PHYSICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL ZONING OF THE UKRAINIAN CARPATHIANS FOR AIMS OF COGNITIVE TOURISM

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to approve the established scheme of macro-district subdivision of the Carpathian Mountain Country and the worked out approaches of the Ukrainian geographers to more detailed physical and geographical regionalization of the Ukrainian Carpathians. The study is based on the results of a comparative analysis of the existing different schemes of complex and different directions of sectoral zoning, individual natural components, own observations during numerous expeditions and data of the latest scientific publications on the geology and geomorphology of the Carpathians. By imposing a boundary between the Inner and Outer Carpathians, which is clearly displayed on the state geological maps of the scale 1: 200 000, on the gypsum base of topographic maps, which were analyzed in 3D format of the program Google Earth, the boundary between the provinces of the Eastern Carpathians was agreed and described. At the same time, the orographic lines and the character of the modern relief of the mountain territories were taken into account as much as possible. The fact that the described and displayed boundary of the sub-provinces is quite consistent with the boundary between the low-mountainous and mid-mountainous landscapes, which in its time was reflected on H.P. Milller. and O.M. Fedirk’s landscape map, confirms that other components of nature (soils, vegetation) along the line are changing some of their specific features. The scientific novelty of the article is that, as a result of the zoning, the border between the sub-provinces of the Outer East Carpathians and the Inner East Carpathians is specified in Ukraine, four natural areas of the Ukrainian Carpathians are assigned to the Exterior (Flysch) Carpathians and three to the Inner Carpathians. The proposed zoning approach has led to some redistribution of territories between the natural areas of the Transcarpathian Lowlands and the Polonina-Montenegro Carpathians, as well as between the natural-geographical areas and sub-regions of the Inner Carpathians. Transformations have undergone some names of taxonomic units of physical and geographical zoning, which in the new version more accurately reflect their location and specific features of natural conditions. Practical significance of the obtained results is that since being duly substantiated the proposed zoning of the Ukrainian Carpathians will be useful for both professionals and travel enthusiasts. Taking into account the specific nature of the sub-provinces, it can also serve as a substantial basis for the development of projects to optimize the environmental management in the region.