Divisions of the Carpathians

Naming Conventions

The division is largely (with many exceptions) undisputed at the lowest level (except for the Ukrainian part), but various divisions are given for the higher levels, especially for the penultimate level. A geomorphological division has been used as much as the data was available; other new physiogeographic divisions were used in other cases. Where the classification of a higher level "title" is known/sure, it is added at the end of the name in brackets, e.g. "(subprovince)".

Taxonomy

The names are also given in the language of the corresponding country and marked by the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country codes:

AT=Austria

CZ=Czech Republic

HU=Hungary

PL=Poland

RO=Romania

RS=Serbia

SK=Slovakia

UA=Ukraine

The most confusing area may be the Beskids and the Eastern Beskids and the Ukrainian Carpathians. Their geologic features are fairly distinct, but multiple traditions, languages and nationalities have developed overlapping variants for the divisions and names of these ranges.

In Romania, it is usual to divide the Eastern Carpathians in Romanian territory into three geographical groups (north, center, south), instead in Outer and Inner Eastern Carpathians. The Romanian approach is shown by adding the following abbreviations to the names of units within Romania:

MMB = Carpathians of Maramureș and Bukovina (Munții Carpați ai Maramureșului și Bucovinei)

MMT = Moldavian-Transylvanian Carpathians (Munții Carpați Moldo-Transilvani)

MC = Curvature Carpathians (Munții Carpați de Curbură)

The Transylvanian Plateau is encircled by, and geologically a part of, the Carpathians. But it is not a mountainous region and its inclusion is disputed in some sources. Its features are included below.

The Serbian Carpathians are sometimes considered part of the Southern Carpathians (together with the Banat Mountains), sometimes not considered part of the Carpathians at all. They're included below.

The Outer Carpathian Depressions lay outside the broad arc of the entire formation and are usually listed as part of the individual divisions of the Carpathian Mountains, i.e. of Western Carpathians, Eastern Carpathians etc. With the difficulty of finding their exact subdivisions, they are given only as a list of the final units (mountains" etc.) from the west to the east and south, in a separate listing at the end.

South-Moravian Carpathians (CZ) / Austrian - South-Moravian Carpathians (AT) (area)

(CZ: Jihomoravské Karpaty, AT: Österreichisch-Südmährische Karpaten)

Lower Austrian Inselberg Swell (AT: Leiser Berge, Niederösterreichische Inselbergschwelle) + Mikulov Highlands (CZ: Mikulovská vrchovina)

Dyje-Svratka Vale (AT: Thaya-Schwarza Thalsenke, CZ: Dyjsko-svratecký úval)

Central Moravian Carpathians (CZ) (area)

(CZ: Středomoravské Karpaty)

Ždánice Forest (Ždánický les)

Litenčice Hills (Litenčická pahorkatina)

Chřiby

Kyjov Hills (Kyjovská pahorkatina)

Slovak-Moravian Carpathians (CZ/SK) (area)

(CZ/SK: Slovensko-moravské Karpaty)

White Carpathians (CZ: Bílé Karpaty, SK: Biele Karpaty)

Maple Mountains (Javorníky) (CZ+SK)

Myjava Hills (SK: Myjavská pahorkatina)

Váh Valley Land (SK: Považské podolie)

Vizovice Highlands (CZ: Vizovická vrchovina)

West-Beskidian Piedmont (CZ / PL) (area)

(CZ: Západobeskydské podhůří, PL: Pogórze Zachodniobeskidzkie)

Sub-Beskidian Hills (CZ: Podbeskydská pahorkatina)

Silesian Piedmont (PL: Pogórze Śląskie)

Wieliczka Piedmont (PL: Pogórze Wielickie)

Wiśnicz Piedmont (PL: Pogórze Wiśnickie)

Western Beskids (CZ / SK / PL) (area)

(CZ: Západní Beskydy, SK: Západné Beskydy, PL: Beskidy Zachodnie)

Hostýn-Vsetín Mountains (CZ: Hostýnsko-vsetínská hornatina)

Moravian-Silesian Beskids (CZ: Moravskoslezské Beskydy, SK: Moravsko-sliezske Beskydy)

