Taurus Mountains

Taurus Mountains
Direktaş, Yedi Göller (Seven Lakes), Ala Dağlar.
Demirkazık Summit in Niğde Province, Turkey.
Toros mountains near Mersin

Taurus Mountains (Turkish: Toros Dağları) are a mountain complex in southern Turkey, dividing the Mediterranean coastal region of southern Turkey from the central Anatolian Plateau. The system extends along a curve from Lake Eğirdir in the west to the upper reaches of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in the east.

It has many peaks rising above 3,000–3,700 m, (10,000–12,000 ft). The Taurus complex is divided into four ranges:[1]

  • Beydaglari mountain range, western, highest peak Mt. Kizlarsivrisi 3,086 m (10,125 ft)
  • Aladaglar mountain range, central, highest peak Mt. Demirkazik 3,756 m (12,323 ft)
  • Bolkar mountain range, southeastern, highest peak Mt. Medetsiz 3,524 m (11,562 ft)
  • Munzur mountain range, northeastern, highest peak Mt. Akbaba 3,462 m (11,358 ft)
    • Mercan mountain range, within the Munzur

The highest point in the central Tauruses is the summit of Mt. Demirkazık (3756m).[1]

Contents

Historical

A Bronze Age archaeological site, where early evidence of tin mining was found, is at Kestel.[2][page needed] The pass known in antiquity as the Cilician Gates (Turkish: Gülek Boğazı) crosses the range north of Tarsus. During World War I, a German and Turkish railway system through the Taurus Mountains proved to be a major strategic objective of the Allies. This region was specifically mentioned as a strategically controlled objective slated for surrender to the Allies in the Armistice, which ended hostilities against the Ottoman Empire.[3]

Geography

In the Aladaglar and Bolkar mountains, limestone has eroded to form karstic landscapes of waterfalls, underground rivers, and some of the largest caves of Asia. The Manavgat River originates on the southern slopes of the Beydaglari range.[4]

Attractions

In addition to hiking and mountain climbing,[1] there are two ski resorts on the mountain range, one at Davras about 25 km (16 mi) from the two nearest towns of Egirdir and Isparta, the second is Saklıkent 40 km (25 mi) from the city of Antalya.

References

External links

Coordinates: 37°00′N 33°00′E / 37°N 33°E / 37; 33


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  • Taurus Mountains — mountain range along the S coast of Asia Minor, Turkey: highest peak, c. 12,250 ft (3,734 m) * * * Mountain chain, southern Turkey, running parallel with the Mediterranean Sea coast. The system extends along a curve from Lake Egridir in the west… …   Universalium

  • Taurus Mountains — mountain range along the S coast of Asia Minor, Turkey: highest peak, c. 12,250 ft (3,734 m) …   English World dictionary

  • Taurus Mountains — /tɔrəs ˈmaʊntənz/ (say tawruhs mowntuhnz) plural noun a mountain range in southern Turkey. Highest peak, Kaldi Dağ, about 3963 m …  

  • Taurus Mountains — …   Useful english dictionary

  • Anti-Taurus Mountains — Anti Taurus is a mountain range running northeast from the Taurus Mountains. The tallest mountain in the range is Erciyas DaGi , convert|12851|ft|mhigh. [ [http://www.turk ay yildiz.de/turkiye.htm] Republic of Turkey] References …   Wikipedia

  • Taurus — is Latin for bull and may refer to:* Bos taurus , a species of cattle * Taurus (constellation), one of the constellations of the zodiac * Bull (mythology), the mythological references around Taurus * Taurus (astrology), the astrological sign… …   Wikipedia

  • Taurus-Gebirge — Dieser Artikel oder Abschnitt bedarf einer Überarbeitung. Näheres ist auf der Diskussionsseite angegeben. Hilf mit, ihn zu verbessern, und entferne anschließend diese Markierung. f1 Taurusgebirge …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Taurus (Gebirge) — Dieser Artikel oder Abschnitt bedarf einer Überarbeitung. Näheres ist auf der Diskussionsseite angegeben. Hilf mit, ihn zu verbessern, und entferne anschließend diese Markierung. f1 Taurusgebirge …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Taurus-Littrow Valley — ▪ lunar region  region on the Moon selected as the landing site of the Apollo (Apollo program) 17 manned lunar mission. Located at 22° N, 31° E, it is named for the surrounding Taurus Mountains, a part of the ramparts of the Serenitatis Basin… …   Universalium

  • Taurus — I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Latin (genitive Tauri), literally, bull Date: 14th century 1. a zodiacal constellation that contains the Pleiades and Hyades and is represented pictorially by a bull s forequarters 2. a. the second sign of… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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