Mountains are an important climate divide between Northern and Southern Bulgaria; in the ridge part, 800-1.100 mm of precipitation falls annually, and the mountains are covered with snow for several months.

Flora and fauna

The northern, more humid slopes up to a height of 1700-1800 m are covered with forests of oak, beech, hornbeam, as well as coniferous species - pine. The peaks are occupied by meadows (meadows). the eastern part of the mountains - dense deciduous forests with evergreen undergrowth and lianas.

Zoning

Stara Planina is divided into Western Stara Planina, which has a predominantly southeastern strike; Middle Stara Planina, the highest and clearly isolated; and Eastern Stara Planina, lowered and branching into separate spurs. One of the latter (together with the surrounding valleys) is a unique natural and geographical region of the Horn of Staraya Planina.

Story

The northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains are rich in monuments from the era of the Bulgarian National Liberation (Monument of Freedom, etc.). The Steneto National Park is located here.

Recreational economy and tourism

There are numerous mineral springs in the Balkan Mountains, on the basis of which resorts (Vyrshets, Ribaritsa, Teteven, etc.) operate. There are a number of monasteries on the slopes (Sokolsky Monastery, Kremikovskiy Monastery, etc.).

Links

• Stara Planina Mountains
• Stara Planina
• Photo Gallery of the Balkan Mountains
• Large collection of photos from the Balkan Mountains

Bulgaria is a European state located on the territory of the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. The country has an interesting geographical position. Bulgaria borders Macedonia, Greece, Serbia, Turkey and Romania. It has access to the Black Sea, on its territory there are the southeastern and Danube plains, as well as the Balkan Mountains. It is about the mountain system of the country that will be discussed in this article.

Stara Planina

The length of this mountain range is 555 km. It is the longest on the peninsula. The mountains of the Balkans belong to the ancient system of the Carpathians and the Alps. In Bulgaria, Stara Planina stretches from the Serbian border, near the Timok River (a tributary of the Danube), to the Black Sea coast (Cape Emine). Mountain heights - Derventskaya and Strandzha - are located in the southern part of the country, on the Turkish-Bulgarian border.

The highest elevations of the mountain range are located in the middle part of the Balkans. Mount Botev is the largest of them. Its height reaches 2376 meters. About 20 peaks of the central part of Stara Planina are higher than 2,000 m.

The eastern part of the ridge is lower, it loses its solidity and diverges into two parallel chains that stretch towards the Black Sea coast.

The Balkan mountains are mentioned in mythical legends, as well as in historical reports. In 1877-1878, during the war of liberation, the famous crossing of the mountain system was made. Warriors made their way through snow-covered gorges and passes. At an altitude of about 1300 m in 1878 there was a great battle between the Russian and Turkish armies. The course of the battle forced Turkey to relinquish its dominance over Bulgaria. The historical event took place at the Shipka pass, which is located in the center of the mountain system.

This mountainous area serves as a kind of geoclimatic barrier that prevents cold and dry winds coming from the north and holds back warm, humid air brought from the southern part of the Balkans.

Rhodope Mountains

There is another mountain range in Bulgaria, known to many as the Rhodopes. It is located in the southwestern part of the country and has a length of about 240 km. The climate is predominantly mild in this area. The highest mountain is Golyam-Perelik. Its height is 2191 m.

Since ancient times, settlements have been built on the territory of the Rhodopes, this is due to the large number of caves. In the mountains you can find ancient monasteries, which became the center of the revival of Bulgaria. There is a legend that the famous mythical hero Orpheus hails from these places.

A special distinguishing feature of this mountain range are rocks that have an unusual shape.

Pirin mountain range

The nature of these places fascinates travelers. The national park, spread over the southern territory of Pirin, is protected by UNESCO. In these places you can find rare animals and unique plants. Also, these mountains in Bulgaria have preserved a huge number of geographical relics.

From September to May inclusive, these places attract skiers from different countries, since during this period the tops of the mountain ranges are covered with snow. The largest hills are located on the territory of Pirin. The highest of them reaches 2914 m. It is called Vihren. Of the 87 mountain peaks, 60 have a height of more than 2,500 m.

Rila mountains

This mountain range is the highest on the Balkan Peninsula. Here is the highest peak in Bulgaria - Musala. Its height is 2,925 m. The mountain received such an unusual name from the Turks, which in translation sounds like “only God is higher.”

The ancient Thracians called the area "Water Mountain", and this is not surprising, since there are more than 180 freshwater reservoirs here. The sources of such rivers as the Maritsa and the Iskar originate in the Rila Mountains. In Bulgaria, this is one of the most beautiful places, so in 1993 they were given the status of a reserve. The area is covered with pine forests, where you can find specimens of trees whose height exceeds 60 m. Among the representatives of the animal world, you can see wolves, bears, chamois and roe deer here.

The famous ski resort Borovets is located in the Rila Mountains. Mountain peaks in this area are covered with snow throughout the autumn-winter period. This is a great time for a pleasant holiday and skiing.

The climate of the area is continental, with a significant Mediterranean influence.

The highest peak in Europe - Musala

The Rila Mountains in Bulgaria are the highest in Europe. Here is located the largest peak - Musala. At the end of World War II, more precisely in 1949, the mountain was renamed Stalin Peak, and this name was retained until 1962.

