What is a mountain?

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surface of the ground is not uniform.Even school children know that there are plains and hills.Let's try to understand what the mountain than this wonderful natural phenomenon.

interpretation of the word

Encyclopedias and dictionaries give their definition.Mountain is considered the formation of the relief, which rises up more than two hundred meters.She has clearly expressed steep slopes.As a rule, not separate mountains called the top, and extensive land areas.Her relief must be very uneven and rise to a considerable height.It is determined relative to sea level.

Types hills

Natural hills, depending on the size, called the hills and mountains.The latter are much greater height.In addition to single peaks, there are entire mountain ranges.The most famous Alps, the Andes, the Himalayas.Rock formation rises sharply upward, their peaks lost in the clouds.There are high and low mountains.Those which do not differ in height, have rounded tops.Their gentle slopes are covered with forest.At the foot of the flowers grow.The peaks of the highest peaks are pointy shape, they are covered with glaciers.Their slopes are steep, steep.There can not be found vegetation.If you look at the map, you will see that the mountains marked on it brown.Moreover, the greater their height, so they appear darker in the diagram.Here are a few words about what a mountain.

definition of this concept allows to highlight some of the features.Stone hills not only differ in height and shape of the peaks.The oldest of them are destroyed, and formed new ones.There are mountains of volcanic origin.Extinct and dormant volcanoes are found in earthquake-prone areas - in Kamchatka in Russia, Italy and other regions.For example, the famous nearby Mount Vesuvius from Naples.From its eruption in the first century AD, the death of two cities - Pompeii and Herculaneum.He is still considered an active volcano.There are mountains, not only on the surface.There are hills that hide the sea.These include the rocky formations that rise above the ocean floor to a height of over one thousand meters.

Structure Rocky Mountains

education have their own distinctive characteristics.There footstool, top, mountainside.What refers to the latter concept, take a closer look.Total two types of slope: steep and steep.Moving up on it, to overcome the deep abyss, rocks and turbulent mountain rivers.Water flows turn into a serious obstacle after heavy rains.They rush over the rocks with a roar and noise.Also mountains can prepare other surprises sportsmen and travelers.There is a danger of avalanches or mudflows.

Mountain astonishingly contrasts.At the foot of the forest rise and then settle alpine meadows, flowers grow.The higher the rocky slopes, the colder air and rarefied atmosphere.At the top are covered with snow and glaciers.Slide between the ridges of mountains called passes.They allow you to go from one valley to another.

By origin mountains are volcanic and non-volcanic.If we consider that such a mountain with a scientific point of view, it may be noted that these rocky formations have folded structure.It can be shaped, curved waves swell up - anticline, or bend down.In the latter case it is called a syncline.

highest peaks

acquainted with the characteristics of the mountains, we describe the most famous of them.The first worthy of mention Mount Qomolangma, or Everest, located in the Himalayas.For a long time it remained unconquered peak of.Its height above sea level is 8848 meters.

most famous mountain in the world can be found not only in Europe but also in Africa.On a hot continent known for Mount Kilimanjaro.Its name is translated as "sparkling".And this is understandable explanation.The volcano has huge dimensions (height of 5899 meters), and it covers the top of a snow-white cap.The peak of the mountain drowning in clouds, visible for miles.It is surrounded by savannahs of Kenya and Tanzania.Dimensions hit her.It has ninety-seven kilometers in length, and sixty-four kilometers wide.As a result, she even creates its own climate.This is typical of many of the major peaks.

slopes of Kilimanjaro poured rain that came with moist winds that blow from the Indian Ocean.Therefore, the lower parts are suitable for agriculture, are cultivate coffee and corn.Mountain consists of three volcanoes Shira, Mawenzi and largest - Kibo.

In Russia, one of the highest peaks of the Altai Mountains - Beluga.Its height is 4509 meters.Its name is due to the abundance of snow, which covers not only its peak and slopes.In fact, the top of the mountain is not alone.Their two, they resemble the shape of a pyramid.Between them formed a slide with a height of four thousand meters.It is called the Saddle Beluga whales.Mountain is located in a seismically active zone.Quite frequent are micro-earthquakes.

travelers and conquerors of mountain tops

Unavailable always attracted intrepid people.After all, this is an opportunity not only to test the strength of their physical abilities, but also temper the character of its own, check the correctness of a friendly shoulder and feel the incredible triumph, standing on top of the conquered.No wonder about mountains and mountaineers the bards sang Yu Vizbor and Vladimir Vysotsky.Only professional athletes and courageous, brave lovers know what a mountain as beautiful opening with her appearance.

tops Saints in Orthodoxy

The Bible refers to more than the mountains, which are revered as sacred.First of all, it is Ararat, where Noah's Ark landed.The book tells the story of the Old Testament, the prophet Moses went up to the top of Mount Sinai, where he received the tablets of the covenant of God.In the Christian world knows what Mount Athos, which is located in Greece.This is the place where the Orthodox monastery.Ridge Halkidiki has a peak which rises to two thousand and twenty-two meters.