The largest mountains of Italy on the map. mountains of italy

Italy - how much in this word. The birthplace of the eternal love story of Romeo and Juliet, the brilliant painters Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, the Italian poet Dante Alighieri and many other prominent personalities. It is the cradle of all Western civilization and the birthplace of the great Roman Empire.

Italy or the Italian Republic is a state in southern Europe. It got its name thanks to the Greeks, who settled in the southern tip of the peninsula, founding colonies at the beginning of the 8th century. BC. Protruding south of the Alps into the Mediterranean Sea, the country occupies the territory of the Alennine peninsula, shaped like a narrow boot, including the islands of Sardinia (24.090 km²) and Sicily (25.708 km²), as well as a number of other small island inclusions. The total area of ​​Italy is 301,230 km², of which 294,020 km² is land and 7,210 km² is water.

Where is Italy located?

Italy is a long peninsula that stretches from the Alps to Sicily. It borders on:

• Switzerland and Austria in the north;
• France in the northwest;
• Slovenia in the northeast.

The total length of the land borders is 1,932.2 km, divided as follows: France has 488 km, Slovenia 232 km, Austria 430 km, and the largest border with Switzerland is as much as 740 km. Italy also has an internal neighborhood with the Vatican (inside Rome) for a stretch of 3.2 km and San Marino (east of Florence) for 39 km, surrounding them from all sides.

Seas and oceans

Italy is located in the heart of the Mediterranean and is washed by five seas:

In the southwest Tyrrhenian;

In the northwest Ligurian;

To the east by the Adriatic;

In the southeast Ionian;

In the south of the Mediterranean.

Coastline

Including the islands, Italy has a coastline of 7.600 km, covering the coasts of the Adriatic, Ionian, Tyrrhenian and Ligurian regions of the central part mediterranean sea. Territorial waters are up to 12 nautical miles or over 22 km, and the continental shelf is up to 200 m deep.

River system of the country

The rivers and lakes of Italy also have a significant impact on the country's climate and its ecological balance. Major rivers are necessarily part of excursion route proposed tour. agencies. greatest river By originates in the north in the Alps and flows east through Turin to the Adriatic through a very fertile valley.

The Po Valley is one of the popular tourist destinations.

Another river is the mouth of which comes from the northeastern Apennines. It flows along Florence and flows into the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The Tiber River flows into the Tyrrhenian Sea

Very picturesque Lake Como,

Italy, on the shores of Lake Como

Lugano

And Lago Maggiore, which are located in the foothills of the Italian Alps.

"Lago Maggiore" is located between the southern ridges of the Lepontine Alps

Mountains of Italy

Italy - Mountain country. The two main mountain systems include the Alps

And Apennines.

The Alps are conditionally divided into the following regions:

• Western: area from west to east;
• Central;
• East: on the border with France, Austria and Switzerland.

Northern border of Italy border the southern slopes of the Alps, where the highest point of Western Europe is located - "Mont Blanc" on high 4808 m. above sea level.

"Mont Blanc" - the legendary peak of the Alps

The northeastern part of Italy is occupied by Dolomites top Marmolada on Mount Tofana - 3342 m.

Apeninnes mountains stretched across the entire territory of the peninsula of the same name in the direction from south to north per 1000 km. They are much lower than the Alps and easily passable. The peak of these mountains is the mountain Corno Grande - 2914 m.

Administrative division

Capital of Italy - Rome, "a city on seven hills", with a population of 2.754.440 people.

The territory of the state is divided at 20 administrative regions - regions, which in turn have 110 provinces. The latter are equated to 8101 communes. So, Rome belongs to the region of Lazio.

A mountainous country whose beauty and suffering have similar roots is Italy. Earthquakes that occur here are associated with the contact of lithospheric plates deep in the bowels of the Mediterranean. But Italian geology has another side - the beauty of the mountains beyond human comprehension. As well as the dangerous grandeur that the active volcanoes of Italy breathe ... Even today they often remind us that far from all the forces in the world are subject to people.

Mountain peaks occupy more than a third of the surface Italian soil. Alps, Apennine mountains, dormant and active volcanoes - all this captures the eye of the traveler. But, singing that "only mountains can be better than mountains", do not forget that in this world there are not many places more formidable and dangerous than mountain peaks. Maybe the mountains are beautiful because it is here that a person acutely feels not only his strength and greatness? ..

