french italian del mountain range alps located france italy switzerland northeastern end contains major independent metres height named metres highest point western europe considerable overall altitude large proportion covered glaciers includes longest glaciers france italy respectively form watershed vast rivers france italy switzerland marks border climate regions separating northern western alps southern alps mountains consists granite rocks high altitudes vegetation arctic alpine flora valleys communication routes romans left 5th century region remained military importance mid-20th century peasant farming economy operated valleys centuries glaciers mountains discovered outside world 18th century word impressive sights began spread finally climbed marking start sport region major tourist destination drawing million visitors year provides wide range opportunities outdoor recreation activities sight seeing hiking rock climbing skiing people year die mountains occasionally bodies lost glaciers decades access mountains facilitated cable cars mountain railways mountain offer overnight refuge long distance tour hiking trail day trek kilometres connects french town northern italian town south high mountains provided opportunities scientific research including measurements tunnel impacts climate change highest slopes recent rises average temperatures led significant glacial retreat awareness need better environmental protection including status geography kilometres long lies southwest northeasterly direction borders france italy switzerland western widest point northern lies france bounded valley containing towns west bounded containing town river flows northwards confluence near les onwards southern lies italy bounded meet town waters flow southwards eventually joining extreme southwestern end lie france bounded des glaciers connects watershed col waters flow southwards river onwards northeastern end falls switzerland bounded separate valley called separates east flows northwards join borders countries converge near summit altitude metres french italian border runs ridge high southern metres height including ridge western satellite border turns southwards dropping col border france switzerland roughly north ridge line slightly lower peaks including tour dropping swiss italian border runs southwest twin passes contains main metres altitude numerous subsidiary points height metres highest mountain alps western europe summit near metres drop distance kilometres great elevation ice covered deeply glaciers longest range longest france second longest alps debris covered southern longest italy summit ice cap thickness varies year year entire tour walking route approximately kilometres usually takes days complete annual mountain competitors expected complete route hours main mountain passes connect different valleys towns col path links les path links saint les path links valley path links valley col major road links ascent initiated sport alpine golden age silver age majority main attained members england based instrumental usually accompanied guides towns swiss guide thousand different routes ranging greatly length difficulty attract world unlike early access numerous climbing modern safety equipment good information climbing routes technical difficulty weather forecasts mountain accommodation food glaciers wide range glaciers glacial structures found easily reached viewed glaciers cover square kilometres km2 fall france largest western alps second largest europe total length highest terminus area length italy longest largest debris covered europe large glaciers include whilst glaciers appear similar fluctuations length research shows individual distinctive response time changes snowfall climate known respond respond seven years later reacting years changes observed movement ice smallest glaciers significant impact environment human activity large body water accumulated surface burst suddenly night july released cubic metres water ice flowed killing people town recent build water deep cause concern day downward movement melting glaciers result objects lost years later recorded account body range concerned alpine guides buried august near high expedition organised years later remains discovered exposed metres lower point lost corpse guide discovered following year group found body close identified young guide caught winter storm solo ascent face assumed fallen box valuable found emerged having carried metres downhill site plane crashes occurred identical locations high near summit flight debris crashes commonly found geology consists predominantly ancient granite rocks alps origins million years ago earth crust lifted limestone rocks destined form base alps range period ended million years ago granite associated rocks formed base mountains nearby rocks heavily eroded away eventually ground inundated sea allowing rocks form earth crust result collision continental plates huge mountain ranges today alps began form happened end period million years ago finally came era successive ice ages saw vast glaciers advance retreat advance movement landscape ground shaped mountains valleys today range north form external zone alps effectively layers rock central steep slopes highest points topped visible places near summit granite mountains eroded steep needle shaped peaks known known locally rocks lower mineral richer commonly found large covered ice fields cut numerous glaciers flowing french italian eastwards swiss slopes italian glaciers drop sharply heavily covered rock debris defined broad valleys formed fault lines subsequently