The Carpathians are located in six countries of East and Central Europe: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Ukraine. The main characteristic of this broad mountain area is an exceptional diversity:

- The population is composed of many nations and ethnic groups. The countries borders changed many times in the past and explain the current richness of Carpathian heritage.

- The Carpathians are wild with many rare plants and animal species, with a large forest cover and a high biodiversity. They host a large density of mammals such as lynx, wolf and bears.

- The Carpathian countries are moving to a new economic system which means many changes with difficulties and opportunities.