Turzovka Highlands (SK: Turzovská vrchovina)

Jablunkov Furrow (CZ: Jablunkovská brázda)

Rožnov Furrow (CZ: Rožnovská brázda)

Jablunkov Intermontane (SK: Jablunkovské medzihorie, CZ: Jablunkovské mezihoří)

Silesian Beskids (PL: Beskid Śląski, CZ: Slezské Beskydy)

Żywiec Basin (PL: Kotlina Żywiecka)

cont. (Polish) Western Beskids (PL) (PL: Beskidy Zachodnie)

Little Beskids (Beskid Mały)

Maków Beskids or Middle Beskids (Beskid Makowski or "Beskid Średni")

Island Beskids (Beskid Wyspowy)

Gorce

(?)Rabka Basin (Kotlina Rabczańska)

Sącz Basin (Kotlina Sądecka)

Central Beskids (SK) / cont. (Polish) Western Beskids (PL) (area)

(SK: Stredné Beskydy, PL: Beskidy Zachodnie)

Orava Beskids (SK: Oravské Beskydy) + Żywiec Beskids (PL: Beskid Żywiecki) (the older SK equivalent of Beskid Zywiecki is "Slovenské Beskydy"- Slovak Beskids or "Kysucko-oravské Beskydy"- Kysuce-Orava Beskids; the older polish equivalent is "Beskid Wysoki" - High Beskids)

Kysuce Beskids (SK: Kysucké Beskydy) +Żywiec Beskids (PL: Beskid Żywiecki) (the older SK equivalent of Beskid Zywiecki is "Slovenské Beskydy" or "Kysucko-oravské Beskydy"; the older polish equivalent is "Beskid Wysoki" - High Beskids)

Kysuce Highlands (SK: Kysucká vrchovina)

Orava Magura (SK: Oravská Magura)

Orava Highlands (SK: Oravská vrchovina)

Sub-Beskidian Furrow (SK: Podbeskydská brázda)

Sub-Beskidian Highlands (SK: Podbeskydská vrchovina)

Eastern Beskids (SK) / cont. (Polish) Western Beskids (PL) (area)

(SK: Východné Beskydy, PL: Beskidy Zachodnie)

Sącz Beskids (PL: Beskid Sądecki) + Ľubovňa Highlands (SK: Ľubovnianska vrchovina)

Čergov (SK) + Czerchów Mountains (PL: Góry Czerchowskie)

Pieniny (often considered part of the Podhôľno-magurská oblasť in non-geomorphological systems)

Podhale-Magura Area (SK)/ Orava-Podhale Depression (PL) (area)

(SK: Podhôľno-magurská oblasť, PL: Obniżenie Orawsko-Podhalańskie)

Skorušina Mountains (SK: Skorušinské vrchy) + Spiš-Gubałówka Piedmont (PL: Pogórze Spisko-Gubałowskie)

Sub-Tatra Furrow (SK: Podtatranská brázda, PL: Rów Podtatrzański)

Spiš Magura (SK: Spišská Magura) + Spiš-Gubałówka Piedmont (PL: Pogórze Spisko-Gubałowskie)

Levoča Mountains (SK: Levočské vrchy)

Bachureň (SK)

Spiš-Šariš Intermontane (SK: Spišsko-šarišské medzihorie)

Šariš Highlands (SK: Šarišská vrchovina)

Orava Basin (SK: Oravská kotlina) + Orava-Nowy Targ Basin (PL: Kotlina Orawsko-Nowotarska)

Slovak Ore Mountains (SK) (area)

SK: Slovenské rudohorie

Vepor Mountains (Veporské vrchy)

Spiš-Gemer Karst (Spišsko-gemerský kras)

Stolica Mountains (Stolické vrchy)

Revúca Highlands (Revúcka vrchovina)

Volovec Mountains (Volovské vrchy)

Black Mountain (Čierna hora)

Rožňava Basin (Rožňavská kotlina)

Slovak Karst (Slovenský kras) and Aggtelek Karst (Hungarian: Aggteleki-karszt; lies in northern Hungary)

Fatra-Tatra Area (SK/PL/AT) * (area)

