Southern Carpathians Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Southern Carpathians
Romanian: Carpații Meridionali
Negoiu Peak (2535m)
Highest point
Peak	Moldoveanu
Elevation	2,544 m (8,346 ft)
Geography
Location of the Southern Carpathians in Romania
Country	Romania
Parent range	Carpathians
Geology
Orogeny	Alpine orogeny
Age of rock	Mostly Triassic

The Southern Carpathians (called Carpaţii Meridionali in Romanian) are a large group of mountain ranges. People also call them the Transylvanian Alps. These mountains separate central and southern Romania from Serbia. They are part of the bigger Carpathian Mountains chain. You can find them between the Prahova River in the east and the Timiş and Cerna rivers in the west. To the south, they meet the Balkan Mountains in Serbia.

Exploring the Southern Carpathians
Images for kids
See also

Exploring the Southern Carpathians

The Southern Carpathians are a very important part of Romania. They are known for their tall peaks and beautiful views. These mountains are a great place for adventures and learning about nature.

What Makes Them Special?

The Southern Carpathians are the highest part of the entire Carpathian mountain range. They have many peaks that are over 2,000 meters (about 6,500 feet) tall. The tallest peak is Moldoveanu, which reaches 2,544 meters (8,346 feet) high.

These mountains were formed a long time ago. This happened during an event called the Alpine orogeny. This is when huge pieces of the Earth's crust crashed into each other. This pushing and folding created the tall mountains we see today. Most of the rocks here were formed during the Triassic period.

Mountain Ranges Inside

The Southern Carpathians are made up of several smaller mountain groups. Each group has its own unique features. Some of the most famous groups include:

The Făgăraș Mountains: Home to Moldoveanu Peak, the highest in Romania. They are known for their sharp ridges and glacial lakes.
The Bucegi Mountains: Famous for their interesting rock formations, like the "Sphinx" and "Babele". They are also popular for hiking.
The Retezat Mountains: Known for having many glacial lakes, often called "the land of a thousand lakes." It's also a national park, protecting many plants and animals.
The Parâng Mountains: Another high mountain group with beautiful alpine scenery and glacial lakes.
The Piatra Craiului Mountains: A narrow, rocky ridge that looks like a saw blade. It's a challenging but rewarding place for climbers.

Rivers and Lakes

Many important rivers start in the Southern Carpathians. These rivers flow down from the mountains and help shape the landscape. The Prahova, Timiş, and Cerna rivers mark the edges of this mountain range.

You can also find many stunning lakes in these mountains. Many of them are glacial lakes. This means they were formed by glaciers thousands of years ago. Lake Bucura in the Retezat Mountains is the largest glacial lake in Romania. Lake Bâlea in the Făgăraș Mountains is another famous one, located near the Transfăgărășan road.

Unique Landmarks

The Southern Carpathians are home to some truly unique sights.

The Sphinx of Bucegi: This is a natural rock formation that looks like the head of a sphinx. It was carved by wind and rain over thousands of years.
Caraiman Cross: A huge monument built on a mountain top in the Bucegi Mountains. It honors soldiers who died in World War I.
Transfăgărășan Road: This is a famous mountain road that winds through the Făgăraș Mountains. It's known for its many twists and turns and amazing views. It's often called one of the most beautiful roads in the world.

Wildlife and Nature

The Southern Carpathians are rich in wildlife. They are home to many different kinds of animals and plants.

Animals: You might find brown bears, wolves, lynx, and chamois (a type of goat-antelope). There are also many bird species, including eagles and owls.
Plants: The lower slopes are covered with forests of beech and oak trees. Higher up, you'll find spruce and fir trees. Above the tree line, there are alpine meadows with beautiful wildflowers.

Many parts of the Southern Carpathians are protected areas. These include national parks and nature reserves. These areas help keep the unique ecosystems safe. They protect the animals and plants that live there.

Activities and Tourism

The Southern Carpathians are a popular destination for tourists. Many people come here to enjoy the outdoors.

Hiking and Trekking: There are countless trails for hikers of all levels. You can go for a short walk or a challenging multi-day trek.
Climbing: The rocky peaks offer great opportunities for rock climbing.
Skiing: In winter, some areas become popular for skiing and snowboarding.
Sightseeing: Driving the Transfăgărășan road or visiting the rock formations are popular activities.

These mountains offer a wonderful mix of adventure, natural beauty, and unique cultural landmarks. They are a true treasure of Romania.

Images for kids

Lake Vidraru in the Făgăraș Mountains
Moldoveanu peak (2544 m) is the highest in Romania and one of the highest peaks of the Carpathians
Lake Bucura in the Retezat Mountains
Bucegi as seen from Postavaru massif
Caraiman Cross on mountain top
Coștila 400 meters high wall
View from Bușteni
Scara summit in Bucegi Mountains
The Sphinx of Bucegi
Piatra Craiului Mountains
Jepii Mici Peak in Bucegi Mountains
Lake Bâlea in Făgăraș Mountains
Challenging hiking trail
Podragu Lake
Transfăgărășan alpine road
Regular footpath in Făgăraș Mountains
Custura Sărătii (in the center of the photo)
La Zaplaz landmark
Piatra Craiului ridge in winter
Landscape in Parâng Mountains
Parâng alpine scenery
Shelter in Parâng mountains
One of many Parâng glacial lakes
Glacial lakes in the Retezat Mountains
Bucura Peak in the distance
Sunset on Retezat Peak
Salvamont shelter in Retezat
Waterfall in Retezat National Park
Bucura Lake