The predominance of plains and low massifs, the location of powerful mountain systems on the outskirts of France and low passes make its territory convenient for the development of internal and external communication routes. At the same time, mountain ranges stand as a kind of barrier on the land borders of France in such a way that France, despite its continental location, is cut off from the neighboring lands of Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Germany. This fact largely predetermined its borders along the largest mountain ranges in Western Europe mountain ranges. Alps, Pyrenees, Ardennes, along with sea ​​shores ultimately formed the territory of France in its modern form.

The relief of France is characterized by great diversity . The lowlands and plains of the west and north of France gradually rise into mountain ranges. The highest of them, the Alps, is located in the southeast of France, gradually rising towards the border with Italy and Switzerland. It is here that the highest point in France and Western Europe is located - Mount Mont Blanc (4807m). The southwestern borders of France are also marked mountain ranges- the Pyrenees mountain system. Their height is slightly lower than the height of the Alpine ranges, reaching almost 3500 meters.

In order to better imagine the topography of France and the location of the French mountains in spatial terms, you should look at French mountain ranges map , which displays all the major mountain ranges in France.

Relief of France on the map:

Most of France it is underlain by continental crust, consolidated at the end of the Paleozoic, during the Hercynian tectonic era, and subsequently developed in a platform regime. The exception is French Alps and Pyrenees .

In the Middle Carboniferous, almost throughout France, including the Alps and Pyrenees, mountainous terrain arose . A foothill trough extends across the extreme northeast of the country (the department of Hop and Pas-de-Calais), forming part of the so-called Coal Channel of Europe; it is filled with a paralytic industrial coal-bearing formation of the Middle Carboniferous (Westphalian), dislocated before the Late Carboniferous, and a red-colored clastic formation of the Upper Carboniferous (Stephanian) - lower Permian (Otenian). Intermontane troughs (grabens of the same age) are known in the Massif Central, in the Alps and at the base of the Paris Basin.

Jurassic Cretaceous, Lower Paleogene formations are shallow marine sediments (sandstones, clays, limestones), a general regression begins in the Oligocene, and marine sediments in the Paris Basin are replaced by continental ones; in the Aquitaine basin, the marine regime persists until the Miocene inclusive. In the Triassic, the Alps still represented part of the Epihercynian platform, and at the beginning of the Jurassic, rifting occurred here, and a basin with oceanic crust emerged - part of the Tethys; relics of its crust are represented by ophiolites of the Pennine zone - the innermost zone of the Alps. The ophiolites are overlain by a sequence of Lower Cretaceous "shiny shales" and Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene flysch. The outer zones of the Alps belonged to the underwater margin of the European continent; on the Hercynian basement, protruding in the so-called Outer Crystalline Massif, lie lagoonal sediments of the Triassic and shallow-marine Jurassic, Cretaceous and Lower Paleogene. Major deformations of the Alps began at the end of the Eocene and continued until the late Miocene. They were caused by the collision of the Adriatic microcontinent (Apulia) with the continent of Eurasia and led to the formation of an extremely complex nappe-thrust structure with a whole system of ridges moving in the western and northwestern directions.

In the Oligocene - Miocene, a meridional system of rift grabens of the Saône and Rhone stretched between the Alps and the Massif Central, opening into the Mediterranean Sea; it forms part of a larger Western European rift system, which also includes the Rhine Graben and extends from North Sea to the Mediterranean. The Pyrenees are connected to the Alps through the latitudinal fold structures of Provence and the Gulf of Lyon. They also arose on the Hercynian basement, protruding to the surface in their axial part in a number of massifs; platform development here continued almost until the end of the Early Cretaceous (Albian), after which relatively deep-sea troughs arose on both sides of the Hercynian axis on the thinned continental crust with the accumulation of a thick layer of Upper Cretaceous - Lower Paleogene flysch. At the end of the Eocene, these strata underwent intense folding and thrusting; on the territory of France, the formations of the North Pyrenees trough were thrust onto the Pre-Pyrenees trough, filled with Oligocene-Miocene molasse and closing in the east, bordering the Aquitaine basin.

In the Pliocene almost all the territory of France became dry land ; The Armorican, Massif Central and Vosges mountains experienced uplift. In the Massif Central it was relatively most intense and was accompanied by an outbreak of volcanic activity; volcanic apparatuses are well preserved in the relief.