Slovak:Fatransko-tatranská oblasť

Little Carpathians (SK: Malé Karpaty) + Hainburg Mountains (AT: Hainburger Berge)

Považský Inovec

Tribeč

Strážov Mountains (Strážovské vrchy)

Súľov Mountains (Súľovské vrchy)

Žiar

Lesser Fatra (Malá Fatra)

Greater Fatra (Veľká Fatra)

Staré Hory Mountains (Starohorské vrchy)

Choč Mountains (Chočské vrchy)

Tatra Mountains (SK/PL: Tatry)

Low Tatras (Nízke Tatry)

Kozie chrbty (literally: Goat Ridges)

Branisko

Žilina Basin (Žilinská kotlina)

Upper Nitra Basin (Hornonitrianska kotlina)

Turiec Basin (Turčianska kotlina)

Podtatranská kotlina (Sub-Tatra Basin)

Hornád Basin (Hornádska kotlina)

Horehronské podolie

Slovak Central Mountains (Slovenské stredohorie) (SK) (area)

SK: Slovenské stredohorie, EN: Slovakian mid-mountainous region

Vtacnik Mountains (Vtáčnik)

Pohronský Inovec

Štiavnica Mountains (Štiavnické vrchy)

Kremnica Mountains (Kremnické vrchy)

Poľana

Ostrôžky

Javorie

Krupina Plain (Krupinská planina)

Zvolen Basin (Zvolenská kotlina)

Pliešovce Basin (Pliešovská kotlina)

Žiar Basin (Žiarska kotlina)

Lučenec-Košice Depression (SK/HU) (area)

SK: Lučensko-košická zníženina

Southern Slovak Basin (SK: Juhoslovenská kotlina) + Central Ipoly Basin (HU: Középső-Ipoly-völgy) + Borsod Hills (HU: Borsodi-dombság)

Bodva Hills (SK: Bodvianska pahorkatina)

Košice Basin (SK: Košická kotlina) + Hernád-Valley Basin (HU: Hernád-völgy)

Mátra-Slanec Area (SK) /North Hungarian Mountains (HU) (area)

SK: Matransko-slanská oblasť, HU: Északi-középhegység

Börzsöny Mountains (HU: Börzsöny-hegység, literally: Logwood Mountains) + Burda (SK)

Gödöllő Hills (HU: Gödöllői-dombság)

Cerová vrchovina (SK; Cerová Highlands) + Cserhát (HU: Cserhát)

Mátra (HU: Mátra)

Bükk (HU: Bükk – literally Beech Mountains)

Cserehát Hills (HU: Cserehát)

Slanec Mountains (SK: Slanské vrchy) + Zemplén Mountains (HU: Zempléni-hegység, also Tokaji-hegység/Tokaj Mountains)

Zemplín Mountains (SK, Zemplínske vrchy)

Eastern Carpathians (province)

Clarification: In Ukraine sometimes is denoted as "Eastern Carpathians" only the part basically on their territory (i.e.to the north of the Prislop Pass), while in Romania sometimes use to call "Eastern Carpathians" (Carpații Orientali) only the other part, which lies on their territory (i.e. from the Ukrainian border or from the Prislop Pass to the south). In Poland Central Beskidian Piedmont and Lower Beskids belongs to Western Carpathians province and Outer Western Carpathians subprovince.

Central Beskidian Piedmont (PL)***

PL: Pogórze Środkowobeskidzkie

Rożnów Piedmont (PL: Pogórze Rożnowskie)

Ciężkowice Piedmont (PL: Pogórze Ciężkowickie)

Strzyżów Piedmont (PL: Pogórze Strzyżowskie)

Dynów Piedmont (PL: Pogórze Dynowskie)

Przemyśl Piedmont (PL: Pogórze Przemyskie)

Gorlice Depression (PL: Obniżenie Gorlickie)

Jasło-Krosno Basin (PL: Kotlina Jasielsko-Krośnieńska)

Jasło Piedmont (PL: Pogórze Jasielskie)

Bukowsko Piedmont (PL: Pogórze Bukowskie)

Lower Beskids (SK) / Central Beskids (PL) (area)

SK: Nízke Beskydy, PL: Beskidy Środkowe

Busov (SK)

Ondava Highlands (SK: Ondavská vrchovina)

Low Beskids (PL: Beskid Niski) + Laborec Highlands (SK: Laborecká vrchovina)

Beskidian Piedmont (SK: Beskydské predhorie)

Eastern Beskids and the Ukrainian Carpathians (area)

Known variously as the Eastern Beskids (PL) / (?)Wooded Carpathians (SK) / Carpathians (Ukraine) (UA)PL: Beskidy Wschodnie, SK: Poloniny, UA: Ukrains'ki Karpaty. Note that there are many variants for the divisions and names of these ranges.

