Question

Describe the location of the alpine system.

Answer 1

• The Alps are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, and stretching approximately 1,200 kilometers (750 mi) across eight Alpine countries (from west to east): France, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia.
• The mountains were formed over tens of millions of years as the African and Eurasian tectonic plates collided.
• 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. Mont Blanc spans the French–Italian border, and at 4,810 m (15,781 ft) is the highest mountain in the Alps.
• The Alpine region area contains about a hundred peaks higher than 4,000 meters (13,000 ft).