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East of the river The Rhone ridges pile up French Alps , which represent the western part of the highest mountain range in Western Europe - the Alps, with average heights of mountain peaks of 3.5–4 thousand m. The northern mountain ranges are especially grandiose - Savoy Alps , crowned with white caps of snow and glaciers dazzlingly sparkling in the sun.

Formation (mountain building process) of the Alps was an episodic process that began about 300 million years ago. During the Paleozoic era, the supercontinent Pangea was formed by a single tectonic plate, which was formed from several plates throughout the Mesozoic era, and the ancient ocean Tethys (named after the Greek goddess of the sea Tethys) stretched between Laurasia and Gondwana during the Jurassic period.

Folded structure of the Alps created mainly by movements of the last 50 million years, which in geology are called Alpine folding. The highest, axial zone of the Alps, is composed of ancient crystalline (gneisses, mica schists) and metamorphic (quartz-phyllite schists) rocks, and is distinguished by a wide distribution of mountain-glacial relief and modern glaciation. The total area of ​​glaciers is over 4,000 km?. Glaciers and eternal snow drop to 2,500-3,200 meters. To the north, west and south of the axial zone there are zones of Mesozoic limestone and dolomite and younger flysch and molasse formations of the Pre-Alps with mid-mountain and low-mountain relief.

Transverse valley between Lake Constance and Lake Como Alps are divided into higher Western Alps (height up to 4807m, Mont Blanc) and lower and wider Eastern Alps (height up to 4049 m, Mount Bernina).

It should be noted that in the French tradition, instead of the united Western Alps, it is customary to single out Western and Central Alps . In this model, the boundaries between the three parts of the Alps practically coincide with the state ones: The Western Alps end up mainly in France , Central - in Switzerland, and Eastern - in Austria.

It should be said that there is another division of the Alps into regions separated by passes and river valleys. At the same time, many researchers indicate the boundaries of such areas in their own way, which is why these alpine areas overlap each other. There are several such areas in France: Maritime Alps (highest point - Mount Argentera, 3297 m), Provençal Alps (Tete de l'Estro (2961 m)), Cottian Alps (Monte Viso (3841 m)), Alps Dauphine (Bar des Écrins (4103 m)), Graian Alps (Mont Blanc (4807 m)), located on an area of ​​34.2 thousand sq. km.

Western part of the French Alps (Pre-Alps) composed of sedimentary rocks, mainly limestones. Karst rocks are widespread in the Pre-Alps. In the Pre-Alps (Krol) there is one of the deepest karst caves in the world with a depth of up to 658 m. Railways and highways leading to Italy and Switzerland are laid through relatively low passes (1800–2100 m).

The eastern part of the French Alps is higher. Hard crystalline rocks predominate here. It is here, in the French Alps, on the border with Italy, that the highest point of Western Europe is located - Mont Blanc mountain , the height of which reaches 4807 m. Powerful glaciers with an area of ​​2 thousand square meters descend from Mont Blanc. km. Centuries of activity by ice, snow and meltwater have led to severe dissection of the French Alps. Grandiose ridges and rocky massifs are separated by deep and wide valleys with steep slopes, which attracts an increasing number of tourists who love active recreation in the form of alpine skiing and paragliding. Under Mont Blanc and Mont Cenis there are tunnels more than 10 km long each.

Pyrenees, Pyrenees Mountains (Spanish: Pirineos, French: Pyrenees) - mountain system in South-West Europe (in Spain, France and Andorra). The Pyrenees mountain range is an important natural boundary separating the Mediterranean from Central Europe. Extends from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea for approximately 450 km; width up to 110 km (in the central and eastern parts), maximum height up to 3404 m (Peak Aneto in the Maladeta massif, Spain).

As a result of mountain-building movements (mainly of Alpine age), the ancient Hercynian core Pyrenees was raised to a considerable height, and the sedimentary strata overlying it were folded into steep folds, forming in places thrusts. For relief Pyrenees Characterized by a combination of mid-altitude flat-topped massifs and folded rectilinear-elongated ridges. In the highest parts of the mountains, which were subject to Pleistocene glaciation, the relief acquired alpine forms. Modern glaciation ( total area about 40 km2) concentrated in Central Pyrenees , composed predominantly of crystalline rocks - granites, gneisses, as well as shales and sandstones.

