The Alps extend north from the subtropical Mediterranean coast near Nice, France, to Lake … Standing stones have been found in Alpine areas of France and Italy. [52], The Alps provide lowland Europe with drinking water, irrigation, and hydroelectric power. [93], Celtic tribes settled in Switzerland between 1500 and 1000 BC.

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[49], High levels of precipitation cause the glaciers to descend to permafrost levels in some areas whereas in other, more arid regions, glaciers remain above about the 3,500 m (11,483 ft) level. [112], Charles VII of France ordered his chamberlain to climb Mont Aiguille in 1356. Brown trout can be found in the streams up to the snow line. This may be consistent with the theory that in Greek Alpes is a name of non-Indo-European origin (which is common for prominent mountains and mountain ranges in the Mediterranean region). Below are listed the 29 "four-thousanders" with at least 300 m (984 ft) of prominence. The Inn valley is an example of a valley carved by glaciers during the ice ages with a typical terraced structure caused by erosion. [103] In 1291 to protect themselves from incursions by the Habsburgs, four cantons in the middle of Switzerland drew up a charter that is considered to be a declaration of independence from neighbouring kingdoms. In modern languages the term alp, alm, albe or alpe refers to a grazing pastures in the alpine regions below the glaciers, not the peaks. [98], The Roman expansion brought the defeat of the Allobrogi in 121 BC and during the Gallic Wars in 58 BC Julius Caesar overcame the Helvetii. Blue butterflies can commonly be seen drinking from the snow melt; some species of blues fly as high as 1,800 m (5,900 ft). [63], The severe weather in the Alps has been studied since the 18th century; particularly the weather patterns such as the seasonal foehn wind. These are the best places for groups seeking mountains in Swiss Alps: Which places provide the best mountains in Swiss Alps for travelers on a budget? [146] Most of Europe's highest railways are located there. The second-highest major peaks are Monte Rosa at 4,634 m (15,200 ft) and Ortler[18] at 3,905 m (12,810 ft), respectively, Series of lower mountain ranges run parallel to the main chain of the Alps, including the French Prealps in France and the Jura Mountains in Switzerland and France. These do not reach exactly to the same elevation, nor are they often found growing together; but their upper limit corresponds accurately enough to the change from a temperate to a colder climate that is further proved by a change in the presence of wild herbaceous vegetation. Climatic conditions show variances within the same zones; for example, weather conditions at the head of a mountain valley, extending directly from the peaks, are colder and more severe than those at the mouth of a valley which tend to be less severe and receive less snowfall. [82] Areas of the eastern Alps are still home to brown bears. "Watch out for hundreds of bikers and cyclists as we all know they own the road(!) [71], Above the forestry, there is often a band of short pine trees (Pinus mugo), which is in turn superseded by Alpenrosen, dwarf shrubs, typically Rhododendron ferrugineum (on acid soils) or Rhododendron hirsutum (on alkaline soils).

Extreme shortening caused by the event resulted in marine sedimentary rocks rising by thrusting and folding into high mountain peaks such as Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. Moreover, they create their own unique climate based on both the local differences in elevation and relief and the location of the mountains in relation to the frontal systems that cross Europe from west to east. Alps, a small segment of a discontinuous mountain chain that stretches from the Atlas Mountains of North Africa across southern Europe and Asia to beyond the Himalayas. Thus, Savoy built a series of fortifications in the Maurienne valley in order to protect the major alpine passes, such as the col du Mont-Cenis that was even crossed by Charlemagne and his father to defeat the Lombards. [95] The Celts were the most widespread of the mountain tribes—they had warriors that were strong, tall and fair skinned, and skilled with iron weapons, which gave them an advantage in warfare. While Mont Blanc was first climbed in 1786 and the Jungfrau in 1811, most of the Alpine four-thousanders were climbed during the second half of the 19th century, notably Piz Bernina (1850), the Dom (1858), the Grand Combin (1859), the Weisshorn (1861) and the Barre des Écrins (1864); the ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 marked the end of the golden age of alpinism.

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