Slovak Paradise

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Slovak Paradise (in Slovak: Slovenský raj) is a mountain range in central Slovakia. It is a part of the Spiš-Gemer Karst, which in turn is a part of the Slovak Ore Mountains, a major subdivision of the Western Carpathians.

It is located between the towns of Spišská Nová Ves in the north and Dobšiná in the south. It is particularly known for its gorges and waterfalls.

The whole of Slovenský raj has been declared a national park, the Národný park Slovenský raj (Slovak Paradise National Park).

[edit] Characteristics

The Slovak Paradise is a plain with high plateaus (800 - 1000 above sea level). The highest mountain is Ondrejisko (1270 m). The area is built mainly of karst limestone (the plains Geravy, Glac, Pelc and Skala) and dolomites (Tri kopce - Three Hills).

Typical features are canyons and ravines (Sokol, Suchá, Belá, Piecky and Kyseľ), which form picturesque rocky scenes with waterfalls, and which were created mainly by the rivers Hnilec and Hornád.

Among the caves, the Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa (Dobšiná Ice Cave) and the Medvedia jaskyňa (Bear Cave) are the best known ones.

80% of the area is covered with spruce forests combined with yew-trees.

The climate is moderately cold.

There were many settlements of woodcutters, colliers and smelters in Slovenský raj once, nowadays some of them (Dobšinská Maša, Dedinky, Mlynky, Stratená) are tourist centers.

[edit] Fauna

The most important rare animals include the brown bear, the Golden Eagle (Aquila chysaetos), the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and the black stork (Ciconia nigra). Quite common are red deer and wild boars.

[edit] Flora

Important Slovak endemites in the area are the Carpathian harebell (Campanula carpatica), the Slovak anemone (Pulsatilla slavica), Hesperis silvestris, Liguria sibirica, and Saxifraga paniculate.