Mount Blanc, Valle d'Aosta

Mount Vesuvius, Campania

Mount Corno Grande, Abruzzo

This is the highest mountain peak in the Apennines, whose height is 2912 m. Climbers like to climb the mountain peak Corno Grande (Big Horn). They chose the expanses of the Gran Sasso massif back in the 16th century! Interestingly, the southernmost European glacier, Calderone, lurks in the mountainous crust of Corno Grande. And next to it is Corno Piccolo, or the Little Horn.

Photo source: summitpost.org.

Stromboli Volcano, Sicily

The small Sicilian island of Stromboli also has its own potentially dangerous one. Stromboli (" round island”) is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea and belongs to the Aeolian Islands. The volcano is constantly active: mini-eruptions regularly occur on Stromboli, which are visible both on the island and from the sea. A particularly large eruption occurred here in April 2009.

Photo source: carbonbrief.org.

Mount Etna, Sicily

If you do not take into account the Alps, the Pyrenees and Caucasian mountains, is not only the highest European volcano, but also the highest point in Europe. Its height changes due to eruptions, and now it is about 3330 m. About once every three months, lava erupts from some volcanic crater of Etna onto the surface of the earth.

Photo source: youtube.com by Naturaleza Salvaje HD.

At the foot of Etna, you can stop at. Hotels with a view of the volcano are located, for example, in, and hotels are invited in the foothills of Etna.

Mount Monte Leone, Piedmont

Between Switzerland and Italy, the mountain peak of Monte Leone is located - the most high mountain(3552 m) in the Lepontine Alps. They are shrouded in legends about the Lepontians. This ancient people once inhabited the area, he gave it its name.

Photo source: manuelpermonti.blogspot.com.

If you liked this particular place, then you need to stay in Piedmont in the province of Verbano Cusio Ossola (commune).

Volcano Vulcano, Sicily

Volcano Solfatara, Naples

Solfatara is perhaps the most mysterious volcano in Europe. It is located on the Phlegraean Fields (or "Campi-Flegrei"). This is the name of the unique territory in Naples, which actually “floats” on lava, the earth of this (densely populated, by the way) territory is so close to the magmatic melt. Solfatara is one of the few supervolcanoes on earth that is located here. A supervolcano is a volcano whose eruption is likely to lead to climate change on the entire planet Earth. And this volcanic region really threatens to become a second Vesuvius and a pan-European catastrophe... If the Phlegrean fields suddenly wake up.

Photo source: guideturistichenapoli.com.

You can stay in Naples near Campi Flegrei at the hotel. If you want to explore the city and its attractions in more detail, as well as get acquainted with other hotel offers, then use.

Mount Liskamm, Valle d'Aosta

The Liskamm mountain range is one of the most dangerous in the Pennines. The highest mountain peak here reaches more than 4,500 m. Avalanches are frequent here, on the border of Switzerland and Italy, and many huge snow blocks hang down on the ridge itself. For this, climbers nicknamed this mountain range "Cannibal". Despite the danger, brave mountain lovers go here regularly. Liskamm was first conquered by 14 British and Swiss in 1861.

Photo source: abenteuersuechtig.de.

This region is very popular with tourists. Therefore, hotels offer unique opportunities for ski holidays- choose the best!

Volcano Epomeo, Naples

Officially, the volcano is considered extinct. But still, perhaps this is another "vigilant" Italian volcanic dome. Last eruption Epomeo happened in 1301 - more than 700 years ago. However, in 2001, he nevertheless threw out sulfur. Epomeo is located on the Neapolitan island of Ischia in the Tyrrhenian Sea. This is the highest point of the island (789 m).

Photo source: fotoeweb.it.

On volcanic island Ischia is enough - you can choose the one that you like the most.

So, where is it better and more interesting, in the Alps or in the Apennines, near Etna or at the foot of Vesuvius? Many travelers agree that best mountains in italy Those are the ones you've been to. And the hottest volcano is the one near which for the first time you feel like a small part of a huge and exciting mountain world!

