Where are the Alps: interesting facts about the mountains. Where is the Alps

The Alps are one of the largest mountain systems on Earth. Scientists studied them in detail for many years, and later this information helped in the study of other mountain ranges. Today we will determine the geographical location of the Alpine mountains according to the plan.

The Alps are not the highest and longest in Eurasia. But the Caucasian, being higher, and the Ural, more extended, lie partly on the territory of Asia. Only the Alps are completely located on European soil.

And below we will determine the geographical location of the Alpine mountains. In the 6th grade, this topic is discussed according to the school curriculum, but many of us, as the years pass, forget the knowledge gained. But first, let's discuss what we know about the Alps today.

general information

Supposedly the white peaks of the mountains, covered in fog, get their name from the Latin word albus, meaning "white".

Approximate age mountain system- from 23 to 34 million years. During this period, the mountain range was formed as a result of the collision of tectonic plates. Most ancient part his are Dolomites, which are part of the Southern Limestone Alps system. This system is located in northeastern Italy.

The relief of the Alps is incredibly diverse and is represented by hills, mountains, hills, plains and lowlands. Despite the height and width of the Alps, climbing them is not problematic. Tectonic and erosional dissection of the mountain system has created many convenient passages and passes.

Today this mountain range is incredibly popular among tourists.

Let's determine the geographical location of the Alpine mountains

Since the middle of the last century, the Alps have been studied in great detail by scientists European countries. It was on their example that other mountain systems in Europe were later explored, and their cover structure was first noticed. The Alps provided extensive information for the development of geography and related sciences. Well-known terms like “alpine folding”, “alpine meadow”, “mountain climbing” indicate this fact.

The Alps are considered the highest and longest mountain system, which lies entirely in Western Europe. They are located on the territory of a number of countries, so we often hear about French, Italian, Swiss Alps. But such a political division is inappropriate, since the territorial affiliation of one or another part of the Alps does not always correspond to their natural features. Now let’s determine the geographical location of the Alpine mountains.

They begin off the coast of the Ligurian Sea (which is part of the Mediterranean) with the system of the Maritime Alps, which border the Italian ridge - the Apennines.

In a geography lesson, determining the geographical location of the Alpine mountains is not difficult. This is how they look on the map.

The mountains are divided into Western and Eastern (lower). The most high point Western Alps - Mont Blanc with a height of 4808 m, information about which is provided below. The Eastern Alps are wider, but their highest point is only 4049 m.

They stretch from the shores of the Mediterranean to the Central Danube Plain, which is located in the basin of the middle Danube. The western region of the mountains comes almost close to the sea in France, then makes an arc towards Slovenia, passing through Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein. The mountain range is 1200 km long and up to 260 km wide (in the widest part of the Eastern Alps).

The small European principalities of Liechtenstein and Monaco are entirely located in the Alps. Mountains occupy 65% ​​of Austria, 60% of Switzerland, 40% of Slovenia. Also, a small percentage of the Alps falls on Italian lands (17%), French (7%) and German (3%).

Highest peak of the Western Alps

The Western Alps, which are 500 km long, extend in a northwesterly direction through France, Switzerland and Italy.

Mont Blanc is the highest peak of the Alps, the height of which is 4808 m. This place is considered to be the birthplace of mountaineering, modern look which began to take shape right here in the Chamonix Valley. Geographically, it is located on French soil.

Several popular ones have been created here ski resorts, which are located right at the foot of Mont Blanc. Wherein Mountain peak breaks records for mortality. People die more often while climbing it than when conquering Everest. However, this does not stop climbers from all over the world from coming here.

Highest peak of the Eastern Alps

The Eastern Alps stretch across the territory of Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Slovenia. Piz Bernina, the highest point of the Eastern Alps, is geographically located in Switzerland. Its height is 4049 m. The mountain bears the title of one of the most beautiful and picturesque, therefore it is very popular among climbers. Piz Bernina has the shape of a rib, and due to its impeccable line of ice and snow, it bears the poetic name “stairway to heaven.”

Now that we have briefly defined the geographical location of the Alpine mountains, let's move on to some facts that deserve attention:

1. Mummified human remains were found in the Alps, which are about 5,000 years old.

2. Up to 120 million tourists visit the mountains annually. It also hosted the largest number of competitions in the history of the Winter Olympics.

3. According to the definition of the geographical location of the Alpine mountains, they resemble a crescent moon when viewed from space.

4. In the Alps, as of 2001, the population was 12 million inhabitants. The most big cities- Grenoble (France), Innsbruck (Austria), Trento and Bolzano (Italy).

However, this is only a small part interesting information about this mountain system.

