The Appalachian Mountains are part of an elongated mountain range system in the eastern section of the United States. These mountains are old, beautiful, and teem with interesting flora and fauna. Let us learn all about them!
Where Are the Appalachian Mountains?
The Appalachian Mountains are located on the eastern side of the United States. They begin way up north in a place called Newfoundland in Canada. From there, they go on downward, breaking up in Alabama in the southern United States, about 1,500 miles-2,400 kilometers long!
These mountains go through 15 different states:
1. Maine
2. New Hampshire
3. Vermont
4. Massachusetts
5. Connecticut
6. New York
7. Pennsylvania
8. Maryland
9. West Virginia
10. Virginia
11. Kentucky
12. North Carolina
13. Tennessee
14. Georgia
15. Alabama
We can divide the Appalachian Mountains into three key sections:
1. Northern Section: This includes the northern states like Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. You’ll find thick forests and tall mountains in this area, such as Mount Katahdin in Maine.
2. Central Section: This central part covers the likes of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Here, you will get lots of varied landscapes with woods, hills, and valleys.
3. Southern Section: This includes Virginia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. You’ll find the famous Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains in this area.
How Old and Tall Are the Appalachian Mountains?
The Appalachian Mountains are very, very old. They began to take shape about 500 million years ago! That is very long before the age of dinosaurs. They formed when big pieces of land crashed into each other, pushing up the ground into mountains.
As for height, they all vary greatly. This range contains the tallest mountain known as Mount Mitchell, which can be found in North Carolina. It stands about 6,684 feet 2,037 meters above sea level. That is approximately the height of about 134 school buses stacked up on top of each other!
What Makes the Appalachian Trail Unique?
The Appalachian Trail is the longest continuous hiking path that spans across each state of the Appalachian Mountains. The trail spans 2,190 miles extending between 14 states.
These are known as “thru-hikers.” They can complete it in 5 to 7 months! They usually start off in Georgia and finish in Maine, though many do the opposite.
Some of the awesomely beautiful and interesting spots on this trail include:
- Springer Mountain in Georgia, where most hikers begin their journey
- The Great Smoky Mountains National Park for its beautiful views
- Harpers Ferry in West Virginia – approximately halfway along the trail Mount Washington in New Hampshire, infamous for its inflexible weather Mount Katahdin in Maine, where many thru-hikers terminate their long journey What Kinds of Plants and Animals are found in the Appalachians
- The different flora and fauna of the Appalachian Mountains are significantly different from one another. Different species of trees like oak, maple, and pine can be seen in the prevailing forests. The other various nice flowers and ferns can also be found plentiful here.
As for animals, the mountains are home to:
– Black bears
– Deer
– Raccoons
– Foxes
– Many types of birds like eagles and colorful songbirds
– Lots of different fish in the rivers and streams
People of the Appalachian Mountains
Over thousands and thousands of years, this was home to Native American tribes. Their names include Cherokee, Shawnee, and Seneca. In fact, these mountains were of great significance to these people.
Later, in the 1700s, it was Europeans who started settling the region. Their ways combined with those of the Native Americans, and such was the development of the unique Appalachian culture. This culture is famous for its music-if one thinks of bluegrass-authentic storytelling, and handcrafting, such as quilt-making.
How Did the Appalachian Mountains Affect American History?
The Appalachian Mountains certainly played a huge role in American history. They were nearly a gigantic wall impeding early American colonists in their movement westward. These ranges of mountains were steep, thickly forested, and very cumbersome to travel through.
This natural barrier hindered progress to the west for quite a long time. It was only with a better construction of roads, canals, and later railroads that crossing the mountains made things a lot easier. Once it became much easier, more settlers started to move west, and the country grew big.
The Appalachian Mountains are something more than a pretty place with tall peaks and green forests; quite the contrary, it is a region full of history, replete with diverse plants and animals, not to mention housing a unique culture. Whether you like hiking, nature, history, or just beautiful scenery, there is something special awaiting you in the Appalachian Mountains.
