The Broumov Highlands () are highlands and a geomorphological mesoregion of the Czech Republic. It is located in the Hradec Králové Region. It is a part of the Central Sudetes macroregion and the highest peak is Královecký Špičák at above sea level. Most of the highlands is protected as the Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area.
Geomorphology The Broumov Highlands is a mesoregion of the Central Sudetes within the Bohemian Massif. Common landform features include mesas, cuestas and rock towns. The mesoregion is further subdivided into the microregions of Žacléř Highlands, Police Highlands and Meziměstí Highlands.
The highest peaks of the Broumov Highlands are: Královecký Špičák, Ruprechtický Špičák, Szeroka, Mravenčí vrch, Široký vrch, Mravenčí vrch, Kopica, Světlina, Kozina, Čertův vrch,
Geology
The Broumov Highlands is valuable because there is a great diversity of rocks in a small area. There are terrestrial and marine sedimentary rocks from the Carboniferous, Triassic and Cretaceous periods (sandstone, marlstone), and rocks originating from Permian volcanic activity. Subsequent tectonic uplift and erosion shaped the present-day relief. A common feature in the relief are rock towns modelled in Cretaceous sandstones. The area of the rock towns is known as Adršpach-Teplice Rocks. The Broumov Highlands are also known for underground pseudo-karst phenomena, caves and chasms.
Geography The Broumov Highlands has an area of and an average elevation of .
The area is drained mainly by the rivers Ścinawka and Metuje. There are significant reserves of groundwater here, from which the region is supplied with drinking water.
The most populated settlements in the territory are Broumov, Police nad Metují and Žacléř.
Protection of nature
Most of the Broumov Highlands is protected as the Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area due to their unique geological and ecological value. The protected landscape area was established in 1991 and borders the Stołowe Mountains National Park in Poland. The wider area of is also protected as the Broumovsko National Geopark.
The most valuable part of the Broumov Higlands and the Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area are the national nature reserves of Broumovské stěny and Adršpach-Teplice Rocks.
Notes
References
External links
Geomorphological division of the Czech Republic in the map portal of the State Administration of Land Surveying and Cadastre