Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain is a major mountain range located in western North America. The range stretches more than 3,000 miles from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States. The Rocky Mountains are notable for containing the highest peaks in central North America.

Geography

The Rocky Mountains are often divided into four broad regions: the Canadian Rockies and, in the United States, the northern, central, and southern Rockies. The range's highest peak is Mount Elbert located in Colorado. The Rockies vary in width from 70 to 300 miles.

Geology

The Rocky Mountains were formed from 80 million to 55 million years ago during the Laramide orogeny, in which a number of plates began to slide underneath the North American plate. The angle of subduction was shallow, resulting in a broad belt of mountains running down western North America.

Ecology

The Rocky Mountains are home to a diverse range of wildlife and plant species. The ecology of the Rocky Mountains is diverse due to the effects of a variety of environmental factors. The mountains are home to a number of endangered species, including the grizzly bear, the Canadian lynx, and the bull trout.

Human History

The Rocky Mountains were initially populated by indigenous peoples, including the Apache, the Cheyenne, the Ute, the Shoshone, and others. European exploration of the mountains began in the 18th century. The Rockies have been the site of numerous important events in United States history, including the Colorado Gold Rush and the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad.

See Also

• Geology of the Rocky Mountains
• Ecology of the Rocky Mountains
• History of the Rocky Mountains

‎

‎

‎

‎