Harz Mountains - Harz

A mountain range in central Germany. It stretches from west-northwest to east-southeast, with a length of about 100 km and a width of about 30 km. It is located at the northern end of the middle German mountain range, and is generally a gently sloping mountain range, but the western and northern sides have relatively steep slopes. The highest peak, Mount Brocken (1,142 meters), which appears in Goethe's Faust, is located in the center of the range. Ores such as silver, lead, copper, and iron have been mined here since ancient times, and many mines were opened and prospered from the 16th to 18th centuries, but nowadays there is almost no mining. Most of the area is covered with forests, but there is also a fair amount of farmland in the lower, gentler parts. There are several beautiful artificial lakes created by damming up valleys, which are used as water sources for the water supply system. There are many tourist and resort areas in the mountainous areas and at the foot of the mountains.

[Noriyoshi Ukita]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ドイツ中央部の山地。西北西―東南東に延び、長さ約100キロメートル、幅約30キロメートル。ドイツ中位山地の北端部にあたり、全般になだらかな山地であるが、西側と北側は比較的急傾斜をなす。ゲーテの『ファウスト』に出てくる最高峰ブロッケン山（1142メートル）は、山地の中央部にある。古くから銀、鉛、銅、鉄などの鉱石が採掘され、16世紀から18世紀にかけ、多くの鉱山が開かれてにぎわったが、現在ではほとんど採掘されていない。大部分が森林に覆われているが、低い緩やかな部分には農地も少なくない。谷をせき止めた美しい人造湖がいくつかあり、上水道用水源として用いられている。山間部や山麓(さんろく)には観光・保養地が多い。

［浮田典良］

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