The Alps ( / æ l p s/) [a] are the highest and most extensive mountain range that is entirely in Europe, [b] [2] stretching approximately 1,200km (750mi) across eight Alpine countries (from west to east): Monaco, France, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria and Slovenia. [c] [4] Main article: Skiing in Australia Skiing, Mt. Kosciusko, Australia, c. 1925, by Albert James Perier Perisher, New South Wales, is Australia's largest ski resort. The areas that are not arid and receive high precipitation experience periodic flooding from rapid snowmelt and runoff. [69] The mean precipitation in the Alps ranges from a low of 2,600mm (100in) per year to 3,600mm (140in) per year, with the higher levels occurring at high altitudes. At altitudes between 1,000 and 3,000m (3,300 and 9,800ft), snowfall begins in November and accumulates through to April or May when the melt begins. Snow lines vary from 2,400 to 3,000m (7,900 to 9,800ft), above which the snow is permanent and the temperatures hover around the freezing point even during July and August. High-water levels in streams and rivers peak in June and July when the snow is still melting at the higher altitudes. [75]

Smith, Jennifer Nimmo (2004). The river Alpheus in Greek, Christian and Byzantine thought. Byzantion Environment Australia. Revision of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) and Development of Version 5.1 - Summary Report (Report). Department of the Environment and Water Resources, Australian Government. Archived from the original on 5 September 2006 . Retrieved 31 January 2007.

3. Col de la Bonette - France

Schmid, Stefan M. (2004). "Regional tectonics: from the Rhine graben to the Po plain, a summary of the tectonic evolution of the Alps and their forelands". Basel: Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut 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. This domestic, but representative, fortification had two small bedrooms, and a full bathroom, planned by the Munich architect and NSDAP member Josef Neumaier. Guests, such as Rudolf Hess, stayed over, sleeping in tents or over the garage. [147] The Swiss Alps comprise almost all the highest mountains of the Alps, such as Dufourspitze (4,634 m), the Dom (4,545 m), the Liskamm (4,527 m), the Weisshorn (4,506 m) and the Matterhorn (4,478 m). The other following major summits can be found in this list of mountains of Switzerland. Human interference has nearly exterminated the trees in many areas, and, except for the beech forests of the Austrian Alps, forests of deciduous trees are rarely found after the extreme deforestation between the 17th and 19th centuries. [92] The vegetation has changed since the second half of the 20th century, as the high alpine meadows cease to be harvested for hay or used for grazing which eventually might result in a regrowth of the forest. In some areas, the modern practice of building ski runs by mechanical means has destroyed the underlying tundra from which the plant life cannot recover during the non-skiing months, whereas areas that still practice a natural piste type of ski slope building preserve the fragile underlayers. [90] Fauna [ edit ] We have the problem in the Swiss Alps and in the mountains in general is that the initial causes do not show direct effects, the consequences then usually come coupled with chain reactions.

Die Besteigung der Berge - Die Dolomitgipfel werden erobert (German: The ascent of the mountains - the dolomite peaks are conquered)". The first British Mont Blanc ascent by a man was in 1788; the first ascent by a woman was in 1808. By the mid-1850s Swiss mountaineers had ascended most of the peaks and were eagerly sought as mountain guides. Edward Whymper reached the top of the Matterhorn in 1865 (after seven attempts), and in 1938 the last of the six great north faces of the Alps was climbed with the first ascent of the Eiger Nordwand (north face of the Eiger). [35] The 29 Alpine four-thousanders with at least 300 metres of topographic prominence [36] Name The extreme and stressful climatic conditions give way to the growth of plant species with secondary metabolites important for medicinal purposes. Origanum vulgare, Prunella vulgaris, Solanum nigrum, and Urtica dioica are some of the more useful medicinal species found in the Alps. [91] Preserved internal alpine forest and meadow, Vanoise National Park Find sources: "Geography of the Alps"– news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR ( June 2010) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) Main article: List of valleys of the Alps The St. Bartholomew's chapel on the Königssee in Bavaria is a popular tourist destination. [63]The Australian Alps consist of two biogeographic sub regions: the Snowy Mountains, including the Brindabella Range, located in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory; and the Victorian Alps, located in Victoria. The latter region is also known as the "High Country", particularly within a cultural or historical context. Anita Ericson, Österreich [Marco Polo travel guide], 13th edition, Marco Polo, Ostfildern (Germany), 2017, Pp. 21f. Several glaciers are located in the Alps, the longest of which is the aletsch Glacier in the Bernese Alps. They may be found in all of the higher groups of mountains from the Dauphiné Alps in France to the Hohe Tauern in central Austria, and the main ascent routes on many of the highest mountains pass over glaciers.

The Subalpine zone is the region that lies below the tree line. It is the most important region as it is the largest of the three and contains almost all human settlements as well as the productive areas. The forests are mainly composed of conifers above 1,200–1,400 meters, the deciduous tree forest is confined to lower elevations. The upper limit of the Subalpine zone is located at about 1,800 meters on the north side of the Alps and about 2,000 meters on the south side. It can, however, differ in some regions such as the Appenzell Alps (1,600 meters) or the Engadin valley (2,300 meters). The Swiss Alps is known for glaciers, containing around 1,800 glaciers. The region’s glaciers include the longest glacier in the Alps: the Aletsch Glacier. Additional Facts: The Alps have been crossed for war and commerce, and by pilgrims, students and tourists. 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. [24]According to the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), there are over 4,500 species of plants, 200 bird species, 21 amphibian species, 15 reptile species, and 80 mammal species. Many of these species have made adaptations to the harsh cold conditions and high altitudes. Wer hat die grösste Röhre?"[Who has the longest tube?]. Tages-Anzeiger (graphical animation) (in German). Zurich. April 14, 2016 . Retrieved May 11, 2016.

Switzerland has one of the best public transportation networks. The Alps of Switzerland are also well served by train, bus and cable cars. I would like to show you three “Swiss train journeys” that are truly breathtaking and very worthwhile. Bernina Express

International

The largest mammal to live in the highest altitudes are the alpine ibex, which have been sighted as high as 3,000m (9,800ft). The ibex live in caves and descend to eat the succulent alpine grasses. [94] Classified as antelopes, [12] chamois are smaller than ibex and found throughout the Alps, living above the tree line and are common in the entire alpine range. [95] Areas of the eastern Alps are still home to brown bears. In Switzerland the canton of Bern was named for the bears but the last bear is recorded as having been killed in 1792 above Kleine Scheidegg by three hunters from Grindelwald. [96]