Beskids

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The Beskids (Polish: Beskidy, Czech: Beskydy, Slovak: Beskydy, Ukrainian: Бескиди) is a traditional name for a series of mountain ranges in the eastern Czech Republic, northwestern Slovakia, southern Poland and in Western Ukraine.

The Beskids are approximately 600 km in length and 50-70 km in width. They begin in Moravia at the Moravian Gate, continue to the north of the Tatra Mountains and end in Ukraine. The eastern border of the Beskids is disputed: according to older sources it is the sources of the Tisza River, according to newer sources the Beskids end at the Ushok Pass at the Polish-Ukrainian border. The name of the highest mountain depends on the definition of the eastern border of the Beskids. The highest peak of the western part of the Beskids is the Babia Góra-Babia Hora located on the Polish-Slovak border.

A major part of the Beskids is part of the Outer Western Carpathians. The Lesser Beskids (Slovak: Nízke Beskydy, Polish: Beskid Niski) and the Bieszczady situated to the east of them are part of the Eastern Carpathians.

The name of the mountains probably comes from a Thracian or Illyrian origin. The Beskids are currently rich in forest and coal. In the past they were rich in iron ore, with important plants in Ostrava and Třinec.

There are many tourist attractions, including historic wooden churches and the increasingly-popular skiing resorts.

[edit] See also

• Divisions of the Carpathians
• Bieszczady Mountains

Coordinates: 49°25′N, 20°15′E