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Revision as of 06:19, 16 April 2008
The Karkonosze (Polish; pronounced kár-ko-no-she) or Krkonoše (pronounced in Czech) is a mountain range in the Sudetes in Central Europe. The range is also known as the Giant Mountains, a translation of the German term Riesengebirge, which has also historically been used in English. The names Karkonosze and Krkonoše are fairly ancient, appearing in the name of a people listed by Ptolemy as the Corconti; it may be Pre-Indo-European. The meaning was preserved, appearing in medieval Latin as Gigantei montes.
The mountains stretch from north-west to south-east and form the border between Poland and the Czech Republic. At 1,602 metres above sea level on the Czech–Polish border, the mountain Sněžka-Śnieżka is the highest peak in the Czech Republic. Large areas of the mountains are preserved as a national park by both countries. The mountains are famous for their skiing resorts and are growing in importance as a less expensive and, in some cases, nearer alternative to the Alps for tourism. The River Elbe originates in the mountains.
Important towns in the mountains are:
- Karpacz, ski resort in Poland
- Szklarska Poręba, ski resort in Poland
- Špindlerův Mlýn, mountain resort in the Czech Republic
- Harrachov, in the Czech Republic
- Pec pod Sněžkou, mountain resort in the Czech Republic
- Przesieka in Poland
- Kowary in Poland
See also
External links
- Official Krkonošský národní park website Template:Cs icon
- Official Karkonoski Park Narodowy website Template:Pl icon
- Wide information about Karkonosze Template:Pl icon
- Pictures of Giant Mountains, informations Template:Pl icon
- Polish Karkonosze website and virtual map Template:Pl icon
- Polen Riesengebirge Template:De icon
- Photo of Krkonoše Template:Cs icon
- Karkonosze - information, history Template:Pl icon
- Szklarska Poręba Template:Pl icon Template:De icon
- Karkonosze Template:Pl icon
50°46′N 15°37′E / 50.767°N 15.617°E / 50.767; 15.617
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