French Alps. Alps: where are these beautiful mountains

Alps (German Alpen, French Alpes, Italian Alpi; from Celt. alp - high mountain)- highest mountains Western Europe. The Alpine mountain system stretches from Austria and Slovenia in the west, through the territories of Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the east.

A complex system of ridges and massifs, stretching in a convex arc to the northwest from mediterranean sea to the Middle Danube Plain. It is about 1200 km long (about 750 km along the inner arc). Width up to 260 km. The transverse valley between Lake Constance and Como is divided into higher Western Alps(up to 4807 m high, Mount Blanc) and lower and wider Eastern Alps(up to 4049 m high, Mount Bernina).

The structure of the Alps was mainly created by tectonic movements during the period of Alpine folding. The highest - the axial zone of the Alps is composed of ancient crystalline (gneisses, mica schists), igneous (granites) and metamorphic (quartz-phyllite schists) rocks, it is distinguished by large altitudinal contrasts and a wide distribution of mountain-glacial relief (the so-called Alpine relief) and modern glaciation (about 1200 glaciers with a total area of ​​about 3000 square kilometers).

These mountains are usually divided into several parts, divided in turn into independent regions.

• The Northern Alps include areas located in southern Germany and northern Austria. They are also called the Lime Alps. There are areas such as

• The Southern Alps include mostly Italian mountains. This is first of all

mountains around Lake Commo and

as well as such less famous, but no less attractive areas as

All areas without exception are accessible without a significant investment of time. Almost everywhere there is the opportunity to stay in campsites in the valley and huts in the upper reaches. For those who burn with initiative, but are limited in funds time-tested and reliable way of mountain climbing "in our" i.e. with a tent offline. Contrary to the established opinion that camping is prohibited, you can constantly meet groups from Spain, the Czech Republic, etc. who live quietly in various places suitable for climbing. It is only necessary to find out in advance whether the area belongs to any nature reserve ... As for the zone of moraines and glaciers, the camp will be tolerated by the "public" as long as environmental standards are observed (take your own garbage downstairs).

Practically in all more or less interesting areas there is a wide range of cartographic material and guidebooks.

In all areas, as mentioned above, there is a very dense network of huts and bivouacs (simple shelters). They belong, for the most part, to the Alpine clubs of European countries, as well as to private individuals. As a rule, they offer the opportunity to spend the night and food. Depending on the accessory and inaccessibility, the prices are also varied. You can spend the night on wooden bunks for a couple of dollars (including a mattress and a blanket), or you can stay in a double room for a couple of dozen of the same banknotes and eat in a restaurant with "first, second and compote for the third."

An extensive network of various lifts allows for shortest time have time to spend maximum amount events. It should be noted that pleasure is not cheap ...

The Alps are the highest mountains in Europe, consisting of complex systems of ridges and massifs, stretching in a convex arc northwest from the Ligurian Sea to the Middle Danube Plain. The Alps pass through the territory of 8 countries. The length of the Alpine arc along the outer edge is about 1,200 km, and about 750 km along the inner edge. The width reaches 260 km. Mont Blanc is the highest point of the Alps, its height is 4808 m.

The origin of the Alpine mountains began about 300 million years ago. The folded structure of the Alps was created mainly by the movements of the last 50 million years, which in geology are called Alpine folding.

Where are the Alps located? They can be divided into Western, Central and Eastern.

• France occupies most Western Alps;
• Switzerland - Central;
• Austria - Eastern.

The Alps are mountains that attract millions of tourists. Every climber dreams of conquering the majestic Mont Blanc or overcoming the dangerous Matterhorn. But the Alps are not only a paradise for climbers. Lovers go there skiing, paragliders and just nature lovers who want to breathe in the fresh mountain air and see the local landscapes with their own eyes. Today we share with you the most interesting facts about these mountains.

Compound

The Alps are 180 mountains with a height range of 1200 to 4800 meters. They include the famous Mont Blanc - the highest mountain in the Western Alps and in general in all of Europe.

