The Massif Central (French pronunciation: [masif sɑ̃tʁal]; Occitan: Massís Central, pronounced [maˈsis‿senˈtral]; literally “Central Massif”) is a highland region in south-central France, consisting of mountains and plateaus. It covers about 15% of mainland France.
What mountains are in central France?
France’s mountain ranges
- The Alps. The Alps can be divided into two distinct areas.
- The Pyrenees. Separating France from Spain, this mountain range creates an imposing and continuous barrier between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic across a distance of 430km.
- The Jura.
- The Vosges.
- The Massif Central.
- Corsica.
What is the Auvergne known for?
Auvergne is one of the smallest regions in France. Auvergne is known for its mountain ranges and dormant volcanoes. Together the Monts Dore and the Chaîne des Puys include 80 volcanoes. The Puy de Dôme is the highest volcano in the region, with an altitude of 1,465 metres (4,806 ft).
What mountain range is located in south Central France and is the remnants of volcanoes?
Occupying about one-sixth of France (33,000 square miles [86,000 square km]), the massif, for the most part, consists of plateaus lying between 2,000 and 3,000 feet (600 and 900 m). The highest peaks are Sancy Hill (Puy de Sancy; 6,184 feet [1,885 m]) and the Plomb du Cantal (6,096 feet [1,858 m]).
Is the Massif Central a mountain range?
The Massif Central is an important mountain range in France. The Alps, the Pyrénées, and Corsica are higher; Jura, Vosges, Morvan and Ardennes are lower.
What is the name of the mountain range in the south of France?
The Pyrenees
The Pyrenees (les Pyrénées), stretch from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean coasts in the south of France, marking the border between France and Spain, with the tiny country of Andorra nestled in the mountains. The mountain range is 270 miles (430 km) long with its widest point at 80 miles (129 km).
What are the mountains of south-central Europe called?
The Alps are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lie in south-central Europe. The mountain range stretches approximately 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) in a crescent shape across eight Alpine countries: France, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia.
What does Auvergne mean in English?
Auvergne. / (əʊˈvɛən, əʊˈvɜːn, French ovɛrɲ) / noun. a region of S central France: largely mountainous, rising over 1800 m (6000 ft) Slang.
What is the national dish of France?
Pot-au-feu
Pot-au-feu is to France what roast beef is to England. A hearty stew, flavoured with herbs and thickened with marrowbone and root vegetables, it seems to encapsulate all that is best about Gallic culture.
What are the three mountain ranges in France?
The seven main mountain ranges of France range from the Alps to the Pyrenees, from the Massif Central in the centre of France to nearby Morvan in Burgundy.
What mountains are in the southeast of France?
Provence Alps, French Alpes de Provence, western spurs of the Maritime Alps in southeastern France, lying between the Dauphiné Alps (north), the Lower Rhône River (west), and the Mediterranean Sea (south).
What mountain range is in Provence?
The Provence Alps
The Provence Alps and Prealps (Alpes et Préalpes de Provence in French) are a mountain range in the south-western part of the Alps, located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (France). Provence Alps and Prealps encompass the south-western area of the French Prealps.
What is the difference between massif and mountain?
A massif is a group of mountains that form part of a mountain range.
What are the highest mountains in France called?
Mountains of continental France
Rank | Name | Range |
---|---|---|
1 | Mont Blanc | Alps |
2 | Barre des Écrins | Alps |
3 | Chamechaude | Alps |
4 | Arcalod | Alps |
What is the gap in the mountain range is called?
The most rugged gaps are often called “notches.” Notches are rarely crossed, and usually marked by steep cliffs on either side. Another name for a gap is a “saddleback,” because wide gaps often have the shape of a saddle.
What are the 2 most important mountain ranges in France?
The two most important mountain ranges of France are the Alps and the Pyrenees. The highest peak is the Mont Blanc 4,808 metres above sea level and is in the Haute Savoie region of the French Alps.
What is a famous mountain range in France?
The Pyrenees are a mountain range between France and Spain. They stretch 270 miles (435km) from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea. The highest peak is Pico de Aneto, which is 3,404 metres high. There are two rail lines which cross the Pyrenees.
What are the three main mountain ranges in Southern Europe?
Running through Southern Europe are the Apennines, Pyrenees and Cantabrian ranges, whilst in the North one finds Europe’s second longest range, the Scandinavian Mountains (1,700 km / 1,056 miles).
What are the 4 major mountain ranges in Europe?
The four major mountain ranges of Europe are the Apennines, the Pyrenees, the Alps, and the Carpathians.
What are the 5 mountain ranges in Europe?
Five Longest Mountain Ranges in Europe
- Scandinavian Mountains: 1,762 kilometers (1,095 miles)
- Carpathian Mountains: 1,500 kilometers (900 miles)
- Alps: 1,200 kilometers (750 miles)
- Caucasus Mountains: 1,100 kilometers (683 miles)
- Apennine Mountains: 1,000 kilometers (620 miles)
What are the Southern Alps called?
Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana
It is the highest range in Australasia. Making up the loftiest portion of the mountains that extend the length of the island, the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana extend from Haast Pass, at the head of LakeWānaka, northeastward to Arthur’s Pass.