Difference between revisions of "Berkshires"
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| − | The '''Berkshires''' (/ˈbɜrkʃərz/ or /ˈbɜrkʃɪərz/), is a highland geologic region located in the western parts of [ | + | The '''Berkshires''' (/ˈbɜrkʃərz/ or /ˈbɜrkʃɪərz/), is a highland geologic region located in the western parts of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts Massachusetts] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut Connecticut], although the term "Berkshires" is normally used by locals in reference to the portion of the mountain range that lies within Massachusetts. The portion of the Berkshires that extends into Connecticut is commonly referred to by locals as either the Northwest Hills or Litchfield Hills. |
Also referred to as the Berkshire Hills, Berkshire Mountains, and Berkshire Plateau, the region enjoys a vibrant tourism industry based on [[music]], [[arts]], and recreation. | Also referred to as the Berkshire Hills, Berkshire Mountains, and Berkshire Plateau, the region enjoys a vibrant tourism industry based on [[music]], [[arts]], and recreation. | ||
==Geology== | ==Geology== | ||
| − | Geologically, the ''Berkshires'' are bordered on the west by the [ | + | Geologically, the ''Berkshires'' are bordered on the west by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taconic_Mountains Taconic Mountains], the marble valleys of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoosic_River Hoosic River] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housatonic_River Housatonic River] and, further south, by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Highlands Hudson Highlands]; to the east, they are bordered by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metacomet_Ridge Metacomet Ridge] geology. They are on the average 1,000 ft (300 m) lower and less prominent than the Green Mountains of Vermont, and form a broad, dissected plateau punctuated by hills and peaks and cut by river valleys. The Berkshires topography gradually diminishes in profile and elevation from west to east and from north to south, except where rivers have cut deep gorges and sharp bluff faces into the Berkshire plateau. |
| − | The average regional elevation of the Berkshires ranges from about 700 to 1,200 feet (213 to 365 meters). The geologic high point is [ | + | The average regional elevation of the Berkshires ranges from about 700 to 1,200 feet (213 to 365 meters). The geologic high point is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crum_Hill Crum Hill], 2,841 feet (866 m) of Monroe, Massachusetts; however, nearby [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Greylock Mount Greylock] of the Taconic Mountains, 3,491 feet (1,064 m), the highest point in the state of Massachusetts, is considered the high point of the Berkshires cultural region. |
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| − | * [ | + | * [https://www.berkshirelinks.com/ Browse the Berkshires] |
| − | * [ | + | * [https://www.berkshires.org/ Berkshire Visitor's Bureau] |
| − | * [ | + | * [https://www.berkshirevisualarts.org/ Berkshire Visual Arts Guide to Galleries, Museums and Art Organizations] |
| − | * [ | + | * [https://www.berkshirebiz.org/ Berkshire Chamber of Commerce] |
| − | * [ | + | * [https://www.mass.gov/dcr/western.htm Massachusetts State Parks in the Berkshires] |
| − | * [ | + | * [https://www.hidden-hills.com/ Explore the Berkshire Foothills of Western Massachusetts] |
[[Category: General Reference]] | [[Category: General Reference]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:41, 12 December 2020
The Berkshires (/ˈbɜrkʃərz/ or /ˈbɜrkʃɪərz/), is a highland geologic region located in the western parts of Massachusetts and Connecticut, although the term "Berkshires" is normally used by locals in reference to the portion of the mountain range that lies within Massachusetts. The portion of the Berkshires that extends into Connecticut is commonly referred to by locals as either the Northwest Hills or Litchfield Hills.
Also referred to as the Berkshire Hills, Berkshire Mountains, and Berkshire Plateau, the region enjoys a vibrant tourism industry based on music, arts, and recreation.
Geology
Geologically, the Berkshires are bordered on the west by the Taconic Mountains, the marble valleys of the Hoosic River and Housatonic River and, further south, by the Hudson Highlands; to the east, they are bordered by the Metacomet Ridge geology. They are on the average 1,000 ft (300 m) lower and less prominent than the Green Mountains of Vermont, and form a broad, dissected plateau punctuated by hills and peaks and cut by river valleys. The Berkshires topography gradually diminishes in profile and elevation from west to east and from north to south, except where rivers have cut deep gorges and sharp bluff faces into the Berkshire plateau.
The average regional elevation of the Berkshires ranges from about 700 to 1,200 feet (213 to 365 meters). The geologic high point is Crum Hill, 2,841 feet (866 m) of Monroe, Massachusetts; however, nearby Mount Greylock of the Taconic Mountains, 3,491 feet (1,064 m), the highest point in the state of Massachusetts, is considered the high point of the Berkshires cultural region.
