Africa - is the oldest continent on the planet.No wonder it is called the cradle of civilization.Age of the continent is 270 million years old.But despite this, Africa has managed to preserve harmony and unity with nature today.
oldest mountains on the continent - a Cape Mountains.Africa is even younger than they are.After all, the age of the mountains has 380 million years!These ridges were formed before the continent was formed in such a form in which it is familiar to us today.
Cape Where are the mountains?
As mentioned above, it is the oldest mountain range on the continent, and the largest.Find Cape Mount on the map were not working.It is necessary to pay attention to the southern part of the African continent.These mountain ranges are considered to be the territory of South Africa and are located in the extreme south of the country.
Cape Mountains cover a huge area of the continent, from the mouth of the river to Olifantes African city of Port Elizabeth, capturing the Ethiopian highlands.
Cape mountain system includes parallel ridges such as the Langeberg, Matrusberg, Piketberg, Swartberg and others.
Acme
The highest mountain is the peak of the Cape Kompassberg.It reaches 2,504 meters above sea level.His discovery did Colonel Robert Jacob Gordon during his campaign, in which he was accompanied by the governor of the eastern borders of the Cape Colony.The mountain served as a kind of compass for the German colonel and his team and helped to avoid getting lost while traveling through the tangled mountain system.Hence the name - Kompassberg.
second highest point of the Cape Mountains is a ridge Matrusberg.Its height is 2249 meters.On the territory of this mountain range are numerous green meadows and pastures for livestock.Here, moderate Mediterranean climate that allows you to easily engage in animal husbandry.
Ridge Swartberg
This ridge is also the Cape Mountains.It passes along the border of the Western Cape in South Africa.
Swartberg popularly called "Black Mountain".Since the area around the mountains in the wild and mostly deserted.But here, we settled small settlements.Somewhere along the 200 people at the most.The narrow valley of the "dead hell," as it is known locally, is located in the heart of the mountains and serves for the cultivation of tobacco, cereals, tea, vegetables and even fruit.Due to the large world is supported on horses or machines.Swartberg Pass is also known with the same name and the impressive desert Grete Karu.
Flora and fauna of the mountains
Cape Mount have a very changeable climate.Since they occupy a large area of the continent, it has a rather great originality natural conditions.Part of the mountain is located off the coast of the ocean, and some - in the desert lands, and some - covered with green meadows.And the climate is subtropical and tropical, with dry summers and cold winters.
This unique climate and grow a wide variety of amazing plants.More than seven thousand bushes, heather and other ancient plants adorn the Cape Mountains.Beautiful flowers of various shapes and forms, colors and smells, as if specially designed to entice pollinators.
It is home to rare species of birds sugar.They only fly in the Cape Mountains and nowhere else.On the slopes full of mice, which are attracted to the smell of flowers, also act as pollinators.
most beautiful and "smart" flower in the mountains of the Cape - this orchid Disa.It is not only the most beautiful, but also very clever.As long as a butterfly or a bee drinking nectar with its buds, it "sticks" on his abdomen insect pollen.
Rare animals that are hiding in the mountains of the Cape - a mountain gorilla.There are only 700 pieces worldwide.So meet them - tremendous luck.
problems Mountains
Cape Mountains - a unique combination of fertile soil, stable climate, strong rugged rocks and isolated position.However, at this beautiful place has its problems.They start with the end of spring.During this period, cold winds subside, the air in the mountains becomes extremely dry, creating perfect conditions for fires that are occurring frequently.
summer fires are not uncommon.They begin and rockfall, and by lightning strikes, and specifically caused by arson.
seems that fire alone trouble is that this destructive force destroys everything around.However, fires are sometimes not only bring harm and benefit.Thanks to them being cleared clearing destroyed the old and rotten unnecessary shoots of plants, and the soil is filled with important and necessary for the mountains of minerals and nutrients.
In addition, the intensive heat and hot smoke benefit and for the plants growing in the mountains.For example, promote the growth of orchids.During fires thousands of seeds carried by the wind, giving rise to a new generation of plants.
