Mountains
What major mountain ranges are located in the U.S.?
Goal:
Goal:
The first stop on the U.S. physical features tour is to take a look at mountains, peaks, and valleys.
The two largest mountain ranges in the United States are the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains. Learn more about each one below.
Rocky Mountains
Appalachian Mountains
The Rocky Mountains, also known as the Rockies, span from Canada down to New Mexico. It is the longest mountain range in North America. The highest peak of the Rockies is over 14,000 feet above sea level.
The Rockies were formed when two of Earth's tectonic plates collided. Because one plate moved under the other, it forced the top plate up, forming high peaks and valleys.
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The Continental Divide is located in the Rockies. This is where the water from the area flows either to the Pacific Ocean or to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Rocky Mountains have warm, rainy summers, and cold, snowy winters. Many people travel to the Rocky Mountains each year to hike, climb, raft, and fish.
The Appalachian Mountains are in the eastern United States. They stretch from Maine to Alabama. The highest peak of the Appalachian Mountains is a little over 6,600 feet above sea level.
The Appalachians are definitely smaller than the Rockies.
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The Appalachian Mountains are a system of mountains. This means that a group of mountain ranges make up the Appalachians. The Piedmont, Blue Ridge, Valley, Plateaus, and Adirondacks all form what is called the Appalachian Mountains. They are different groups of mountains, valleys, and plateaus with similar features that are all located in the same area.
Because of the temperate forest climate in the mountains, many visitors go there to hike, bike, boat, and fish.
