difference between alps and mountains

[171], Some high mountain villages are car-free either because of inaccessibility or by choice. Just for your info, the Brenner Pass is one of the lowest of the Alpine passes. The Alps have a much more rapid increase in elevation but not as high as the Rockies. The formation of the Alps was a segment of this orogenic process,[37] caused by the collision between the African and the Eurasian plates[40] that began in the late Cretaceous Period. What a picture you paint! wrestling marches and archery), as well as traditions with pagan roots such as the lighting of fires on Walpurgis Night and Saint John's Eve. (figuratively) A difficult task or challenge. Mountains can be generated by volcanic action alone, such as Hawaii, a combination of plate tectonics and volcanic action, such as New Zealand, or pure tectonic WebDifferences in relief within the Alps are considerable. [16][65][66] Water from the rivers is used in at least 550 hydroelectricity power plants, considering only those producing at least 10MW of electricity. Crossing routes by road, train, or foot are known as passes, and usually consist of depressions in the mountains in which a valley leads from the plains and hilly pre-mountainous zones. Plus all the gondola rides, the cog wheel trains and funiculars that take you everywhere--that was half the fun! To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Albania, a name not native to the region known as the country of Albania, has been used as a name for several mountainous areas across Europe. In particular, some people restrict the use of the term "Alps" to the higher mountains in the centre of the range, relegating the surrounding hills and mountains to the status of "pre-Alps" or foothills. Stairs leading to upper levels are sometimes built on the outside, and balconies are sometimes enclosed.[155][156]. Blue butterflies can commonly be seen drinking from the snowmelt; some species of blues fly as high as 1,800m (5,900ft). Alps The Ligures and Adriatic Veneti lived in Northwest Italy and Triveneto respectively. I always like to climb at a greater pace, and the Alps have longer climbs with more gradual gradients. Sure there are some in the Alps as well but I haven't seen anything like Takakkaw Falls. The traditional culture of farming, cheesemaking, and woodworking still exists in Alpine villages, although the tourist industry began to grow early in the 20th century and expanded greatly after World War II to become the dominant industry by the end of the century. [19], The highest portion of the range is divided by the glacial trough of the Rhne valley, from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa on the southern side, and the Bernese Alps on the northern. [13] The most important passes are the Col de l'Iseran (the highest), the Col Agnel, the Brenner Pass, the Mont-Cenis, the Great St. Bernard Pass, the Col de Tende, the Gotthard Pass, the Semmering Pass, the Simplon Pass, and the Stelvio Pass. In mosson in Valais, Switzerland, dinosaur tracks were found in the 1970s, dating probably from the Triassic Period. Old traditions are carefully maintained among inhabitants of Alpine areas, even though this is seldom obvious to the visitor: many people are members of cultural associations where the Alpine folk culture is cultivated. This domestic, but representative, fortification had two small bedrooms, and a full bathroom, planned by the Munich architect and NSDAP member Josef Neumaier. But it will give us a taste and then we can go back for a longer visit later. [99] The high-altitude Alpine salamanders have adapted to living above the snow line by giving birth to fully developed young rather than laying eggs. In Roman times, "Albania" was a name for the eastern Caucasus, while in the English languages "Albania" (or "Albany") was occasionally used as a name for Scotland,[10] although it is more likely derived from the Latin word albus,[7] the colour white. [71] The Italian Lakes are a popular tourist destination since the Roman Era for their mild climate. Many passes are closed in winter. Mountain The river Alpheus in Greek, Christian and Byzantine thought. The Alps also boast some of the highest peaks in Europe, with striking differences between the Northern Alps and Southern Alps. However, in the mountain refers to the interior; something located inside the mountain, such as a mine or a cave. As it is doubtful that North Americans will ever be able to replicate the delightful human touch in the Alps, I prefer to see the Rockies remain as wild as possible. Increase in reduced-snowmelt drought in the Alps affects [84], 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). The cracking creates unpredictable and dangerous crevasses, often invisible under new snowfall, which causes the greatest danger to