Mountain range, central Germany.
Lying between the Weser and Elbe rivers, it is 60 mi (100 km) long and about 20 mi (32 km) wide. The northwestern and highest portion is known as the Oberharz, and the more extensive southeastern part is the Unterharz; the Brocken group, dividing the two, is considered part of the Oberharz. The highest peak is Mount Brocken . The Harz owes its early settlement and intensive development from the 10th to the 16th century to mining and metallurgy (silver, lead, iron, copper, and zinc). Its most important industry is tourism.