The Alps are huge mountains located in some European countries such as France, Italy, and Austria, and some of their places are tourist attractions frequented by many tourists around the world. In this topic, we will learn about the height and location of the Alps, and some important information related to them.
How high are the Alps?
- The height of the Alps is 4,807 kilometers, or approximately 15,771 feet, and the highest peak of the Alps is called “Mont Blanc.”
- These mountains cover more than eighty thousand square miles; That is, approximately 207 thousand square kilometers with a distance of 750 miles, or an estimated 1,200 kilometers. Rainwater collects in these mountains in the Rhine, Rhone, Po, and Danube rivers.
Alpine location
- The Alps, known in Italy as Alpi, in French as Alpes, and in German as Alpen, are the mountain range located on the European continent and extending from the east to Austria and Slovenia, passing through Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, and Germany, and reaching the west in France.
- The Alps are home to humans and all kinds of living organisms. These mountains are characterized by diversity and multiple cultures, which helped in their rapid development.
- The Alpine region is characterized by its adjacent plains, as it is a major source of water resources and energy. One of its most important characteristics is that it produces large and abundant wood, and produces high-quality foodstuffs.
- Its natural areas are numerous and biologically diverse, as they constitute an important recreational factor for all European citizens, and the Alps are inhabited by approximately 14 million people.
- It is visited by approximately 125 million tourists every year, and there are main roads in these mountains estimated at 4,200 km, and approximately 6 million vehicles travel on their arched roads.
- The Alps are distinguished by their diverse animal and plant resources, as they contain nearly 13,000 plant species and more than 30,000 animal species.
- These mountains have 550 stations that produce electricity with a capacity exceeding ten megawatts every year, and more than 195 million tons of products and goods pass through these mountains every year via land roads.
See also: Alps on the world map
إقرأ أيضا:أين تقع سان فرانسيسكو في العالم انظر حولكAlpine dwellers
- Humanity resided in the Alps approximately 60 thousand years ago, i.e. in the Paleolithic era, where they left some pieces of antiquities that indicate their presence in different regions of the French and Austrian territories.
- After the return of the glacial rivers in the Alps about four thousand years ago, the Neolithic peoples inhabited the valleys.
- They resided in caves and small settlements, which they built on the banks of lakes in the Alps.
- Some sites that had a high population density were discovered near Lake Annecy along the shores of Lake Geneva in Austria, the Aosta Valley, and the Camonica Valley in Italy, in which approximately 20,000 rock engravings were discovered, indicating that people resided in this place for more than two thousand years. .
- From 800 to 600 BC, the Celtic or Celts attacked the inhabitants of the Neolithic Ages, and forced them to leave the region and go to the remote areas of the mountain. As for the western region, the Celts occupied the place located near the French, Swiss, and Italian region.
- In addition to the Italian region of Aosta, the Swiss Martini, and the French Greenpool.
- The Celts worked to open high mountain passes to open roads designated for business, and during the rule of the Romans they performed some expansion works for the ancient Celtic villages, and worked on constructing new cities in the valleys leading to the Alps.
- They also built cities within the mountains themselves, which led to the emergence of some cities in a prosperous manner, such as Martigny and Aosta.
See also: The highest peak in the Swiss Alps
إقرأ أيضا:متى تبدأ تخفيضات فنادق رأس السنة انظر حولكClimate in the Alps
- Because of their size, the Alps isolate the regions of European countries from each other. They also separate the regions of the western coastal sea in Europe from the regions of the Mediterranean Sea in the French, Italian, and Balkan territories.
- Which helps the Alps create a distinct climate that is affected by the different heights in them, and the distinctive locations that cross European countries from west to east.
- Without mentioning the general tropical situation, there are areas crossed by these mountains that contain some diverse climatic conditions, which differ greatly among themselves.
- These mountains are affected by four basic climatic conditions: from the western region comes relatively moderate, humid air from the Atlantic Ocean, followed by polar air coming from the northern European region.
- The continental air masses that control the eastern region are characterized by cold and dryness in the winter seasons, and are characterized by extreme heat in the winter seasons.
