31/03/2014 European Highs and Lows – Mountains and Plains Alps: Located in south-central Europe, they extend for almost 700 miles. Known for stunning scenery,
glaciers, lakes and valleys and the best skiing conditions on the planet, they're the source of many rivers and
tributaries including the Danube, Po, Rhine and Rhone. The highest point is Mont Blanc at 15,771 ft. (4,807 m)
Apennines: The source of almost all rivers in Italy including the Arno, Tiber, and Volturno, the Apennines
Mountains, 830 miles (1,350 km) in length, form the backbone of the country, and run the entire length of the
Italian Peninsula, ending on the island of Sicily. The highest point is Mt. Corno at 9,560 ft. (2,914 m).
Atlantic Highlands: Formed million of years ago during the Caledonian mountain-building periods as western
lands were (forced) or pushed against the Scandinavian Shield. Significant mountain ranges here include the
Kjolen in Norway and Sweden, and the Pennines that stretch through the central United Kingdom.
Balkan Mountains: These mountains extend from Yugoslavia across Bulgaria. Additional ranges run through
Albania, Greece and Macedonia. Its most famous mountain is Mt. Olympus,. It stands at 9,568 ft. (2,918 m).
Carpathian Mountains: This mountain system located in eastern Europe forms the natural border between
Slovakia and southern Poland, and then extends southward through Ukraine and into Romania.
Caucasus Mountains: Stretching from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea, these volcanic mountains have
many peaks above 15,000 ft. (4,572 m). The highest point (and the highest point in Europe) is located here;
Mt. Elbrus at 18,506 ft. (5,642 m).
Great Hungarian Plain: Located in southeastern Europe, and surrounded by mountains, the land features
several small forests and large patches of grassland. It averages only 100 meters above sea level.
Massif Central: This mountainous plateau of southeastern France is the source of the Loire. The highest
point is Puy de Sancy at 6,186 ft. (1,885 m).
Mesata: The central plateau, or Mesata, covers nearly half of the entire country of Spain. This high plateau
averages about 2,300 ft. (700 m) in the north, and 2,000 ft. (600 m) in the south. It's surrounded by a series
of mountain ranges.
North European Plain: The land is largely flat with smaller areas of hills, including the Central Russian
Uplands. Farming is prevalent and agricultural communities dot the landscape.
Pyrenees: These mountains form the natural border between France and Spain and extend for about 270
miles from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea. The highest point is Pico de Aneto at 11,168 ft. (3,404
m)
Scandinavian Shield: An ancient area of rocky earth peppered with granite rock that was eroded by
receding glacial ice sheets. It's a rolling area of land covered with thousands of lakes (mostly small), linked by
rivers.
Ural Mountains: The Urals are 1,640 miles (2,640 km) in length form a natural border between Asia and
Europe. The highest point is Mt. Narodnaya at 6,214 ft. (1,894 m).
TASK: Read the text and highlight the highest mountain in each mountain range (where
mentioned).