Location

The mountain range occupies a vast territory and is located on the territory of 8 countries. Moreover, in some cases, mountains occupy most of the country. For example, Austria is almost 70% mountainous, while Switzerland is 61%.

The longest staircase

In the Alps is the longest staircase in the world. It is located in Switzerland and serves to ensure that tourists and athletes climb Mount Niesen through the Niesenbahn funicular. If the funicular breaks down, workers have to walk up stairs to a height of 2362 meters.

Railway

In addition to the longest staircase in the world, the steepest Railway Pilatusban. The track runs at an angle of 48 ° and serves to transport tourists to the Pilatus Mountains in Switzerland. In total, 10 wagons operate there, accommodating a total of 400 people. The way to the top takes half an hour, back - 40 minutes, because transport moves at a speed of up to 12 km / h.

Aiguille Du Midi

At the top of the Aiguille du Midi, which is located in the French Alps, the most terrible observation deck in the Alps is open. At an altitude of almost 4 kilometers above sea level (and a little more than a kilometer above ground level), an observation cabin was built, consisting entirely of glass. In order for this glass to remain transparent, tourists are given soft slippers, thanks to which the floor is not scratched and remains in its original form.

Underground

Another record belongs to the Alps - this is the highest subway in the world. The metro is located at an altitude of 3000 - 3500 meters and runs between Felskinn and Mittelallalin. The top of Mount Allalin is at an altitude of 4027 meters.

ice grotto

Mittelallalin has another record-breaking attraction - the world's largest ice grotto, which is even included in the Guinness Book of Records. In the halls of the grotto there are lights, ice sculptures, labyrinths and a working chapel where you can officially get married. And there is also a crevice in which they imitate rescue work- pull out a fallen climber.

Ibeks

Mountain alpine goats - ibexes live in the Alps. Animals are unique in that they calmly climb even the most sheer walls better than experienced climbers. To do this, they have movable cloven hooves and a special structure of the legs, thanks to which they easily jump over long distances. To early XIX centuries, they almost died out - there were about 100 of them left, because the animals were destroyed for the sake of horns and hooves, but the Italian king decided to protect them and moved them to the reserve. Thanks to this, today their number exceeds 30 thousand.

Ötzi

He is Otzi - Tyrolean ice Man, found in the Alps in 1991. It is the oldest human mummy discovered in Europe. Its age is approximately 5300 years. Today it is exhibited in the South Tyrol Museum of Archeology in Italy, and at the site of the find there is a monument 4 meters high, made of stone in the shape of a pyramid.

Treasure

In the French part of the Alps in 2013, a real treasure was discovered. There was a box of emeralds, rubies and sapphires worth 250,000 euros. Most likely, the container belonged to the Indian airline, whose liner crashed in the mountains, and was part of the luggage. This is confirmed by the fact that the box was marked "Made in India".

I am a big travel lover, I especially like to enjoy the beauty of the mountains. My geography is so far limited to the mountain ranges of the European continent, such as the Carpathians, the Apennines, the Pyrenees, the Sudetenland. But only the Alps have special beauty and grandeur. Once having visited them, I can no longer imagine resting in another place.

Where are the Alps located

The Alps are the largest mountain range in Europe. Mountains are located on the territory of eight countries. The most big top of these mountains - Mont Blanc with a height of 4810 meters. In general, there are about a hundred peaks in the Alps with a height of more than four thousand meters. The mountains are the center international tourism and mountaineering. Although the Alps are considered the most studied mountain range, you can discover a lot of interesting things.

Castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau as a visiting card of the Alps

My acquaintance with the Alps began after a tourist trip to the castles of Europe. It is the castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau against the backdrop of mountain peaks and alpine meadows that enchant at first sight. The history of castles goes into the deep past and is associated with many famous rulers of the Bavarian lands.

What attracts the Alpine mountains

As a tourist with experience, I recommend a holiday in the Alps not only to lovers of skiing, but also to connoisseurs of natural beauty. Clean fresh alpine air intoxicates from the first breath. On the territory of the mountains a large number of popular resorts. The most famous:

• resorts of the Three Valleys in France;
• Mayrhofen in Austria;
• Villars in Switzerland;
• Val di Fassa in Italy;
• Gastein Valley in Austria.