Tourists regard Italy primarily as a country of sightseeing, educational recreation. The eternal City Rome, no less ancient Florence, Verona, Naples, bewitching Venice, mysterious island Sardinia, luxurious Milan... From trips to these places, tourists bring a huge amount of knowledge and impressions. Italy is also famous for its seaside resorts. Also popular summer rest on the lakes of the north of the country - Garda, Lago Maggiore, Como. But no less than cities and beaches, tourists are attracted by the mountains of Italy. What are their names? Even a schoolboy knows that the Italian "boot" is called the Apennine Peninsula because of the mountain system of the same name. On its northern border are the majestic Alps. The snow-covered four-thousand-meter peaks look like the fur edge of an Apennine boot in pictures from space. But the list does not end there either. What mountains are in Italy, what are they called and what are they characterized by - read in this article.

Alps

This is a huge mountain system that stretches across the territory of not only Italy, but also Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France. It is in the Alps that the highest point in Europe, Mont Blanc, is located. A caveat must be made here: this leadership takes place if we count Caucasian Range part of Asia. The height of the "White Mountain" (as the name Mont Blanc is translated) is 4808 meters, while Elbrus rises above sea level at 5642 m. The Alps are considered a mountain system. It consists of many ridges. What is the name of alpine mountains Italy? The list is quite extensive. We can say that the Alpine part of the country is divided into Western, Southern and Eastern. The boundaries between them are rather arbitrary. We will consider in order all the Alps, Apennines, mountains and volcanoes of Sicily. Let's start from the highest point in Italy, and at the same time throughout Western Europe - Mont Blanc.

Western Alps

The conditional border in the east of this mountainous region runs along the line connecting lakes Como and Lake Constance. The Western Alps are heterogeneous. They, in turn, are made up of smaller parts. From such mountains of Italy as the Maritime and Ligurian Alps. If we follow the map further to the northeast, we will see that the mountains in this part are getting higher. These are the Kotsky, Provencal, Dauphine, Bernese, Gray, Pennine, Glarn and Lepontian Alps. These mountains are characterized by steep slopes and deep gorges. This is where the ski resorts that welcome tourists all year round. After all, in Western Alps there are massive glaciers. In this part there are also independent mountain ranges - Pelva and Vercors. highest peaks located in the Pennine Alps. These are such four-thousanders as Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and Cervinha. The last peak has another name - the Matterhorn.

Central Alps

This part of the mountain system extends along that northern border Italy, which is adjacent to Eastern Switzerland and the Austrian province of Tyrol. She is also very tall. But the peaks here reach only 3899 meters above sea level (Ortles). What are the mountains of Italy in this area called? Allocate the Lombard Alps, and in them - Bergama. Here the highest point is Mount Coca (3052 m). The border between Italy and Austria runs along the massif called the Ötztal Alps. The highest point of this ridge - Mount Wildspitze - reaches 3768 meters in height. In the east, the Ötztal Alps merge into the Stubai. In this massif, the Zuckerhüll peak (3507 m) is considered the highest point. Glaciation also occurs in the Central Alps (in the Ortles, Adamello and Bernina massifs). These ranges are characterized by a wide band of foothills. They are occupied by alpine meadows. Where the slopes dissect the spur valleys, there are the most beautiful

Eastern Alps

This is a small area. And not the highest in the Alps. But that doesn't make it any less picturesque. The Eastern Alps are subdivided into Julian and Dolomites. The first mountain system is partly located in Italy (the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia), as well as in Slovenian Krajina. The name of these Alps comes from Julius Caesar, who marched here with an army and founded Cividale with the capital. The highest point of this massif (and at the same time Slovenia, and the entire former Yugoslavia) is Mount Triglav. Its height is 2864 meters above sea level. But the Julian Alps should not be underestimated. This is a paradise for cavers. Here is one of the deepest caves in the world - Cheki-2. It goes underground for one and a half kilometers. And in the Vrtoglavice cave there is the deepest continuous natural well (six hundred meters). In this part of the Alps there are such mountains of Italy, which deserve special mention.

