Geography Of Finkenberg
About three kilometers southwest of Mayrhofen, Finkenberg is the entry point to the Tux Valley, tucked away in the slopes of the Penken and Grinberg peaks.Second in land area in the Zillertal region, behind Mayrhofen, is this municipality.The municipal area includes a section of the Zemmgrund, the Zamser Grund, the Schlegeisgrund, the Zemmtal west of the Zemmbach, the border to South Tyrol, and well-known peaks like the Großer Möseler (3480 m), the Hochfeiler (3509 m), the Hohe Wand (3289 m), and the Olperer (3476 m) at the municipal border to Schmirn.There are many glaciers in the municipality.
The municipality has an area of 172 square kilometers overall. Three percent of the land is utilized for agriculture, twenty-two percent is covered in forests, and fifteen percent is pasture. A high alpine landscape covers about 60% of the region.
In the municipal territory as of January 1, 2022, are the following two localities:
- Ginzling (197)
- Finkenberg (1227)
Altenstall, Astegg, Au, Bösdornau, Brunnhaus, Dorf, Dornau, Enntal, Freithof, Greut, Gschößwand, Gstan, Hochsteg, Innerberg, Kohlstatt, Lindtal, Mooslau, Persal, Stein, Tal, Tiefental, Tuxegg, Zellberger are the hamlets and farms in the municipality.
A special law in Tyrol governs Dornauberg-Ginzling, assigning Finkenberg to the land to the left of the Zemmbach River and Mayrhofen to the area to the right of the river.Ginzling has a duly elected mayor.The Zemmbach separates the diocese of Innsbruck to the west and the archdiocese of Salzburg to the east.
Finkenberg’s Geographic Marvels
Finkenberg is one of 25 towns that comprise the Zillertal Valley, an eastern Tyrol valley well-known for its winter sports, cultural legacy, and natural beauty. For several reasons, Finkenberg is unique among the other towns. At 171.54 kilometers in surface area, it is, first and foremost, the biggest municipality.Its biggest height range, from 839 m to 3,509 m, comes in second. Thirdly, with its lush meadows and forests to its craggy peaks and glaciers, it has the most varied scenery. Fourthly, it offers the most breathtaking vistas, from high places with breathtaking scenery to expansive views of the Zillertal Alps.
Geographically speaking, Finkenberg is varied and lively. The way that climate, water, soil, plants, animals, geology, and human activity interact with nature in Finkenberg is diverse and multifaceted. Many interactions between these factors produce a fine balance that preserves Finkenberg’s surroundings. Climate affects, for instance, the water cycle, which affects soil quality, plant growth, animal population, human livelihood, and so on. Finkenberg’s geography, then, is a living system that is continually changing and responding to factors both natural and man-made.
Finkenberg’s Majestic Backdrop
Within the Central Eastern Alps lies the Zillertal Alps. They go from the Zillertal Valley in the north to the Puster Valley in the south and from the Brenner Pass in the west to the Krimmler Ache in the east. The Tux Alps, the Zillertal Main Ridge, the Reichenspitze Group and the Venediger Group are the four subgroups of the Zillertal Alps. High peaks, enormous glaciers, unusual rock formations, and a profusion of plants and animals are the hallmarks of the Zillertal Alps. Protecting the natural and cultural treasures of the area is the 422 km2 Zillertal Alps Nature Park.
In the western side of the Zillertal Alps, more precisely the Tux Alps and the Zillertal Main Ridge, lies Finkenberg. Set north of the Zillertal Valley and west of the Tux Valley, the Tux Alps are a subgroup of the Zillertal Alps. Gentle slopes, verdant meadows, and wooded hills are hallmarks of the Tux Alps. Popular hiking, biking, and skiing destinations are the Tux Alps. The Zillertal Alps’ Zillertal Main Ridge marks the border between Austria and Italy. Massive glaciers, alpine meadows, and rugged summits characterize the Zillertal Main Ridge. Famous for its glacier skiing, climbing, and mountaineering, is the Zillertal Main Ridge.
Geographically and climatically, Finkenberg is greatly influenced by the Alps. A natural barrier, the Alps affect Finkenberg’s temperature, precipitation, and air currents. At Finkenberg, the Alps offer a continental climate marked by warm, dry summers and chilly, snowy winters. At Finkenberg, the Alps create a microclimate as well, meaning that topography, exposure, and altitude all affect the weather. Finkenberg’s topography is likewise influenced by the Alps, which give rise to a range of formations including lakes, glaciers, morains, ridges, and valleys. Finkenberg also benefits naturally from the Alps’ supplies of stone, water, wood, and minerals.
Elevations and Altitude Zones in Finkenberg
Finkenberg is situated between 839 and 3,509 metres above sea level. Finkenberg thus has several height zones, each with special traits and issues of its own. Finkenberg has the subsequent height zones:
- The 800–1,200 metre valley zone. With most of the towns, farms, and infrastructure, this is the lowest and most inhabited part of Finkenberg. Good soil, a varied vegetation, and a nice climate are features of the valley zone.
- The 1,200–1,800 meter high montane zone. Between valley and mountain is marked by Finkenberg’s intermediate zone. Richer soil, a varied flora, and a colder climate characterize the montane zone.
- From 1,800 to 2,400 m is the subalpine zone. The mountain setting rules this highest zone of Finkenberg. Coniferous flora, stony landscape, and a cold climate characterize the subalpine zone.
- The 2,400–3,000 meter alpine zone. Here, where the tree line and snow line converge, is Finkenberg’s highest and most exposed area. Alpine vegetation, barren soil, and a severe climate characterize the alpine zone.
- The 3,000–35,09 m range is the nival zone. Here, in Finkenberg’s harsh zone, the ground is always covered with snow and ice. There are no vegetation in the nival zone, just a cold environment.
Elevations and Altitude Zones in Finkenberg
Water influences the land, provides resources, and is therefore a major part of Finkenberg’s geography. Finkenberg has water in liquid, solid, and vapor forms among others. Finkenberg has water at the surface, subsurface, and atmospheric levels among other places. Finkenberg also has water by way of many cycles and movements, such as precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, and flow. In Finkenberg’s geographical system, water is therefore a dynamic and flexible component.
There are several rivers and other sources of water that drain Finkenberg. Waters of Finkenberg include:
- Principal watercourse of the Zillertal Valley is the Ziller. The Ziller rises at the meeting point of four streams close to Mayrhofen and runs 55 km westward before merging with the Inn close to Straß. Among the many tributaries to the Ziller are the Tuxerbach, Stillupbach, and Zemmbach. Waterpower, rafting, and agriculture all use the Ziller.
- Largest reservoir in the Zillertal Valley is Schlegeis Reservoir. Standing 1,782 metres above sea level, the Schlegeis Reservoir can hold 126.5 million m3. Forming the Schlegeis Reservoir is the 725-meter-long, 131-meter-tall Schlegeis Dam. One uses for the Schlegeis Reservoir is boating, fishing, and hydropower production.
- Second largest reservoir in the Zillertal Valley is Stillup Reservoir. Perched at 1,116 meters above sea level, the Stillup Reservoir can hold 11.5 million cubic meters. The Stillup Reservoir is formed by the 43-meter-tall, 357-meter-long concrete arch dam, Stillup Dam. Fishing, hiking, and hydroelectric production are among uses for Stillup Reservoir.
