Karpat

Karpat, also known as the Carpathian Mountains, is a major mountain system in Central and Eastern Europe forming a broad arc across several countries. The range extends roughly 1,500 kilometers and covers about 210,000 square kilometers, spanning the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, Romania, and Serbia. It divides the Pannonian Basin from the Carpathian Basin and the Romanian Plain, and it plays a key role in regional climate and hydrology.

The Carpathians are typically subdivided into the Western Carpathians, Eastern Carpathians, and Southern Carpathians. The Western Carpathians lie in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland; the Eastern Carpathians run through Slovakia, Ukraine, and Romania; the Southern Carpathians are located entirely in Romania. The highest summit is Gerlachovský štít in the High Tatras, at 2,659 meters, while Romania’s Moldoveanu Peak rises to about 2,544 meters.

Geologically, the Carpathians are part of the Alpine orogeny and consist of a mix of sedimentary, volcanic and metamorphic rocks. They host extensive forests and rich biodiversity, including populations of brown bear, Eurasian lynx, and gray wolf. The Vrancea seismic zone in southeastern Romania is notable for deep earthquakes that can affect surrounding regions.

Human use and conservation: The mountains have long shaped human settlement, culture, and folklore. They are an important site for outdoor recreation, tourism, forestry, and mining in some areas. Large parts fall under national parks and Natura 2000 protected areas, reflecting efforts to preserve biodiversity and landscapes.