The uniqueness of the Alps is that they attract tourists at any time of the year. In winter, you can traditionally go skiing, sledding, snowboarding. In summer, the Alps beckon with the opportunity to go mountain climbing, cycling, and gliding. The presence of mountain lakes attracts scuba divers and yachtsmen. As a lover of warm countries, I like to rest in summer period. Hiking trails with a backpack on my back is my hobby. It is this holiday against the backdrop of the beauty of the Alpine mountains that I prefer.

Location of the Alps mountain system on the world map

(mountain system boundaries are approximate)

The Alps are the highest and longest mountain range among the systems that lie entirely in Europe. At the same time, the Caucasus Mountains are higher, and the Ural Mountains are longer, but they also lie on the territory of Asia.

The Alps are complex system ridges and massifs, stretching in a convex arc to the northwest from the Ligurian Sea to the Middle Danube Lowland.

The Alps are located on the territory of 8 countries: France, Monaco, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Slovenia. total length the Alpine arc is about 1200 km (along the inner edge of the arc about 750 km), the width is up to 260 km. most high peak The Alps is a Mont Blanc mountain with a height of 4810 meters above sea level, located on the border of France and Italy. In total, about 100 four-thousander peaks are concentrated in the Alps.

Where are the Alps: interesting facts about the mountains

(from the English off shore located at a distance from the coast; outside the country) a business center that provides preferential treatment for financial and credit operations.

With late XVIII century, in Russian literature, Petersburg was called Northern Palmyra, comparing it in wealth and beauty with southern Palmyra on the territory of this country

SLOVAKIA

on the coat of arms of this country there are three blue mountains - Tatra, Matra and Fatra

ancient country on the territory of Armenia

other country on the territory of Armenia

FENNOSCANDIA

a natural country in northern Europe, on the territory of the Scandinavian and Kola Peninsulas, Finland and Russia (Karelia)

ancient country on the territory of Uzbekistan

Genghis Khan

he was born in Eastern Siberia, on the territory of the present Chita district of the Trans-Baikal region, and died at his summer headquarters in the mountains of the present Chinese province Hans

an ancient country inhabited by the Etruscans; located on the territory of modern Tuscany

METROPOLIS

City-state - policy - in relation to the settlements founded by him on the territory of other countries (in Ancient Greece)

ancient country on the territory of Azerbaijan

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Where are the Alps located?

Where are the Alps located? Coordinates, map and photo.

The Alps are located in Central Europe
and are located in the territories of southern Austria, northern Italy, the southern half of Switzerland and the eastern outskirts of France.

On the map below, the Alps are highlighted more dark color than the adjacent plains. To see the snow-covered ridges of the Alps, switch the map to satellite mode in its upper corner.

Coordinates:
46.5082512 northern latitude
10.8489056 east longitude

Alps on interactive map which can be controlled:

Alps are on the list: mountains

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Alps mountains: description, where they are on the map, photo, height, peaks

Alps- the highest mountains of Western Europe - occupy part of France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Slovenia.

A complex system of ridges and massifs, stretching in a convex arc to the northwest from the Mediterranean Sea to the Middle Danube Plain. The length is approximately 1200 kilometers (about 750 kilometers along the inner edge of the arc). Width up to 260 kilometers. The transverse valley between Lake Constance and Lake Como is divided into the higher Western Alps (up to 4807 meters high, Mount Mont Blanc) and the lower and wider Eastern Alps (up to 4049 meters, Mount Berdina).

In the Alps - the sources of the Rhine, Rhone, Po, Adige, right tributaries of the Danube. Numerous lakes of glacial and tectonic-glacial origin (Bodenskoye, Geneva, Como, Lago Maggiore and others).

The altitudinal zonality of landscapes is well expressed. Up to a height of 800 meters, the climate is moderately warm, on the southern slopes - Mediterranean, there are many vineyards, orchards, fields, Mediterranean shrubs and broad-leaved forests.

