Taunus


Taunus

(tou`no͝os), range of the Rhenish Slate Mts., W Germany, extending c.50 mi (80 km) NE from the Rhine River, N of Mainz. It rises to 2,887 ft (880 m) in the Grosser Feldberg. The Taunus is covered by forests. Its southern slopes, the Rheingau region, have famous vineyards, notably at Rüdesheim, Johannisberg, Biebrich, and Kastel. Wiesbaden, Bad Nauheim, and Bad Homburg are the best known of the many mineral spas in the Taunus. There are many ruins of medieval castles and Roman fortifications.

Taunus

 

a mountain range in the southern part of the Rhenish Slate Mountains, between the Rhine, Main, and Lahn rivers in the Federal Republic of Germany. The range is 75 km long, with elevations to 880 m, at Mount Grosser Feldberg. It is composed chiefly of quartzites. The terrain is plateau-like; the northern slopes are gentle, and the southern slopes are steep and of the normal fault type. There are mineral springs at the southern foot of the range, around which Wiesbaden, Bad Nauheim, and other resorts are located. The mountains have broad-leaved forests of oak and beech; there are also planted pine forests. There are vineyards on the southern slopes. The Hochtaunus Natural Park is located in the mountains.