The Alps are more than just a playground for skiers and hikers. They form a massive physical barrier that shaped the history and climate of an entire continent. While you might picture snowy peaks and cozy wooden chalets, these mountains are actually the violent result of Africa colliding with Europe millions of years ago. They hold ancient secrets frozen in time, from lost armies to prehistoric hunters. Today, they remain a dynamic environment where tradition meets modern engineering. Let’s explore the roof of Europe.
Alps
Hikers accidentally discovered a 5,300-year-old mummy in the Ötztal Alps. Uniquely, the ice perfectly preserved “Ötzi” along with his clothing, weapons, and even his last meal.
Eight different countries share the Alpine mountain range. Specifically, it stretches across France, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia.
The African tectonic plate is still pushing into Europe. Consequently, the Alps continue to rise by a few millimeters every year due to this immense geological pressure.
Farmers sometimes use helicopters to transport injured cows down the mountain. For instance, if a cow gets hurt during the summer grazing season, a helicopter lift is often the safest way to bring it home.
Hannibal Barca famously crossed the Alps with an army of elephants to attack Rome. However, historians still debate the exact route he took through the treacherous snowy passes over 2,000 years ago.
The St. Bernard dog breed originated here specifically for rescue missions. Originally, monks at the Great St. Bernard Hospice trained these large dogs to find lost travelers buried in the snow.
Switzerland built the longest railway tunnel in the world beneath these mountains. Remarkably, the Gotthard Base Tunnel runs for 35 miles [57 kilometers] deep under the rock to speed up travel across Europe.
Mont Blanc is the highest peak in Western Europe. Interestingly, its official height changes slightly depending on the depth of the snowcap at the summit.
The famous Edelweiss flower developed a woolly coating to survive the cold. Effectively, this white fur protects the plant from ultraviolet light and helps it retain moisture in the dry mountain air.
World War I soldiers fought the “White War” at high altitudes. Tragically, melting glaciers occasionally reveal the bodies and equipment of soldiers who died in avalanches during the conflict.
St. Moritz in Switzerland essentially invented modern winter tourism. In fact, in 1864, a hotelier bet his British guests that they would enjoy the winter sunshine, which launched the ski vacation industry.
The Eisriesenwelt in Austria stands as the largest ice cave in the world. Impressively, this natural wonder extends for 26 miles [42 kilometers] inside the Tennengebirge section of the Alps.
Roughly 14 million people live permanently within the Alpine region. Furthermore, unlike many other mountain ranges, the Alps are densely populated and industrialized.
Chamonix hosted the very first Winter Olympic Games in 1924. Consequently, this French town at the foot of Mont Blanc set the standard for international winter sports competitions.
Alpine Ibex goats can climb near-vertical dam walls. Amazingly, they risk falling to their deaths just to lick the salt and minerals that build up on the concrete surface.