- In the southern region, dry medium air blows towards the northern region, and cyclonic storms blow daily in the Alps, and are greatly affected by the direction of the winds that pass through them.
- The air temperature and rainfall each year in these mountains are closely related to physiology, as the areas at the bottom of the valleys are warmer than the surrounding high places.
- Snow falls significantly in the winter seasons at all high places above 5,000 feet.
- Snow also covers places at heights of more than 6,600 feet from mid-November to the end of May, which prevents movement from these heights at this time.
- Temperatures in the valleys range from an average of -5 degrees Celsius to 4 degrees Celsius during the month of January, reaching eight degrees Celsius in the mountainous areas near the Mediterranean Sea, but temperatures in July range from an average of 15 to 24 degrees Celsius.
- Fog often spreads over the valleys for a few consecutive days during the fall and winter seasons.
Economy of the Alps
- The inhabitants of the Alps relied largely on agriculture and sheep herding during the mid-19th century.
- Although these areas largely abandoned farms after that, especially in the high valleys of the Italian and French regions and the western Austrian regions, the agricultural field still exists in some main and side valleys.
- The Rhone Valley, which is located in Switzerland, is famous for growing fruits and vegetables, in addition to the valleys and mountain slopes being famous for growing what is known as vines.
- Since Neolithic times, the economy of the Alps has depended mainly on industry and mining, as iron was extracted from the various mountainous regions.
See also: What is the highest peak in the Alps and very famous?
إقرأ أيضا:أعلى قمة في جبال الألب السويسرية انظر حولكGeography of the Alps
The Alps are a famous mountain range that stretches across southern and central Europe. Here is some information about the geography of the Alps:
- Geographical location: The Alps are located in southern and central Europe, extending across eight main countries: France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, and Monaco.
- Area: The Alps cover an area of about 200,000 square kilometers. The Alps are among the largest mountain ranges in the world.
- Height: The highest peak in the Alps is Mont Blanc, which rises to an altitude of about 4,810 meters (15,780 feet) above sea level.
- natural views: The Alps are famous for their stunning scenery, and include many beautiful valleys, rivers and lakes such as Lake Geneva and Lake Como. Enchanting mountain views, green meadows and lush forests can be found.
- the environment: The Alps are home to many rare plants and animals. Animals such as the horned thumb, mountain leopard, and golden eagle can be found.
The most famous peaks of the Alps
The Alps include many famous peaks known for their stunning views and distinctive activities. Here are some of the most famous Alpine peaks:
- Mont Blanc summit: Mont Blanc is the highest peak in the Alps and the highest peak in Western Europe. It is located between France and Italy, and its altitude is about 4,810 meters (15,780 feet) above sea level.
- Matterhorn Peak: The Matterhorn is one of the most famous peaks in the Alps and is located on the border between Switzerland and Italy. It is characterized by its triangular shape and is one of the greatest challenges for mountaineers.
- Eiger Summit: Ego Peak is located in the Swiss Bernese Mountains and is known for its difficulty and challenges for mountaineers.
- Jungfrau summit: The Jungfrau Peak is one of the peaks of the Swiss Bernese Mountains and is a popular tourist destination thanks to its accessibility by train.
- Zellerhorn peak: The Zellerhorn Peak is located in the Austrian Tyrol Mountains and is one of the highest peaks in Austria.
Alpine geology
The Alps are geologically complex mountains and were formed over the ages as a result of various geological processes. Here’s an overview of the geology of the Alps:
- Mountain formation: The formation of the Alps began about 30 million years ago, when the African and European continental plates collided. This collision led to the uplift and folding of the earth’s crust in the region.
- Rock formation: The main rocks of the Alps include sedimentary rocks such as sandstone and limestone, and also igneous rocks that were formed as a result of past volcanic eruptions.
- Rivers and ice: Rivers and glaciers have formed over the ages, eroding rocks and forming valleys, valleys and lakes in the area.
- Earthquakes: The Alps are considered a relatively seismic zone due to their formation and geological activity in the area. Earthquakes sometimes occur in this area.