Wooded Beskids (PL: Beskidy Lesiste + (?) UA: Beskydy, Skyb Carpathians) (Outer Carpathians):

Bieszczady or Western Bieszczady (PL: Bieszczady Zachodnie) [and Góry Sanocko-Turczańskie, sometimes known as Middle Beskyds in UA] (PL) + Bukovské vrchy Mts. (SK) + Western Beskids (UA, Zakhidni Beskydy)

Skole Beskids (UA: Skolivs'ki Beskydy), partly or completely also known as High Beskids (Vysoki Beskydy); part of (Ukrainian) Eastern Beskids (Skhidni Beskydy)

Upper Dniester Beskids (UA: Verkhn'odnistrovs'ki Beskydy), part of (Ukrainian) Eastern Beskids (Skhidni Beskydy)

Gorgany (UA)

Pokuttya-Bucovina Carpathians (UA, Pokuts'ko-Bukovins'ki Karpaty)

Central Carpathians:

Verkhovyna Carpathians

Polonyna Ridge (UA: Polonyns'kyi chrebet) (Inner Carpathians):

Smooth Polonyna (Polonyna Rivna)

Polonyna Borzhava

Polonyna Kuk

Polonyna Beautiful (Polonyna Krasna)

Svydovets

Chornohora (literally: Black Mountain)

Hrynyav Mountains

Moldavian-Muntenian Carpathians

Suhard Mountains (RO: Munții Suhard) MMB

Ridges of Bukovina (RO: Obcinele Bucovinei), i.e. Obcina Feredeului (Feredeu Ridge), Obcina Mestecăniș (Mestecăniș Ridge) and Obcina Mare (Great Ridge) MMB

Stânișoara Mountains (RO: Munții Stânișoarei, Masivul Ceahlău) MMT

Trotuș Mountains (RO: Munții Trotușului, i.e. Munții Tarcăului, Munții Goșmanului, Munții Berzunț, Munții Nemira) MMT

Vrancea Mountains (RO: Munții Vrancei) MC

Buzău Mountains (RO: Munții Buzăului) MC

Teleajen-Doftana Mountains (RO: Munții Teleajenului și Doftanei, i.e. Masivul Ciucaș-Muntele Roșu, Munții Grohotiș, Munții Baiului, Munții Gârbovei) MC

Vihorlat-Gutin Area (SK) / Volcanic Ridge (UA) (area)

SK: Vihorlatsko-gutínska oblasť, UA: Vulkanichnyi chrebet

Vihorlat Mountains (SK: Vihorlatské vrchy) + Vyhorliat (UA)

Makovytsia (UA)

Velikyi Dil (UA, literally: Great Dil)

Tupyi (UA)

Oaș Mountains (RO: Munții Oașului) and Oaș Depression (RO: Depresiunea Oașului) MMB

Gutâi Mountains (RO: Munții Gutâiului) MMB

Țibleș Mountains (RO: Munții Țibleșului) MMB

Lăpuș Mountains (RO: Munții Lăpușului) MMB

Bistrița Mountains (RO)

RO: Munții Bistriței

Bistrița Mountains (Munții Bistriței) sensu stricto, i.e. Pietrosul Massif (Masivul Pietrosul; literally: Rocky Massif) + Budacul Massif (Masivul Budacul) + Ceahlău Massif (Masivul Ceahlău), the latter being considered a separate range sometimes, MMT

Mestecăniș Ridge (Obcina Mestecăniș) MMB

Dorna Depression (Depresiunea Dornei) MMB

Giumalău-Rarău Mountains (Munții Giumalău-Rarău) MMB

Giurgeu Mountains (Munții Giurgeului) MMT

Hășmaș Mountains (Munții Hășmașu Mare) MMT

Căliman-Harghita Mountains (RO)