Musala belongs to the Rila National Reserve, where the rarest species of trees and other plants grow. Here you can find Macedonian pine and Bulgarian spruce.

The resort town of Borovets is located on the territory of the mountain range, which attracts many tourists who prefer winter holidays. The length of the ski slopes is 40 km. In total, 18 tracks operate on the territory of the resort. All of them are equipped with special lifts and funiculars. In an hour, they are able to serve ten thousand passengers.

For lovers of hiking in the mountains, a route to the top is provided. Tourists will have to overcome about 10 km of the way. The duration of the ascent will be approximately 7 hours. There are tourist bases on the mountain, which can be reached using a specially equipped elevator. This is a cabin lift that takes travelers to their destination, at an altitude of 1790 and 2362 meters, where the camp sites are located.

The distance from Mount Musala to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is about 80 km.

natural phenomenon

Nature never ceases to amaze us with its masterpieces. One such phenomenon is the Belogradchik Rocks in Bulgaria. This extraordinary landscape has been created by nature over millions of years.

The rocks are located near the settlement of the same name in the Vidin region. Their length is 30 km. Under the influence of natural elements over many millions of years, the rock has acquired bizarre forms. These statues stretch into the sky for tens of meters. Each rock has its own name. There is "Madonna", "Gemini", "Adam and Eve", etc.

In ancient times, the rocks were used as protection, but now huge crowds of tourists come here to admire the natural masterpieces.

Shipka Pass

Mount Shipka is not as high as other peaks of the Balkan Mountains, but this place has historical significance. It was here that the turning point in the Russian-Turkish war took place. The height of the mountain is 1326 m. The original name of the peak is Sveti Nikolay. But since the communist party ruled in Bulgaria in the last century, the country's leadership decided to rename the mountain. In 1954, it was named Stoletov Peak, in honor of the general who led the defense of the Shipka Pass. The last renaming took place in 1977, after which the mountain was named Shipka.

The Shipka Pass in Bulgaria is one of the most important routes that connect the northern and southern parts of the country.

Today, the peak itself and its surroundings are part of the national park. A monument erected in 1934 rises above the mountain. It is dedicated to the liberators of Bulgaria and symbolizes freedom.

Mount Malovitsa

Mountains in Bulgaria are famous for their ski resorts. Tourists come here from different European countries, including Russia. Mount Malovitsa belongs to the Rila mountain range. This is one of the favorite places for tourists. Its height is 2729 m. The resort is located 92 km from Sofia, and 40 km from Malovitsa is the town of Borovets.

Those who love active winter holidays should come to these places from December to April. The climate here is temperate, continental. All tracks have the necessary conditions for skiing. Paths are marked on the mountain, along which climbers can climb to the top as comfortably as possible. Mountain slopes are equipped with special ski lifts. But if you want to climb the mountain on foot, keep in mind that the climb will take at least 3 hours.

Not far from the resort there is an amazingly beautiful lake Strashnoto, the water in which has an unusual emerald color.

Vitosha Planina

Not far from Sofia is Mount Vitosha, which can be seen directly from the city itself. This peak is a kind of symbol of the Bulgarian capital. Her image can be seen on the emblem of the city of Sofia.

The surroundings of the mountain belong to the national reserve, the territory of which exceeds 26 thousand hectares. The nature of these places surprises with its richness. There are more than 2700 varieties of plants here. The tourism industry is very well developed. Excursions are organized daily, both on foot and climbing. Vitosha is known to many tourists because of the very long cave. At the top of the mountain, snow lies for about 150 days a year, so this is an ideal place for an active winter holiday. The famous ski center "Aleko" is located 18 km from Sofia.

Balkans or Balkan Peninsula is a peninsula that is located in the southeast of Europe in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Balkan Peninsula is surrounded by the Adriatic, Black and Mediterranean Seas.

Most of the peninsula is occupied by hills and mountains, but there are fertile plains. Winters in the north are sometimes very cold, while in the south summers can be very hot and dry.

The Balkan Peninsula narrows to the south and breaks into indented capes and chains of islands. Here is Greece, the land of dark rocks, blue seas, whitewashed houses, ancient ruins and medieval churches. Cities such as Athens are full of reminders of the ancient Greek civilization, which greatly influenced the development of the whole world. Every year tourists come here from all over the world. Farmers in the Balkans grow corn, sunflowers, melons, grapes for wine, fruits, olives and tobacco. Greece has been a member of the European Union since 1981.

Nationalities live on the Balkan Peninsula: Slavs (Slovaks, Slovenes, Croats, Serbs), Gypsies, Magyars (Hungarians), Romanians, Bulgarians, Turks, Albanians and Greeks.

Balkan countries

The following states are partially or completely located on the Balkan Peninsula:

• Albania
• Bulgaria
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Greece
• Italy
• Kosovo
• Macedonia
• Romania
• Serbia
• Slovenia
• Turkey
• Croatia
• Montenegro

Conflict in Yugoslavia

In 1990-1991, the former Republic of Yugoslavia broke up into five countries - Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yugoslavia and Macedonia. Disputes over new borders led to a bloody war in the 1990s, and Albania and Romania also suffered from political unrest.