Climate,
soil and vegetation
Bela krajina has
mainly subpannonian climate.The Gorjanci prevent too big effects
of cold north air. Common high temperatures are a consequence of
stronger influence from subpannonian side. Middle year temperature in Črnomelj
is 10,2o C. Above the bottom of basin Bela krajina
is distinctive hot area of vineyards which is from 400 to 500m above the
sea level. Relatively high middle month temperature in April is important
for growing crops and cereals, because it enables early growth. Vegetation
period, which is marked with days with the middle temperature above
10o C, lasts nearly 190 days at the bottom of basin Bela
krajina. Common fog and hoar-frost are with hail great danger for sensible
crops. Summer hail and storms often damage vineyard areas of north Bela
krajina. Average year quantity of precipitation is from 1200 to 1300
mm. Early autumn rains aren't good for farming. Most of the precipitation
is in the area of the Kočevski rog and Poljanska gora (from
1500 to 1600 mm). Gače is a regional ski center which
has developed because snow didn't melt so quickly. On limestone and dolomite
there are shallow soil and on lower plain are brown and red soils.
Bela krajina is a mainly woody area, where white beech, birch and chestnut
grow. Beech, spruce and fir grow on higher places . The bottom of Bela
krajina is a low karstic plain, from hillside of the Gorjanci in the North
to the Kočevski rog in the West and to the valley of the Kolpa on
the south. Here predominate characteristics of low Karst and shallow sinkholes,
rocky surface and river net. Veliko Bukovje is a high karstic plain in
the Southeast of Črnomelj. Surface is rather karstic and a bit less
rocky, sinkholes are deeper and bigger than those in the bottom of basin
Bela krajina. Here grow woods and pastures. The only settlement here is
Bojanci. The walley of the Kolpa is mainly narrow, except near village
Griblje, where it is wider. Despite flooding areas near water are cultivated.
Hillsides of the Gorjanci and the Kočevski rog with Poljanska gora
are a relief barrier on North and West side of Bela krajina. Farming, especially
wine growing areas, are prevailing in the lower parts and in higher there
are rich woods.
The source of
the river Krupa:
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