Mountains have always fascinated us. A cold realm created from ice and rock, then shaped and carved by time. In the shadow of the mountain peaks, a life that seems unnatural to us is firmly established. Over the years, living organisms have adapted to harsh conditions. And everyone who lives in these mountains, be it a plant, a mammal or a bird, has all adapted to the flow and change of local natural phenomena. However, these natural processes go unnoticed by the mountains, whose age is measured in tens or hundreds of millions of years. And the most famous among all the peaks of the world are the Alps, where there are the highest peaks, bustling life and mesmerizing views. Since ancient times, various peoples have lived here, considering the Alps their support and protection from the whole world. Where are the Alps located? Many will answer that in Europe. But on Earth, as many as 4 mountain ranges are called the Alps, and they are all different from each other.
European Alps
Mountains have a certain lifespan. The European Alps were formed during a tectonic shift about 35 million years ago when continental plates collided. Africa and Europe. The European Alps are still growing, driven by the internal forces of the planet. For most of their history, mountains have been wilderness, too extreme for human habitation. And yet it was people who gave the name to these mountains when they surveyed the globe. It does not matter where the mountains are: in the north or in the south, in the east or in the west - they owe their formation to the same geological processes. In the locations of the mountains, the lines of the most active geological faults of the rock are marked. The Alps, where just such areas are located, often present bad "gifts" in the form of snow avalanches or small earthquakes. At the foot of the Alps live animals that can hardly be called alpine: European otters, lynxes, marmots, red deer and others. Several thousand years ago, in the Alps, where there are crystal clear mountain lakes and rivers, vast meadows and vast forests, a new force came that learned to withstand any seasonal weather events. These are people who have lived for centuries at the foot of the mountains, moved up with their groups, founding cities and towns.
Australian Alps
On the other side of the world, in Australia, there is also the mountain system of the Alps, but the Australian Alps are significantly different from the European ones: there are no huge jagged peaks, these mountains appeared 600 million years ago. But their original relief has undergone global changes, because for millions of years it has been influenced by winds and rains, as well as spring meltwater flows. Glaciersmountain peaks barely reach the ground - these are the most ancient of the 4 Alps of the world. And after tens of millions of years, they have remained isolated from the whole world. Thanks to this isolation, Australia has a unique world of plants and animals. The Australian echidna, like its relative the platypus, can only be found in Australia. Some inhabitants of the Australian Alps are quite surprising with their presence, because among the snows parrots look ridiculous, right? It is more common to see them in the tropics than in the winter Australian Alps, but you can see this here too. The most common tree in Australia is the eucalyptus, which stays green no matter where it is, even in the snow. Yes, the Alps of this region are truly an amazing place on Earth!
New Zealand Alps
The Alps in New Zealand are the youngest of all the Alps. They have been formed over the past 7 million years. 2.5 million years ago, a shift in glaciers marked the beginning of the Ice Age. This affected the southern islands of New Zealand, forcing ancient species of the animal kingdom, such as the Kia parrot, to adapt to the new conditions. This is an amazing bird with the mind of a monkey, and the only one of the whole species that lives beyond the snow line. Mountains live their lives here. New Zealand's landscape was shaped by glaciers, a reminder of a world that has all but disappeared.
Japanese Alps
The last of the Alps unite several mountain ranges on the island of Honshu in Japan. Most of the peaks are over 3 km high. The mountains are amazingly picturesque, and the snow-covered peaks amaze tourists visiting this country with their magnificence. An interesting fact is that of the representatives of the fauna in these mountains lives the northernmost primate (of course, in addition to people) - mountain monkeys living among severe snows. They have had to adjust to winters that can last up to 6 months and temperatures that can stay below freezing for weeks on end.
Tourism
Where are the Alps of Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan on the map? The European Alps are the largest and highest mountain range in Western Europe, spanning France, Monaco, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Slovenia. About the location of the rest of the Alps, we think, it will be easy to guess from their name. The European Alps are extremely attractive for tourists, who annually number over 50 million people. First of all, these mountains attract climbers and skiers. For the latter, the season runs from December to April. Vacationers from all over the world come to the best ski resorts: Les Deux Alpes, Courchevel, Meribel, Val Thorens and many others. In addition, the Alps, where there are many winding trails and paths, attract professional cyclists, and the landscape beauties that open from the sky attract paragliders. The Australian Alps also boast the ski resorts of Mount Hotham, and the mesmerizing landscape of national parks invites hikers to make an unforgettable hike through the virgin lands.this mountain kingdom. The New Zealand Alps provide many extreme slopes, the season here lasts from June to September. An interesting fact is that the legendary film trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" was filmed in these parts, and not in the United States, as many believe. And finally, the mountains of Japan. They are not particularly popular with tourists and act as a pilgrimage site for Buddhists and hiking destinations for travelers looking for an unforgettable experience.