Monte Pallidi

This was the name of this system of ridges until the French geologist Déodat de Dolomieu arrived there in the eighteenth century. He investigated the mineral from which these Monte Pallidi, the Pale Mountains, were mainly composed. The breed has an interesting property to reflect the sun's rays. The mineral was named after the French geologist dolomite. Perhaps it is Italy. Photos of dolomites, illuminated by the setting sun and shimmering in different colors, from red to cream, are the hallmark of this massif. Monte Pallidi stretched for one hundred and fifty kilometers. They have eighteen peaks, the height of which overcomes the mark of three thousand meters (Mount Marmolada). It should be said about the unusual origin. This is - Coral reefs, which ascended upward as a result of volcanic activity. In Monte Pallidi, which in 2009 were fully included in the list of natural heritage of mankind, there are many reserves. Dolomiti Bellunesi is the most famous of them.

Apennines

The question of where the mountains are in Italy is idle. They are everywhere, except for the wide Po valley and the lowlands near Venice. Along the entire Italian “boot”, the Apennines stretched for one and a half thousand kilometers, giving the name to the entire peninsula. They are inferior to the Alps in height. The highest point of the Apennines - the top of Corno Grande - does not reach even three thousand meters above sea level. However, these are the youngest mountains on our planet. A very extended system, of course, is divided into massifs, chains and ridges. The highest is the Gran Sasso. Name of this mountain range translates as "Big Stone". It is in it that the top of Korno (2914 meters) is located. Since the Apennines are young mountains, volcanic activity has not died out in them. Unfortunately, earthquakes are also frequent. Vesuvius is one of the famous volcanoes. Its height is only 1277 meters, but the eruptions are very powerful. Amiata is another of the Apennines with volcanic activity. In the southeastern part of this system, there are the karst and lava plateaus of Le Murge and Monte Gargano. The Apennines, merging with the Ligurian Alps in the north, smoothly pass to the mountains of Sicily in the south. The mountains on the toe of the Italian "boot" reach a height of 1956 m. They are called the Calabrian Apennines.

Mountains of the Italian islands

Consider first Sicily - the "pebble" that kicks the "boot". The relief of this island is also very mountainous. In a relatively small space, several arrays fit at once. These are Peloritani, Nebrodi, Le Madonie and the Ibleian Mountains. This whole system is related in origin to the Apennines. Here, too, volcanic activity has not died out, which is manifested in the obstinate and unforeseen nature of Etna. The height of this mountain reaches 3340 meters above sea level. Near Sicily are the islands of Vulcano and Stromboli. Scientists associate their origin with the underground activity of the bowels. Sardinia in relief is not much different from Sicily. Here are located such mountains of Italy as Gennargentu. This is a low chain. Main peak- Mount La Marmora - reaches 1834 meters.

Ski holidays in Italy

Surprisingly, the most popular are the Alpine resorts, although there is no shortage of them in the Apennines. Probably the reason is that in Lavigno, Cervinia you can ski all year round because of the glacier. The Apennines attract not only skiers. Alternative types of outdoor activities are developed here: rock climbing, trekking, orienteering. The Alpine resorts of Italy are not much inferior to the world-famous Swiss Courchevel. And their prices are lower. And no matter what mountains in Italy you choose for winter holiday, - everywhere you will find first-class service. It is interesting that, having risen on the lift to the top ski slope in Cervinje, you can famously move out ... to Switzerland. Resorts such as Bormio, the Dolomites-Superski and Cortina d'Ampezzo are popular with tourists. In the extended Apennine mountains there is an array of Abruzzo. swallow nests, over the cliffs. People come here to ride and visit National parks, because virgin nature with numerous lakes has been preserved here.

Holidays in the mountains of Italy on thermal waters

The youth of the Alpine and Apennine systems, not extinct volcanic activity contributed to the emergence of many hot springs. Resorts appeared in their place in the Middle Ages. They are called "terme" (baths). These are not saunas and not Russian steam rooms, although in Lately such spa services abound too. The most famous thermal spas in the Alps are Sirmione (on Lake Garda, in Lombardy), Abano Terme (in the province of Veneto), Erbusco and Merano (in South Tyrol). In the Apennine mountain system, Monsummana and Montecatini are considered the most popular.

Favorite travel routes in Italy pass through famous ones. It is also popular on large islands such as (Sicilia) and (Sardegna). But no less interesting is acquaintance with the islands of this country, which are not so actively developed by tourists and offer a meeting with pristine nature and natural flow. Clean air and water, a small number of vacationers - these are the secrets of a comfortable stay on the islands of Italy.

