Apennines

Apennines, mountain chain, Italy, extending from the Ligurian Alps in the northwest through the length of the Italian Peninsula to the Strait of Messina and into Sicily. The chain is a branch of the Alpine system and consists of eight ranges, including the Lucanian, Tuscan, Umbrian, and Calabrian. The chain, generally uniform in appearance, is about 1290 km (about 800 mi) long and up to 129 km (80 mi) wide. Although the highest peaks include Mount Corno (2,912 m/9,554 ft) and Mount Amaro 2795 m (9170 ft), the average elevation is about 1220 m (about 4000 ft) above sea level. Two active volcanoes, Mount Vesuvius (1,277 m/4,190 ft) near Naples and Mount Etna (3323 m/10,902 ft) in Sicily, are part of the Apennine system.

The eastern side of the chain is the source of streams that are generally short and small; the only important river is the Ofanto River in southeastern Italy. The western slopes give rise to several important rivers (Arno, Tiber, Volturno, Garigliano) and have some hydroelectric stations. The central and northern divisions of the chain contain valuable deposits of iron ore, copper, tin, mercury, lignite, and borax. The famous quarries of Carrara marble are located in the northwestern part of the system.

Over the centuries the middle and lower slopes of the Apennines were cleared of forests, but a process of reforestation is now slowly progressing. Chestnut, birch, oak, and pine trees grow at altitudes of 1829 m (6000 ft), but above the timberline, vegetation consists mainly of shrubs and grasses that are sometimes used for pastureland. The hills and plateau areas support extensive olive groves, vineyards, orchard and nut trees, and pastures.