Nowa Ruda Depression
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The Nowa Ruda Depression (Polish: Obniżenie Noworudzkie; Czech: Náchodská kotlina; German: Neuroder Senke) is a physico-geographical mesoregion in the Central Sudetes of south-western Poland, centred on the town of Nowa Ruda. It forms an elongated depression in the valley of the Włodzica and its tributaries. The region has an average elevation of about 500 m above sea level, covers approximately 177 km2, and extends for more than 25 km from northwest to southeast. Its highest point is Włodzicka Góra (757 m).[1][2] The Włodzickie Hills form a subrange ob the Nowa Ruda Depression.
| Nowa Ruda Depression | |
|---|---|
Włodzicka Góra, the highest point of the depression | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Włodzicka Góra |
| Elevation | 757 m (2,484 ft) |
| Coordinates | 50°35′N 16°30′E |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 25 km (16 mi) |
| Area | 177 km2 (68 mi2) |
| Naming | |
| Native name | Polish: Obniżenie Noworudzkie |
| Geography | |
 | |
| Country | Poland |
| Voivodeship | Lower Silesian |
| Parent range | Sudetes |
Geography
The Nowa Ruda Depression lies among the following mountain ranges: to the northeast, the Owl Mountains; to the southeast, the Bardzkie Mountains; to the south, the Ścinawka Depression; to the southwest, the Stone Mountains; and to the northwest, the Wałbrzych Mountains.[1][3]
The depression includes the urban area of Nowa Ruda and neighbouring settlements such as Słupiec and Ludwikowice Kłodzkie. Owing to its elongated form, it has long served as an important local transport corridor between the Wałbrzych area and the Kłodzko region.[1]
Geology
Geologically, the Nowa Ruda Depression belongs to the north-eastern margin of the Intra-Sudetic Depression. Its relief has developed in relatively less resistant Upper Carboniferous and Lower Permian rocks. The area is divided into several tectonic units, including the Wolibórz Syncline, the Czerwieńczyce Graben and the Nowa Ruda Syncline, all elongated in a northwest–southeast direction.[3]
The region was historically associated with hard coal mining, which exploited Upper Carboniferous deposits of the eastern part of the Intra-Sudetic Depression. Coal mining around Nowa Ruda and Słupiec continued until the 1990s and played a major role in the economic development of the area.[4]
History
During World War I, the Germans operated three forced labour camps for Allied prisoners of war at the coal mines of Nowa Ruda.[5]
During World War II, the Germans operated several forced labour camps in the area for civilians and prisoners-of-war, including Poles, Jews and Italians,[6][7] one eventually converted into a subcamp of the Gross-Rosen concentration camp.[8]