Let's get acquainted with the islands of Italy, moving along the geographical map from north to south.

The northernmost in the Ligurian Sea (Mare Ligusticum) 3 islands:

1. Palmaria (Palmaria);
2. Tino (Tino);
3. Tinetto.

These islands are located near the city (Porto Venere) and are part of the protected areas of Portovenere, which has been under the protection of UNESCO since 1997. Palmaria is famous luxurious beach located in a cozy sandy bay, which can be reached from the city of Portovenere.

Tino is an island that is known as the shelter of Saint Venerio (San Venerio), who lived here at the end of the 6th - beginning of the 7th centuries. When he died in 630, a temple was built on the burial site, and later, in the 11th century, a monastery appeared here. Now you can admire the ruins of this ancient monastery. However, Saint Venus is still honored as the protector of the island of Tino.

Tinetto

Tinetto is the smallest of the islands of this group, almost devoid of vegetation, but attracting gulls, which form nests and breed here.

The attraction of this deserted, devoid of greenery islet is the ruins ancient buildings associated with the performance of religious rites: the ruins of a chapel of the 6th century, a church of the 11th century. At the southern tip of the island is an old two-meter statue of Stella Maris.

Tinetto Island can be reached by private boat from Portovenere. Groups of tourists are not brought here so as not to disturb the seagulls during the nesting period.

Gallinara

Gallinara is an island that in the 4th century served as a shelter for Saint Martin of Tours (San Martin di Torino), who fled from persecution. The island has beautiful rocky shores, lush vegetation, it is surrounded by the purest water. This place is interesting for its religious history and surviving buildings: the ruins of a monastery, a 16th-century tower and a small Gothic church. The island is included in the protected areas, serving as a nesting place for herring gulls.

Get to Gallinara from the city of Albenga (Albenga).

Bergeggi is an island-reserve that rises above sea ​​spaces limestone peak. Despite its small size, it is known for its ruins ancient fortifications and churches.

Bergeggi is located near the city of the same name, developed center tourism and recreation.

Tuscan archipelago

The Tuscan archipelago (Arcipelago toscano) includes small islands (Gorgona, Montecristo, etc.), on which no one lives, but which can be visited as part of excursion group. Along their coasts there are convenient places for diving.

Comfortable hotels await on Elba and Giglio and others.

Elbe

Giannutri

Giannutri (Isola di Giannutri) is a nature reserve that has preserved the pristine nature, giving shelter to colonies of gulls. The island is very picturesque, it attracts with mountain peaks, sandy beaches, grottoes in coastal rocks. Here you can see the ruins of an ancient Roman villa built before our era.

Get to Giannutri from the city of San Stefano.

Pontine Islands

The Pontine Islands (Isole Pontine), which are part of the region (Lazio), are located in the Tyrrhenian Sea (mare Tirreno).

• Among them is Santo Stefano, striking with impregnable rocks of the former volcano, lush vegetation, transparent sea, it attracts tourists who love secluded relaxation, and you can get here from Ventotene on a rented boat.
• Zannone - island reserve, famous for migrating birds and rare plants (holm oak).
• Gavi is an island with a single house on top of a mountain. To walk along the wild island paths, you can rent a boat on the island of Ponza. It is beautiful here, but there are no comfortable places for swimming.

(Ponza) is a mountain-covered island that used to be an active volcano. It is surrounded by reefs, underwater grottoes, so diving enthusiasts tend to come here.

On classic beach holiday invites Chiaia di Luna, surrounded by rocks. Also on the island, tourists are waiting for mud baths, luxury hotels, cafes and restaurants.

• How to get there: there is a ferry service to the island of Ponza from the city of Anzio.

Ventotene

Ventotene is an island that is an extinct volcano, sung in ancient Greek myths about Odysseus, who was called from these shores by sweet-voiced sirens. It also attracted noble ancient Romans, who built several rich villas here.

Off the coast of Ventotene there are scenic spots for diving. There are flocks of dolphins near the island, and infrequently whales.

Motor boats from the city of Formia go to Ventotena.

The volcanic past of Palmarola (Palmarola) makes it very unusual in terms of relief: the island is decorated with rocky spurs, reefs, deep and surface caves.

Ride on a secluded uninhabited island you will have to take a private boat to relax on the beaches with the purest sand.

