Appalachian Mountains Facts

The Appalachian mountains, at times simply referred to as the Appalachians, is a vast system of mountains in the eastern region of the North American continent. The formation of this mountain range began 300 million years ago as a result of collision and separation of tectonic plates, that continued during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic periods. Going through the Appalachian mountain facts given below will help you in understanding the significance of Appalachians in the geography as well as economics of North America.

Appalachian Mountain Range Facts
Almost the entire Appalachian mountain range is located in the United States, with the exception of a small part extending into southeastern Canada. In the United States, the Appalachians span over a distance of 1,600 miles, ranging across 14 states, right from Newfoundland in the south, to Alabama in the north. The average width of the Appalachian mountain range varies between 100 to 300 miles, while the average height for the mountains in this range is around 3,000 ft.

Appalachian Mountains Information
In a broad sense, the term Appalachian refers to the entire mountain range as well as the hills and plateaus in the surrounding. The whole range can be broadly divided into three sections:

• Northern section extending from Newfoundland and Labrador province in Canada to Hudson river.
• Central section extending from the Hudson Valley to the New River.
• Southern Section extending from the New River to the end.

Some of the most prominent mountains which make up the Appalachian range include White Mountains, Black Mountains, Green Mountains, Allegheny Plateau, Great Smoky Mountains, Cumberland Plateau, Blue Ridge etc.

Appalachian Mountains Climate and Vegetation
The climate in the Appalachians varies throughout the year. It can be typically defined as cool and wet for the most of the part of the year. This makes the weather in these mountains quite pleasant, and attracts hordes of tourists here every year. The primary habitat of this region is mainly made up of temperate forests, while the secondary habitat is made up of mixed-deciduous forests and boreal forests. The tree species found here include mountain ash, red spruce, white pine, hemlock etc.

Wildlife in Appalachians
Spread over thousands of miles, the Appalachian range is also quite rich in terms of biodiversity. The wildlife of Appalachian mountains consist of several species of mammals, birds, reptiles as well as amphibians. Some of the most popular animals found in this region include the black bear, white-tailed deer, moose, hawks, woodpeckers, foxes, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, bats, thrushes, grouses, frogs, salamanders, turtles and rattlesnakes.

Appalachian Trail
When we talk about the Appalachian mountain facts, an important feature of this mountain range that we cannot ignore is the Appalachian Trail. This hiking trail which covers a distance of 2,175 miles, extends from Mount Katahdin, in Maine, to Springer Mountain, in Georgia. A small part of the trail, which extends in the Canadian territory, is referred to as the International Appalachian Trail. One of the major attractions on this trail, the Appalachian trail camping, is a once in a lifetime experience that one should not miss.

Other Interesting Appalachian Mountains Facts
If you thought that was all worth knowing about the Appalachian mountain range, wait for a minute. Mentioned below are some more interesting facts about the Appalachian mountains.

• The Appalachians are the oldest chain of mountains in the North American continent.
• This mountain range derives its name from the Apalachees - an Indian tribe inhabiting this region.
• Mount Mitchell, with a height of 6,684 ft is the tallest mountain in the Appalachian range.
• The Appalachians have rich deposits of coal, iron, petroleum, and natural gas.
• A chain of lowlands referred to as the Great Appalachian Valley, lies towards the west and south of Hudson river valley.

These were some Appalachian mountains facts which make this mountain range a delight for individuals who are into hardcore hiking as well as people who are looking forward for weekend getaways. Pleasant climate, rich flora and fauna, adventurous hiking trail.... you name it and it is there in the Appalachians.