Alpine mountains- 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 over the territory of 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. The total length of the Alpine mountain system is 1200 km. 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 a huge number of convenient ski slopes, but also lakes with crystal clean water, small villages and historical sites. In addition, there are more than 1,200 glaciers in the Alps, with a total area of about 4,000 km. This allows the ski season to open 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.
The Alps are the highest and longest mountain range among the systems entirely located 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 (along the inner edge of the arc about 750 km), the width is up to 260 km. The highest peak of the Alps is Mont Blanc with an altitude of 4810 meters above sea level, located on the border of France and Italy. In total, there are about 100 four-thousander peaks concentrated in the Alps. The Alps are an international center for mountaineering, skiing and tourism. Tourism in the Alps began to actively develop 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 out of eight countries (Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria and Germany) were hosts of the Winter Games Olympic Games, which were carried out in alpine sites. Despite the active development of tourism, the Alpine region still has a unique 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 studied mountain systems. Many concepts are named after the Alps, in particular, the alpine climate 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 derived from Albus (White), was used back in the 1st century BC to refer to mountains covered with snow. Another suggestion is that the name came from the words Al or Ar, which meant highland. The word Alpe in modern French and Italian means Mountain Peak, as does Alp in German.
The word Alpeis, or Alpes, was used to designate high mountains and mountain ranges by scientists Ancient Greece and Ancient Byzantium. In particular, Procopius of Caesarea, a Byzantine writer of the 6th century, refers in his writings to the Alps and Pyrenees 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 times. Greek- Άλπεις (Alpeis).
The Celtic language also contained the word Alpes, which the Celts used to call all the high mountains. Then it was transformed into the English Alps. Presumably, it came to the Celts from the Roman Empire.
Geography
The Alps are an important climate division in Europe. To the north and west of them there are territories with a 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. In the Alps are located the sources of large rivers (Rhine, Rhone, Po, Adige, right tributaries of the Danube), as well as numerous lakes of glacial and tectonic-glacial origin (Bodensee, Geneva, Como, Lago Maggiore and others).
The altitudinal zonation of the landscapes is well expressed. Up to an altitude of 800 meters the climate is moderately warm, on the southern slopes it is Mediterranean, there are many vineyards, gardens, fields, Mediterranean bushes and broadleaf forests. At an altitude of 800 - 1800 meters, the climate is temperate and humid; broad-leaved forests of oak and beech are gradually replaced upward by coniferous forests. Up to an altitude of 2200 - 2300 meters, the climate is cold, with long-lasting snow (the so-called Subalpine belt). Shrubs and tall grass meadows and summer pastures predominate. Higher up, to the border of eternal snow, there is the so-called alpine belt with a cold climate, a predominance of low-grass sparse alpine meadows, covered with snow most of the year. Even higher is the nival belt with glaciers, snowfields, and rocky slopes.
Climate
To the north and west of the Alps there are areas with a temperate climate, to the south there are subtropical Mediterranean landscapes. The climate of different alpine regions depends on the altitude, position and direction of the wind. In the summer in the Alps there are hot days followed by cold evenings. In the mornings in the mountains it is usually sunny; in the afternoon there are clouds. Winter brings frequent snowfalls and prolonged periods of low temperatures. The climate on the northern side of the Alps is colder and wetter, while on the southern side it is warmer and drier. The average temperature in July is below +14 °C, in January - up to −15 °C. There is 1000 mm of precipitation per year. Snow remains on the plains from one to six months a year. Throughout most of the winter, fog lingers in the valleys. 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 mountain slopes and their compression, accompanied by adiabatic heating. This significantly increases the local temperature, which leads to sudden melting of snow and frequent avalanches, which poses a threat to people's lives and can cut off outside world entire mountainous regions. At the same time, the foehn creates conditions for agriculture at much higher absolute altitudes than in places where it does not occur.
The climate and soil and vegetation cover of the Alps have a clearly identified vertical zonation. The Alps are divided into five climatic zones, each of which has a different type environment. The climate, flora and fauna differ in different climatic zones of the 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 us closer together this type ecosystems with tundra, due to which alpine meadows are also called “mountain tundra”.
Just below the alpine zone is the subalpine belt, at an altitude of 1500 to 2000 meters. They grow in the subalpine zone spruce forests, the ambient temperature is slowly rising. 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 there is a temperate zone. Millions of oak trees grow in this area. Agriculture is also practiced here.
