Since the last re-estimation in 1989, the official Geographic Centre of Europe is according to Jean-George Affholder, a scientist at the Institut Géographique National (French National Geographic Institute), in Lithuania, 26 kilometres north of the capital city, Vilnius, near the village of Purnuškės (Bernotai).

Centre of Europe by Palmerop at the English language Wikipedia

But there are more different locations that are still fighting for being the midpoint of Europe:

• the small town of Rakhiv, or the village of Dilove near Rakhiv, in western Ukraine
• Bernotai, or Purnuškės, near Vilnius, in Lithuania
• a point on the island of Saaremaa in Estonia
• the village of Krahule, near Kremnica, in central Slovakia
• Suchowola, north of Białystok, in northeast Poland; and Toruń, in north-central Poland
• a point near Polotsk in Belarus
• s memorial near Tállya, Hungary

The geographical center of European Union is changing as well along with the growing of European Union. Here are the centers of European Union:

• 12 members: In 1987 – the middle of France, in the village of Saint-André-le-Coq, département of Puy-de-Dôme, région of Auvergne, and next was shifted after the reunification of Germany in 1990 some 25 km north-eastward, to the place called Noireterre in the village of Saint-Clément , département of Allier, the same région of Auvergne. A small monument commemorating the latter discovery still exists in Saint Clément.
• 15 members: (1995–2004) – Viroinval, Belgium, a monument there records that finding.
• 25 members: (2004–2007), in the village of Kleinmaischeid, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
• 27 members: Since January 1, 2007, with the inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria in the European Union, a wheat field outside of the German town of Gelnhausen, in Hesse, 115 km east of the previous marker

The post Geographical midpoint of Europe and European Union appeared first on Europe Explored.

Veľká Fatra National Park is also an important reservoir of fresh water thanks to high rainfalls and low evaporation in the area. The core of the range is built of granite which reaches the surface only in places, more common are various slates creating gently modelled ridges and summits of the so called Hôlna Fatra and limestone and dolomite rocks creating a rough and picturesque terrain of the so called Bralná Fatra. There are also many caves, but the only one open to the public is Harmanec Cave.

Various rocks and therefore various soils, diverse type of terrain with gentle upland meadows and pastures, sharp cliffs and deep valleys provide for extremely rich flora and fauna. All species of big Central European carnivores live abundantly there: brown bear, gray wolf and Eurasian lynx.

The area is popular for hikers and trekkers. The UNESCO World Heritage village of folk architecture reserve Vlkolínec lies nearby. The best starting points for hiking are the towns Martin, Ružomberok, Turčianske Teplice, ski resorts Donovaly, Malinné and Vlkolínec.

View Veľká Fatra National Park in Slovakia – popular tourist destination for hikers and trekkers in a larger map

The post Veľká Fatra National Park in Slovakia – popular tourist destination for hikers and trekkers appeared first on Europe Explored.

The core of the park consists of the limestone and dolomite plateau with karst formations. The overall length of karst landscape from the settlement of Červená Skala (part of Šumiac) to the town of Tisovec is about 25 km.

There are more than more than 300 caves, which are inaccessible to the public and 15 abysses. The highest point is Fabova hoľa at 1,439 m AMSL, however, a higher peak, Stolica at 1,476 m is located in the buffer zone. Its terrain is refreshed by sink holes, grikes, canyons, rock towers, and rock windows.

Forests cover about 90% of the area.

Tourist attractions include 300 km of marked hiking trails and two educational trails. The best access to the park is through the surrounding villages and settlements, like villages Tisovec, Muráň and Červená Skala. Attractive places for hiking also include Závadka nad Hronom and saddleback Zbojská.

View Muránska planina National Park in Slovakia in a larger map

The post Muránska planina National Park in Slovakia appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo by admin

The three hundred kilometres of trails will take you through amazing gorges and canyons, with lots of lazily flowing rivers, bubbling streams and gurgling waterfalls. You will need to pass through the installed ladders or metal grids on the certain parts of the limestone rocks which adds some flavor to your trip adventure. Yet there is nothing to worry about, since there is no extreme climbing performance waiting for you on the way. Therefore you can in good conscience take some of the popular routes, leading e.g. through one of the most romantic gorges – Suchá Belá, or through Hornád Canyon (Prielom Hornádu), Veľký Sokol, Kláštorska gorge or Sokolia valley, where you can enjoy the beauty of the highest waterfall in Slovak Paradise – Závojový waterfall (75 metres high).

Most of the Slovak Paradise is covered by forests, which is a home to many animals. Among the most famous inhabitants are such as the brown bear, gray wolf or lynx. But do not worry, they live in inaccessible areas, and the likelihood that you meet them during your trip is almost zero. However you will be accompanied by butterflies, birds and hares and if you will have a luck you should also meet basking otters. Right thanks to this diversity of animal and plant species Slovak Paradise became the first protected area in Slovakia already in 1964 and 24 years later was declared a national park.

Very popular are also local karst caves, whose concentration is here undoubtedly the largest from all over Slovakia. However only one cave is open to the public from the three hundred discovered underground caves. It is Dobšinská ice cave, which in addition to its fabulous formations boasts the title of the first electrically lit cave in the world. Today’s 1km long guided tour is already equipped with modern facilities. Looking at the beautiful ice decoration you will understand why it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caves in the Slovak Paradise were discovered many thousands of years ago by ancestors of modern man. Several prehistoric tools were found here from the Stone Age and Palaeolithic Age, while the age of others is estimated at 45 million years.

The ideal starting point for your tours around this beautiful national park can be Čingov village, Podlesok, Dedinky or Hrabušice. For higher security there are mainly one-way trails so the map should really not be left at home. When planning a trip do not forget the appropriate footwear and be always prepared for the rain. Never leave the marked trails, otherwise you can get lost easily.

If your ways lead to Slovakia, Slovak Paradise National park should not be missed.

View Larger Map

The post Slovak Paradise National Park – one of the most beautiful landscapes in Slovakia appeared first on Europe Explored.