Capri

Flegrin archipelago (Isole Flegree)

(Ischia) - a very fashionable resort in (Golfo di Napoli), offering not only a beach holiday, but also hydrotherapy and mud therapy.

To explore the island, you will have to ride from Naples or Pozzuoli (Pozzuol) on a boat. The visiting card of these places is three extinct volcanoes, an ancient medieval Aragonese castle (Castello aragonese), thermal parks with springs that spout streams of hot steam, a botanical garden.

Wine lovers can taste the famous and refined Epomeo white wine here.

Procida

Procida is a small fishing island with a large number of locals, which attracts travelers with its old fortress Marina Corricella, remains of craters of extinct volcanoes, beautiful vegetation.

Gourmets should definitely try the artichoke dishes and the limoncello drink, made from a special local variety of very large lemons.

Tourists are brought to Procida from Naples or from the banks of Ischia.

Islands of Sardinia

Alicudi and Ustica

The islands of Alicudi and Ustica are the tops of extinct volcanoes, it is interesting to see them from the sea by boat. It is also fun to make the climb to the highest point of Alicudi by hiring guides with mules. Ustica impresses with its indented coasts, caves and coves, and is also actively explored by diving enthusiasts.

Aegadian Islands (Isole Egadi)

(Favignana) is an island on which the inhabited fortified city of the Middle Ages is located and traces of the extraction of building stone - local tuff - are still preserved. It is interesting to travel around the island of Favignana by boat - this is how you can see the ancient caves and grottoes from the outside and from the inside.

Marettimo Island, with its grottoes covered with stalactites and stalagmites, is also the most interesting to see from the sea, and for diving specialists it is real paradise.

Levanzo is a rocky museum island that attracts history buffs. Rock inscriptions and drawings of the 10th century BC have been preserved here, on which it is easy to recognize episodes of hunting and catching tuna.

You can get to the islands of Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo by boat from (Trapani) in Sicily.

The Pelagie Islands (Isole Pelagie) are islands in the very south of Italy, characterized by a climate close to North African. From the tops of this archipelago, the shores of Africa are visible. It is interesting to go to the island of Linosa and see the craters of three extinct volcanoes and sunbathe on the beach of Cala di Pozzolana, Cala di Ponente with rare black sand. You can get to Linosa by boat from Porto Empedocle in Sicily.

Another island of the archipelago is immersed in greenery (Pantelleria), on which the Montagna Grande nature reserve is located. Be sure to visit the lake "Mirror of Venus" in the crater extinct volcano, which attracts thousands of birds of different species in spring.

The island is famous for its local wines (Passato di Pantelleria, Muscat, etc.). Pantelleria can be reached by plane from Palermo, as well as by ferry.

Island Italy is a whole world that attracts a variety of categories of tourists. Diving and yacht trips, gastronomic pleasures, swimming, sightseeing, walks among lush vegetation - all this leaves an unforgettable experience and invites you to travel again and again.

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Mountains of Italy

The Apennines are a mountain range located in Italy, or rather, on the Apennine Peninsula. The Apennine mountains can be called the backbone of the peninsula: the mountain range runs along its territories, crossing them exactly in the middle. Thus, the Apennine Peninsula is divided into western and eastern parts.
Actually under common name The Apennines mean several mountainous regions at once. So, in the northern part of the peninsula are the Ligurian, Tuscany-Emilian, Umbro-Markian Apennines, central part The mountain range is occupied by the Abruzzian Apennines, and in the south you can see the Campanian, Lucanian and Calabrian Apennines. On average, the height of the mountains reaches 1200-1800 meters. The highest point of the Apennine mountain system is Corno Grande (2912 m), which means Big Horn. You can see it in the central part of the mountain range, in regions of Abruzzo.
Surrounding nature makes the Apennine mountains a truly miraculous work of art.
The territories extending at low altitudes (about 500-700 m) are actively used for agriculture: vineyards are planted here, lemon and olive trees are grown. At a level of about 900-1000 m, mixed forests grow, which are replaced by coniferous trees a little higher. closer to mountain peaks open sun-drenched alpine and subalpine meadows. Snow in the Apennine mountains is found only on the very high mountain chains - Corno Grande. Other areas of the Apennines are too low for glacial formations to form there.

