Kajmakčalan

Kajmakčalan
Voras
The Serbian-built Saint Peter Orthodox chapel on the peak of Kajmakčalan
Highest point
Elevation2,521 m (8,271 ft)[1]
Prominence1,758 m (5,768 ft)[1]
ListingUltra
Coordinates40°55′52″N 21°47′21″E / 40.93111°N 21.78917°E / 40.93111; 21.78917[1]
Geography
Kajmakčalan is located in Greece
Kajmakčalan
Kajmakčalan
Location in Greece (on border with North Macedonia)
LocationGreeceNorth Macedonia border
Parent rangeVoras Mountains

Kajmakčalan (Kaimakchalan), Kaimaki, Kaimaktsalan or Voras (Greek: Καϊμακτσαλάν or Καϊμάκι or Βόρας, Macedonian: Каjмакчалан, romanizedKajmakčalan), is a mountain on the border between Greece and North Macedonia. It is the southernmost and highest peak, 2,521 metres (8,271 ft),[2] of a range known in Greek as the Voras Mountains and in Macedonian as Nidže. In terms of prominence, the Kaimaktsalan summit rises 1,758 metres above its surroundings. The frontier between the two countries runs across the summit.[1] It is the third-highest peak in Greece after Mytikas and Smolikas and the fifth-highest in North Macedonia.[citation needed]

Etymology

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The word "Kaimaktsalan" is of Ottoman Turkish origin inspired by its white, snowy peak: kaymakçalan means 'kaymak-like'. "Kaymak" in Turkish refers to a dairy product similar to clotted cream.

Geology

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The peak consists of granite, gneiss and mica.

Climate

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Kajmakčalan has a subarctic climate (Dfc) with short, cool summers and long, cold winters.

Climate data for Kaimaktsalan Ski Center, Greece 2090 m a.s.l (2008-2023)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 9.4
(48.9)
11.0
(51.8)
10.3
(50.5)
18.0
(64.4)
21.3
(70.3)
23.1
(73.6)
25.5
(77.9)
24.6
(76.3)
21.3
(70.3)
17.4
(63.3)
14.1
(57.4)
11.3
(52.3)
25.5
(77.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −1.8
(28.8)
−1.0
(30.2)
0.8
(33.4)
4.4
(39.9)
9.5
(49.1)
13.6
(56.5)
16.7
(62.1)
16.6
(61.9)
12.4
(54.3)
7.9
(46.2)
4.6
(40.3)
0.1
(32.2)
7.0
(44.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) −4.2
(24.4)
−3.6
(25.5)
−1.9
(28.6)
1.8
(35.2)
6.5
(43.7)
10.5
(50.9)
13.2
(55.8)
13.1
(55.6)
9.3
(48.7)
5.1
(41.2)
2.1
(35.8)
−2.3
(27.9)
4.1
(39.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −6.6
(20.1)
−6.2
(20.8)
−4.5
(23.9)
−0.9
(30.4)
3.5
(38.3)
7.3
(45.1)
9.6
(49.3)
9.6
(49.3)
6.2
(43.2)
2.3
(36.1)
−0.5
(31.1)
−4.7
(23.5)
1.3
(34.3)
Record low °C (°F) −20.8
(−5.4)
−20.0
(−4.0)
−19.1
(−2.4)
−11.3
(11.7)
−4.6
(23.7)
−0.6
(30.9)
2.6
(36.7)
1.7
(35.1)
−4.5
(23.9)
−10.0
(14.0)
−12.1
(10.2)
−16.9
(1.6)
−20.8
(−5.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 89.7
(3.53)
57.6
(2.27)
58.8
(2.31)
63.5
(2.50)
99.2
(3.91)
90.6
(3.57)
32.6
(1.28)
59.6
(2.35)
74.6
(2.94)
89.0
(3.50)
113.1
(4.45)
88.4
(3.48)
916.7
(36.09)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 9.1 8.4 8.9 9.4 10.5 9.4 5.4 5.9 8.1 6.7 7.1 8.6 97.4
Source 1: National Observatory of Athens Monthly Bulletins (Feb 2008 - Sep 2023) [3]
Source 2: Kaimaktsalan N.O.A station [4] and World Meteorological Organization[5]

History

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During World War I, in September 1916, the Battle of Kajmakčalan between Serbian and Bulgarian troops took place at Kajmakčalan and around the adjacent peaks, resulting in a Serbian victory. There is a small church and crypt for the Serbian soldiers who died in the battle. Near the top of the mountain, on the Greek side, there is a small church named Saint Peters (Sveti Petar in Serbian), the peak itself is called, besides Kajmakčalan, Profitis Ilias (Greek: Εκκλησία Προφήτης Ηλίας).[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Europe Ultra-Prominences" The summit of Kaimaktsalan is in the Mount Voras ski area and may lie wholly within Greece. Topographic maps give the elevation as 2521m, while the ski resort literature gives the elevation as 2521m. Peaklist.org. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
  2. ^ "Óros Voras, Greece/North Macedonia" Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
  3. ^ "Meteo.gr - Προγνώσεις καιρού για όλη την Ελλάδα".
  4. ^ "Latest Conditions in Kaimaktsalan".
  5. ^ "World Meteorological Organization". Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  6. ^ "You are being redirected..." www.serbia.com. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
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