At an altitude of 800-1800 meters the climate is temperate, humid; broad-leaved forests of oak and beech are gradually replaced by coniferous ones upwards. Up to a height of 2200-2300 meters, the climate is subalpine, cold, with long-term snow. Shrubs and tall grass meadows predominate; summer pastures. Above, to the border of eternal snows, there is an alpine belt with a cold climate, with a predominance of low-grass sparse alpine meadows, covered with snow for most of the year. Even higher - nival belt with glaciers, snowfields, rocky slopes.

The Alps are an area of ​​international mountaineering, tourism, and skiing.

Main ski resorts: Megeve (France), Chamonix (France), Courchevel (France), Zermatt (Switzerland), Grindelwald (Switzerland), St. Moritz (Switzerland), Davos (Switzerland), Lech (Austria), St. Anton (Austria), Kitzbühel (Austria), Seefeld (Austria), Cortina d'Ampezzo (Italy), Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany).

Photos of the mountains of the Alps:

Where are they located on the map:

Alps or Alpine mountains - the highest and longest mountain range among the systems that lie entirely in Europe.

The snowy mountain range of the Alps forms a massive barrier between northern and southern Europe.

Alpine countries

Some of the highest peaks of the Alps are in Germany, France and Italy, but most of them are within the three Alpine countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria. The ice and rocks of the peaks are replaced by green alpine pastures, colored in summer with bright herbs. They descend to forested valleys and deep lakes.

The melting snows of the Alps feed the largest rivers in Western Europe: the Rhine, the Rhone, the Po and the Inn-Danube system.

Switzerland is a small country divided into cantons. Four languages ​​can be heard here: French, German, Italian and English. Although Switzerland has little natural resources, except for hydropower, it became a wealthy country thanks to the production of watches and precision instruments. It is the center of banking and tourism. Impressive mountain landscapes with lakes, waterfalls and colorful villages attract athletes in winter and vacationers in summer. Switzerland is a neutral country that has not taken part in European wars since 1815.

The capital, Geneva, is the headquarters of many international organizations, including the International Red Cross and the World Health Organization.

East of Switzerland is Liechtenstein- a tiny German-speaking state that was able to maintain independence from larger neighbors.

It is a monarchy, but the laws are made by an elected government. It has close ties to Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its currency.

Passes and tunnels in the Alps

Crossing the Alps has always been very problematic and dangerous.

Now the roads to the south pass through deep tunnels cut into the rocks.

• Simplon Tunnel between Switzerland and Italy, the world's longest railway tunnel was opened in 1922. Its length is 19.8 km.
• Saint Gotthard Tunnel(16.4 km long), built in 1980, holds the record for the longest road tunnel.

Where is it located and how to get there

Address: Europe, Alps

Alps - mountain system in Europe on the map

GPS coordinates: 46.01667,11.18333

More interesting articles:

The Alps are the highest and longest mountain range among the systems that lie entirely in Europe. At the same time, the Caucasus Mountains are higher, and the Ural Mountains are longer, but they also lie on the territory of Asia. The Alps are a complex system of ridges and massifs, stretching in a convex arc to the northwest from the Ligurian Sea to the Middle Danube Lowland. The Alps are located on the territory of 8 countries: France, Monaco, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Slovenia. The total length of the Alpine arc is about 1200 km (about 750 km along the inner edge of the arc), and the width is up to 260 km. The highest peak of the Alps is Mont Blanc, at 4,810 meters above sea level, located on the border between France and Italy. In total, about 100 four-thousander peaks are concentrated in the Alps. The Alps are an international center for mountaineering, skiing and tourism. Tourism in the Alps began to develop actively in the 20th century and received a big boost after the end of the Second World War, becoming one of the main destinations at the end of the century.

