The Alps are a large mountain range in Europe stretching from Austria in the East to France in the West. They are a popular tourist attraction, particularly among those who enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and other snow sports. Not just for winter fun, however, many areas of the Alps are perfect for hikers, swimmers, and bikers, or even just casual sightseers. The mountain range is, of course, also full of opportunities for mountain climbers as well. The very first ascent of the highest peak in the Alps, Mont Blanc, was made by Jacques Balmat and Michel-Gabriel Paccard on August 8, 1786.

Several European cities are nestled right in the Alps, including Vienna, Venice, Salzburg, Munich, Innsbruck, and Milano. Because most of the mountain range is covered in glaciers, global warming is a constant threat, as it can cause the melting of the ice and snow, leading to avalanches and other natural disasters.

• ScienceDaily: Geology of the Alps

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