shaped ice glacial period ice age mid-19th century granite rocks important source stone constructing buildings italian brought valley towns time destroyed fires minerals important source mineral specimens crystal hunters years explorer noted basin considered good hunting ground crystals slopes les yielded large specimens recounted guide stated collected pounds specimens hours systematic account minerals area published list entitled des mineral types included present small components rocks excluded known today separate mineral species occur range order preserve heritage banned mineral hunting activities collection specimens prior permit issued mayor office use explosives heavy machinery helicopters removing material banned code practice place requires annual declaration finds gives right crystal museum option acquire specimens significance collections protect scientific value material collected specimens offered sale labelled details found crystal museum opened public tells story early crystal hunters known specimens collected displayed climate located watershed rivers situated different climatic regions northern western alps southern alps climatic conditions similar found northern swiss alps climate cold temperate climate classification greatly influenced altitude main valley settlements perimeter altitude ranging metres daytime valley temperatures july august range reaching greatest snowfall occurs months november april best weather hiking occurs late june early october highest alps create weather patterns temperatures drop mountains gain height summit permanent ice cap temperatures summit prone strong winds sudden weather changes great overall height considerable proportion permanently snow covered exposed extremely cold conditions high passes tour summer temperatures feeling colder wind wet conditions precipitation distributed fairly evenly months year originates westerly significant variation precipitation altitude example elevation approximately metres receives annual precipitation whilst col metres sea level receives significantly totalling higher altitude near summit precipitation considerably recorded despite measurements taken height metres mountains south range annual precipitation significantly equivalent altitudes example valleys metres receive precipitation year significantly ecology contains rich variety biodiversity result huge height range different habitats found valleys highest mild temperatures occur altitudes metres arctic conditions occur metres highest point metres whilst contain species endemic rare legally protected species found major habitat zones forests sub alpine alpine zones major habitats coniferous forests rock slopes plus glacial biological influenced different aspects faces geology influence man lower middle slopes forest clearance created open grassland native forest habitats essential survival species key species including pine stone pine red pine flora thousand plant species recorded valley bottoms right alpine found record breaking height early explorers observed number notable species mountains altitudes metres feet permanent snow line rocks steep little snow rest arctic alpine species included occurring noted following species flowering plants rocky debris permanent snow fields highest alpine glaciers mid 1800s naturalist published number articles flora including list flowering plants found les high middle completely surrounded ice south les lies large triangular region steep containing unusual mixture high alpine vegetation known derives rich plants occur great altitude described patches vegetation europe rock midst wilderness snow ice higher adjacent ground tens metres result spared glacial subsequent loss vegetation time surrounded ice sides evidenced glacial found today species recorded include located sea level highest botanical garden europe contains plant species covers area square metres originally created tourist attraction subsequent designation adjacent protected area increased scientific importance reached mid way station foot hours ascent botanical garden derives genus mountain flowers saw named enthusiasm scientific research mountains led ascent fauna mountains home species including deer mountain hare alpine including small population reintroduced french alps present extremely unlikely encountered similarly wolves long ago reintroduced recent times small number individuals reported way area different bird species recorded italian including nesting species regional national following birds recorded different habitats right valleys lower crow great house martin house robin swallow rivers forests coal jay marsh willow tree line alpine alpine vulture rare black meadow golden eagle honey falcon seven largest indigenous species housed near including deer located metres village park founded contains eighty animal species mountain habitats world human history early history region located occupied man years great height nature mountains lower parts valleys perimeter inhabited routes communication romans occupied region years ago main valleys military purposes gave highest parts alps extended took tribe engineered roads extended northwards europe great bernard pass little bernard pass southern began develop stop trans alpine trading routes italy france parts modern tour walking trail follow route roman road col col romans occupied north influence spread alps northern europe result aggressive pressure tribes north imperial forces rome gradually withdrawn alpine regions 5th century left completely areas left occupied western tribes today france whilst tribes germany moved