Kajmakčalan

Not to be confused with Kaymakchal.

Kajmakčalan (Kaimakchalan), Kaimaki, Kaimaktsalan or Voras (Greek: Καϊμακτσαλάν or Καϊμάκι or Βόρας, Macedonian: Каjмакчалан, romanized: Kajmakčalan), 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]}

Kajmakčalan
Voras
The Serbian-built Saint Peter Orthodox chapel on the peak of Kajmakčalan
Highest point
Elevation	2,521 m (8,271 ft)[1]
Prominence	1,758 m (5,768 ft)[1]
Listing	Ultra
Coordinates	40°55′52″N 21°47′21″E[1]
Geography
Kajmakčalan Location in Greece (on border with North Macedonia)
Location	Greece–North Macedonia border
Parent range	Voras Mountains

Etymology

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

The peak consists of granite, gneiss and mica.

Climate

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

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

• List of European ultra prominent peaks

References

1. "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.

External links

• Greek Mountain Flora