Northern Medium Mountains (Hungary)

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Northern Medium Mountains
The view of the valley of Lillafüred in Bükk mountains. Although this is not the highest part of the county, the landscape of the kind is typical in Hungarian mountains.
Location Northern Hungary
Territory 13,000 km²
Highest point Kékes, Mátra Mountains, 1014 m
Terrain lower and moderately high mountains


The Northern Medium Mountains (Hungarian: Északi-középhegység) or the Northern Hills are overall terms referring to the northern, mountainous parts of Hungary. Geographically, it is not a separate mountain range; it belongs to the Northern Carpathians. The mountains run along the Slovakian border in a broad band from the Danube Bend to the east part of Hungary. It's major ranges from west to east: Börzsöny, Cserhát, Mátra, Bükk, Aggtelek Karst and the Zemplén. The country's highest point (Mount Kékes) is located there.

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[edit] Parts

The Nortern Medium Mountains begin with the mountain range of Börzsöny, alongside the Danube Bend, where it meets the Transdanubian Medium Mountains.

The Börzsöny's territory is approximately 600 km². Principally it is of volcanic origin. The range's highest peak is the 938 m high Csóványos.

The next range towards east is the Cserhát, with the same material as the Börzsöny. There, erosion was more severe: The lowest part of the Northern Medium Mountains; in fact, a hilly region. The highest point of it is the Teke (566 m).

Mount Kékes, the country's highest peak with 1014 metres is located in the next range, Mátra. However, the range's average height is only 600 metres; in this regard, the close Bükk forestall it. Mátra is of volcanic origin like the previous ranges, too.

Map of the Carpathians. The Northern Medium Mountains are parts of the territory highlighted with lightgreen.
Enlarge
Map of the Carpathians. The Northern Medium Mountains are parts of the territory highlighted with lightgreen.

The Bükk is a limestone range; it has the highest average height in Hungary. It is rich in caves, some was even inhabited by humans in ancient times.

The Aggtelek Karst is a low (in average 300 to 500 metres high) mountain range relatively close to the Slovakian border. Among others, Hungary's most popular cave, the Baradla is located in it.

Zemplén is of volcanic origin, again; the soil's high quality favours viticulture.

[edit] Natural resources

 

[edit] National Parks

 

Panorama in Börzsöny Mountains (Duna-Ipoly Nat. P.)

[edit] Protected areas

  • Hollókő (since 1977)
  • East Cserhát (since 1989)
  • Karancs-Medves (since 1989)
  • Mátra (since 1985)
  • Tarnavidék (since 1993)
  • Lázbérc (since 1975)
  • Tokaj-Bodrogzug (since 1986)
  • Zemplén (since 1984)

[edit] Images

[edit] See also

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