Kopaonik

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Kopaonik National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Kopaonik during the winter months
Location:	Serbia
Nearest city:	Novi Pazar
Coordinates:	43°15′″N, 20°50′″E
Area:	118.1 km²
Established:	1981

Kopaonik (Serbian: Koпaoник), situated in Serbia, is one of the biggest mountain in the regions of Serbia. It is located in the southern part of central Serbia. The highest peak is 2,017 metres above sea level, Pancic's Peak. Kopaonik also has a national park, as declared in 1981. The national park's area is 118.1 km², and is spread over the central part of the Kopaonik plateau.

1 National park
2 Tourism
3 History
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] National park

Like many other national parks, its purpose is to protect the natural beauty of the area and to preserve plant and animal species. Deciduous forests and native coniferous woodland make up most of the forested land in the park. Kopanonik has many species of birds, such rock partridge, scops owl, red-backed shrike, and the wood lark. Soil erosion poses no threat as there is no logging and deforestation in the park.

The national park is situated on a large a relatively flat region at an altitude of about 1,700 metres. This central Kopaonik plateau is called Suvo Rudiste. It is surrounded by mountain peaks. To the north and northwest of this plateau stretches Banjski Kopaonik, which is the well-known location of Josanicka Banja spa, with its strong springs whose waters reach the temperature of 88 degrees Celsius. Directly below the Suvo Rudiste plateau starts the attractive and picturesque valley of the Samokovska River, characterized by its steep run, numerous rapids, falls and gorges.

[edit] Tourism

Sports and recreation are key factors to the tourism of Kopaonik. Kopaonik is mainly a destination for skiing and snowboarding. There are various other activities as well, such as tennis. Other features which attract tourists are a luxurious hotel, and entertainment. Kopaonik has many cafes, bars and night clubs. It has 24 ski-lifts and gondoles,with 70 km of ski slopes for all categories.It is the largest mountain in Serbia, more than 100 km long. Its highest peak is Suvo Rudiste (also called Pancic's Peak) at 2,017 metres above sea level. The duration and quality of snowfall and ideal skiing grounds have been attracting a rapidly increasing the number of guests. However, guests should be warned about dangers of ski-doo's. Anyone (even minors) are allowed to rent ski-doo's and quad bikes and to ride them everywhere (even on ski slopes) anytime (even during times when slopes are open). Skiing or sleding is like on frequent highway. There is also large number of private-owned ski-doos who race all over the ski slopes. The authorities claim they can't do much to solve this problem.

Kopaonik's flora is characterized by a large number of autochthonous plant species (the Balkan beech, fir, spruce, yew, several kinds of maple, pine and oak). The fauna is also diverse but its concentration varies, depending on the quality of the habitat.

This mountain has enormous resources for the development of tourism. The entire park is characterised by its extraordinary natural beauty: vast expanses of grassland, picturesque forests composed of a wide variety of tree species, beauty spots, deep river gorges. The snow blanket lasts a long time on this mountain and in view of its good relief, there are excellent conditions for the further expansion of winter tourism there.

The tourist resort on the Kopaonik includes hotels, rest houses, chairlifts, excellent ski slopes and many other tourist facilities.

The Kopaonik is well-connected with the main transport routes in Serbia. The central part of Kopaonik with the tourist center and ski slopes are linked with the Ibar Highway by a modern tarmac road. The nearest airport is in Niš.

[edit] History

The Kopaonik has a rich historical heritage. Historical traces of pre-Illyrian and Illyrian settlements can be found there as well as Roman and later Serbian settlements. The area has many old medieval churches build there by Serbian rulers. The area was an important mining center during medieval times with many Saxons operating in the area as miners. During those day’s there was an intensive trade with Ragusa (Dubrovnik). Besides old churches and monasteries several medieval and pre-medieval fortresses can be found there build by Serbian dynasties that ruled the area. The nearest Serbian medevial castle is Maglič.Also monastery Studenica is very near.