Lavanttal


The Lavant Valley lies in the Lavanttal Alps in southern Austria in the eastern part of the state of Carinthia. It covers just under. Approximately 60,000 people live in the area.

Geography

The Lavant River flows through the valley, having its source on the Zirbitzkogel in Styria and discharging into the Drau near Lavamünd. It is divided into the Upper Lavant Valley, which lies north of the Twimberger Graben, and the Lower Lavant Valley, which is further south. The lower, broader valley nestles between the mountains of the Koralpe and Saualpe. The Upper Lavant Valley lies between the Packalpe and the Seetal Alps.
The Lavant Valley forms the greater part of the administrative district of Wolfsberg.

Name

The valley derives its name from the Lavant River, which flows through it for from north to south. It has its source in the border region between Styria and Carinthia, on the Styrian mountain of Zirbitzkogel. Near Lavamünd, in the southernmost part of the Lavant Valley, the Lavant empties into the Drau.

Climate

The climate of the Lavant Valley is relatively dry, with around of precipitation annually. The valley often suffers from temperature inversion during the winter half year, which brings fog and high levels of pollution in the valley bottom. The land at medium elevations around to are thus climatically preferred; they are sunnier and warmer than the terrain of the valley floor.

Agriculture

The growing of maize and the rearing of pigs and chickens are the main forms of agriculture in the valley. In the Lower Lavant Valley and the adjacent Granitz Valley there are many orchards, especially of apples used to make cider and schnapps products. Here there are also several meadow orchards. Another speciality is asparagus. The majority of the Carinthian vineyards, only around, are located in the Lavant Valley.
At higher elevations and also in the Upper Lavant Valley, agriculture is dominated by cultivated grassland. Of great importance is the timber industry with its large stands of spruce on the Koralpe and Saualpe.

Art and culture

Well-known artistic personalities such as Christine Lavant, Switbert Lobisser, and Gerhart Ellert have done much to promote the culture of the valley. There are regular special exhibitions in the Benedictine monastery of St. Paul, which enhance the extensive art collections.

Literature