| Beskids | |
|---|---|
 Eastern Beskids inZakarpattia Oblast, Ukraine | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Hoverla |
| Elevation | 2,061 m (6,762 ft) |
| Coordinates | 48°09′36″N24°30′01″E / 48.16000°N 24.50028°E /48.16000; 24.50028 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 600 km (370 mi) |
| Width | 70 km (43 mi) |
| Naming | |
| Native name | |
| Geography | |
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| Countries | |
| Regions | |
| Parent range | Western andEastern Carpathians |
| Borders on | |
TheBeskids orBeskid Mountains (Polish:Beskidy,Czech:Beskydy,Slovak:Beskydy,Rusyn:Бескиды (Beskydŷ),Ukrainian:Бескиди (Beskydy)) are a series of mountain ranges in theCarpathians, stretching from theCzech Republic in the west along the border ofPoland withSlovakia up toUkraine in the east.[1]
The highest mountain in the Beskids isHoverla, at 2,061 m (6,762 ft).[1]
The origin of the namebeskydy has not been conclusively established. AThracian orIllyrian origin has been suggested;[citation needed] however, as yet, no theory has majority support among linguists. The word appears in numerous mountain names throughout the Carpathians and the adjacentBalkan regions, like inAlbanianbjeshkë. According to linguists Çabej and Orel, it is possibly derived fromProto-Albanian*beškāi tāi (meaning 'the mountain pastures').[2][3] The Slovak nameBeskydy refers to the PolishBieszczady Mountains, which is not a synonym for the entire Beskids but one single range, belonging to theEastern Beskids. According to another linguistic theory, it may be related toMiddle Low Germanbeshêt,beskēt, meaning 'watershed'.[4]
Historically, the term was used for hundreds of years to describe the mountain range separating the oldKingdom of Hungary from the oldKingdom of Poland. In 1269, the Beskids were known by the Latin nameBeschad Alpes Poloniae 'Beskid Mountains of Poland'.[5]
The Beskids are approximately 600 km (370 mi) in length and 50–70 km (31–43 mi) in width. They stand mainly along the southern border ofLesser Poland with northern Slovakia, stretching to theMoravia andCzech Silesia regions of the eastern Czech Republic and toCarpathian Ruthenia in western Ukraine. Parts form theEuropean Watershed, separating theOder andVistula basins in the north from theEastern Slovak Lowland, part of theGreat Hungarian Plain drained by theDanube River.
Geologically all of the Beskids stand within theOuter Western Carpathians and theOuter Eastern Carpathians. In the west they begin at the natural pass of theMoravian Gate, which separates them from theEastern Sudetes, continue east in a band to the north of theTatra Mountains, and end inUkraine. The eastern termination of the Beskids is disputed. According to older sources, the Beskids end at the source of theTisza River, while newer sources state that the Beskids end at theUzhok Pass at the Polish–Ukrainian border.
Multiple traditions, languages and nationalities have developed overlapping variants for the divisions and names of the Beskid ranges. According to thedivisions of the Carpathians, they are categorized within:
Eastern Beskids are divided into two parallel ridges: Wooded Beskids and Polonynian Beskids.
The Beskids are currently rich inforest andcoal. In the past they were rich iniron ore, with important plants inOstrava andTřinec –Třinec Iron and Steel Works.
There are many tourist attractions, including historic wooden churches (seeWooden Churches of Southern Little Poland,Carpathian Wooden Churches of Slovakia, andWooden Churches of Ukraine) and the increasingly popularskiing resorts.
A number of environmental groups support a small but growing population of bears, wolves and lynx in the ecosystem of the Beskidy mountains. The Central Beskids include the PolishBabia Góra National Park and the adjacent SlovakHorná Orava Protected Landscape Area.
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