RO: Munții Căliman-Harghita

Bârgău Mountains (Munții Bârgăului) MMT

Călimani Mountains (Munții Călimani) MMT

Ciuc Mountains (Munții Ciucului) MMT

Gurghiu Mountains (Munții Gurghiului) MMT

Harghita Mountains (Munții Harghita) MMT

Baraolt Mountains (Munții Baraolt) MMT

Perșani Mountains (Munții Perșani) MMT

Giurgeu-Brașov Depression (RO)

RO: Depresiunea Giurgeu-Brașovului

Giurgeu Depression (Depresiunea Giurgeului) MMT

Ciuc Depression (Depresiunea Ciucului) MMT

Brașov Depression (Depresiunea Brașovului) MC

Other

Maramureș Depression (UA: Marmaros'ka ulohovyna, RO: Depresiunea Maramureșului) MMB

Rakhiv Massif (UA: Rakhivs'kyi masyv) + Maramureș Mountains (RO: Munții Maramureșului) MMB

Rodna Mountains (RO: Munții Rodnei) MMB

Piatra Mare Mountains MC

Postăvarul Massif MC

Bucegi Mountains Group

RO: Grupa Munții Bucegi

Bucegi Mountains (Munții Bucegi)

Leaotă Mountains (Munții Leaotă)

Rucăr-Bran Pass (Culoarul Rucăr-Bran)

Făgăraș Mountains group

RO: Grupa Munții Făgărașului

Făgăraș Mountains (Munții Făgărașului)

Iezer Mountains (Munții Iezer; literally:Mountains of the Deep Lake)

Piatra Craiului (literally: Rock of the King)

Cozia Mountains (Munții Cozia)

Loviște Depression (Depresiunea Loviștei)

Parâng Mountains group

RO: Grupa Munții Parângului

Parâng Mountains (Munții Parângului)

Șureanu Mountains (Munții Șureanu/M. Sebeșului)

Cindrel Mountains (Munții Cindrel/M. Cibinului)

Lotru Mountains (Munții Lotrului; literally: Mountains of the Thief)

Căpățână Mountains (Munții Căpățânii; literally: Mountains of the Skull)

Petroșani Depression (Depresiunea Petroșani)

Retezat-Godeanu Mountains group

RO: Grupa Munții Retezat-Godeanu

Retezat Mountains (Munții Retezat; literally: Hewed Mountains)

Godeanu Mountains (Munții Godeanu)

Vâlcan Mountains (Munții Vâlcanului)

Mehedinți Mountains (Munții Mehendinți)

Cerna Mountains (Munții Cernei)

Țarcu Mountains (Munții Țarcu; literally: Pen Mountains)

Western Romanian Carpathians (RO)

RO: Carpații Occidentali or Carpații Apuseni or Carpații de Apus. The term Bihor Massif is sometimes used for the Apuseni Mountains and Poiana Ruscă.

Apuseni Mountains (Munții Apuseni)

Criș Mountains (Munții Criș) :

Criș Hills (Dealurile Crișene), incl. Beiuș Depression (Depresiunea Beiuș), Vad Depression (Depresiunea Vad)

Pădurea Craiului Mountains (literally:Forest of the King)

Codru-Moma Mountains (Munții Codru-Moma)

Seș-Meseș Mountains (Munții Seș-Meseșului):

Meseș Mountains (Munții Meseșului)

Seș Mountain (Muntele Seș)

Șimleu Depression (Depresiunea Șimleu), often considered part of the Transylvanian Basin-Podișul Someșan

Șimleu Mountains (Munții Șimleu), often considered part of the Transylvanian Basin-Podișul Someșan

Bihor Massif (Masivul Bihor):

Bihor Mountains (Munții Bihorului)

Great Mountain (Muntele Mare)

Gilău Mountains (Munții Gilăului)

Mureș Mountains (Munții Mureșului):

Zarand Mountains (Munții Zarandului)

Metalliferous Mountains (Munții Metaliferi), incl. Trascău Mountains (Munții Trascăului)

