The Atlas Mountains are not a continuous chain of mountains but a series of ranges separated by wide areas of land, which are called plateaus. The mountain range separates the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert. It has several passes that provide routes between the coast and the Sahara desert.
Where are the Atlas Mountains?
Atlas Mountains, series of mountain ranges in northwestern Africa, running generally southwest to northeast to form the geologic backbone of the countries of the Maghrib (the western region of the Arab world)—Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
Why are they called the Atlas Mountains?
The Atlas ranges separate the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert. Most of the people living in the Atlas Mountains are part of Berber tribes in Morocco and in Algeria. The mountains are named after the ancient Greek Titan, Atlas.
Is Atlas Mountains a volcano?
It includes the Djebel Siroua, a massif of volcanic origin with the highest summit of the range at 3,304 m. The Jebel Bani is a much lower range running along the southern side of the Anti Atlas.
How cold is it in the Atlas Mountains?
Starting from the months of November until March, the Atlas Mountains have a typical mountain climate, with cold weather. Although the day time temperature can range from around 10°C up to 20°C. Indeed, winter can usher in plenty of wonderfully crisp, dry and sunny days ideal for trekking.
What type of mountains are the Atlas Mountains?
Overall, however, the Atlas can be categorized as a semi-arid mountain range between the tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean/Mediterranean and the massive Sahara Desert. The highest mountain in the Atlas is Mount Toubkal. Mount Toubkal measures nearly 14,000 feet, and is located in southwestern Morocco.
How many mountains are in the Atlas Mountains?
Forming a barrier between the Mediterranean Sea and the vast Sahara Desert, the rugged Atlas Mountains are a major chain of peaks that runs through Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria. The range contains 32,505 named peaks, the highest and most prominent of which is Toubkal (4,167m/13,671ft) in Morocco.
What was Atlas the God of?
In Greek mythology, Atlas (/ˈætləs/; Greek: Ἄτλας, Átlas) is a Titan condemned to hold up the heavens or sky for eternity after the Titanomachy. … Atlas was the son of the Titan Iapetus and the Oceanid Asia or Clymene. He was a brother of Epimetheus and Prometheus.
How was Atlas mountain formed?
The Anti-Atlas Mountains of northern Africa and the nearby Atlas mountains were created by the prolonged collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, beginning about 80 million years ago.
Is Atlas mountain a fold mountain?
The Atlas Mountains are known as fold mountains, which is one of the many different types of mountains.
How does the Atlas Mountains affect Africa?
The Atlas Mountains have had a profound effect on North Africa‘s climate, economic resources, and human history. Separating the coastal lowlands from the SAHARA DESERT in the interior, the ranges prevent the desert heat from reaching the coast. … The ancient Greeks believed that Atlas lived among the North African peaks.
Are the Himalayan mountains in Pakistan?
The Himalayas, which have long been a physical and cultural divide between South and Central Asia, form the northern rampart of the subcontinent, and their western ranges occupy the entire northern end of Pakistan, extending about 200 miles (320 km) into the country.
Does it snow on the Atlas Mountains?
Snow in Morocco is not unusual. Two ski resorts in the Atlas Mountains—one near Marrakech and the other near Ifrane—experience fairly regular snowfall each January and February. … Snow cover in the Atlas Mountains serves more than Morocco’s ski industry.
What two climates are found north of the Atlas Mountains?
The Atlas Mountains are the meeting place of two different kinds of air masses—the humid and cold polar air masses that come from the north and the hot and dry tropical air masses that move up from the south.
How long does it take to climb Toubkal?
The Mount Toubkal ascent only takes two days, with most of the walking done on the first. Leg one of the trek takes around 5 hours during which we’ll follow 11 kilometres of mule paths zigzagging up into the rocky valley towards towering snow-dusted peaks on the horizon.
What is the biggest desert in Africa?
The Sahara is the world’s largest desert; it extends across most of the northern part of Africa. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
What are the dangers posed by mountains?
