Belasica
Encyclopedia
Belasica is a mountain range in the region of Macedonia
in Southeastern Europe, shared by northwestern Greece
(about 45%), southeastern Republic of Macedonia
(35%) and southwestern Bulgaria
(20%). The area is particularly famous for the Battle of Kleidion
of 1014, which proved crucial for the fall of the First Bulgarian Empire
.
. The highest point is Radomir (Kalabak) at 2,029 m, with elevation otherwise ranging between 300 and 1900 m above sea level. The borders of all three countries meet at Tumba Peak
. The climate in the area shows strong Mediterranean
influence.
The area of Belasica became a euroregion
in 2003. Two football teams are named after the mountain range, PFC Belasitsa
from the nearby Bulgarian town of Petrich
and FC Belasica from Strumica
in the Republic of Macedonia.
on Smith Island
, South Shetland Islands
is named after the peak and nature reserve
of Kongur on Belasitsa Mountain.
Macedonia (region)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of the Balkan peninsula in southeastern Europe. Its boundaries have changed considerably over time, but nowadays the region is considered to include parts of five Balkan countries: Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia, as...
in Southeastern Europe, shared by northwestern Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
(about 45%), southeastern Republic of Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
(35%) and southwestern Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
(20%). The area is particularly famous for the Battle of Kleidion
Battle of Kleidion
The Battle of Kleidion took place on July 29, 1014 between the Bulgarian Empire and the Byzantine Empire...
of 1014, which proved crucial for the fall of the First Bulgarian Empire
First Bulgarian Empire
The First Bulgarian Empire was a medieval Bulgarian state founded in the north-eastern Balkans in c. 680 by the Bulgars, uniting with seven South Slavic tribes...
.
Geography
The mountain range is about 60 km (37.28 mi) long and 7 to 9 km (4.3 to 5.6 ) wide and is situated just northeast of Dojran LakeDojran Lake
Dojran Lake is a lake with an area of 43.1 km² shared between the Republic of Macedonia and West Macedonia within Greek Macedonia, Greece . To the west is the city of Nov Dojran , to the east the village of Mouries, to the north the mountain Belasica/Beles and to the south the Greek town of...
. The highest point is Radomir (Kalabak) at 2,029 m, with elevation otherwise ranging between 300 and 1900 m above sea level. The borders of all three countries meet at Tumba Peak
Tumba Peak (Belasica)
Tumba is a peak in the Belasica mountains in the region of Macedonia. The peak, in height, lies on Belasica's main ridge, west of Lozen Peak and east of Sechena Skala Peak. A dome-shaped mountain with steep southern and northern slopes, Tumba is covered with low subalpine vegetation and is made...
. The climate in the area shows strong Mediterranean
Mediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate is the climate typical of most of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, and is a particular variety of subtropical climate...
influence.
The area of Belasica became a euroregion
Euroregion
In European politics, the term Euroregion usually refers to a transnational co-operation structure between two contiguous territories located in different European countries. Euroregions represent a specific type of cross-border region.-Scope:...
in 2003. Two football teams are named after the mountain range, PFC Belasitsa
PFC Belasitsa Petrich
PFC Belasitsa is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Petrich, currently playing in the Bulgarian South-West V AFG. The team founded 1923...
from the nearby Bulgarian town of Petrich
Petrich
Petrich is a town in Blagoevgrad Province in southwestern Bulgaria, located at the foot of the Belasica Mountains in the Strumeshnitsa Valley. , the town has 29920 inhabitants.Petrich is located close to the borders with Greece and the Republic of Macedonia...
and FC Belasica from Strumica
Strumica
Strumica is the largest city in eastern Macedonia, near the Novo Selo-Petrich border crossing with Bulgaria. About 100,000 people live in the region surrounding the city. The city is named after the Strumica River which runs through it...
in the Republic of Macedonia.
Honour
Kongur GlacierKongur Glacier
Kongur Glacier is a 2.7 km long glacier on Smith Island, South Shetland Islands draining the northwest slopes of Imeon Range. Flowing west of Mount Christi into Drake Passage. Bulgarian early mapping in 2008. Named after the peak and nature reserve of Kongur on Belasitsa Mountain in...
on Smith Island
Smith Island (South Shetland Islands)
Smith Island is long and wide, lying west of Deception Island in the South Shetland Islands of the British Antarctic Territory. Surface area ....
, South Shetland Islands
South Shetland Islands
The South Shetland Islands are a group of Antarctic islands, lying about north of the Antarctic Peninsula, with a total area of . By the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, the Islands' sovereignty is neither recognized nor disputed by the signatories and they are free for use by any signatory for...
is named after the peak and nature reserve
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
of Kongur on Belasitsa Mountain.