Usually Pyrenean mountain system are divided into three large regions: the Atlantic (Western), Central (Aragonese) and Eastern (Mediterranean) Pyrenees. Geographically, today the Pyrenees region includes the following departments in France: Aude, Ariège, Haute-Garonne, Hautes (Eastern) Pyrenees and Atlantic Pyrenees. In Spain these are the Basque Country, Navarre, Lleida, Huesca, Girona and Catalonia.

IN Atlantic (Western) Pyrenees , belonging to France and Spain, the mountains gradually rise from west to east. The Western Pyrenees are medium-altitude mountains composed mainly of Mesozoic limestones with isolated massifs of crystalline rocks.

Aragonese (Central) Pyrenees belong to Spain. This is their highest part, here are located highest peaks region Aneto (3404 m), Monte Perdido (3348 m), Vinmal (3298 m). The most accessible slopes of the Aragonese Pyrenees lie in Spain. The Somport Pass (1632 m) connects Spain with France. A little further south, in the Huesca region, the Sierra de Guerra mountains stretch parallel to the main ridge; this is the southern border of the Pyrenees. From the south, the Aragonese Pyrenees are almost always flooded with sun, the mountains here are steep and steep, and small wooded valleys stretch between them.

Eastern or Mediterranean Pyrenees , ridges and massifs, the slopes of which are covered pine forests, basins, belong mainly to Spain and partly to France. Here they are separated by the dwarf, entirely Pyrenean state of the Principality of Andorra. The Eastern Pyrenees are ridges and massifs of crystalline rocks, sandstones, limestones, dissected by intramountain basins with flat bottoms.

Pyrenees mountains and foothills in France - one of the most colorful regions of the country: green mountains in the west give way to snowy peaks and dry foothills in the east, the population is also heterogeneous - there are Basques, Gascons, Catalans, and representatives of small European nations. And at the same time, in comparison with the same Alps, the nature here is clean and untouched, there are vast protected areas, but there are practically no fashionable and always bustling resorts of the Alpine type, and those that exist are small, cozy and mostly oriented not only for skiers, but also for fans of other types of active recreation. At the same time, the western slopes of the mountains abut the coastal resort areas of the Spanish Basque Country and the French Silver Coast, while the eastern slopes face the warm Mediterranean coast. As a result, in Pyrenees you can find conditions for almost any type of recreation, which attracts many tourists here, primarily the French and Spaniards themselves, who visit the Pyrenees en masse, coming here, most often in their own cars, for 1-2 days to admire the mountain scenery.

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French Massif Central located in central and southern France. Covers an area of ​​85 thousand sq. km. and is located in several regions of France: Auvergne, Burgundy, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Midi-Pyrenees and Rhône-Alpes. In the north it smoothly passes into the flat terrain of the Paris Basin, and in the northwest and west into the Aquitaine Lowland. Moreover, in the southwest and east it has common borders with the largest mountain ranges of France - the Pyrenees and the Alps, respectively. It is separated from the Alpine mountain range by a deep valley, and from the Pyrenees by the Languedoc plain.

Length French Massif Central from north to south - about 450 kilometers, from west to east - 350 kilometers. The highest altitude of the Massif Central is 1885 meters (Mount Sancy). There are also other peaks exceeding 1800 meters above sea level: Plomb du Cantal (1855 m) - the highest point of the Cantal department and the Cantal mountains; Puy Ferrand (1854 m), located near the summit of Sancy; Puy du Rocher (1813 m); Puy Brunet (1806 m); Puy de Peyre Arce (1806 m), the second highest peak of the Cantal mountains.

Higher and more dissected are the central regions of the massif, in which basalt plateaus with cones extinct volcanoes alternate with plateaus and meridionally elongated river valleys. In the northeast and north, the massif gradually decreases and turns into low plateaus. In the south of the French Massif Central there is a karst plateau, in the southeast and east there are a number of mountains and plateaus with steep, highly dissected slopes. Here the French Massif Central is characterized maximum heights(up to 1700 m) – Cevennes mountains , which drop steeply and pass into the flat terrain of the Rhone Valley and the Languedoc Plain.

It is characterized by hilly terrain with traces of previous volcanic activity, especially in its central part - Auvergne. Here you can observe numerous giant cones (craters) of extinct volcanoes, which over time turned into lakes or vast lava fields. Due to geological activity in the past, the French Massif Central is famous for its mineral springs– Vichy, Mont-Dore, La Bourboule, etc. The volcanic regions of the French Massif Central are distinguished by the fertility of soils developed on igneous rocks.