Below 1000 meters there is a lowland characterized by a wide variety of vegetation. Villages are also located in lowlands, since the temperature regime is suitable for the life of people and animals.
Flora of the Alps
In the Alpine regions, scientists have identified 13,000 plant species. Alpine plants are grouped by habitat and soil type, which may 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 scree and avalanches, to rocks and ridges. Due to the presence of altitudinal zones, the diversity and specificity of the alpine flora mainly depends on the altitude above sea level. In the Alps there are a variety of biotopes - meadows that are covered with brightly colored flowers in the valleys, as well as high mountain areas with modest vegetation. Coniferous trees grow up to an altitude of 2400 meters above sea level. Higher up, up to 3200 meters, there are still dwarf trees. One of the most famous mountain plants is the glacier buttercup, which is a record holder among plants and is found up to an altitude 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-like shape that protects them from herbivores living at these altitudes and moisture loss. In this way, young shoots are also protected from wind and frost. The famous 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. Selected species Birds living in the Alps have adapted perfectly to this rather inhospitable environment. For example, the snow finch (Oenanthe deserti) builds nests in rock cracks above the forest boundary, and looks 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 in the ground. Before the start of winter, Kedrovka collects more than 100 thousand seeds, which he hides in about 25 thousand 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 chicks with seeds from the storeroom.
The conservation of fauna is ensured through 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 destination for tourism and sports. Alpine skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing are available in most areas from December to April. In summer the Alps are popular with hikers, cyclists, paragliders and 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 in winter. The development of tourism is promoted large number airports throughout the Alps, as well as good rail connections to all neighboring countries. The Alps are typically visited by more than 50 million tourists annually.
Information
- Countries: France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Monaco
- Education period: 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
Mountains have always fascinated us. A cold kingdom created from ice and rock, then shaped and carved by time. In the shadow of the mountain peaks, a life that seems unnatural to us has firmly established itself. Over the years, living organisms have adapted to harsh conditions. And everyone who lives in these mountains, be it a plant, a mammal or a bird, has all adapted to the flow and change of local natural phenomena. However, these natural processes go unnoticed by mountains whose age is measured in tens or hundreds of millions of years. And the most famous among all the peaks of the world are the Alps, where the highest peaks, vibrant life and stunning views are located. People have lived here since ancient times various peoples who consider the Alps to be their support and protection from the whole world. Where are the Alps mountains located? Many will answer that in Europe. But on Earth, as many as 4 mountain ranges are called the Alps, and they are all different from each other.
European Alps
Mountains have a certain lifespan. The European Alps were formed when the continental plates of Africa and Europe collided about 35 million years ago. The European Alps are still growing, pushed internal forces planets. For most of their history, the mountains remained wilderness, too extreme for human life. And yet, it was people who gave the name to these mountains when they explored. It doesn’t matter where the mountains are located: in the north or south, in the east or in the west - they owe their formation to the same geological processes. In the locations of the mountains, the lines of the most active geological faults of the rock are marked. The Alps, where just such areas are located, often present bad “gifts” in the form of avalanches or small earthquakes. At the foot of the Alps live animals that can hardly be called alpine: European otters, lynxes, marmots, red deer and others. Several thousand years ago, a new force came to the Alps, where there are crystal clear rivers, vast meadows and vast forests, which learned to withstand any seasonal weather phenomena. These people, who lived for centuries at the foot of the mountains, moved upward along with their groups, founding cities and towns.
Australian Alps
On the other side of the world, in Australia, there is also the Alps mountain system, but the Australian Alps are significantly different from the European ones: there are no huge jagged peaks here, these mountains appeared 600 million years ago. But their original relief has undergone global changes, because for millions of years it was influenced by winds and rains, as well as spring meltwater flows. The glaciers of the mountain peaks barely reach the ground - these are the most ancient of the 4 Alps of the world. And after tens of millions of years, they remained isolated from the whole world. Thanks to this isolation, Australia has a unique world of plants and animals. The Australian echidna, like its relative the platypus, can only be found in Australia. Some inhabitants of the Australian Alps are quite surprising with their presence, because parrots look ridiculous among the snow, right? It’s more common to see them in the tropics than in the winter Australian Alps, but you can see them here too. The most common tree in Australia is eucalyptus; it remains green regardless of location, even in the snow. Yes, the Alps of this region are truly an amazing place on Earth!
