Subalpine Region of the AlpsThe Subalpine is the region which mainly determines the manner of life of the population of the Alps. On a rough estimate we may reckon that, of the space lying between the summits of the Alps and the low country on either side, one-quarter is available f
Alpine Region of the AlpsThe alpine region of the Alps refers to the region in the Alps between the uppermost limit of trees (the tree-line) up to the permanent snow. This alpine region contains the full beauty and variety of characteristic vegetation of the Alps. The region cont
Glacial Region of the AlpsOn the higher parts of lofty mountains in the Alps more snow falls in each year than is melted on the spot. A portion of this is carried away by the wind before it is consolidated; a larger portion accumulates in hollows and depressions of the surface, an
Main chain of the AlpsIn the case of every mountain system, geographers are disposed to regard, as a general rule, the watershed (or boundary dividing the waters flowing towards opposite slopes of the range) as marking the main chain, and this usage is justified in that the hi
Principal passes of the AlpsThough the Alps form a barrier they have never formed an impassable barrier, since, from the earliest days onwards, they have been traversed first, perhaps, for purposes of war or commerce, and later by pilgrims, students and tourists. The spots at which
Political history and modern state of the inhabitants of the AlpsLittle is known of the early dwellers in the Alps, save from the scanty accounts preserved by Roman and Greek historians and geographers. A few details have come down to us of the conquest of many of the Alpine tribes by Augustus. The successive emigratio
Exploration of the High AlpsThe higher region of the Alps were long left to the exclusive attention of the men of the adjoining valleys, even when Alpine travellers (as distinguished from Alpine climbers) began to visit these valleys. It is reckoned that about 20 glacier passes were
Geology of the AlpsThe Alps arose as a result of the pressure exerted on sediments of the Tethys Ocean basin as its Mesozoic and early Cenozoic strata were pushed against the stable Eurasian landmass by the northward-moving African landmass. Most of this occurred during the
The Eastern Alps are the part of the Alps east of the line between Lake Constance along the Rhine to Lake Como. They are lower and less rough than the Western Alps, with lower passes.
The highest peak in the Eastern Alps is Piz Bernina , at 4052 m the only peak above 4000 meters.
Parts of the Eastern Alps are located in the following countries:
The Eastern Alps are commonly subdivided into the Northern Limestone Alps, the Central Eastern Alps and the Southern Limestone Alps, with reflects the different geological composition of the more central parts of the Alps and the groups at its fringe. The border between the Central Alps and the Southern Limestone Alps is the so-called Periadriatic Seam . The Northern Limestone Alps are separated from the Central Alps by the Grauwacken Zone .
Sobretta-Gavia Alps (16) (on 12-13 and 14-16 also see Lombard Alps)
4 Flora
Many writers take the growth of grain as the characteristic of the mountain region; but so many varieties of all the common species are in cultivation, and these have such different climatal requirements, that they do not afford a factory criterion.
A more natural limit is afforded by the presence of the chief deciduoustrees -- oak, beech, ash and sycamore maple. These do not reach exactly to the same elevation, nor are they often found growing together; but their upper limit corresponds accurately enough to the change from a temperate to a colder climate that is further proved by a change in the wild herbaceous vegetation. This limit usually lies about 1200 m above the sea on the north side of the Alps, but on the southern slopes it often rises to 1500 m, sometimes even to 1700 m.
It must not be supposed that this region is always marked by the presence of the characteristic trees. The interference of man has in many districts almost extirpated them, and, excepting the beech forests of the Austrian Alps, a considerable wood of deciduous trees is scarcely anywhere to be found. In many districts where such woods once existed, their place has been occupied by the Scots pine and Norway spruce, which suffer less from the ravages of goats, the worst enemies of tree vegetation. The mean annual temperature of this region differs little from that of the British Islands; but the climatal conditions are widely different. Here snow usually lies for several months, till it gives place to a spring and summer considerably warmer than the average of British seasons.