ERZGEBIRGE, a mountain chain extending from the Elbe to Elstergebirge on the frontier between Saxony and Bohemia (Ger. Erz, ore, Gebirge, mountain). Its length from east-north east to west-south-west is about 8o m. and its average breadth about 25 miles. The southern slope is generally steep and rug ged, forming in some places a perpendicular wall from 2,000 to 2,50o ft. in height; while the northern, divided at intervals by valleys of great fertility or wildly romantic, slopes gradually towards the great German plain. The central part of the chain forms a plateau of an average height of more than 3,00o ft., at the extremities of which are situated the highest summits of the range :—in the south-east the Keilberg (4,062 ft.) ; in the north east the Fichtelberg (3,95o ft.) ; and in the south-west the Spitz berg (3,65o ft.). Between the Keilberg and the Fichtelberg, at about 3,30o ft., is Gottesgab, the highest town in Bohemia. Geo logically, the Erzgebirge range consists mainly of gneiss, mica, schist and phyllite. It is famous for its mineral wealth, which con sists principally of silver and lead, tin, nickel, copper and iron. Gold is found in several places, and some arsenic, antimony, bismuth, manganese, mercury and sulphur. The Erzgebirge is celebrated for its lace manufactures, embroideries, silk-weaving and toys. The climate in winter is inclement in the higher elevations, and, as the snow lies deep until the spring, the range is a winter sports centre. In summer the air is bracing, and many health resorts have sprung into existence, among which are Kipsdorf, , Barenf els and Oberwiesenthal. The district is well served by railway and road communications.
The Elstergebirge, a range some 16 m. in length, in which the Weisse Elster has its source, runs south-west from the Erzgebirge to the Fichtelgebirge and attains a height of 2,63o ft.