Together with the Sudetes, the Świętokrzyskie Mountains are the oldest in Poland. They are characteristic for the picturesque ranges with mild slopes and many interesting observation points. The area is rich in untypical rubbles, known as stone runs (stone streams). Ponidzie (the Nida River Basin) is also known for the beds of gypsum, mineral springs and steppe vegetation. It is also here, where you will find the remains of ancient woodlands and properly managed forests which are a habitat for a whole variety of fauna and flora. Therefore, a greater part of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship has been turned into an area of nature-conservation, i.e. 61.9 % of its surface is under legal protection, which makes it the biggest part of an administrative unit in the country. Some territories have been included into the European ecological network Natura 2000, 4 of which are under special conservation of the habitats (SOO) and 2 under special protection of bird species (OSO). The system is connected with the nature-preservation areas of the neighbouring voivodeships – Łódzkie, Mazowieckie and Małopolskie.