- Weathering and glacial weathering: Glacial movements and weathering (ice formation and melting) influence the formation of mountains and valleys in the Alps. Glacier formation is distinctive in forming peaks and valleys.
- Caves: The Alps contain many caves that were formed as a result of the erosion of rocks over time. Ice caves and limestone caves are common in the area.
History of the Alps
The history of the Alps extends over thousands of years, and this is an overview of some important events and developments in the history of this mountain range:
- Ancient geological history: The formation of the Alps began in the Baconian geological period in ancient times. The Alps were formed as a result of the separation of the African plate from the European plate and its collision with the African plate.
- Antiquity: In ancient times, groups of local people settled the area around the Alps, making a living from agriculture and livestock herding.
- middle ages: In the Middle Ages, the Alps were affected by conflicts, wars and trade between Europe and other regions. Many castles and villages were founded in this period.
- Climbing and exploring: In the 18th and 19th centuries, mountaineers began to explore the Alps and brave their rugged terrain. Climbing developed during this period.
- Winter tourism: In the 19th century, the Alps began to attract more tourists and lovers of winter sports such as snowboarding and sledding. Cities and mountain resorts have developed to welcome tourists.
Alpine wildlife
The wildlife of the Alps is diverse and exciting, as this mountain range contains many organisms adapted to the harsh environment and rugged terrain. Here’s an overview of alpine wildlife:
- Hallux pollicis (Ibex): The horned thumb is one of the largest alpine mammals. It is distinguished by its large, curved horns and lives in high mountainous areas.
- Mountain tiger (Lynx): The mountain leopard is a rare organism in the Alps. It lives in forests and mountainous areas and feeds on small animals and birds.
- Golden Eagle: The golden eagle can be seen in the Alpine skies as it searches for its prey. It is one of the largest birds of prey in the region.
- Marmot: The mountain monkey is a type of rodent that lives in grassy mountainous areas. It is a common sight to see marazim gathering on rocks and meadows.
- Zebra (Chamois): The zebra is a round-horned creature that is well adapted to mountainous terrain. It feeds on grass and plants and can be seen roaming the mountains.
The highest peak in the Alps
- The highest peak in the Alps is Mont Blanc, which lies on the border of France and Italy.
- Mont Blanc is the highest peak in the Alps and the highest peak in Western Europe. Its height is about 4,810 meters (15,780 feet) above sea level.
Favorite activities on the Alps
The Alps offer a variety of activities that visitors can enjoy. Here are some of our favorite activities on the Alps:
- Snowboarding: The Alps are considered one of the best ski destinations in the world. You can snowboard on slopes covered with fresh snow.
- Sled riding: If you are not a fan of skiing, you can ride your sleds on the tracks designated for sledding.
- Mountain biking: This sport becomes very popular during the summer, when you can rent a bike and explore the trails and stunning scenery.
- Hiking and walking sports: The Alps offer stunning landscapes and excellent trails for walkers and hikers.
- climbing: If you are an experienced climber or want to try your hand at climbing for the first time, the Alps offer the perfect opportunities.
- Water sports: In summer, you can practice water sports such as canoeing and canoeing on the lakes and rivers.
Frequently asked questions about the Alps
What are the Alps?
The Alps are a mountain range located in southern and central Europe that extends across eight major countries.
What is the highest peak in the Alps?
The highest peak in the Alps is Mont Blanc, which rises to about 4,810 meters (15,780 ft) above sea level.
What is the main activity in the Alps?
Popular activities in the Alps include snowboarding, sleigh riding, hiking, mountain sports, and enjoying the scenery.
Is it possible to visit the Alps all year round?
Yes, the Alps can be visited all year round. Activities vary depending on the season, with winter sports during the winter and summer sports during the summer.
Are there environmental protection areas in the Alps?
Yes, there are many protected natural areas in the Alps to preserve biological and ecological diversity.
What is the impact of climate change on the Alps?
Climate change affects the Alps by increasing temperatures, melting snow and glaciers, and changing the environment.