Western Europe, mostly flat.However, about 17 percent of its area is still occupied by mountains.First of all, the Alps and then the Pyrenees, Carpathians, Apennines, and others.The highest mountain in Western Europe - of course, the Alps, which are simultaneously considered and the most extensive (300 sq. Km) system of ridges and massifs.
Alps
vast mountain system of Western Europe, the Alps, located on the territory of 8 countries.Zigzag ridges, ridges, hills arc stretching from the Ligurian Sea (France, Monaco, Italy) to the Pannonian Plain (Austria, Slovenia) to 1,200 kilometers.
highest mountain in Western Europe are divided into two parts: the western (higher) and eastern (lower).By the way, the first part, in turn, further divided into two halves, as a result of allocated central Alps, which pass through Switzerland, Austria and Italy.
Eastern Alps extend through Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria and Slovenia.They are significantly lower than the Western.Their highest point is Mount Bernina, located in Switzerland.Its height is 4049 meters.
In Germany, considered the highest mountain Zugspitze (almost 3,000 meters).In Austria - the Grossglockner (3798 m).
Blanc - top tops
highest mountain in Western Europe, and contains the highest peak of this part of the world.Mount Blanc is located in the Western Alps, on the border between Italy and France, it reaches a height of 4810 meters.At length, it stretches for 50 kilometers in the form of a crystalline solid.
Blanc means "white mountain."This is understandable, snowy peak covered with ice and more.Incidentally, the area of glaciers of Mont Blanc occupies about 200 square meters.km.Therefore, to achieve a "white mountain" was difficult and no one ends with the death of climbers.
Yet the highest mountain in Western Europe, including its main peak, obedient people.Doctor Michel Gabriel Paccard, and his guide, Jacques Balmat 8 August 1786 climbed treasured height.Interestingly, in 1886 the "white mountain" has reached the expedition, which was led by Theodore Roosevelt, the future President of the United States.
Lovers of exotic
Today Mont Blanc - attractive place for winter sports enthusiasts, climbers and just travelers, though, are well prepared physically.
For example, around Mont Blanc passes 130-kilometer tourist route.It captures in Switzerland, Italy and France and is divided into 10 stages at the rate of from 3 to 10 hours on the road through the picturesque countryside.
routes have also been developed which allow to reach the glacier, for example, to the Chalet de Pyramid of the Chamonix valley.
Since 1958, acting on the Mont Blanc cable car, which provides access to an array, but certainly not the highest point of the mountain.However, the top of the Aiguille du Midi (3842 m), it brings tourists to "cableway", provides an opportunity to assess the attractive beauty of these ranges.A Mont Blanc runs a 12-kilometer tunnel through which the vehicle can move from Italy to France.
Pyrenees - highest mountain in Western Europe
Pyrenees like a short in the north of the Iberian peninsula, isolating Spain from the rest of Europe, stretching from the Bay of Biscay, 450 kilometers to the Mediterranean Sea.
divide into three parts the Pyrenees, on the basis of natural conditions: the Western (Atlantic), Central (High) and Eastern (Mediterranean).
Central Pyrenees therefore called high, here are the largest of their tops.Aneto Peak, the highest point of the Pyrenees, rises above sea level at 3404 meters, the mountain pose - at 3375 meters, the mountain Monte Perdido - at 3355 meters, Mount vignemale - at 3298 meters, Lone Peak - at 3194 meters.
on the territory of the Pyrenees entirely fit small country - Andorra principality, inhabited mostly Catalans.
Pyrenees known for its karst caves, which give originality stalactites, underground lakes, and even the prehistoric rock paintings.Famous also reserve Occidental Pyrenees and the Spanish National Park Ordesa and Monte Perdido.
Peninsular
This peninsula is not necessary to overlook, if you continue to consider the theme of "Mountains of Western Europe."List replenish first Cantabrian mountains that go behind the Pyrenees, although lower than them, but still high enough (of Picos de Europa, to 2613 m).To the south is a vast array of Meseta, divided his plateaus of the Cordillera Central mountain ranges up to 2592 meters.
There are Iberian mountains up to 2313 meters.Finally, Andalusian mountains.To them belongs the second place after the Alps at an altitude peaks.Mount Mulhacen (the Sierra Nevada mountain range) rises to 3487 m. It is the highest peak of the peninsula, not only, but also in Spain.With its spectacular views over hanging glacier Corral and other peaks of the Sierra Nevada.
Sierra - Apennines
Mountains in Western Europe belong to the picturesque corner of the earth, confirmation - Apennines that cross the peninsula in the middle and tested in Italy.
At the bottom of the hill (500-700 m) are cultivated with vineyards, olive and lemon trees.At an altitude of 900-1000 m grow mixed and then coniferous forests.The alpine and subalpine meadows are selected closer to the top.
highest peak of the Apennines - Corno Grande, its height - 2912 meters.By the way, the snow in these mountains can be found only there.
Unfortunately, this Apennines mountain beauty is associated with danger.There is very high seismic activity: the earthquake in this region of Europe is not uncommon.In the south of the peninsula is the volcano Vesuvius.Etna volcano (3076 m, Sicily) is a tectonic continuation of the Apennines.Both of them are active, so there is a constant danger of eruption.
indescribably beautiful mountains of Western Europe!Photos, especially well made, of course, represent a part of this beauty.
