The Alps

Why in news?

• Climate change has dramatically altered the Swiss Alp landscape—at a quicker pace than expected—as melting glaciers have created more than 1,000 new lakes across the mountains

About the Alps:

• The Alps is a mountain chain that stretches across a large part of Western Europe.
• The Alps form part of France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and Albania.Only Switzerland and Austria can be considered true Alpine countries, however.
• They are the most prominent of western Europe’s physiographic regions.
• The mountains were formed over tens of millions of years as the African and Eurasian tectonic plates collided and formed into these fold mountains.
• The Alpine crests isolate one European region from another and are the source of many of Europe’s major rivers, such as the Rhône, Rhine, Po, and numerous tributaries of the Danube.
• Because of their arc like shape, the Alps separate the marine west-coast climates of Europe from the Mediterranean areas of France, Italy, and the Balkan region.
• Mont Blanc at 15,771 feet (4,807 metres) is the highest peak in the Alps and is located on the French Italian Border.

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding Alps mountains:
1.It is a fold mountain.
2.Mont Blanc, the highest peak, in Alps is located in Switzerland.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a)1 only 
(b)2 only 
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question