Belasica

Belasica
Bulgarian and Macedonian: Беласица - Greek: Μπέλλες or Κερκίνη

The linear ridge of Belasica, with Lake Dojran on the left
Highest point
Peak Radomir Peak
Elevation 2,029 m (6,657 ft)
Geography
Location of Belasica (circled in red)
Countries Bulgaria, Greece and Republic of Macedonia
Range coordinates 41°20′N 22°57′E / 41.333°N 22.950°E / 41.333; 22.950Coordinates: 41°20′N 22°57′E / 41.333°N 22.950°E / 41.333; 22.950

Belasica (Macedonian and Bulgarian:  Беласица , also translit. Belasitsa or Belasitza, Ottoman Turkish:[1] بلش Turkish Beleş), Belles (Greek: Μπέλλες/Bélles) or Kerkini (Κερκίνη/Kerkíni), is a mountain range in the region of Macedonia in Southeastern Europe, shared by northwestern Greece (about 45%), southeastern Republic of Macedonia (35%) and southwestern Bulgaria (20%).

Geography

The mountain range is about 60 km (37.28 mi) long and 7 to 9 km (4.35 to 5.59 mi) wide and is situated just northeast of Dojran Lake. The highest point is Radomir (Kalabak) at 2,029 m, with elevation otherwise ranging between 300 and 1900 m above sea level. The borders of all three countries meet at Tumba Peak. The climate in the area shows strong Mediterranean influence.

The area of Belasica became a euroregion in 2003. Two football teams are named after the mountain range, PFC Belasitsa from the nearby Bulgarian town of Petrich and FC Belasica from Strumica in the Republic of Macedonia.

History

During antiquity its name was Órbēlos (Ὄρβηλος).[2][3] According to the ancient authors it was a mountain range in the border area between Thrace and Macedonia.[4] It is generally equated today with the modern Belasica.[5] The name Órbēlos is probably derived from the ancient Thracian/Paionian toponym of the mountain, which means shining mountain, from 'belos' - blazing or shining and 'or' - mountain.[6] It was known for its Dionysos cult. [7]

The area is also particularly famous for the Battle of Kleidion of 1014, which proved crucial for the fall of the First Bulgarian Empire.

Honour

Kongur Glacier on Smith Island, South Shetland Islands is named after the peak and nature reserve of Kongur on Belasitsa Mountain.

See also

References

References

  1. ↑ Rumeli-i Şahane Haritası, Harvard Map Collection, Ottoman Empire Series, Index Map, 1:210,000 Scale, c. 1901/1902, http://iiif.lib.harvard.edu/manifests/view/drs:4952983$17i Retrieved 17.05.2016
  2. ↑ The Cambridge Ancient History: The Assyrian and Babylonian Empires and Other States of the Near East, from the Eighth to the Sixth Centuries B.C., Nicholas Geoffrey, Lemprière Hammond, Cambridge University Press, 1995, ISBN 0521227178, p. 594.
  3. ↑ D. C. Samsaris, Historical Geography of Eastern Macedonia during the Antiquity (in Greek), Thessaloniki 1976 (Society for Macedonian Studies), p. 13. ISBN 960-7265-16-5.
  4. ↑ (Hdt. 5,16; Str. 7a,1,36; Arr. Anab. 1,1,5)
  5. ↑ Brill Online Reference Works - Orbelus von Bredow, Iris (Bietigheim-Bissingen).
  6. ↑ Beiträge zur Namenforschung, C. Winter., 1995, S. 241-242.
  7. ↑ T. Spiridonov, Istoričeskata geografija na trakijskite plemena, 1983, 24 f., 118.
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