eastern parts resulting linguistic divide found today alps centuries settlements comprised rural population peasant mountain farmers living animal supplemented harvest farmers valley joined counterparts neighbouring valleys crossed alps southern germany austria northern italy sell products bring goods sale local markets tourist beginnings valley glaciers north discovered written aristocratic travelling named descriptions exploits published europe bringing mountains range attention wide audience time offered large financial prize people successfully ascended summit finally attained august men guide decades followed saw gradual opening world rest published accounts climbs impressive sights mountain range attracted numerous wealthy notable visitors visit marvel fashionable thing experience july toured alps visited known jointly published accounts letters work entitled history weeks tour france switzerland germany holland sail round lake geneva glaciers book concludes line poem written whilst inspired river snow covered chaotic glaciers forests experienced visit notable visitors plus successive wives austria spent month painted mountains undertaking tour eventually annexed france napoleon iii visited region mark event undertook enhance road access leading end valley 19th century saw considerable economic development turned small agricultural town base tourists luxurious hotels mountain built accommodate trade selling local items visiting foreigners soon developed crystals collected demand locally produced goods horn honey years particular popular destination travellers economy changed agriculture tourism saw emergence spread sport alpine visitor numbers increased significantly end 18th century home summer visitors welcoming visitors numbers risen year eleventh edition written range estimated visitors gone previous season reported railway service previously suspended winter running year tourist boom mountains started winter sports week held patronage attracted paying visitors named winter olympic games modern tourism significant tourist destination region attracts million people gaining access slopes means mechanical infrastructure cable cars railways surveys shown tourists come winter sports skiing summer outdoor activities like hiking climbing cycling cable car attracts people year gives views rises summit metres holds world record highest vertical ascent cable car building new cable car italian expected increase visitor numbers following complete replacement earlier cable car system takes tourists costing million regarded world expensive cable car installation recent enhancements tourist infrastructure included construction new ultra modern accommodate increasing numbers attempting popular summit investment billion les ski areas year period onwards increasing numbers mountain tourists ease access high mountain environment plus promotion encouragement tour companies offering people little previous alpine experience led increase mountain accidents inappropriate demands rescued climbing parties attempting ascend year gained reputation world deadliest mountains deaths related accidents average year majority occurring stunts local authorities reckless stupid recent years guards placed popular route ascent summit peak periods order ensure entering mountain environment adequately equipped skilled led calls limit access popular mountains treated greater respect scientific research provided numerous opportunities academic research dating ascent carried scientific equipment confirm highest summit ill fated expedition led included intended release varying altitudes measure impact reduced air density ability fly built small meteorological observatory approximately summit numerous measurements scientific experiments conducted study involved taking simultaneous temperature measurements months observatory constructed astronomical observatory partially buried summit ice hold place measuring oxygen content sun installed observatory removed started collapse examples modern day uses high mountains scientific research include detection pollution monitoring climate change installed deep inside early 1980s order advantage background radiation provided meter water equivalent solid rock surrounding direction february underground observatory reported detection event believed originated explosion technique remote laser scanning time mountain environment research impact climate change rock face stability seven sites selected analysed area east face laser distance metres feet revealed month period face lost rock project concluded high rate linked degradation held mountain effectively exposed greater freeze cycle water maximum occurrence warm summers captured video footage huge east face suggests instability continues area researchers france italy korea published results study contamination wider environment wind borne particles analysed ice core depth altitude produced accurate timeline contamination levels going years published concentration data alpine polar ice pre dated shown contain fairly uniform low levels consistent natural background contamination contrast ice laid world war showed large attributed aerial transport dust produced extensive mining operations occurred france lesser extent end 1980s evidence found disaster nuclear power plants caused high levels observed contamination modern military history troop garrison known active years col border france italy 1930s period increased international tension countries wanting demonstrate military large drills troop exercises undertaken high altitude world war time french army defeated