The southern part of the Massif Central is composed of thick layers of limestone, forming Kos plateau . This is a karst area where depressions, sinkholes, caves and deep gorges cut by river beds are quite common. Most large rivers- , Dordogne, . They all begin their journey precisely on the slopes of the Massif Central, which is, to some extent, the ancestor of many famous rivers in France.

It belongs to the regions of France with a predominance of urban population (about 60% of the region's population is concentrated in thirty metropolitan cities, which cover a quarter of its territory). There is enough big cities France, such as Clermont-Ferrand, Saint-Etienne and Limoges. In addition, thanks to the favorable climate and developed transport network, the population of smaller towns is growing in the region, which are gradually turning into large centers of social and economic life in the region: Rodez (more than 49,000 inhabitants), Brive-la-Gaillarde (58,000) and Le Puy-en-Velay.

South-eastern part Massif Central It includes the Cevennes mountain range, which can be separated into an independent mountain range, because The relief here has slightly different characteristics, nature and age of formation. Here, the most common are steep mountain slopes, the age of which is slightly lower than that of the main “volcanic” part of the French Massif Central, which in turn is reflected both in climatic conditions and in the development of infrastructure, which are somewhat different.

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The mountains in France are the southeastern edge of the French Massif Central and, at the same time, its highest part. The Cevennes stretch from southwest to northeast for 150 kilometers. They are composed mainly of granites, gneisses, phyllites, schists, and in some places - volcanic rocks. The summit surface is plateau-like, the southern and eastern slopes drop steeply to the Rhone Lowland, forming stepped faults; the northern and western slopes are gentle, turning into lowlands, separating them from the main part of the French Massif Central.

act as a watershed for rivers Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Many of the main rivers of France originate in the Cevennes: , Allier, s, belonging to the Atlantic Ocean, and Doubs, Tav, Ardèche, Sez, Gardon, flowing into the Mediterranean Sea. The Cévennes are divided by the Gières valley into southern and northern.

They break up into numerous mountain ranges: Montagne Noir (peak of Pic de Nord 1210 m), Mont de l'Espinouse (1126 m), Lakou (1266 m), Garrigues (943 m), Lozère (peak of Pic de Finiel 1702 m), Margeride (peak Mont de Randon 1554 m), Vivaray (peaks Gerbier de Jonques 1562 m and Mezen 1754), Cuaron (1061 m) and Velay (1423 m). consist of the mountain ranges of Lyonnais (937 m), Beaujolais (1012 m) and Charollais (774 m) and are much less high than the southern Cevennes. The southern Cevennes are dominated by igneous rocks; granites and schists, with the exception of the Garrigues Mountains, which consist of sedimentary rocks of the Jurassic system. In the northern Cevennes, the southern part is formed by granitic rocks, and the northern by limestones of the Jurassic system.

The economic life of the population of the Cévennes region is largely based on green tourism and small farms, mainly engaged in cattle breeding. The structure of the mountain slopes contributed in the past to the construction of terraces for the cultivation of grapes, olive trees, chestnuts and mulberries. The Cevennes was once a center of silk production, and many medieval mills remain landmarks in the local landscape.

Skiing in the Cevennes has not become widespread, because... Snow cover in this region is unstable and, despite the mountainous terrain, is short-lived due to low precipitation in winter. However, in the Cevennes there are two famous small ski resorts equipped with snow cannons, which helps compensate for the uneven snow coverage of the slopes. These are the Prat Peirot resort on the southern slopes of Aigual and the Blémart resort on the northern slope of Mount Lozère.

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The mountains, located on the border of France and Switzerland, in the northwest of the Alpine mountain ranges, are crescent-shaped and almost exactly repeat the configuration of this mountain range. The length of the mountain range is 340 km. The highest point is Mount Crêt de la Neige, rising 1720 meters above sea level. The Jura Mountains are a natural barrier not only between two neighboring states, but also between climatic zones. Sami Jura mountains are characterized by a harsh semi-continental mountainous climate, despite their modest altitude parameters. The complex geology of the mountains makes this area a reference model for many geological disciplines. This is why the Jura Mountains gave their name to the Jurassic geological period.