mountaineers. [25], Crossing the Italian-Austrian border, the Brenner Pass separates the tztal Alps and Zillertal Alps and has been in use as a trading route since the 14th century. How were the Alps formed? A guide to the geology of the Alps [134] Born in Geneva, Saussure was enamoured with the mountains from an early age; he left a law career to become a naturalist and spent many years trekking through the Bernese Oberland, the Savoy, the Piedmont and Valais, studying the glaciers and geology, as he became an early proponent of the theory of rock upheaval. If you love the mountains, you must go see the Alps. [11] The geological subdivision differentiates the Western, Eastern Alps, and Southern Alps: the Helveticum in the north, the Penninicum and Austroalpine system in the centre and, south of the Periadriatic Seam, the Southern Alpine system. [115] There are several important alpine saints and one such one is Saint Maurice. [154], Much of the Alpine culture is unchanged since the medieval period when skills that guaranteed survival in the mountain valleys and the highest villages became mainstays, leading to strong traditions of carpentry, woodcarving, baking, pastry-making, and cheesemaking. Elevations around the world that have cold climates similar to those of the polar regions have been called Alpine. [58] The 1,817km2 (702sqmi) of the Alps covered by glaciers in 1876 had shrunk to 1,342km2 (518sqmi) by 1973, resulting in decreased river run-off levels. This theory was replaced in the mid-20th century by the theory of plate tectonics. A very high mountain. In 2007, the new 34.57km-long (21.48mi) Ltschberg Base Tunnel was opened, which circumvents the 100 years older Ltschberg Tunnel. Scott, Have you been to the Lauterbrunnen Valley? Monasteries and churches were constructed, even at high Alpine altitudes. Many areas celebrate Fastnacht in the weeks before Lent. [128] The glaciers remained a mystery and many still believed the highest areas to be inhabited by dragons. Only been to the Colorado Rockies one time so I cannot give a fair comparison but my impression was the Alps are more vertical and have more breath taking views. Visitors can get a glimpse of the rich customs of the Alps at public Volksfeste. [158] In the lower areas where the forests are widespread, wooden tiles are traditionally used. Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme, snowfall, snowpack, glaciation, and river runoff, Almabtrieb, Alpabzug, Alpabfahrt, Dsalpes, December 13, 1916 Marmolada-mountain-avalanche, January 13, 2016 Les-Deux-Alpes avalanche, "Le Mont-Blanc passe de 4.810 mtres 4.808,7 mtres", "Vte, e jsou Alpy i v Maarsku? Photo by Marco Lazzaroni Both Valle dAosta and the Dolomites are easily reached in northern Italy but the Alps are closer to Milan or Torino, and the Dolomites are closer to Verona and Venice With the opening of the 57.1km-long (35.5mi) Gotthard Base Tunnel on June 1, 2016, it bypasses the Gotthard Tunnel built in the 19th century and realizes the first flat route through the Alps. 3. [55], Glaciers pick up rocks and sediment with them as they flow. I agree with Paul about the Dolomites. It's a completely different kind of vegetation and thus the color scheme is different. It's a living geography lesson. Additionally, the Alps have led to the creation of large lakes in Italy. difference between alps and mountains [68] The Rhine originates in a 30km2 (12sqmi) area in Switzerland and represents almost 60% of water exported from the country. [55], Agassiz studied glacier movement in the 1840s at the Unteraar Glacier where he found the glacier moved 100m (328ft) per year, more rapidly in the middle than at the edges. The secondary chain of the Alps follows the watershed from the Mediterranean Sea to the Wienerwald, passing over many of the highest and most well-known peaks in the Alps. The Alps are Europes highest and most extensive mountain range. [85] Although Alpenrose prefers acidic soil, the plants are found throughout the region. For the past 20 years I have lived in Calgary. The Celts mined salt in areas such as Salzburg, where evidence was found of the Hallstatt culture. In Germany, the medieval St. Bartholomew's chapel was built on the south side of the Knigssee, accessible only by boat or by climbing over the abutting peaks.