Black Forest

Black Forest, a range of wooded mountains called in German Schwarzwald from the dark foliage of its trees, is situated in the S.W. part of Germany in Baden and Wurtemberg. Its length is about 90 miles, and breadth from 18 to 30 miles. Its southern and western sides bound a portion of the Rhine basin, and it is the source of the rivers Danube, Neckar, Murg, Kinzig, Elz, Enz, and Wiessen. In the south is the Feldberg, the highest summit of the range, reaching an elevation of nearly 5,000 feet; other high points are the Belchen and the Kandel. Geologically the Black Forest is chiefly composed of granite, and there are silver, copper, iron, lead, and cobalt mines. It is noted also for its mineral waters, those of Baden-Baden and Wildbad being especially famous. Its trees comprise fir, suitable for masts in shipbuilding, pine, beech, and maple. At the foot of the mountains are many picturesque valleys, of which the Murgthal and the Hollenthal are distinguished for their natural beauties. Villages are interspersed throughout, the inhabitants being mainly engaged in the rearing of cattle and the manufacture of toys, especially wooden clocks. The district is now traversed by railways, some remarkable for their engineering.