nazi_germany france found attack time italian soldiers alpine locations including area col evidence past fortifications old firing points visible area end world war highest engagement entire war occurred glaciers germans nearly defeated garrison surrounded forces contingent austro german soldier based italian launched dawn bombardment positions adjacent cable car station col attack met fierce opposition french resistance fighters took place altitude metres feet attacking soldiers killed including commander france established train mountain troops provide specialised training skiing tactical skills entire army later renamed continues role day training approximately troops year incidents number noteworthy incidents occurred centuries stand routine toll mountain related deaths approximately recorded deaths die climbing group led people killed nearby settlements sudden release italian mountain guide dies simple descent crashes des glaciers crew killed air india flight crashes close summit passengers crew killed french jet fighter plane cable killing tourists leaving trapped crashes close summit passengers crew killed british mountain guide successfully sued year old boy father death climbing accident kills people destroys houses villages worst incident years fire kills people ice fall affecting killed injured access accessible road france switzerland pass reach swiss italy leads higher mountain route col quickly crossed north south direction transport routes aimed traffic intended solely tourists long tunnel connects permits cars quickly reach opposite valley took years complete opened vehicle traffic tunnel known incident march caught inside resulting fire lasted hours killed people tunnel renovated aftermath opening years later trucks cars tunnel day totalling million vehicles year little fire normally visitors travelling tourist centres gives views regions crosses roughly north south direction connects point reached respectively connects near foot whilst connects des les grand important winter skiing area region summit station provides relatively easy access northeastern peaks range including short introductory rock simple ice face route face takes tourists near provides ready access stage attempt popular route summit cable cars links plateau giving access walking paths mountain bike trails winter ski runs halt second links town adjacent plateau skiing gives ready access remote ski routes skiing banned france environmental reasons companies offering service operate swiss italian sides range mountain early days alpine number high altitude mountain positioned strategically easier access high permitting overnight stay majority owned national clubs summer months smaller basic facilities popular routes require pre book tiny remote extremely crowded good weather prefer outside environmental protection weather records 1960s trend snow lower altitudes whilst 1990s average mountain temperatures increased lower levels temperatures risen years fresh snow build years increase melting retreat glaciers retreated length reduced thickness years retreating rate year lost length depth help counter effects authorities introduced climate energy action plan committing region reduction greenhouse gas emissions plan included proposals improve air quality banning deemed times reduced air quality levels usually associated streets paris concerns state environment popular parts need visitors better respect reflected statement mayor said garbage mountain covered years problems covered nice white blanket snow want confront people reality reach people abuse mountain following construction new ascending authorities strictly enforce wild camping ban level high altitude faces individual challenges relating water energy supply waste management provision services visitors conflict environmental protection range individual solutions selection alps identified project run environment ministers france italy switzerland came agree formation partnership national authorities local communities plan future development protection group charged creating sustainable development scheme region finally launched whilst adopted plan sensitive environments landscapes produced position statement classification integrated plan pit announced implementation regional projects running group launched strategy future intended strategic tool ensuring public policies consistent different territories protected french portion classified site listed site extended cover km2 calls creation international park june france add tentative list step formal nomination status followed january cross border submission italy included france switzerland national park designation status result long delays environmental groups france italy switzerland worked umbrella organisation jointly raise concerns pressure national governments european_union support quicker progress classification organisation published detailed assessment supportive rationale state application world heritage site reviews suite environmental economic social towns seven french italian swiss monitors reports effectiveness measures intended deliver sustainable development region french parts plus neighbouring range listed zone regulatory protection recognition outstanding biodiversity area landscape geological historical scientific importance schedule documents list species animals plants important italy watershed designated italian zone km2 area forms european_union network protected sites despite individual designations regarded representing important missing link wider network protected areas western alps
Mont Blanc massif