Pinewoods: The lowlands of Záhorie differ from the other Slovak plains due to the presence of pinewoods. The continuous woods, extending from Lozorno to Senica, cover an area of over 600 square km and were planted at the request of the enlightened Emperor Maria Theresa in the 18th century. The vast pinewood is not here only to decorate the country or to be enjoyed by mushroom pickers. The forest grows upon sand dunes, brought to this location by icy winds blowing from the Moravian planes during the glacial age. The most important role played by this green "carpet" is to prevent the giant mass of sand from shifting and damaging villages and roads.