The Alps in New Zealand are the youngest of all the Alps. They have been formed over the past 7 million years. 2.5 million years ago, shifting glaciers marked the beginning of the Ice Age. This had the effect of forcing ancient species of the animal kingdom, such as Kia parrots, to adapt to new conditions. This is an amazing bird, possessing the mind of a monkey, and the only one of the entire species that lives beyond the snow line. The mountains live their own lives here. New Zealand's landscape was shaped by glaciers - a reminder of a world that almost disappeared.
The last of the Alps unite several mountain ranges on the island of Honshu in Japan. Most of the peaks are over 3 km high. The mountains are amazingly picturesque, and the snow-capped peaks amaze tourists visiting this country with their magnificence. An interesting fact is that among the representatives of the fauna, these mountains are home to the northernmost primate (of course, besides humans) - mountain monkeys, living among the harsh snow. They had to adapt to winters that could last up to 6 months and temperatures that could stay below freezing for weeks on end.
Tourism
Where are the Alps of Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan located on the map? The European Alps are the largest mountain range in Western Europe, covering France, Monaco, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Slovenia. We think it will be easy to guess the location of the remaining Alps from their names. The European Alps are extremely attractive to tourists, who number over 50 million annually. First of all, these mountains attract climbers and skiers. For the latter, the season lasts from December to April. Vacationers from all over the world come to the best ski resorts: Les Deux Alpes, Courchevel, Meribel, Val Thorens and many others. In addition, the Alps, where there are many winding trails and paths, attract professional cyclists, and the landscape beauty seen from the sky attracts paragliders. The Australian Alps also boast the ski resorts of Mount Hotham, and the stunning landscape of national parks invites hikers to experience unforgettable treks through the pristine lands of this mountain kingdom. The New Zealand Alps provide many extreme descents, the season here lasts from June to September. Fun fact, that the legendary film trilogy “The Lord of the Rings” was filmed in these parts, and not in the USA, as many believe. And finally, the mountains of Japan. They are not particularly popular among tourists and act as pilgrimage sites for Buddhists and hiking destinations for travelers looking for an unforgettable experience.
Location of the Alps mountain system on the world map
(the boundaries of the mountain system are approximate)
The Alps are the highest and longest mountain range among the systems entirely located in Europe. At the same time, the Caucasus Mountains are higher, and the Ural Mountains are more extensive, 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 (along the inner edge of the arc about 750 km), the width is up to 260 km. The highest peak of the Alps is Mont Blanc with an altitude of 4810 meters above sea level, located on the border of France and Italy. In total, there are about 100 four-thousander peaks concentrated in the Alps.
Where are the Alps: interesting facts about the mountains
(from the English off shore, located at a distance from the shore; outside the territory of the country) a business center that provides preferential treatment for financial and credit operations.
Since the end of the 18th century, St. Petersburg in Russian literature 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
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
GENGISH 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 of Gansu
ancient country inhabited by Etruscans; was located on the territory of modern Tuscany
METROPOLIS
City-state - polis - in relation to the settlements it founded on the territory of other countries (in Ancient Greece)
ancient country on the territory of Azerbaijan
These words were also found in the following queries:
Where are the Alps?
Where are the Alps? 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 eastern outskirts France.
In the map below, the Alps are highlighted more dark color than the adjacent plains. To see the snow-capped ridges of the Alps, switch the map to “Satellite” mode in the 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
And don’t forget to subscribe to the most interesting public page on VKontakte!
correct/add
2013-2018 Website interesting places where-located.rf
Alps Mountains: description, where they are on the map, photos, 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 Mediterranean Sea to the Middle Danube Plain. The length is approximately 1200 kilometers (along the inner edge of the arc about 750 kilometers). 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, Mont Blanc) and the lower and wider Eastern Alps (up to 4049 meters high, Berdina mountain).
In the Alps are the sources of the Rhine, Rhone, Po, Adige, and the right tributaries of the Danube. Numerous lakes of glacial and tectonic-glacial origin (Bodenskoe, Geneva, Como, Lago Maggiore and others).
The altitudinal zonation of the landscapes is well expressed. Up to an altitude of 800 meters, the climate is moderately warm, on the southern slopes it is Mediterranean, there are many vineyards, gardens, fields, Mediterranean shrubs and deciduous forests.
