Alps

:This article is about the Alps in Europe. For other mountain ranges see Alps (disambiguation).

Geography

Subdivision

The Alps are generally divided into Western Alps and Eastern Alps. The division is along the line between Lake Constance and Lake Como, following the Rhine. The Western Alps are located in Italy, France and Switzerland, the Eastern Alps in Austria, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovenia and Switzerland. The highest peak of the Western Alps is Mont Blanc, 4810 m. The highest peak in the Eastern Alps is Piz Bernina, 4052 m.

Related Topics:
Lake Constance - Lake Como - Rhine - Italy - France - Switzerland - Austria - Germany - Liechtenstein - Slovenia - Piz Bernina

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The Eastern Alps are commonly subdivided according to the different geological composition of the more central parts of the Alps and the groups at its northern and southern fringes: Northern Limestone Alps, Central Eastern Alps and Southern Limestone Alps. The border between the Central Eastern Alps and the Southern Limestone Alps is the so-called Periadriatic Seam. The Northern Limestone Alps are separated from the Central Eastern Alps by the Grauwacken Zone.

Related Topics:
Northern Limestone Alps - Central Eastern Alps - Southern Limestone Alps - Periadriatic Seam - Grauwacken Zone

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The Western Alps are commonly subdivided into the following:

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• Ligurian Alps
• Maritime Alps
• Cottian Alps
• Dauphiné Alps
• Graian Alps
• Pennine Alps
• Bernese Alps
• Lepontine Alps
• Glarus Alps
• North-Eastern Swiss Alps

Series of lower mountain ranges run parallel to the main chains of the Alps, including the French Prealps.

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Geographical limits

:Main article: Limits of the Alps

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The limits of the Alps depend on the meaning we attach to the word Alps as referring to the great mountain-chain of central Europe. If we merely desire to distinguish it from certain minor ranges (e.g. the Cevennes, the Jura, the hills of central Germany, the Carpathians, the Apennines), which are really independent ranges rather than offshoots of the main chain, the best limits are on the west (strictly speaking south), the Col d'Altare or di Cadibona (435 metres, 1624 feet), leading from Turin to Savona and Genoa, and on the east the line of the railway over the Semmering Pass (980 metres, 3215 feet) from Vienna to Maribor in the Mul valley, and on by Ljubljana to Trieste.

Related Topics:
Europe - Cevennes - Jura - Germany - Carpathians - Apennines - Col d'Altare - Turin - Savona - Genoa - Semmering Pass - Vienna - Maribor - Ljubljana - Trieste

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Today, the limits of the Alps are usually based on geological criteria, meaning that hills that developed jointly with the higher parts of the Alps are also included. For example, in Austria, the Wienerwald, a wooded promontory, is usually considered to be a part of the Alps, whereas the hills of northern Upper Austria and northwestern Lower Austria, which are geologically much older, are excluded.

Related Topics:
Austria - Wienerwald - Promontory - Upper Austria - Lower Austria

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Main chains

:Main article: Main chain of the Alps

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Starting from the Col d'Altare or di Cadibona (west of Savona), the main chain extends first south-west, then north-west to the Col de Tenda, though nowhere rising much beyond the zone of coniferous trees. Beyond the Col de Tenda the direction is first roughly west, then north-west to the Rocher des Trois Eveques (2840 m), just south of the Mont Enchastraye (2932 m), several peaks of about 3000 metres rising on the watershed, though the highest of all, the Punta dell' Argentera (3265 m) stands a little way to its north.

Related Topics:
Col d'Altare - Cadibona - Savona - Col de Tenda - Rocher des Trois Eveques - Mont Enchastraye - Punta dell' Argentera

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Principal passes

:Main article: Principal passes of the Alps

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Though the Alps form a barrier, they have never been an impassable barrier. From earliest days onwards, they have been traversed for purposes such as war and commerce, and later by pilgrims, students and tourists. Places where they were crossed are called passes, and are points at which the alpine chain sinks to form depressions, up to which deep-cut valleys lead from the plains and hilly pre-mountainous zones. Several road and train passes now exist.

Related Topics:
War - Commerce - Pilgrim - Student - Tourist - Road - Train

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