The Alps make up the largest mountain
system in Europe. They are world-famous for their scenic beauty. The Alps are a
region of majestic, snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, narrow lakes, and wide
glaciers.
The Alps reach across south-central Europe in a broad
arc. They stretch all the way from southern France, in the west, to eastern
Austria. Along the way, the mountains cross Italy, Switzerland, and Germany.
The Alps form a chain that extends about 750 miles (1,200 kilometers).
TOWERING PEAKS
The highest mountain in the Alps is Mont Blanc. It
lies on the border between France and Italy and rises to a height of 15,782
feet (4,810 meters). But perhaps the most famous mountain in the Alps is the
spectacular Matterhorn. This jagged, horn-shaped peak stands in southwestern
Switzerland, near the border with Italy.
SNOW, ICE, AND RIVERS
Snow and ice cover the high slopes of the Alps
year round. Glaciers move very slowly down from the high peaks. Over thousands
of years, as the glaciers move downhill, they carve out steep, U-shaped
valleys.
Melting snow from the glaciers feeds many streams
and rivers. Some of Europe’s most important rivers, such as the Rhine, the
Rhône, and the Po, start in the Alps.
CROSSING THE ALPS
For centuries, the Alps formed a barrier between northern
and southern Europe. In the past, travel over the Alps was difficult,
especially in winter. That’s because snow blocks many of the passes (routes)
between the high peaks.
In recent times, people have built bridges across
valleys and dug tunnels through the mountains. These include the Saint Gotthard
Road Tunnel. At 10.1 miles (16.3 kilometers) long, it’s the world’s longest
automobile tunnel. Today, you can cross the Alps all year round.
LIFE IN THE ALPS
Forests cover many of the foothills of the Alps.
Between the woods are mountain meadows. Cattle of Swiss and Austrian farmers
graze in these meadows in summer. When the first snows cover the pastures, the
farmers bring their animals down to their villages for the winter.
The Alps attract many hikers and climbers in
summer. Skiers and snowboarders flock to the Alps in winter. Lucky visitors may
catch a glimpse of a wild goat, such as an alpine ibex or a chamois. These
sure-footed animals live high on rocky slopes in the Alps.