Disaster risk management. Mountains are hazardous places. Many mountain communities live under the threat of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions caused by shifting tectonic plates. Gravity pushing down on sloping land compounds the destructive power of storms and heavy rains, producing avalanches, landslides and floods.
What peak is known as America’s mountain?
Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain
Pikes Peak is America’s Mountain and home of the Pikes Peak Highway The Pikes Peak Highway entrance is conveniently located 15 minutes west…
Is Morocco safe for tourists?
In truth, Morocco is a safe place to visit. There’s only really small crime there (scams and pickpockets) and you’re unlikely to be assaulted or seriously hurt as a tourist in the country. Morocco is super safe for tourists now. … Petty crime is rampant here, especially against tourists.
What is the tallest peak of the Atlas Mountains?
The High Atlas culminates in Mount Toubkal at 13,665 feet (4,165 metres), the highest point in the Atlas Mountains, which is surrounded by high snowcapped peaks; the Aurès Mountains are formed of long parallel folds, which reach a height of 7,638 feet at Mount Chelia.
Which mountains form the longest mountain chain in Africa?
Rank | Range | Continent |
---|---|---|
1 | Andes | South America |
2 | Southern Great Escarpment | Africa |
3 | Rocky Mountains | North America |
4 | Transantarctic Mountains | Antarctica |
Who is stronger Atlas or Zeus?
Atlas was a Titan, one of the gods. He was punished for his rebellion against them by Zeus and the Olympians, by being forever forced to hold up the world. … So Atlas is by far the stronger! Also, Who was the most feared Greek God?
Is Atlas stronger than Zeus?
They even state that Atlas, being a second generation Titan was stronger than Zeus as well. Atlas was the second most powerful Titan after his uncle, Cronus, the father of Zeus. He also served as his uncle’s second in command in the war with the gods.
Is Atlas a Titan or God?
According to Hesiod’s Theogony, Atlas was one of the Titans who took part in their war against Zeus, for which as a punishment he was condemned to hold aloft the heavens.
Are the Atlas Mountains still growing?
The northern Atlas Mountains are considered to be fairly young. Just like you, they’re still growing! However, when mountains grow, it results in earthquakes and landslides.
Which mountains extend in Africa as the Atlas Mountains?
From west to east, these include the Anti-Atlas, High Atlas, and Middle Atlas in Morocco; the Saharan Atlas, maritime Tell Atlas (itself formed of a series of distinct massifs such as the Ouarsenis, Grande Kabylie, and Petite Kabylie), and Aurès in Algeria; and the Kroumirie, Medjerda, and Tébessa Mountains in Tunisia, …
Which mountains stop moisture from reaching the Sahara?
In addition, the presence of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, ITCZ, in the southern Sahara Desert prevents moisture from reaching the area, while storms north of the desert stop before reaching it as well.
What are examples of folded mountains?
Fold mountains are the most common type of mountain in the world. Some of the most famous ranges are the Himalayas, Andes, and Alps. The Himalayas, in Asia, stretch through the borders of China, India, and Pakistan. The crust beneath the Himalayas is still being folded.
Which fold mountain is found in Africa?
The Cape Fold Mountains of South Africa, above, were created as the ancient Falklands Plateau crashed into the African plate. Fold mountains are created where two or more of Earth’s tectonic plates are pushed together.
Does Sahara have fertile areas?
Fossils in the bone-dry Sahara Desert reveal that the sand dunes are located in what was previously a moist, fertile region. Scientists used to believe that the Sahara switched between dry and moist climates with the ice ages, at a rhythm of some 100,000 years.
Do the Atlas Mountains have glaciers?
There are no glaciers today in the High Atlas, Morocco. However, there is evidence that niche glaciers and late-lying snowpatches in the High Atlas were present as recently as the last century and there are at least four sites where snowpatches appear to survive some summer seasons today.
What is the highest peak in the Drakensberg?
Thabana Ntlenyana, also called Thadentsonyane, Thabantshonyana, or Mount Ntlenyana, mountain peak (11,424 feet [3,482 m]) in the Drakensberg and the highest in Africa south of Kilimanjaro.