[70]. The Italian Alps or Dolomites? Choosing Your Mountains in Italy It's magical. The alpine area fluctuates greatly because of regional fluctuations in tree lines. Difference Between Alps And Mountains The Alps rose up due to the collision of the African and European tectonic plates, but the present-day landscape with iconic jagged mountains such as the Matterhorn are the result of millions of years of glacial activity and erosion. Answer: The Himalayas is one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world. Have you been to the Cascades near Seattle? Each has its own appeal and it is worth visiting both. I believe you would enjoy any part of the Alps. The Lauberhorn is the more strenuous downhill race at 4.5km (2.8mi) and poses danger to racers who reach 130km/h (81mph) within seconds of leaving the start gate. [37] The Tethys was later squeezed between colliding plates causing the formation of mountain ranges called the Alpide belt, from Gibraltar through the Himalayas to Indonesiaa process that began at the end of the Mesozoic and continues into the present. [64] Although the area is only about 11% of the surface area of Europe, the Alps provide up to 90% of water to lowland Europe, particularly to arid areas and during the summer months. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 16871693, "Die Besteigung der Berge - Die Dolomitgipfel werden erobert (German: The ascent of the mountains - the dolomite peaks are conquered)", "Cahier d'architecture Haute Maurienne/Vanoise", "What Role Do the Alps Play within World Tourism? Owners of the cows traditionally receive from the cheesemakers a portion about the proportion of the cows' milk from the summer months in the high alps. [44], Peaks in France, Italy and Switzerland lie in the "Houillire zone", which consists of basement with sediments from the Mesozoic Era. Good opportunities to see local people celebrating the traditional culture occur at the many fairs, wine festivals, and firefighting festivals which fill weekends in the countryside from spring to autumn. The Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, on the border with Austria, is only 9720'. If you went over the edge of one of those viaducts, you'd have about 4-5 seconds to wish you had taken the train, then . These mountains, which extend across Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, include over 100 mountains that exceed 23,622 feet (7200 m) and encompasses about 15,000 glaciers. The effect of mountain chains on prevailing winds is to carry warm air belonging to the lower region into an upper zone, where it expands in volume at the cost of a proportionate loss of temperature, often accompanied by precipitation in the form of snow or rain. Specifically, one of the Alps, the highest chain of mountains in Europe. Numerous weather stations were placed in the mountains early in the early 20th century, providing continuous data for climatologists. It has a charm and breathtaking beauty like nowhere else. [137] Jean-Jacques Rousseau presented the Alps as a place of allure and beauty, in his novel Julie, or the New Heloise, published in 1761. The Alps and The Andes- two contrasting mountain ranges! [98], Reptiles such as adders and vipers live up to the snow line; because they cannot bear the cold temperatures they hibernate underground and soak up the warmth on rocky ledges. From the Colle di Cadibona to Col de Tende it runs westwards, before turning to the northwest and then, near the Colle della Maddalena, to the north. Roofs are traditionally constructed from Alpine rocks such as pieces of schist, gneiss, or slate. The sequence of Tethyan marine sediments and their oceanic basement is sandwiched between rock derived from the African and European plates. While the location and manner of his death suggests that tzi was traveling. [117], The Great St Bernard Hospice, built in the 9th or 10th centuries, at the summit of the Great Saint Bernard Pass was a shelter for humans and destination for pilgrims. Some of the larger carnivore species found in the Alps include the Alpine ibex, the chamois, the Eurasian lynx, the wolf, and the brown bear. the playing of Alpenhorns), dance (e.g. But I agree with the others, that's just the first look. [113] The Romans built settlements in the Alps. The cinnabar deposits in Slovenia are a notable source of cinnabar pigments. [40] These regions in Switzerland and Bavaria are well-developed, containing classic examples of flysch, which is sedimentary rock formed during mountain building. [73] The height of the Alps is sufficient to divide the weather patterns in Europe into a wet north and dry south because moisture is sucked from the air as it flows over the high peaks. The 18th and 19th centuries saw an influx of naturalists, writers, and artists, in particular, the Romantics, followed by the golden age of alpinism as mountaineers began to ascend the peaks. WebThe Alps are an interzonal mountain system (Orobiome), or a transition area between Central and Mediterranean Europe. On the highest rocky ledges, the spring flowers bloom in the summer. In my opinion the feel is very different - maybe it is the chocolate, wine and cheese versus the hamburgers and Mexican food followed by a cold beer. [140], In 1816, Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley and his wife Mary Shelley visited Geneva and all three were inspired by the