located on the territory of 2 countries: France and Switzerland. From an administrative point of view, the Jura Mountains (Massif du Jura) are located within three regions of France and nine French departments: Burgundy-Franche-Comté (departments of Doubs, Jura, Saone-et-Loire and Belfort Territory), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (departments - Aisne, Isère, Haute-Savoie and Savoie) and Grand Est (Haut-Rhin department). In Switzerland, the Jura Mountains (Massif du Jura) are located in eight cantons: Aargau (Canton d'Argovie), Basel-Lands (Canton de Bâle-Campagne), Bern (Canton de Berne), Jura (Canton du Jura), Neuchâtel (Canton de Neuchâtel), Solothurn (Canton de Soleure), Vaud (Canton de Vaud) and Zurich (Canton de Zurich). Jura mountain range continues in Germany with two limestone plateaus of moderate height: the Swabian Albs, located in Baden-Württemberg, and the Franconian Jura, located in Bavaria.

Strongly depends on the topography of the massif. Here you can find areas with a humid mountain climate and a typical continental one. Temperature changes in summer compared to winter are very significant. Cold temperatures and precipitation increase with altitude. Precipitation occurs in abundance throughout the mountain range and rarely falls below 1,000 mm per year. The wettest areas are the mountainous High Jura with an altitude of over 1400 meters above sea level, where over 2000 mm of rainfall per year often falls. The eastern part of the Jura massif is characterized by slightly less precipitation. In winter, at altitudes above 800 meters above sea level, precipitation falls in the form of snow. However, during warm winters, permanent snow cover is established only at altitudes above 1400 meters. In terms of temperatures, the Jura is divided into two main regions: the southwest, where the climate is characterized by mild and wet winters and hot summers, and the northeast, where there are cold winters and cool summers. Temperatures can vary significantly depending on the season and from one place to another. Some valleys are exposed to the “cold bowl”, where the absolute cold record of the Jura was recorded in the town of Brevin, Switzerland, -41.8 degrees. (1987). Within the French Jura, the absolute cold record was recorded by Météofrance in the city of Mout, and was -36.7 ° C (January 13, 1968). In the same city, a record heat for the French Jura was recorded: the air temperature reached + 35.7 ° C (July 31, 1983).

Northern regions of the Jura belong to the main European watershed, separating the rivers of the Rhone and Rhine basins. The southwestern region has only a local watershed belonging to the Rhone. The Rhone basin includes Venozh, Valserina, Ain and Doubs; the Rhine basin includes Bier, then Ziel and others flowing into the Aaru. Eat large lakes: Neuchâtel and Bil, however, most of the lakes in the region are quite small (for the most part these are trough lakes with monotonous shores, such as Lake Sainte-Pointe in the Doubs river basin and Lake Joux in the Orba basin).

Economic life of the population in the Jura region revolves around agriculture, mining and several manufacturing industries. Agriculture is developed mainly in the valleys of the mountain soles and foothills, where grapes and nuts are cultivated, among other things. The Jura mountain range is mined for the extraction of building stone (Solothurn marble), lithographic slate, gypsum, rock salt, asphalt (in Val Travere), brown ironstone, marl and clay. The region has a low population density. Only the industrial uplands of Vaadt and Neuchâtel, as well as the fertile plateaus of the Jura mountain regions, are more densely populated. Apart from agriculture, herding and mining, the main sources of income are the production of iron and steel goods in the French departments of Jura and Doubs, the production of watches in the Waadt, Neuchâtel and Berne Jura and in the French department of Doubs, the manufacture of toys near Saint-Croix, cement production and processing vermouth in Val Travere, glassmaking and paper production in the Bir Valley.

Skiing in the Jura has not become widespread, because... The snow cover in this region is unstable and, despite the mountainous terrain, is short-lived. However, this does not mean that this type is not offered here. sports recreation. The main entertainment for tourists here are horse riding, cycling and hiking, descent from the mountains on snowshoes.

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Vosges Mountains - a mountain range located in northeastern France, parallel to the Rhine, on the west bank. The Vosges is located north of the city of Belfort, near the sources of the Moselle, straight up with high steep mountains, without connecting spurs with the Jura, and stretches north to the sources of the Lautera River. The total length of the Vosges mountain range, including the northern spurs located in Germany, reaches 830 km with a width of 40-60 km. Like the Black Forest in Germany, the Vosges slopes steeply to the Rhine valley, but on the other hand it slowly descends to the Lorraine plateau, crossed by numerous chains of hills. The Vosges consists mainly of granite, gneiss, variegated Triassic sandstone, red Permian bedrock, porphyry, melaphyre and conchoidal limestone.