Climate in the Alps

To the north and west of the Alps, a temperate climate prevails, and to the south - a Mediterranean subtropical climate. In the region of the mountain system itself, the climate is determined by the relief. After all, the higher you go in the mountains, the colder it gets. At an altitude of 500 m average temperature is 18 degrees, at an altitude of 1000 m - 16 degrees, and at an altitude of 2500 m - only 6 degrees. In January, respectively, the average temperature is -6 °C and -15 °C.

For altitudes above 3000 m, the temperature does not rise above zero, which contributes to the formation of numerous glaciers.

The Alpine mountains are the most high mountains Western Europe. They began to form 300 million years ago. Today the Alps are a favorite place for climbers, skiers and tourists from all over the world. This was largely due to the unique geographical position of the mountains. We will tell you where the Alps are located in this article.

Features of the geographical location of the Alps

The Alpine mountain system spreads across eight European countries: Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany, Monaco, Austria, Slovenia and Liechtenstein. The Alps are a very complex system of massifs and ridges that stretches from the Middle Danube Plain to the Ligurian Sea. Total length The Alpine mountain system is 1200 km long. The highest point of the Alps is Mont Blanc, its height is 4810 m.

One of geographical features The Alpine mountain system is that in the Rhine River valley it is divided into the Western and Eastern Alps. At the same time, the height of the Western Alps is significantly higher than the Eastern Alps.

Throughout the Alpine mountain system you can find not only great amount comfortable ski slopes, but also lakes with crystal clear water, small villages and historical sites. In addition, there are more than 1200 glaciers in the Alps, total area which is about 4000 km. This allows you to open ski season in many regions as early as October. In summer, a unique microclimate reigns, in which low humidity, comfortable temperature and healing mountain air allow you to improve your health and simply have a pleasant rest.

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

Snowy mountain range Alpine mountains forms a massive barrier between Northern and Southern Europe.

Alpine countries

Some highest peaks The Alps are located in Germany, France and Italy, but most of them are within three alpine countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria. The ice and rocks of the peaks give way to 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 most large rivers Western Europe: Rhine, Rhone, Po and the Inn-Danube system.

Switzerland — small country, divided into cantons. Here you can hear four languages: French, German, Italian and English. Although Switzerland has little natural resources, not counting hydropower, it has become rich country through the production of watches and precision instruments. It is a center for banking and tourism. Impressive mountain landscapes with lakes, waterfalls and colorful villages, it attracts athletes in winter and holidaymakers in summer. Switzerland is a neutral country that has not participated 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 its larger neighbors. It is a monarchy, but the elected government makes the laws. It has close ties with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its currency.

Passes and tunnels in the Alps

Getting across 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, opened in 1922. Its length is 19.8 km.
  • Gotthard Tunnel(16.4 km long), built in 1980, holds the record for the longest road tunnel.

I, a big travel lover, especially love 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, Apennines, Pyrenees, and Sudetes. But only the Alps have special beauty and grandeur. Once having visited them, I can no longer imagine vacationing anywhere else.

Where are the Alps located?

The Alps are the largest mountain range in Europe. The mountains are located on the territory of eight countries. The largest peak of these mountains is 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. 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.


Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles as the hallmark of the Alps

My acquaintance with the Alps began after tourist trip through the castles of Europe. It is the castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau against the backdrop of mountain peaks and alpine meadows that captivate you at first sight. The history of castles goes back a long way and is associated with many famous rulers of the Bavarian lands.


Why the Alpine Mountains beckon

As an experienced tourist, I recommend holidays in the Alps not only for amateurs alpine skiing, but also for connoisseurs of natural beauty. The clean, fresh alpine air intoxicates you from the first breath. There are 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 engage in skiing, sledding, and snowboarding. In summer, the Alps offer opportunities for mountaineering, cycling, and gliding. Availability mountain lakes attracts scuba divers and yachtsmen. To me as an amateur warm countries suitable holiday in summer period. Hiking trips on routes with a backpack on my shoulder - my hobby. It is this holiday against the backdrop of the beauty of the Alpine mountains that I prefer.

The Alps Mountains are one of the largest mountain ranges in Europe, extending from Austria and Slovenia to the east
The most high peak Alps Mont Blanc height 4807 m, the Alps mountains are on the French-Italian border.

The Alps are generally divided into Western and Eastern Alps, the division being along the line between Lake Como and Lake Constance, along the Rhine River. The Western Alps are located in Italy and France, and the Eastern Alps are located in Austria, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein and Slovenia. In Switzerland, both parts.

