One of the best known mountain systems in the world and that is located in Europe are the AlpesThis mountain range is considered the longest in all of Europe and extends through eight countries. It passes through Austria, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy, and Liechtenstein. Austria and Switzerland are considered the true pine countries. For this reason, it is also called the Swiss Alps. These mountains occupy an essential place in the geography of these countries, and much of their culture has its origins in this mountain range.
In this article we are going to tell you all the characteristics, formation, geology, flora and fauna of the Alps.
Key features
Alpine landscapes are strikingly beautiful and have shaped the culture of many countries. These landscapes are present in many mountain areas and towns in the region that have become a very popular tourist destination. In these areas, skiing, mountaineering and hiking and has more than 100 million tourists each year. Furthermore, it is relevant to mention that the Swiss Alps They are one of the most sought-after destinations for nature lovers and to learn more about their cultural importance, you can visit the article on the Bavarian Alps.
The Alps are geographically located in an arc of more than 800 kilometers in southeastern Europe. They extend from the Mediterranean Sea region to the Adriatic Sea. They are considered the nucleus of other mountain systems such as the Carpathian Mountains and the Apennines. Among all its mountains, we find the Monte Cervino, the Massif del Monte Rosa, and the Dom, Mont Blanc is its highest peak, while the Matterhorn is possibly the best recognized thanks to its shape. All these characteristics make the Alps considered one of the best-known mountain systems in the world.
The origin of the word "Alps" is now precisely known. It may come from a Celtic term meaning "white" or "high." The word is derived directly from the Latin word "Alpes," via French. The entire Alpine region has been a place where numerous peoples settled from the late Paleolithic period to the present day. History shows how Christianity gained ground in Europe, and several monasteries were established in the mountains. Some of these monasteries were built in the highest areas, allowing towns to grow around them.
History tells us that the Alps They were considered as a difficult barrier to overcome to access other regions and religious sites. They were also considered dangerous places because of the many avalanches and mysterious places. It was already in the nineteenth century when technology could allow exploration research.
Geology of the Alps
The entire mountain system of the Alps is more than 1.200 kilometers long and is located entirely on the continent of Europe. Some of Its peaks exceed 3.500 meters in height and it has more than 1.200 glaciersThe snow level is around 2.400 meters, so there are plenty of places for snow tourism. The peaks are permanently covered in snow, forming large glaciers, and remain above 3.500 meters. The largest glacier is known as the Aletsch Glacier.
It is considered the core of other mountain ranges, such as the so-called pre-Alpine ranges, which include the Jura massif. Sections of this range extend into parts of Hungary, Serbia, Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.
From a geological point of view, we can divide this mountain range into sections: central, western, and eastern. Within each of these sections, there are different subsections or subgroups of mountains. Geologically, we can also distinguish the Southern Alps, whose boundary with the rest of the regions is the Valtellina, Pusteria, and Gailtal valleys. In the southwest are the Maritime Alps, located near the Mediterranean Sea and forming a natural border between France and Italy. In fact, the peak of Mont Blanc is known to lie between France and Italy and contains the longest glacier in all of France. The western part of This section of the mountain range extends into southwestern Switzerland.
Some of the most important rivers in Europe, such as the Rhône, the Rhine, the Inn, and the Drava, originate in or flow through the Alps and flow toward the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, and the North Sea.
Formation of the Alps
Given the magnitude of this mountain range, its formation was part of a rather complex sequence of geological events. Geology experts believe that it took almost 100 years to understand the magnitude of all the geological events that gave rise to the AlpsIf we narrow it down to the beginning, we can see that the Alps were formed thanks to the collision between the Eurasian and African tectonic plates. These two tectonic plates caused the terrain to become unstable and uplifted. The process was completed in two or more stages that lasted several million years.
It is estimated that all this orogeny in the end began approximately 300 million years ago. Tectonic plates began to collide in the late cretaceous period. The collision of these two tectonic plates caused the closure and subduction of much of the terrain that corresponded to the Tethys ocean that stood between both plates. The closure and subduction occurred during the Miocene and the Oligocene. Scientists have been able to identify different types of rocks that belonged to the crusts of both plates, which is why it is proven that there was a shock intense enough to raise the ground and form this mountain range. They have also managed to find some segments of the ancient ocean floor that belonged to Tethys.
Flora and fauna
The main objective of tourism is the flora and fauna, in addition to the beauty of the landscapes. Natural ecosystems such as sharp cliffs, valleys, long grasslands, forests, and some steep slopes are found. The melting of glaciers has created some lakes with calm waters that favor the development of flora and fauna.
There is great diversity in these places. Some of the typical alpine species are the ibex and the Alpine wild goat. Other animals found include chamois, bearded vultures, marmots, snails, moths, and other invertebrates. Wolves, bears, and lynxes are returning to the Alps after being virtually exterminated due to human threats. The area is becoming more habitable for them thanks to the protection of some natural areas.
In the flora we find many grasslands and mountainous forests with a large number of pines, oaks, firs and some wild flowers. It is estimated that there are about 30.000 wild species.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the Alps mountain range.