Vosges can be conditionally divided into two parts: southern, higher, and northern. Average height the southern Vosges is 950 m. Not far from the beginning of the chain, to the north of the Belfort Passage, rises Mount Borenkopf (1074 m), the domed peaks of Giromagny, or Balen d'Alsace (1,274 m), and Balen de Servance (1,216 m). Adjacent to this group of mid-altitude mountains is the westward chain of Fossilles, named for its crescent-shaped shape, which connects the Vosges with the Langres plateau and then rises to the domed peak of the Grand Ballon, the giant of the Vosges (1423.7 m). , then there are the mountains Storkenkopf (1366 m) and Rothenbachkopf (1316 m), Altenkraekopf (1277 m). mountain ranges Several French rivers originate in the valley - Meurthe, Valogne and Mozelotte. In addition, small picturesque lakes are widespread here.

Northern Vosges below the southern ones. The highest point is Mount Rocher de Mutzig - 1,010 m. A little lower is Mount Donon (1,009 m). The northern Vosges gradually decrease, and at the wide Saverne Passage they have only 380 m in height, and further north they gradually turn into the Lorraine plateau at an altitude of 220 to 320 meters above sea level.

Vosges Climate unstable, and just like in the Jura region, it is highly dependent on the topography of the massif, as well as on weather conditions formed in the Alps. The Vosges is marked by heavy rainfall, which affects the region's fairly developed river network. The western slopes, where eastern masses from the ocean coast predominate, are occupied mainly by forests and pastures. At the same time, on the eastern slopes of the Vosges (Alsace), continental air masses have a noticeable influence, which makes it possible to cultivate vineyards in these areas, which have a dry and warm climate.

In the Vosges There are practically no large industrial enterprises, as well as large cities. The largest cities are Colmar and Mulhouse. There are also several very small towns with local industrial enterprises. Large-scale production was never opened in the Vosges, thanks to which it was preserved in good condition. wild nature. This is one of the few places in Western Europe where roe deer, wild boars, and deer live in the wild, and 60% of the territory is covered with forests.

The low level of urbanization in turn contributes to the tourist attractiveness of the Vosges. The Central and Southern Vosges are a world-famous resort area and a pan-European center for winter sports. Regional natural Park"Northern Vosges" - protected area, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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High and Low Ardennes . The High Ardennes lies north of the Ourthe River and here you can find the most high peaks, reaching heights of over 600 m. The highest point of the Ardennes is also located here - Signaal van Botrange (694 m). Another peak is located in the north of the province of Luxembourg - Baraque de Fraiture (652 m). The Low Ardennes are located in the southwest, in southern province Hainaut, Namur and Luxembourg, and in western France. Here they usually predominate low mountains and hills up to 500 meters above sea level. Geologically, the Ardennes deserves great attention; starting from Cambrian deposits and up to modern formations, here you can find sediments of all geological systems, some of which are represented very completely and very well.

Just like the Vosges, they are distinguished by a high degree of forest cover. Forests, mostly deciduous (oak, beech, ash, aspen), less often spruce, adorn the mountain slopes, covered with a thicker soil layer; in other places there are only pastures, bushes, as well as heaths and swamps. Only in the north and west, where the Ardennes merges with the plains, is agriculture possible. The deep, sometimes narrow, rocky valley of the Meuse between Mézières and Namur cuts through the entire Ardennes from south to north. The same transverse valleys form Ourthe and Sure. Agriculture is also developed in the valleys.

Climate in the Ardennes due to the terrain and altitude - there is more precipitation here than on the adjacent plains (in winter, snow cover lasts up to several weeks a year). In the Ardennes, the influence of the sea decreases slightly; here the climate becomes more continental, although frosty and snowy winters are rare here. The average January temperature for the Ardennes is slightly lower - 1 degree; and in general the region is characterized by 120 frosty days a year. The average July temperature is + 14 degrees. The annual rainfall in the Ardennes, where moist winds are blocked by mountains, reaches 1500 mm.

Very important industrially. They are used as a source of building stone. In addition, deposits of roofing slates, iron, zinc and lead ores have been discovered and developed. Particularly rich in mineral resources are the northern regions of the region, between Luttich and Valenciennes, which are rich in coal deposits that support Belgium's industrial activity.

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