Alps Explorer Briefing

The Alps are a major mountain range in Europe. They stretch across eight countries, including France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria. Mont Blanc, on the France–Italy border, is the highest mountain in the Alps at about 4,809 metres. Higher slopes are often cold, and snow may remain there even when valleys are warmer. In winter, many visitors ski or snowboard; in summer, people hike and cycle. Tourism provides jobs, while some communities also farm livestock and make cheese. Alpine buildings are often designed for snowy conditions: steep roofs help snow slide off, and sturdy materials cope with cold weather. Wildlife includes marmots, ibex and golden eagles. Animals and plants vary with altitude, because conditions become colder and more exposed higher up.