Five of the eight countries (Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria and Germany) hosted the Winter Olympic Games that were held in alpine facilities. Despite the active development of tourism, in the Alpine region there is still an original traditional culture, including Agriculture, woodworking and cheese making.
Due to its location in the center of Western Europe, the Alps are one of the most explored mountain systems. Many concepts are named after the Alps, in particular, the alpine climatic zone, the period of alpine folding, the alpine type of relief, alpine meadows, mountaineering.

There is no unanimously accepted opinion on the origin of the name Alps.
According to one version, the Latin word Alpes, which was formed from Albus (White), was used as early as the 1st century BC to refer to mountains covered with snow. Another suggestion suggests that the name comes from the words Al or Ar, which meant highlands. The word Alpe in modern French and Italian means Mountain peak, as well as Alp in German.
The word Alpeis, or Alpes, was used to designate high mountains and mountain ranges by scientists of Ancient Greece and Ancient Byzantium. In particular, Procopius of Caesarea, a Byzantine writer of the 6th century, calls the Alps and the Pyrenees in his writings by the same name, Geminas Alpeis. Other mountains were called by similar names (Carpathian Mountains - Basternikae Alpes). This word has been preserved unchanged in modern Greek - Άλπεις (Alpeis).
The Celtic language also contained the word Alpes, which the Celts called all the high mountains. Further it was transformed into the English Alps. Presumably, it came to the Celts from the Roman Empire.

Geography

The Alps are an important climate divide in Europe. To the north and west of them are territories with temperate climate, to the south - subtropical Mediterranean landscapes. Precipitation on the windward western and northwestern slopes is 1500 - 2000 mm, in some places up to 4000 mm per year. Origins in the Alps major rivers(Rhine, Rhone, Po, Adige, right tributaries of the Danube), as well as numerous lakes of glacial and tectonic-glacial origin (Bodenskoe, Geneva, Como, Lago Maggiore and others).
The altitudinal zonality of landscapes is well expressed. Up to a height of 800 meters, the climate is moderately warm, on the southern slopes - Mediterranean, there are many vineyards, orchards, fields, Mediterranean shrubs and broad-leaved forests. At an altitude of 800 - 1800 meters the climate is temperate, humid; broad-leaved forests of oak and beech are gradually replaced by coniferous ones upwards. Up to a height of 2200 - 2300 meters, the climate is cold, with long-term snow (the so-called Subalpine belt). Shrubs and tall grass meadows, summer pastures predominate. Above, to the border of eternal snows - the so-called alpine belt with a cold climate, the predominance of short-grass sparse alpine meadows, covered with snow for most of the year. Even higher - nival belt with glaciers, snowfields, rocky slopes.

Climate

To the north and west of the Alps are areas with a temperate climate, to the south - subtropical Mediterranean landscapes. The climate of the various Alpine regions depends on the altitude, position and direction of the wind. In the summer in the Alps, there are hot days that change into cold evenings. It is usually sunny in the mountains in the morning, clouds roll up in the afternoon. Winter brings frequent snowfalls and extended periods of low temperatures. The climate on the north side of the Alps is colder and more humid, while on the south side, on the contrary, it is warmer and drier. average temperature July - below +14 °C, January - up to -15 °C. 1000 mm of precipitation falls per year. Snow stays on the plains for one to six months a year. Fog lingers in the valleys for most of the winter. The Alps are characterized by local winds. The most important of them is a warm and dry foehn, which is formed as a result of the descent of air masses along the mountain slopes and their compression, accompanied by adiabatic heating. This significantly increases the local temperature, which leads to rapid snowmelt and frequent avalanches, which pose a threat to human life and can cut off from outside world entire mountain regions. At the same time, the foehn creates conditions for agriculture at much higher absolute heights than in those places where it does not exist.
The climate and soil and vegetation cover of the Alps have a clearly defined vertical zonality. The Alps are divided into five climatic zones, each of which has a different type. environment. climate, vegetation and animal world have differences in different climatic zones Alps. The zone of the mountain range above 3000 meters is called the nival zone. This area, which has a cold climate, is constantly covered with perennial snow. Therefore, there is practically no vegetation in the nival zone.
Alpine meadows lie at an altitude of 2000 to 3000 meters. This zone is less cold than the nival zone. Alpine meadows are characterized by specific, low-growing vegetation, as well as vegetation that forms "grass cushions". It brings together given type ecosystems with tundra, which is why alpine meadows are also called "mountain tundra".
Just below the alpine zone is the subalpine zone, at an altitude of 1500 to 2000 meters. Spruce forests grow in the subalpine zone, the ambient temperature slowly rises. The temperature in the subalpine zone rises in summer to a maximum of +24 °C on hot sunny days, and usually does not reach +16 °C. Frosts are possible at any time of the year.
At an altitude of 1000 to 1500 meters is located temperate zone. Millions of oak trees grow in this zone. They are also involved in agriculture.
Below 1000 meters - lowland, characterized by a wide variety of vegetation. The villages are also located in the lowland, since temperature regime is suitable for human and animal life.

