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{{about|the region in Slovenia|the stadium|Kras Stadion|the company|Kraš|the oncogene|KRAS}} |
{{about|the region in Slovenia|the stadium|Kras Stadion|the company|Kraš|the oncogene|KRAS}} |
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[[Image:Karst italy landscape.jpg|thumb|400px|Kras landscape in the Italian commune of [[Doberdò del Lago]].]] |
[[Image:Karst italy landscape.jpg|thumb|400px|Kras landscape in the Italian commune of [[Doberdò del Lago]].]] |
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'''Kras''' ({{lang- |
'''Kras''' ({{lang-it|Carso}}; {{lang-de|Karst}}), also known as the '''Classical Karst''' or the '''Kras Plateau''', is a limestone borderline [[plateau]] region in southwestern [[Slovenia]] extending into northeastern [[Italy]]. It lies between the [[Vipava Valley|Vipacco Valley]], the low hills surrounding the valley, the westernmost part of the [[Brkini]] Hills, and the [[Gulf of Trieste]]. Its western edge is also the traditional ethnic border between [[Italians]] and [[Slovenes]]. The region is famous as the inspiration for the geological term [[karst topography]]. |
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== Geographical position == |
== Geographical position == |
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The Kras is famous for its [[cave]]s. In Slovenia, they include [[Vilenica]] (the oldest [[show cave]] in the world), [[Lipica Cave]], [[Divača Cave]], [[Kačna Cave]], [[Postojna Cave]] and [[Škocjan Caves]] ([[UNESCO]] world heritage site), while in Italy there is the [[Grotta Gigante]] (the largest [[show cave]] in the world, with a special [[horizontal]] [[pendulum]] that measures the ebb and flow effect of the [[moon]] on the [[earth]]). |
The Kras is famous for its [[cave]]s. In Slovenia, they include [[Vilenica]] (the oldest [[show cave]] in the world), [[Lipica Cave]], [[Divača Cave]], [[Kačna Cave]], [[Postojna Cave]] and [[Škocjan Caves]] ([[UNESCO]] world heritage site), while in Italy there is the [[Grotta Gigante]] (the largest [[show cave]] in the world, with a special [[horizontal]] [[pendulum]] that measures the ebb and flow effect of the [[moon]] on the [[earth]]). |
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Most of the Kras is located in the [[Slovene Littoral]] on an area of 429 square kilometres, and has a population of about 19,000 people. The Kras as a whole has exactly 100 settlements. The town of [[Sežana]] is the center of the region on the Slovene side of the border. The main rural centers are the settlements of [[Divača]], [[Dutovlje]], and [[Komen]]. [[Štanjel]] is a picturesque nucleate settlement at the top of the northern rim of the [[plateau]]; its houses are tightly clustered around the Turn hill, giving it the appearance of a [[medieval]] town. On the Italian side of the border, important settlements include [[Villa Opicina]], [[Duino]] and [[Nabrežina]]. |
Most of the Kras is located in the [[Slovene Littoral]] on an area of 429 square kilometres, and has a population of about 19,000 people. The Kras as a whole has exactly 100 settlements. The town of [[Sežana]] is the center of the region on the Slovene side of the border. The main rural centers are the settlements of [[Divača]], [[Dutovlje]], and [[Komen]]. [[Štanjel]] is a picturesque nucleate settlement at the top of the northern rim of the [[plateau]]; its houses are tightly clustered around the Turn hill, giving it the appearance of a [[medieval]] town. On the Italian side of the border, important settlements include [[Villa Opicina]], [[Duino]] and [[Nabrežina|Aurisina]]. |
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Natural conditions, including the [[Bora (wind)|bora]] (burja) wind, and the local way of life all shaped the elements of Kras [[architecture]], creating simple but well-defined forms. Kras is renowned for its thick red wine [[wine]], known as [[teran]], and [[prosciutto]]. One of the main tourist centers in the area is [[Lipica]], with [[horse]] stables (the home of the [[Lipizzan]] horse breed) as well as other tourist facilities. |
Natural conditions, including the [[Bora (wind)|bora]] (burja) wind, and the local way of life all shaped the elements of Kras [[architecture]], creating simple but well-defined forms. Kras is renowned for its thick red wine [[wine]], known as [[teran]], and [[prosciutto]]. One of the main tourist centers in the area is [[Lipica]], with [[horse]] stables (the home of the [[Lipizzan]] horse breed) as well as other tourist facilities. |
Revision as of 21:37, 3 September 2009
Kras (Italian: Carso; German: Karst), also known as the Classical Karst or the Kras Plateau, is a limestone borderline plateau region in southwestern Slovenia extending into northeastern Italy. It lies between the Vipacco Valley, the low hills surrounding the valley, the westernmost part of the Brkini Hills, and the Gulf of Trieste. Its western edge is also the traditional ethnic border between Italians and Slovenes. The region is famous as the inspiration for the geological term karst topography.