At an altitude of 800-1800 meters the climate is temperate and humid; broad-leaved forests of oak and beech are gradually replaced upward by coniferous forests. Up to an altitude of 2200-2300 meters, the climate is subalpine, cold, with long-lasting snow. Shrubs and tall grass meadows predominate; summer pastures. Higher up, to the border of eternal snow, there is an alpine belt with a cold climate, a predominance of low-grass sparse alpine meadows, covered with snow most of the year. Even higher is the nival belt with glaciers, snowfields, and rocky slopes.
The Alps are an area of international mountaineering, tourism, and skiing.
Major 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 Alps mountains:
Where are they located on the map:
Alps or Alpine mountains- the highest and longest mountain range among systems entirely located in Europe.
The snow-capped Alpine mountain range 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 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 largest rivers in Western Europe: the Rhine, Rhone, Po and the Inn-Danube system.
Switzerland is a small country divided into cantons. Here you can hear four languages: French, German, Italian and English. Although Switzerland has little natural resources, apart from hydroelectric power, it became a rich country thanks to the production of watches and precision instruments. It is a center for banking and tourism. Impressive mountain landscapes with lakes, waterfalls and colorful villages attract 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.
Where is it located and how to get there
Address: Europe, Alps
The Alps are a mountain system in Europe on the map
GPS coordinates: 46.01667,11.18333
More interesting articles:
Snow-capped peaks and picturesque valleys, wild rivers and the indescribable beauty of lakes, mountain streams and waterfalls sparkling in the sun, rich colors of plants and amazing wildlife - all this is the Alps, the largest mountain system in Western Europe. The mountains form an arc over a thousand kilometers long - from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Adriatic in the east.
The mountains start from the French Cote d'Azur, then arc north along the border with Italy. Then they form a kind of barrier protecting Italy from the north, and go east through southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The Alps are conventionally divided into Western, Central and Eastern.
The Western Alps lie west of the Great Saint Bernard Pass, the Central Alps are located between the Great Saint Bernard Pass and Lake Constance. The Eastern Alps extend east of Lake Constance.
Interesting fact: it was on the Saint Bernard Pass, which in Roman times connected Northern Italy with the rest of Europe, that a breed of dog was developed that was trained to search for people caught in avalanches. Cute, seemingly phlegmatic St. Bernards have saved and continue to save hundreds of lives.
The summit of Mont Blanc in the Western Alps is considered the highest point in Europe (4810 m). When the French climber Henriette d'Angeville climbed Mont Blanc in 1838, exhausted on the last meters of the climb, she asked her companions: “If I die, carry me to the top.” And when she got there, she ordered to lift herself up to boast about it , which was taller than any person in Europe.
The highest peak in the Eastern Alps is Bernina Peak. Mount Matterhorn is considered very difficult to climb. It has the shape of a pyramid with steep slopes. The characteristic profile of the Matterhorn is immortalized on almost all varieties of Swiss chocolate.
The Dolomites, located in Italy, are included in the list World Heritage UNESCO. They fascinate with their unusual beauty. Many believe that the most breathtaking landscapes can be seen here: snow-capped plateaus against the backdrop of brown-pink rocks.
Excursion into history
Jean-Jacques Rousseau was the first to describe the Alps as a place of amazing attractiveness and beauty. Thus, the French writer dispelled the common idea of the mountains as a hellish wasteland inhabited by demons. With a light touch from Rousseau, Albrecht von Haller sang the magical purity of the amazing Alpine region.
At the end of the 18th century, the first wave of romantics (Goethe, Turner, Schiller) drew inspiration from the Alps, admiring the mountain landscapes. But, only after the famous transition of Suvorov and the end Napoleonic Wars, the influx of tourists to the Alpine countries began. True, at first it was mainly a bohemian public (poets, artists, musicians), who appreciated the local beauties that filled them sublime feelings. Later, the famous Arthur Conan Doyle, amazed by the grandeur and beauty of the Reichenbach Falls, sent Holmes to fight Professor Moriarty in these places.
The Alps are the tourist center of Europe
The tourism industry began to develop from the beginning of the 19th century. Foreigners visit the Alps and admire them picturesque landscapes, relax at spa resorts. At the beginning of the 20th century, large hotels, funiculars, and a rack railway were built, which transported tourists to high-mountain resorts. During this period, winter sports competitions began to be held in the Alps: in 1882, the first figure skating championship started in St. Moritz. Alpine skiing became popular; in 1908, the first ski lift was built in Grindelwald.
