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The Alps are the highest (4809 meters or 2.99 miles) and most large mountain range system that belongs entirely in Europe, spreading approximately 1,210 kilometers or 750 miles across nine Alpine countries (Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, and Slovakia).
The Alpine ridge stretches from Nice on the western Mediterranean to Trieste on the Adriatic and Vienna at the start point of the Pannonian Basin. The ridge was developed over tens of millions of years as the Eurasian and African tectonic plates struck.
The map below created shows shares of the Alps area per country.
Mont Blanc spans the French–Italian border at 4,809 meters or 15,778 feet, and it is the highest peak in the Alps. The Alpine region encompasses 128 mountains higher than 4 kilometers or 13 thousand feet.
The Alpine region has a unique cultural identity. The traditional culture of farming, cheese-making, and woodworking still survives in Alpine settlements, although the traveler industry grew beginning in the 20th century and expanded after the Second World War to become the leading industry by the end of the century.
The Alps are the most populated mountain range in Europe, inhabited by some 20 million people. The population density in the Alps averages 74.6 inhabitants/km² Located at the bottom of the Alps, Geneva is the most populous city in the Alpine region.
The Alps are one of the more popular travel destinations worldwide, recording more than a million annual visitors and capturing 43% of worldwide ski market attendance. It is also the most intensely equipped region of the industry, totaling more than 10,000 lifts. Tourism is integral to the Alpine economy, with over 120 million visitors annually.
The 5 Most Visited Ski Resorts in the Alps
Resort
Country
Top elevation
Base elevation
Average annual skier visits, millions
Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta
Italy
2,500 m (8,202 ft)
1.929 m (6,329 ft)
2.5
Ski Arlberg
Austria
2,811 m (9,222 ft)
1,269 m (4,163 ft)
2.48
La Plagne
France
3,250 m (10,660 ft)
1,250 m (4,100 ft)
2.45
Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang
Austria
2,096 m (6,877 ft)
1,256 m (4,121 ft)
2.4
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental
Austria
1,957 m (6,421 ft)
620 m (2,034 ft)
2.27
The first three resorts are the most visited ski resorts in the world.
Forests and woods cover 45% of Alpine territory. Over 1,000 protected areas preserve the natural and cultural landscape and the biological diversity of the Alps, covering around 28% of the Alpine area.
Whether you plan skiing or hiking in the Alps to get away from the office and enjoy some relaxation, these atlases make journey planning easy.
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