- Kopaonik
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Kopaonik 
Pančić's Peak, during winterLocation Central Serbia, North Kosovo
KopaonikRange Dinaric Alps Coordinates 43°16′09″N 20°49′21″E / 43.26917°N 20.8225°ECoordinates: 43°16′09″N 20°49′21″E / 43.26917°N 20.8225°E Kopaonik (pronounced [kɔ̌paɔniːk] or [kɔpaɔ̌niːk]; Serbian Cyrillic: Копаоник); is one of the larger mountain ranges of Serbia. It is located in the central part of Serbia, while a small portion extendeds to North Kosovo. Its highest point, Pančić's Peak, is 2,017 m (6,617 ft) above sea level.
Kopaonik is the major ski resort of Serbia, with total of 25 ski lifts with capacity of 32.000 skiers per hour[1][2]. A national park spread over 118.1 km2 (45.6 sq mi) of the central part of the Kopaonik plateau was established in 1981.[citation needed].
Contents
History
Shrine of Metodje
Kopaonik has a rich historical heritage[citation needed]. The area was an important mining center during medieval times with many[quantify] Saxons operating in the area as miners. During those days there was an intensive trade with Ragusa (Dubrovnik)[citation needed].
Besides old[when?] churches and monasteries, several early and medieval fortresses can be found on the height, built by Serbian dynasties. The nearest Serbian medieval castle is Maglič. The Studenica monastery is also located nearby[citation needed].
Tourism
Main article: Tourism in SerbiaKopaonik ski resort 
Nebeske Stolice hotel at KopaonikLocation Kopaonik, Serbia Nearest city Brus, Serbia Coordinates 43°16′9″N 20°49′21″E / 43.26917°N 20.8225°E Top elevation 2,017 m Base elevation 1,770 m Skiable area 68 km Longest run 3.5 km Lift system 25 Web site Kopaonik Sports and recreation are key factors to the tourism of Kopaonik. Kopaonik is mainly a destination for skiing and snowboarding. There are various other activities as well, such as tennis. Other features which attract tourists are a luxurious hotel, and entertainment. Kopaonik has many cafes, bars and night clubs. It has 24 ski-lifts and Gondola lifts, with 70 km (43 mi) of ski slopes for all categories. It is the largest mountain in Serbia, more than 100 km (62 mi) long. Its highest peak is Suvo Rudiste (also called Panćić's Peak) at 2,017 m (6,617 ft) above sea level. The duration and quality of snowfall and ideal skiing grounds have been attracting a rapidly increasing the number of guests.
Kopaonik's flora is characterized by a large number of autochthonous plant species (the Balkan beech, fir, spruce, yew, several kinds of maple, pine and oak). The fauna is also diverse but its concentration varies, depending on the quality of the habitat.
This mountain has enormous resources for the development of tourism. The entire park is characterized by its extraordinary natural beauty: vast expanses of grassland, picturesque forests composed of a wide variety of tree species, beauty spots, deep river gorges. The snow blanket lasts a long time on this mountain and in view of its good relief, there are excellent conditions for the further expansion of winter tourism there[citation needed].
Konaci hotelsThe tourist resort on the Kopaonik includes hotels, rest houses, chairlifts, excellent ski slopes and many other tourist facilities.
Kopaonik is a meeting place for the Serbian and European elite. Many diplomats and presidents of the foreign countries spent their holidays here[citation needed].
The Kopaonik is well-connected with the main transport routes in Serbia. The central part of Kopaonik with the tourist center and ski slopes are linked with the Ibar highway, and the nearest international airport is in Niš.
National park
Main article: National parks of SerbiaKopaonik National Park IUCN Category II (National Park)
Kopaonik during summerLocation Serbia Nearest city Brus Coordinates 43°17′30″N 20°48′27″E / 43.29167°N 20.8075°E Area 118.1 km² Established 1981 Kopaonik's national park was established in 1981[citation needed]. Deciduous forests and native coniferous woodland make up most of the forested land in the park. Kopaonik has many species of birds, such rock partridge, scops owl, red-backed shrike, and the wood lark. Soil erosion poses no threat as there is no logging and deforestation in the park[citation needed].
The national park is situated on a relatively flat region, at an altitude of about 1,700 m (5,577 ft). This central Kopaonik plateau is called Suvo Rudište. It is surrounded by mountain peaks. To the north and northwest of this plateau stretches Banjski Kopaonik, which is the location of Jošanička Banja spa, whose strong springs' waters reach the temperature of 88 °C (190 °F). Directly below the Suvo Rudište plateau starts the attractive and picturesque valley of the Samokovska River, characterized by its steep run, numerous rapids, falls and gorges[citation needed].
References
External links
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- A British promotional video on Kopaonik.
- Kopaonik Resort Portal - info, web cam, accommodation, ski school etc.
- Kopaonik Unofficial Site
- Kopaonik Tourist Center
- Kopaonik Ski Resort - news, photos, ski info, web cams, weather, accommodation, forum, impressions
- 2800 pictures from Kopaonik
- Kopaonik, National Park
- BirdLife Kopaonik factsheet
National parks of Serbia 
Đerdap · Fruška Gora · Kopaonik · Šar Mountains · Tara
Categories:- IUCN Category II
- Mountains of Serbia
- Kopaonik
- Protected areas established in 1981
- Mountains of Kosovo
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