Sudetes

The Sudetes, also called Sudeten (German; SAMPA: [su"deIt@n]) or Sudety (["sudetI] in Czech, [su"detI] in Polish), is a mountain range in Central Europe. It stretches from eastern Germany to Poland and Czech Republic. The highest mountain is Snezka in Krkonose Mountains on the Czech-Polish border. It reaches up to 1,602 m. The Sudetes are divided into

1. Western Sudetes with Lusatian Mountains (Germany and Czech Republic) and Karkonosze/Krkonoše (Poland and Czech Republic)
2. Central Sudetes
3. Eastern Sudetes

Especially Krkonose Mountains are facing growing tourism for winter sports during the past ten years. Its skiing resorts are becoming a serious alternative to the Alps.

Famous towns in this area are:

• Zittau (Germany)
• Karpacz (Poland)
• Szklarska Poreba (Poland)
• Špindlerův Mlýn (Czech Republic)
• Harrachov (Czech Republic)

Before World War II there was a German majority in this area. Sudetenland was the term to describe its settling area.