- Jizera Mountains
The Jizera or Izera Mountains ( _cz. Jizerské hory; _de. Isergebirge; _pl. Góry Izerskie) are part of the
Western Sudetes on the border between theCzech Republic andPoland . The major part is formed fromgranite , with some areas formed frombasalt . Themountain s got their name from theJizera River , which rises at the southern base of Smrk Mountain ( _de. Tafelfichte).The highest peak is "Wysoka Kopa" ("Hinterberg", 1,127 m, 3,698 feet) in Poland. Other higher peaks include Smrk (1124 m, 3,688 feet), with a recently rebuilt look-out tower, Jizera (1,122 m, 3,681 feet) and
Stóg Izerski ("Heufuder", 1,107 m, 3,632).The weather conditions are characterized by above-average annual precipitation. On
30 July 1897 , the measuring station atNová Louka recorded a daily precipitation amounting to 345.1 mm (13.6 inches), still an unbroken European record.Peaks
*
Wysoka Kopa ("Hinterberg"), 1,127 m; highest peak of the Jizera Mountains
* Smrk ("Tafelfichte"), 1,124 m; highest peak of the Bohemian Jizera Mountains
*Jizera ("Siechhübel"), 1,122 m
*Stóg Izerski ("Heufuder"), 1,107 m
*Smědavská hora ("Wittigberg"), 1,084 m
*Bukovec ("Buchberg"), 1,005 m; one of the highest basalt peaks in Europe
*Hvězda ("Stefanshöhe"), 959 m
*Černá Studnice ("Schwarzbrunnberg"), 869 m
*Tanvaldský Špičák ("Tannwalder Spitzberg"), 831 m; skiing region nearTanvald
*Oldřichovský Špičák ("Buschullersdorfer Spitzberg"), 724 mHistory
The first settlements in the area date back to
prehistory . Later on,Celt s, German tribes resides im the valleys until they left in5th century . Later cameLusatian Sorbs . In the 14th century, German-speaking colonists came and started clearing of the denseprimeval forest s. Permanent settlements were established. In the 16th century, severalglass works were founded. Glassmaking had a profound effect on theecosystem . The primeval forest was gradually replaced by fast-growingspruce monoculture. Other important industries included tin-mining, metallurgy and textile. TheTabulový kámen ( _de. Tafelstein), 1072 m) on the northern edge of the Smrk Mountain marked the border between the properties of the Counts ofGallas in Friedland,Bohemia , thevon Gersdorff family fromMeffersdorf ,Upper Lusatia , and the Counts ofSchaffgotsch from Schreiberhau,Silesia .TheSudeten German population of the area was expelled in1945 .In the second half of the 20 century, the ecosystem was badly hit by emissions, produced by
lignite firedpower station s located in theZittau basin. Weakened spruce forest, less resistant against various types of parasites, were on the verge of extinction. The situation improved after the fall of communism in1989 . Open-pit coal mines in the formerEast Germany were closed, as well as several major power plants. Emission filters were installed at the immense Turów power station inBogatynia on the Polish side ofLusatian Neisse .Tourism
Rozdroże pod Cichą Równią Jizera Mountains
The Jizera Mountains are an attractive location for winter sports, cycling and hiking. The centre for both downhill skiing and ski run isBedřichov . The international cross-country races "Jizerská 50" and "Bieg Piastów" (inPolana Jakuszycka ) take place there. Its summer MTB counterpart is also gaining popularity.The towns surrounding the mountains include
Liberec ,Frýdlant v Čechách ,Nové Město pod Smrkem ,Świeradów Zdrój ,Szklarska Poręba , Desná,Tanvald andJablonec nad Nisou .Literature
* de icon en icon Weiss, Siegfried (2000) Moje Jizerky - Jizerské hory v proměnách času, Mein Isergebirge - Das Isergebirge im Wandel der Zeit, My Jizera Hills - The Jizera Mountains through a changing of time, Buk ( [http://www.nabuk.cz/Stranky/Publikace_Jizerky.html 16 sample photos] on website of the publisher)
* Nevrlý, Miroslav (1996) Kniha o Jizerských horách, 3rd edition, CivitasExternal links
* [http://fotoprazak.net/2-vyber_lokalit_krajin/lokality_krajin/jizerske_hory/Jizerske_hory.htm Photos of Jizera Mountains]
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