Osogovo

42°9′30″N 22°31′0″E / 42.15833°N 22.51667°E / 42.15833; 22.51667

Osogovo (Bulgarian/Macedonian: Осогово^ⓘ), or Osogovska Planina or Osogovski Planini (Осоговска Планина or Осоговски Планини), is a mountain range and ski resort between the south-western part of Bulgaria (Kyustendil Province) and the north-eastern part of North Macedonia (Kočani and Kriva Palanka municipalities). Osogovo Monastery is situated on the mountain.

Description

The range is about 110 km (68.35 mi) long and 50 km (31.07 mi) wide, the highest peak being

.

Etymology

There are many legends about the origin of name Osogovo, but the most famous one is that the area was briefly settled by

is named after Osogovo.

Environment

The flora distinguishes vertical coverage: an under-mountainous zone up to 1000 m where trees like oak, elm, hornbeam, ash, hazel and others can be found; a mountainous zone (1000–1800 m) covered mostly with beech trees; and a sub-alpine zone covered with grass pastures and bushes of juniper trees. The mountain rivers and streams are a natural habitat for the barbell, the chub and the mountain trout.

. The nature and climate conditions allow for all-year tourism. Important towns at the foot of Osogovo are Kyustendil to the northeast in Bulgaria and Kočani and Kriva Palanka to the west and southwest in North Macedonia.

Important Bird Area

A 7,000 ha tract of the mountains has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports a population of lanner falcons.^[2]

References