Koroška

Carinthia - Kärnten


Slovenska Koroška (Slovenian Carinthia) is a small area which was part of the former Duchy of Carinthia. This southeasternmost part was allocated to the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs after World War I, according to the 1919 Treaty of Saint-Germain. The reason was probably the mountain chain of the Karawanks, which is part of the Southern Limestone Alps. The mountain ridge was obviously used for the border. The Alps end to the east at Vienna, and here in the south, the Karawanks are much lower than the Julian Alps further west. At the eastern side the Karawanks become lower and lower and end as a bunch of hills with vineyards.

While Koroška is limestone and the limestone is karstified, there is not a single show cave in the area. Probably a result of the rather remote location. Interesting is the Mežica valley with its historic mining district. It is a well organized tourist venue and draws tourists into the remote valleys from both sides of the Karawanks.