Interesting facts about the Alps

by Michael

The Alps are considered to be one of Europe’s stunning natural places. It begins just north of France and ends in Slovenia. It was formed about 30 million years ago due to a tectonic collision beneath central and southern Europe and northern Africa.

If you need to visit the alps, you should consider using the services of Alpimatkat after reading what other people in Finland that have used their services have to say about them on suomiarvostelut.fi. Here are some interesting facts about the Alps:

The landmass

The Alps covers several countries in Europe; it is the border that separates Italy from France. It is 1,094 kilometers long, 225 kilometers wide, with a land area of 207,000 square kilometers. It is over a million meters above sea level and it serves at three high peaks with the first in Mont Blanc, the second in Monte Rosa, and the third in Matterhorn.

The weather

The weather in the Alps is extreme, however, it experiences different types of climate. Since it is centrally located in Europe, it is affected by the four regions which affect the other parts of the continents. For instance, the Alps get cold air from the north, moist air from the wet, cold and dry air in winter while hot air in summer from the east, and Mediterranean air from the south. Storms also affect the daily weather situations in the Alps. However, the Alps’ physiography has the biggest variation; the valley bottoms are warmer while the peaks experience high levels of precipitation.

Nature

The valley slopes are home to trees such as elm, oak, birch, etc. while the higher elevations are covered by forests with spruce, many different pine types, etc. Research shows that some pine trees have lived for over 800 years in the Alps. During summer, sheep and cows come around to graze. Other animal species include the marmots, the ptarmigan, Ibex, etc. However, due to the human activities in the Alps, the flora and fauna are put under a lot of pressure.

Civilization

Since the Alps spans several European countries, there are lots of human settlements around it. The waters that flow from the Alps are used in over 400 hydroelectric powerplants across these countries. Mining raw materials such as iron and raising livestock are the mainstay of the economy, but there are electricity-dependent companies in these areas as well. Due to the aesthetic value of the Alpine region, tourism is a booming business. Every year, the Alps experience ever-increasing traffic of tourists from different parts of the world.

Adventure

There are plenty of activities available for lovers of adventure in the Alps. Some of the activities include skiing, paragliding, mountain railways, biking, etc. Hiking is a great way to discover the shimmering waterfalls and stunning glaciers in the Alps. There are well-marked trails to guide you so you don’t lose your way.

If you are looking for an ideal relaxation spot, the Alps is your go-to. You can simply sit and read or take in the beautiful landscape around you. you can sunbathe in one of the resorts available in the Alps. If you are looking at pampering yourself, you can spend some time in one of the relaxing spa hotels.