By the way, Winston Churchill, then still a fairly slender twenty-year-old youth, climbed to the top of the Wetterhorn near Grindelwald back in 1894.
Enchanting landscapes, as well as enormous opportunities for mountaineering and winter species sports attract many tourists to the Alps. These mountains are often called " central area Europe". Now the Alps are the most important recreational region in Europe, uniting eight countries. The region's population is 14 million people. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Many resorts, for example, Oberstdorf in Bavaria, Saalbach in Austria, Davos in Switzerland, Chamonix in France, receive about a million tourists a year. In total, more than 120 million people vacation in Alpine resorts every year. Moreover, not only ski areas are popular, but also summer holiday with hiking and cycling, sightseeing and admiring the unique alpine nature.
Tourism is an integral part of the Alpine economy, but local residents They continue to engage in traditional crafts, unchanged since the Middle Ages: carpentry, wood carving, cheese making. Pastoral landscapes, intoxicating healing air, crystal clear rivers, fresh rural food, thermal springs - relaxation here is pleasant.
Transport connections
And not only pleasant, but also convenient. Movement is organized and thought out to the smallest detail. Highways, alpine railways, many kilometers of tunnels, of which there are a great many in the Alps. They connect cities and countries, pass under passes, shortening the route. The Frejus and Mont Blanc tunnels connect Italy and France, the largest Gotthard tunnel in the Alps is built under the Saint Gotthard pass, and the Simplon railway tunnel connects Switzerland with Italy. In the coming years, the 57-kilometer-long Gotthard Base Tunnel will be completed.
Some high mountain villages (Avoriaz in France, Zermatt in Switzerland) can only be reached by cable car or funicular. Other Alpine resorts are car-free zones, which ensures a delicate natural balance in this mountainous area.
French Alps, with their snow-capped mountain peaks, green valleys and crystal clear lakes, are part of the European mountain range. First of all, they are attractive for active recreation: skiing and mountaineering. In summer, mountain biking (cross-country), rafting, and paragliding are very popular. The region is also famous for the stunning beauty of its alpine lakes. Lake Geneva (Leman Lac), Annecy Lac and Lac du Bourget are suitable for year-round recreation and numerous water sports.
Mont Blanc - the highest peak of the Alps
The highest point in Western Europe is in the French Alps. Mont Blanc attracts climbers from all over the world. The famous peak, which is considered one of the symbols of France, was first climbed in 1786 by Jacques Balmat and Michel Packard. It is interesting that the future US President Theodore Roosevelt, during his honeymoon in 1886 he led an expedition to climb Mont Blanc.
Now it’s easier for skiers and even climbers: many ski lifts have been built. For example, the top of the Aiguille du Midi from Chamonix can be reached by one of the world's highest cable cars. The ascent is breathtaking: here is the greatest difference in elevation, and the top station is at an altitude of 3777 meters.
Major resorts of the French Alps
The French Alps are home to famous resort towns, which attract tourists from all over the world. Annecy (Annecy), located on the shores of the lake of the same name, is the capital of the Haute-Savoie region. The city is called the "Venice of Savoy". Numerous canals, decorated with pots of flowers in summer, beautifully decorate the resort. Annecy was built around a medieval center and a 14th-century castle.
The city is considered the paragliding capital of the Alps. On any fine day you can watch paragliders soaring high above the lake. Amazing sight!
Perhaps the most famous resort town in the French Alps is Chamonix. In this mountain oasis you can ski down steep slopes, see the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) - one of the largest glaciers in continental Europe, and admire the picturesque surroundings on numerous mountain trails. And, of course, Chamonix is famous for the fact that the first Winter Olympic Games were held here in 1924.
Saint Gervais – popular resort near Chamonix. It can be called an ideal recreation center, because it is not only a ski resort, but also a place with natural hot springs and stunning scenery. Actually, the town arose around the hydropathic clinic. By the way, the Rothschild family allocated money for its development.
Now Saint-Gervais is a famous spa resort. Near the town above a deep gorge you can walk along famous bridge"devil".
Grenoble – largest city French Alps, site of the 1968 Winter Olympics, research and scientific center, and also the birthplace of Stendhal. This greatest French novelist wrote: “Life is too short, and the time we spend yawning and doing nothing will never be returned to us.” Maybe that’s why Stendhal’s fellow countrymen live such a rich and interesting life: cafes are crowded, students have heated discussions, scientists argue. The city is surprisingly lively and cheerful.