Mount Blanc on the map of Europe is right on the border of France and Italy.Inside it erected tunnel a length of eleven and a half kilometers.Through it carried a message between the two countries.The top part of the Western Alps and is a very popular place among tourists.This is especially true skiers, which built a resort - Chamonix.In the literal translation from the French name of "Mont Blanc" means "white mountain."
Dimensions
height of Mont Blanc equals 4810 meters.It stretched about 50 km in length and 30 - in width.Its total area is a little more than two hundred kilometers square.Mountain range of the same name, which includes the peak, covers an area which is comparable in size to half of Luxembourg.
Location
question of where the Mont Blanc, and more specifically in the territory of the state, was quite controversial for a long period of time.Beginning in 1723 and until the Napoleonic wars in Europe its entire territory was regarded as the property of the Kingdom of Sardinia.March 24, 1860 in Turin, Italy signed an act by which was on top of the border between Italy and France.This document and today is recognized as the governments of both countries.The coordinates of Mont Blanc - is 45 degrees and 50 minutes north latitude and 6 degrees and 51 minutes east longitude.It was in this place now and the state border between the two countries.Now most of the mountain is located in the territory of the French town of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains.
Conquest tops
first historical memories of the ascent to the summit dated August 8, 1786.Then it was conquered by Michel Gabriel Packard.Traveler makes climbing in tandem with the assistant Jacques Balmat.It should be noted that this was preceded by several failed attempts.With regard to the first woman, won the "white mountain", then it July 14, 1808 was Maria Paradis.An interesting fact is that it has carried out his campaign all the same, Jacques Balmat, who later participated in several similar expeditions.That his work was awarded by King Victor Amedeo third.Now in Chamonix even has a monument to Jacques Balmat.
tourism and mountaineering
Currently Mont Blanc is one of the major European centers of tourism and mountaineering.By the number of annual visits to all the objects of natural origin, it is the third largest in the world.Many professional and amateur climbers dream to ascend to this peak.As mentioned above, located at the foot of the famous French ski resort of Chamonix.On the opposite side is his Italian counterpart - Courmayeur.It should be noted that a constant interest in the place, except for fans of extreme sports, express and scientists who specialize in a variety of areas of activity.For example, one of the most significant achievements of their discovery is considered to be the mummified remains of prehistoric man, which occurred in 1991.According to the researchers, they lay under a layer of snow with ice for about five thousand years.
ascent of Mont Blanc
Mount Blanc, where there is a wide variety of beauty, it is attracting many tourists.However, it is not so easy to conquer.If a person wants to climb to the top, it must be well prepared physically.Moreover, I do not do it yourself - here need support and assistance to professional mountaineers.Even so, the conquest would take about twelve hours time.Many guides recommend at least up here in order to go down on skis, thus getting the thrill of a lifetime.
Aiguille du Midi
Although Mont Blanc is very attractive and picturesque place, climb it can not everyone, because not everyone has the skills of mountaineering.The most impressive view of it opens from the peak of Aiguille du Midi, which is located in the heart of the array.It also is equipped with and a special viewing platform.However, the fact to get here and back down, it may take up to five hours time.
entire path starts from the center of Chamonix, where is the cable station.Twenty minutes away by cable car from here will be the first stop.The place is located at an altitude of 2317 meters.This is where the start almost all climbing expeditions.The next section of rope climb is the steepest in the world.At an altitude of 3842 meters is built viewing platform, which has the same name.It's pretty cool, so is recommended to bring along warm clothes.The following is to move to a neighboring peak across the bridge, hovering between two rocks, and then rise by another 42 meters to the lift.
should be noted that the cable car operates throughout almost the entire year.The exception is the period from the beginning of November to mid-December.In addition, it closed in high winds and other weather conditions.
tunnel under Mont Blanc
In 1814, the King of Sardinia received the first request for the construction of a tunnel inside the mountain.However, construction started only in 1959 and lasted for eight years.The total length of the tunnel is equal to 11.6 kilometers.One part of it is located on French territory (at an altitude of 1274 meters), and the other - in Italian (at an altitude of 1381 meters).March 24, 1999 there was a great tragedy - inside the truck caught fire, which led to a large fire.Temperature reaches one thousand degrees, so many of the stranded cars melted in the literal sense of the word.Among the dead there were 39 people.Also they have suffered more than thirty.After an investigation that lasted about a year, it underwent reconstruction of the object.
now travel through the tunnel, which is riddled with Mont Blanc, it is chargeable and costs about forty euros.As a way it is used, not all, preferring to travel in their detour.The length of the "hook" in this case amounts to 130 kilometers.
tragic reputation
this vertex is connected very unpleasant statistics, which often deters many tourists and mountaineers.The fact that it ranks first in the world on such indicators as deadly.According to information received from various sources, while trying to conquer the mountain on the slopes killed several thousand people.On the account of any other peaks in the world there are so many deaths.According to official statistics, every year it does not back from ten to one hundred people.
addition, twice in the history of Mont Blanc became the cause of the crash.The first case occurred in 1950.Then the pilot an airliner belonging to the Indian company was not able to calculate a route for landing at Geneva airport, resulting in the aircraft hit the slopes at an altitude of about 4600 meters.The tragedy was the death of 48 people.Another crash occurred in 1966.The situation repeated itself in many ways: all aboard the same company from India crashed at about the same place.At this time, 117 people were killed, among whom were both passengers and crew.