Poiana Ruscă Mountains

RO: Munții Poiana Ruscă

(Note: sometimes considered part of the Southern Carpathians)

Poiana Ruscă (literally: Ruscă Meadows)

Lipova Plateau (Podișul Lipovei)

Bega-Timiș Groove (Culoarul Bega-Timiș)

Orăștie Groove (Culoarul Orăștiei), incl. Hațeg Depression (Depresiunea Hațegului)

Banat Mountains

RO: Munții Banatului

(Note: sometimes considered part of the Southern Carpathians)

Banat Mountains (Munții Banatului) sensu stricto, i.e. Semenic Mountains (Munții Semenic), Locva Mountains (Munții Locvei), Anina Mountains (Munții Aninei) and Dognecea Mountains (Munții Dognecei)

Almăj Mountains (Munții Almăjului)

Timiș-Cerna Gap (Culoarul Timiș-Cerna), incl. Almăj Depression (Depresiunea Almăj)

Caraș Hills (Dealurile Carașului)

Transylvanian Plateau (RO)

RO: Depresiunea Transilvaniei, i.e. Transylvanian Depression. Some authors do not consider it to be part of the Carpathians.

Mureș-Turda Depression (Depresiunea Mureș-Turda)

Sibiu Depression (Depresiunea Sibiului)

Făgăraș Depression (Depresiunea Făgărașului)

Transylvanian Plateau (Podișul Transilvaniei):

Târnava Plateau (Podișul Târnavelor), incl. Hârtibaci Plateau (Podișul Hârtibaciului) and Secașe Plateau (Podișul Secașelor)

Transylvanian Plain (Câmpia Transilvaniei), or Transylvanian Plateau (Podișul Transivan(iei)) sensu stricto

Someș Plateau (Podișul Someșan or Podișul Someșelor)

Serbian Carpathians (RS)

Serbian: Karpatske planine, i.e. "Carpathian Mountains". Sometimes considered part of the Southern Carpathians (together with the Banat Mountains), sometimes not considered part of the Carpathians at all.

Miroč

Homolje mountains (Homoljske planine)

Veliki Krš

Mali Krš

Deli Jovan

Beljanica (Beljanica planina)

Kučaj (Kučajske planine)

Rtanj (Rtanj planina)

Ozren

Devica

Outer Carpathian depressions (subprovince)

The Outer Carpathian Depressions are divided into Western, Northern etc. and are usually treated as part of the individual parts of the Carpathian Mountains, i.e. of Western Carpathians, Eastern Carpathians etc.. Since, however, it was impossible to find their exact subdivision, they are given only as a list of the final units (mountains etc.) from the west to the east and south here:

Weinviertel Hills (AT: Weinviertler Hügelland) + Dyje-Svratka Vale (CZ: Dyjsko-svratecký úval)

Vyškov Gate (CZ: Vyškovská brána)

Upper Morava Vale (CZ: Hornomoravský úval)

Moravian Gate (CZ: Moravská brána)

Ostrava Basin (CZ: Ostravská pánev, PL: Kotlina Ostrawska)

Oświęcim Basin (PL: Kotlina Oświęcimska)

Kraków Gate (PL: Brama Krakowska)

Sandomierz Basin (PL: Kotlina Sandomierska) + San-Dniester Plain (UA: Sans'ko-Dnistrovs'ka rivnyna)

Upper Dniester Plain (UA: Verchn'odnistrovs'ka rivnyna)

Drohobych Highlands (UA: Drohobyc'ka vysochyna)

Dniester Plain (UA: Pridnistrovs'ka rivnyna)

Pokutsk Upland (UA: Pokuts'ka vysochyna)

Bucovina Highlands (UA: Bukovyns'ka vysochyna RO: Podișul Bucovinei) + Suceava Plateau (RO: Podișul Sucevei)

Moldavia-Siret Groove (RO: Culoarul Moldova-Siret)

Moldavian Subcarpathians (RO: Subcarpații Moldovei)

Muntenian Subcarpathians (RO: Subcarpații Munteniei)

Getic Subcarpathians (RO: Subcarpații Getici)

Getic Plateau (RO: Podișul Getic)