The Alps are the highest and most extensive mountain range in Europe, stretching approximately 1,200 km (750 mi) across seven Alpine countries (from west to east): France, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia.
The Alpine arch extends from Nice on the western Mediterranean to Trieste on the Adriatic and Vienna at the beginning of the Pannonian Basin. The mountains were formed over tens of millions of years as the African and Eurasian tectonic plates collided. Extreme shortening caused by the event resulted in marine sedimentary rocks rising by thrusting and folding into high mountain peaks such as Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.
Mont Blanc spans the French–Italian border, and at 4,809 m (15,778 ft) is the highest mountain in the Alps. The Alpine region area contains 128 peaks higher than 4,000 m (13,000 ft).
The altitude and size of the range affect the climate in Europe; in the mountains, precipitation levels vary greatly and climatic conditions consist of distinct zones. Wildlife such as ibex live in the higher peaks to elevations of 3,400 m (11,155 ft), and plants such as edelweiss grow in rocky areas in lower elevations as well as in higher elevations.
The Winter Olympic Games have been hosted in the Swiss, French, Italian, Austrian and German Alps. As of 2010, the region is home to 14 million people and has 120 million annual visitors.
These amazing photos were found by Vintage Cars & People captured people driving crossing the Alps in the 1920s and 1930s.
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| Three rugged-looking motorists posing with a Steiger 10/50 PS Tourenwagen on Axenstrasse, the road on the east side of Urnersee in the Swiss canton of Uri. The car is registered in the state of Baden, September 1925 |
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| The Steiger 10/50 PS Tourenwagen with its hood up, parked on the side of an Alpine road with newly fallen snow in the background, September 1925 2 |
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| The Steiger 10/50 PS Tourenwagen with its hood up, parked on the side of an unpaved mountain road. Newly fallen snow can be seen in the valley in the distance, September 1925 2 |
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| Three rugged-looking motorists, some sort of official wearing a peaked cap, and a St. Bernard dog posing with Steiger 10/50 PS Tourenwagen in front of a lake at an Alpine pass on a misty day in early autumn, September 1925 |
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| Three dapper fellows posing in an open tourer on an Alpine road overlooking a valley. The right-hand drive car is registered in the French département of Haut-Rhin, circa 1928 |
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