Pontic Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pontic Mountains |
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Sumela Monastery on the Pontic Mountains
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Kaçkar Dağı |
| Elevation | 3,937 m (12,917 ft) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 1,000 km (620 mi) |
| Geography | |
| Countries | Turkey and Georgia |
The Pontic Mountains are a long mountain range in northern Turkey. They are also called the Pontic Alps. In Turkish, their name means "North Anatolian Mountains".
Local people sometimes call them the Parhar Mountains. The word Parhar comes from an old language called Hittite. It means "high" or "summit".
Where are the Pontic Mountains?
This mountain range stretches from east to west. It runs very close to the southern coast of the Black Sea. The mountains also reach into Georgia in the northeast. To the west, they extend towards the Sea of Marmara.
The highest point in the Pontic Mountains is Kaçkar Dağı. This peak stands at 3,937 meters (12,917 feet) tall.
Two major fault lines run along the mountains. These are the North Anatolian Fault and the Northeast Anatolian Fault. Faults are cracks in the Earth's crust where rocks have moved.
Nature and Wildlife
The Pontic Mountains are mostly covered with thick forests. These forests are full of conifer trees, like pines and firs.
A special natural area, called the Northern Anatolian conifer and deciduous forests, covers most of the range. In the far eastern part, known as the Kaçkar Mountains, you can find the Caucasus mixed forests.
Many animals live in this region. You might see birds like the Eurasian sparrowhawk and the golden eagle. Other birds include the eastern imperial eagle and the lesser spotted eagle. There are also the Caucasian grouse, red-fronted serin, and wallcreeper.
The narrow strip of land between the mountains and the Black Sea is called Pontus. This area has special forests known as Euxine-Colchic deciduous forests. Some of these are rare temperate rainforests.
South of the mountains is the Anatolian Plateau. This area is much drier and has a different climate than the humid coast.
Images for kids
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Zilkale Castle