Geographical position
The plateau rises quite steeply above the neighboring landscape, with the exception of the southeastern side, where the steepness is less prounounced. The plateau gradually descends from the southeast to the southwest. On average it lies 334 metres above sea level. Because Kras steeply descends towards the Adriatic Sea (see: Kraški rob), it is less exposed to the beneficial climatological effects of the sea. The main vegetation in the past were oaks, but now are pine forests. Forests now cover only one third of Kras. Much of the wood for the closely spaced piles which support the island city of Venice, Italy came from this region.
The Kras is famous for its caves. In Slovenia, they include Vilenica (the oldest show cave in the world), Lipica Cave, Divača Cave, Kačna Cave, Postojna Cave and Škocjan Caves (UNESCO world heritage site), while in Italy there is the Grotta Gigante (the largest show cave in the world, with a special horizontal pendulum that measures the ebb and flow effect of the moon on the earth).
Most of the Kras is located in the Slovene Littoral on an area of 429 square kilometres, and has a population of about 19,000 people. The Kras as a whole has exactly 100 settlements. The town of Sežana is the center of the region on the Slovene side of the border. The main rural centers are the settlements of Divača, Dutovlje, and Komen. Štanjel is a picturesque nucleate settlement at the top of the northern rim of the plateau; its houses are tightly clustered around the Turn hill, giving it the appearance of a medieval town. On the Italian side of the border, important settlements include Villa Opicina, Duino and Aurisina.
Natural conditions, including the bora (burja) wind, and the local way of life all shaped the elements of Kras architecture, creating simple but well-defined forms. Kras is renowned for its thick red wine wine, known as teran, and prosciutto. One of the main tourist centers in the area is Lipica, with horse stables (the home of the Lipizzan horse breed) as well as other tourist facilities.
Famous natives and residents
Famous persons who were born or lived in the region include the poets Srečko Kosovel, Igo Gruden and Ciril Zlobec, social activist Danilo Dolci, architect Max Fabiani, painters Avgust Černigoj and Lojze Spacal, writers Alojz Rebula, Igor Torkar and Bogomir Magajna, theologian Anton Mahnič, politicians Drago Marušič and Josip Ferfolja, economist Milko Brezigar, and actress Ita Rina. The Kras' pitoresque landscape inspired numerous artist who were not from the region, among whom the poets Rainer Maria Rilke, Alojz Gradnik, and Edvard Kocbek, essayists Scipio Slataper and Marjan Rožanc, writers Fulvio Tomizza and Susanna Tamaro, and film director Jan Cvitkovič. Many artists and authors settled in the area, including Josip Osti and Taras Kermauner.
Geographical extension
The municipalities that are completely or partially on the Kras territory, include:
- Italy
- Savogna d'Isonzo
- Doberdò del Lago
- Sagrado (partially)
- Monfalcone (partially)
- Duino-Aurisina
- Sgonico
- Monrupino
- Trieste (partially)
- San Dorligo della Valle (partially)
- Slovenia
- Miren-Kostanjevica (partially)
- Komen
- Sežana
- Divača
- Hrpelje-Kozina (partially)
Sometimes, the region around Pivka is also included.
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The village of Štanjel
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The Kras landscape as viewed from Štanjel
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Landscape near Duino
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The cliffs of Aurisina
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Kras landscape in the Province of Trieste
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The fortified church in Repentabor
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The village of Lokev near Sežana
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Doberdò Lake
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Another village on the KrasAnother village on the Kras
See also
- Geography of Slovenia
- Geography of Italy
- Slovene Littoral
- Karst topogoraphy
- Val Rosandra
- Slovenian wine
- Lipizzaner
External links
- Karst in Slovenia. Slovenia: a geographical overview. Nadja Zupan Hajna
- PR Office of the Slovenian Government - Kras and Karst
- The Kras and Brkini Region
Sources
- Rosanna Bubola, Vivere il Carso edito dalla Pro Loco di Trieste (Basadello di Campoformico (Udine): La tipografica, 2006)
- Massimo Gobessi& Sergio Dolce, Il Carso in tasca (Trieste: Edizioni Luglio, 2006)
- Elio Forznarič et al., Kras je krasen: vodnik po občinah Kraške gorske skupnosti (Trieste: Kraška gorska skupnost/ Comunità montana del Carso, 1991)
- Daniel Jarc, Il patrimonio culturale del Carso goriziano/ Kulturna dediščina goriškega Krasa (Trieste: SLORI, 1997)
- Miran Lapanje, Sežanski Kras (Sežana: Jamarsko društvo, 1984)
- Mojca Osvald et al., Kras in slovenska Istra (Ljubljana: Gimnazija Bežigrad, 2007)
- Matjaž Žnidaršič, Slovenski Kras: umetnostna dediščina (Cerknica: Naklo, d.o.o, 1996)