Flora of the Alps

In the regions of the Alpine mountains, scientists have identified 13,000 plant species. Alpine plants grouped by habitat and soil type, which can be calcareous (limestone) or non-calcareous. Plants live in different ranges natural conditions: from meadows, swamps, forests (deciduous and coniferous) and areas not affected by screes and avalanches, to rocks and ridges. Thanks to the presence altitudinal zonality the diversity and specificity of the alpine flora mainly depends on the height above sea level. In the Alps, there are a variety of biotopes - meadows, which are covered with flowers of bright colors in the valleys, and high mountain areas with modest vegetation. Up to a height of 2400 meters above sea level grow coniferous trees. Above, up to 3200 meters, there are still dwarf trees. One of the most famous mountain plants is the glacial ranunculus, which holds the record among plants and is found up to a height of 4200 meters. Small groups of plants are found at an altitude of 2800 meters. Many of them, such as forget-me-not and tar, have a special cushion shape that protects them from herbivores living at these heights and moisture loss. Thus, young shoots are also protected from wind and frost. The well-known edelweiss is covered with a layer of white hairs that retain heat well.

Fauna of the Alps

The Alps are home to 30,000 animal species. All mammals live in the Alps year-round, but some of them hibernate during the winter. Only a few bird species remain in the mountains throughout the year. Individual species of birds living in the Alps have perfectly adapted to this rather inhospitable environment. For example, the snow finch (Oenanthe deserti) builds nests in rock crevices, above the forest boundary, and searches for its food (seeds and insects) on mountain slopes. The Alpine Jackdaw (Pyrrocorax graculus) also nests on rocks well above the forest line. In winter, alpine jackdaws form large flocks and gather around tourist bases and stations, where they feed mainly on waste. The nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes) prepares for winter in a special way. In autumn, this bird stores seeds and nuts, which it buries into the ground. Before the start of winter, Kedrovka collects more than 100,000 seeds, which he hides in about 25,000 caches. Thanks to its amazing memory, the nutcracker finds most of its hiding places in winter under a layer of snow, the thickness of which can be more than one meter. The nutcracker also feeds its nestlings with seeds from pantries.
The conservation of the fauna is ensured through the national parks located in the Alps.

Tourism

The Alps are an area of ​​international mountaineering, skiing and tourism. The Alps are popular both in summer and winter as a place for tourism and sports. Alpine skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, ski tours are available in most regions from December to April. During the summer, the Alps are popular with hikers, cyclists, paragliders, climbers, while the many Alpine lakes attract swimmers, yachtsmen and surfers. The low-lying regions and major cities of the Alps are well connected by motorways and expressways, but higher up, mountain passes and highways can be dangerous even in summer. Many mountain passes are closed winter period. The development of tourism is facilitated by a large number of airports throughout the Alps, as well as good rail links with all neighboring countries. The Alps are usually visited by over 50 million tourists annually.

Information

• Countries: France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Monaco
• Period of education: Mesozoic
• Square: 190,000 km²
• Length: 1,200 km
• Width: up to 260 km
• highest peak: Mont Blanc
• Highest point: 4810 m

Source. wikipedia.org