The highest point of the western part is Mont Blanc in France (4807 m), followed by Monte Rosa (4634 m) and the Matterhorn in Switzerland (4478 m) and Bernina on the Italian-Swiss border (4052 m). The Alps are 1000 km long and up to 250 km wide. 28.5% of the Alps are located in Austria, followed by Italy (27.2%) and France (20.7%).

View of the Alps

The Matterhorn in Switzerland is one of the most famous Alpine peaks.

The Alps have a total of 82 peaks over 4,000 m high, 55 of them entirely in Italy, France and Switzerland, and 27 are border peaks.

Rivers and lakes

The most long rivers, which flow through the Yin and Drava Alps. The lakes in the Alps were formed by ancient glaciers, there are still glaciers, but they are only the tip. Most beautiful lakes in the Alps Lago di Maggiore, which comes from the flow of the Po River and Lake Garda, located on the banks of the Adige River.

Climate

The climate is mountainous. The average annual rainfall in the Alps is 1450 mm.

The Alps are divided into five climate zones, each with different types environment. The climate, plants and animals are different in different parts or regions of the mountain.

The area, which is more than 3,000 m, is called the "glacial snow zone". This area, which has the coldest climate, is constantly covered with compressed snow.
Alpine tundra is located at an altitude between 2000 and 000 m3. This zone is warmer than the Neva region. Here you can find wild flowers and herbs.

A little lower is the subalpine zone - from 1500 to 2000 m above sea level. Here the temperature slowly rises, beginning to meet fir and spruce forests.
At an altitude of approximately 1000 to 1500 m, arable land is occupied. Oak forests are common in this area, but also a place for agricultural production.

Below 1000 m of lowland. There is a much greater diversity of plants occurring there. Human settlements are also in the lowlands, because the temperature is more tolerable - both for people and animals.

Nature

Vegetation zones in the Alps gradually changed with the ascent of the mountain. The natural height limit of vegetation is determined by the main types of deciduous trees - oak, beech, ash and sycamore. They do not reach the same level, or even frequently come together, but their upper limit corresponds exactly enough to the transition from temperate to cold climates, which also indicates a change in herbaceous vegetation. This limitation is usually located approximately 1200 m above sea level - on the northern side of the Alps, while southern slopes often rises to 1500 m, sometimes even to 1700 m.

This area is not always marked by the presence of characteristic trees. Human intervention has almost destroyed them in many areas, with the exception of beech forests in the Austrian Alps; deciduous forests are rare. In many areas where it once existed such forests have now been replaced by pine and spruce, which are less vulnerable to destruction by goats, which are the worst enemies of such trees.

Forests are often small, squat, which in turn have been replaced by bushes - usually Rhododendron ferrugineum (on more acidic soils), or Rhododendron hirsutum (on more alkaline soils). Above them there are alpine meadows, and even higher the vegetation becomes increasingly sparse. In the Alps some plants over 4,000 m have been recorded, including Ranunculus glacialis (type buttercup), Androsace Alpina and Saxifraga biflora.

The most common animal in the Alps is the Alpine marmot. In addition, eagles, Alpine ibex, chamois, Cory crow, Alpine zavirushka, bearded vulture, brown bear, lynx, deer, wolf and tundra partridge. There are 14 in the Alps national parks, which make up about 30,000 animal species.

Story

In 1991, the preserved mummy of a man who lived around 3300 BC was found in the Alps. In 218 BC. The Carthaginian commander Hannibal launched a campaign into Gaul and the Alps with an army and war elephants to invade the Roman Empire from the north. About half of the soldiers who die during the transition period. However, Hannibal won the Battle of Ticino.

In 46/47, the Romans built the first Roman road in the Alps - Via Claudia Augusta - Connecting Augsburg (then Augusta Castres) to Venice through the Alps, through a pass resolved. The road was wide enough for ATVs to pass. Many roads were built in the Alps. By the 11th century, many of them were destroyed.
In the 18th century, many new roads were built to allow traders to quickly transport goods and quickly carry weapons during the Napoleonic Wars.

On May 16, 1854, the first railway in the Alps opened - between Vienna and Graz. In 1882, the 15 mile Gotthard Tunnel was opened, through which trains travel from Lucerne to Milan. Thus, the transit time is reduced by several days from eight to ten hours. Today it is less than four hours by train and less than three hours by car.

On September 23, 1910, Peruvian-French aviator Geo Chavez became the first to fly over the Alps, but crashed shortly before landing. In 1913, the Swiss Oscar Bider duplicated the field and landed successfully.

On December 24, 1934, the first modern ski elevator. The first season was used from October by 70,000 tourists. In 1908, the first cable car was put into operation in Bolzano. In 1974 the first motorway across the Alps was completed connecting Innsbruck and Modena.

Where are the Alps mountains located?

 

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