Świętokrzyskie Mountains
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Świętokrzyskie Mountains (sometimes also known as the Holy Cross Mountains, Polish Góry Świętokrzyskie ) are a mountain range in central Poland, in the vicinity of the city of Kielce. In general they consist of several separate ranges, the highest of which is Łysogóry (lit. bald mountains). The highest peaks are Łysica at 612 metres (2008 ft) and Łysa Góra at 593 metres (1946 ft). Together with the Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska they form a region called the Lesser Poland Uplands (Wyżyna Małopolska). Their area is 1684 km² (650 mi²). Approximate location .
The Świętokrzyskie Mountains are one of the oldest mountain ranges in Europe. They were formed during the Caledonian orogeny of the Silurian period. From the early Middle Ages the mountains were a place of extensive copper and iron mining. Later they were also a significant site of limestone and red sandstone extraction.
The etymology of the name is not clear, though most likely the Holy Cross Mountains take their name from a Benedictine abbey on Łysa Góra.
[edit] See also
- Bartek the most famous tree in Poland
- Caledonian orogenesis
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