European Alps
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[edit] Overview
The Alps is the name for one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east; through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany; to France in the west.
The highest mountain in the Alps is Mont Blanc, at 4,808 metres (15,774 ft), on the Italian–French border. All the main peaks of the Alps can be found in the list of mountains of the Alps and list of Alpine peaks by prominence.
[edit] Geography
[edit] Subdivision
The Alps are generally divided into the Western European Alps and the Eastern Alps. The division is along the line between Lake Constance and Lake Como, following the rivers Rhine, Liro and Mera. The Western European Alps are higher, but their central chain is shorter and curved; they are located in Italy, France and Switzerland. The Eastern Alps (main ridge system elongated and broad) belong to Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Liechtenstein and Slovenia. The highest peak of the Western European Alps is Mont Blanc, at 4,808 metres (15,774 ft). The highest peak of the Eastern Alps is Piz Bernina, at 4,049 metres (13,284 ft). The Dufourspitze, 4,634 metres (15,203 ft) and Ortler, 3,905 metres (12,812 ft), are the second-highest, respectively.
[edit] Eastern Alps
The Eastern Alps are commonly subdivided according to the different lithology (rock composition) of the more central parts of the Alps and the groups at its northern and southern fringes: Northern Limestone Alps (from the Wienerwald to Bregenzerwald), including the Flyschzone; peaks up to 3,000 metres (9,840 ft) Central Eastern Alps (Austria, Switzerland); peaks up to 4,050 metres (13,290 ft) Southern Limestone Alps The border between the Central Alps and the Southern Limestone Alps is the Periadriatic Seam. The Northern Limestone Alps are separated from the Central Eastern Alps by the Graywacke Zone.
[edit] Western European Alps
The Western European Alps are commonly subdivided with respect to geography:
- Ligurian Alps
- Maritime Alps
- Cottian Alps
- Dauphiné Alps
- Graian Alps
- Chablais Alps
- Pennine Alps
- Bernese Alps
- Lepontine Alps
- Glarus Alps
- Appenzell Alps
South Western European Alps
1: Ligurian Alps 2: Maritime Alps 3: Provence Alps and Prealps 4: Cottian Alps 5: Dauphiné Alps 6: Dauphiné Prealps [edit] North Western European Alps
7: Graian Alps 8: Savoy Prealps (including Chablais Alps) 9: Pennine Alps 10: Lepontine Alps 11: Lugano Prealps 12: Bernese Alps (including Urner Alps) 13: Glarus Alps 14: Swiss Prealps (including Appenzell Alps)
Series of lower mountain ranges run parallel to the main chain of the Alps, including the French Prealps.
The geologic subdivision is different and makes no difference between the Western and Eastern Alps: the Helveticum in the north, the Penninicum and Austroalpine system in the center and, south of the Periadriatic Seam, the Southern Alpine system and parts of the Dinarides . Geographically, the Jura Mountains do not belong to the Alps; geologically, however, they do.
