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The Alps (German: Alpen; French: Alpes; Italian: Alpi; Slovenian: Alpe) is the name for one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east, through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west. The word "Alps" was taken via French from Latin Alpes (meaning "the Alps"), which may be influenced by the Latin words albus (white) or altus (high), or a Celtic word.

The highest mountain in the Alps is Mont Blanc at 4,808 metres (15,774 ft) on the French-Italian border. All the main peaks of the Alps can be found in the list of mountains of the Alps and list of Alpine peaks by prominence.

Geography

Subdivision

The Alps are generally divided into the Western Alps and the Eastern Alps. The division is along the line between Lake Constance and Lake Como, following the Rhine. The Western Alps are higher, but their central chain is shorter and curved; they are located in Italy, France and Switzerland. The Eastern Alps (main ridge system elongated and broad) belong to Austria, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovenia and Switzerland. The highest peak of the Western Alps is Mont Blanc, 4,808 metres (15,774 ft). The highest peak in the Eastern Alps is Piz Bernina, 4,052 meters (13,294 ft).

The Eastern Alps are commonly subdivided according to the different lithology (rock composition) of the more central parts of the Alps and the groups at its northern and southern fringes:

Flysch zone (from the Wienerwald to Bregenzerwald). Geographically, the Jura mountains do not belong to the Alps; geologically, however, they do.; Northern Limestone Alps, peaks up to 3,000 metres (9,850 ft); Central Eastern Alps (Austria, Switzerland), peaks up to 4,050 metres (13,290 ft); Southern Limestone Alps.;

The border between the Central Alps and the Southern Limestone Alps is the Periadriatic Seam. The Northern Limestone Alps are separated from the Central Eastern Alps by the Grauwacken Zone.

The Western Alps are commonly subdivided with respect to geography:

Ligurian Alps; Maritime Alps; Cottian Alps; Dauphiné Alps; Graian Alps; Pennine Alps; Bernese Alps; Lepontine Alps; Glarus Alps; North-Eastern Swiss Alps.;

Series of lower mountain ranges run parallel to the main chain of the Alps, including the French Prealps. (See Alpine geography.)

Read more at Wikipedia.org