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What kinds of landscapes cover most of the German state of Saxony?

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The state of Saxony is primarily composed of hill and mountain country. Only its northernmost regions and the area surrounding Leipzig descend into the North European Plain.1

Key features of the landscape include:

  • Mountain Ranges: The Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) form the primary range, stretching approximately 100 miles along the southern border and reaching elevations exceeding 4,000 feet. The northeastern part of the state features the mountains of Upper Lusatia (Lausitz), while subsidiary groups of the Ore Mountains are found in the west and southwest.1
  • Hills and Gorges: South of the Lusatian mountains and along the Elbe River, the landscape transitions into a picturesque region of hills and deep gorges known as Saxon Switzerland.1
  • Land Use: More than half of the state's land is utilized for agriculture, while approximately one-fourth is forested.1