scenery in their writings. (2011). Alps Facts | Blog | Nature | PBS The knight reached the summit of Rocciamelone where he left a bronze triptych of three crosses, a feat which he conducted with the use of ladders to traverse the ice. Alps, Himalayas, Andes Schmid, Stefan M. (2004). I don't know where in Italy your going to be, but since you're driving, you may want to consider the Dolomites in northern Italy. [119], In the Alps, the War of the Spanish Succession fallout resulted in a 1713 treaty, part of the Peace of Utrecht, which relocated the Western Alps border along the watersheds. Later the first wave of Romanticism such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and J. M. W. Turner came to admire the Alpine scenery;[138] Wordsworth visited the area in 1790, writing of his experiences in The Prelude (1799). Commonly made of Norway spruce, they are called "tavaillon". Guests, such as Rudolf Hess, stayed over, sleeping in tents or over the garage. [155] Villagers celebrate the day the cows are herded up to the pastures and again when they return in mid-September. 98 years later followed Gotthard Road Tunnel (16.9km (10.5mi) long) connecting the A2 motorway in Gschenen on the north side with Airolo on the south side, exactly like the railway tunnel. [12] The plants that grow at the highest altitudes have adapted to conditions by specialization such as growing in rock screes that give protection from winds. Evidence of human habitation in the Alps goes back to the Palaeolithic era. [34] Many of the big Alpine three-thousanders were climbed in the early 19th century, notably the Grossglockner (1800) and the Ortler (1804), although some of them were climbed only much later, such at Mont Pelvoux (1848), Monte Viso (1861) and La Meije (1877). I love the Rockies but just a different feeling comes over me when in the Alps. Along with my family, we hike and x-c ski in the Rocky Mtns as much as possible on weekends and holidays. [65][72], The Alps are a classic example of what happens when a temperate area at lower altitude gives way to higher-elevation terrain. We have some photos at: www.worldisround.com/articles/324504/index.html. Simply spectacular and in my opinion, like nothing else in the Alps! This causes erosion and the formation of valleys over time. [107] Celt tribes settled in modern-day Switzerland between 1500 and 1000 BC. Marmots live almost exclusively above the tree line as high as 2,700m (8,900ft). "Impact of Climatic Change on Water and Natural Hazards in the Alps". The typical Swiss chalet originated in the Bernese Oberland. The habitats range from meadows, bogs, and woodland (deciduous and coniferous) areas to soil-less scree and moraines, and rock faces and ridges. As for the "sissy guardrails" guardrails are pretty rare on the many passes in Austria and the Dolomites. [39] In the Paleozoic Era the Pangaean supercontinent consisted of a single tectonic plate; it broke into separate plates during the Mesozoic Era and the Tethys sea developed between Laurasia and Gondwana during the Jurassic Period. Alps III. In Austria, the Mondsee lake shows evidence of houses built on piles. The inclination of the roof cannot exceed 40%, allowing the snow to stay on top, thereby functioning as insulation from the cold. , date=October 1 [50] Typically, the largest earthquakes in the alps have been between magnitude 6 and 7 on the Richter scale. The highest of the Alps are higher than the Rockies in Colorado with Mt. These are passes, mind you, not the tops of mountains. [144][145][146], Fall 1932, Adolf Hitler commissioned the first of a series of refurbishments, which eventually turned a mountain cottage, later named Berghof, into a fortified citadel. [15] The range stretches from the Mediterranean Sea north above the Po basin, extending through France from Grenoble, and stretching eastward through mid and southern Switzerland. About 200,000 drawings and etchings have been documented, and are known as the Rock Drawings in Valcamonica. The Almabtrieb, Alpabzug, Alpabfahrt, Dsalpes ("coming down from the alps") is celebrated by decorating the cows with garlands and enormous cowbells while the farmers dress in traditional costumes. Crystals, such as cinnabar, amethyst, and quartz, are found throughout much of the Alpine region. [23], The Alps have been crossed for war and commerce, and by pilgrims, students and tourists. In 1798, the Helvetic Republic was established, two years later an army across the Great St Bernard Pass. [133] By the 19th century more naturalists began to arrive to explore, study and conquer the high peaks. I can only compare the Alps with several skiing resorts around the Vail area but IMO the valleys in the Alps are much more narrow and the mountains appear to be much higher, definitely steeper.
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