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Watch: Introduction to the Alps

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What are the Alps?

Person on the Alps which has two country flags on it.

The Alps are a large mountain range in the middle of Europe. They are spread over eight countries:

  • France
  • Monaco
  • Italy
  • Switzerland
  • Liechtenstein
  • Austria
  • Germany
  • Slovenia

The highest mountain in the Alps is Mont Blanc.

Person on the Alps which has two country flags on it.
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What are the Alps like?

Cartoon of glaciers in the Alps
  • The weather in the Alps is affected by different temperatures of air coming from the north, west and south. This creates five different types of climate, depending on height. The higher up you are in the mountains, the colder it gets.
Cartoon of a dam in the Alps.
  • Different types of animals and plants live in the different climate zones. The animals include ibex, a type of mountain goat.
  • The tops of the mountains are covered in snow and glaciers, which are large blocks of ice. Melting snow and ice fill the rivers and lakes at the bottom of the mountain.
  • Dams have been built to hold this water in order to create hydroelectric power for nearby towns and cities.
Cartoon of a dam in the Alps.
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Why do people visit the Alps?

Person in hat and gloves looking through binoculars

Tourism is very important in the Alps. Around 30 million people visit the Alps each year.

They enjoy activities such as:

  • skiing and snowboarding
  • walking
  • sightseeing
  • trail running
  • mountain biking
  • paragliding
Person in hat and gloves looking through binoculars
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What do the Alps look like?

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 4, The Alps are made up of lower grassland hills and higher snow-capped mountains., The Alps are made up of lower grassland hills and higher snow-capped mountains.

Watch: Take a tour of the Alps

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Activity: Quiz 鈥 The Alps

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