Despite their pastoral beauty, the Apennines pose a serious danger to the inhabitants of Italy. Apennine mountain system belong to one of the youngest in the world, so the seismic activity in the region is very high. One of the latest earthquakes occurred in April 2009 in the city of L "Aquile in the Abruzzo region. Then 308 people died, 1500 residents were injured, according to various sources, from 3 to 11 thousand buildings were destroyed. Moreover, in the Campanian Apennines in the south the peninsula is the legendary volcano Vesuvius, and on the island of Sicily is the volcano Etna, which is a tectonic continuation of the Apennine mountains.Both volcanoes are still considered active, and the eruption can occur at any time.By the way, to date, Vesuvius is the only active volcano on the entire mainland Europe.
Although the eruption of Vesuvius was not uncommon in the history of the Apennine Peninsula (the last dated back to 1944), the most famous case occurred in 79 AD. Even after almost 2000 years, this story chills the soul: then the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were hidden under a thick layer of volcanic ash. It is thanks to the ashes that today scientists have the opportunity to see Pompeii and Herculaneum in their original form: all the buildings were protected from moisture and sunlight, and therefore have survived to this day almost unchanged. Today Pompeii is a kind of museum city, listed world heritage UNESCO.

The Apennines are the land where local residents manages to coexist peacefully with nature without harming it. Although minerals are mined in the mountains, and part of the territory is sown or planted with fruit trees, Italians take care of preserving the local unique flora and fauna. There are several protected areas in the Apennines, including the well-known national parks of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise, Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga and Majella.
The main and oldest national park of the Apennine Peninsula - Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise - was opened in 1923 in the Abruzzi Apennines. Rare species of animals live here. In the park you can meet Marsican brown bears, living only in Italy. To date, only 30-40 individuals of these animals remain in the world. Other rare inhabitants of the lands of Abruzzo are Eurasian wolves, whose number in Europe is about 25 thousand. The park, which occupies an area of ​​more than 506 km 2, is home to approximately 2,000 species of birds, including birds of prey. For example, there are goshawks, sparrowhawks, peregrine falcons. In addition to them, among the inhabitants of the park there are several species of owls, mountain birds.

Located near the city of L "Aquila, the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga park is no less interesting. These lands are home to a huge number of animal species: deer, chamois, foxes, wild cats. If you're lucky, you can see a unique mountain plant- Alpine edelweiss. This is a small flower with a velvety fluff on light petals, usually growing in alpine meadows. By the way, you don't have to travel boundless expanses Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga on foot: there are special paths in the park, so it’s quite possible to arrange horse riding or ride a bike.
Also in the area of ​​​​the Majella mountain range there is a national park of the same name. Here you can not only enjoy all the diversity and colorfulness mountain nature, but also look into the caves open to tourists. Local attractions include Monte Amaro (2793 m), one of the highest peaks of Majella.
But beautiful mountain views- that's not all that awaits the traveler in the Apennine mountains. In these parts there are many ancient cities, interesting for their rich history. Florence is located on the banks of the Arno River in the Tuscan Apennines. This city is one of the oldest and richest in works of art in Europe. cultural centers. Guests of Florence can visit the world-famous Uffizi Gallery, which displays works by such Renaissance masters as Raphael, Giotto and Leonardo da Vinci.
Decoration of the Umbro-Marc Apennines - the city of Perugia. The charm of this place lies in the beautiful winding streets, the architecture of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and even earlier periods. One of the sights of the city is the Church of Sant'Angelo, which was built presumably in the 5th-6th centuries. In addition, Perugia is known throughout the world for the chocolate products of the local Perugina company. Every October, chocolate festivals are held here.

general information

Currency unit: Euro.

Major rivers: Arno, Tiber, Enza, Parma, Sangro, Pescara, Volturno.

Major lakes: Trasimino Bolsena, Bracciano.
Major cities in the region: Perugia, Florence, Arezzo, L'Aquila.

Volcanoes: Vesuvius.

Numbers

Average Height mountains: 1200-1800 m.
The most high peak: Corno Grande (2912 m).

Length: 1200 km.

Climate and weather

In the valleys: sharply continental.

Average winter temperature: 1ºС
Average summer temperature: 20°C.
Rainfall: 500-3000 mm.

Attractions

Curious facts