Mountain ranges are long chains of mountains formed by the movement of the Earth's plates. The world's major ranges affect climate, rivers and settlement. Knowing their locations and highest peaks is a frequent geography and static GK topic.
The Himalayas
- The highest mountain range in the world.
- It lies in Asia, across India, Nepal, Bhutan and other countries.
- Mount Everest is the highest peak at about 8,849 metres.
The Andes
- The longest mountain range in the world.
- It runs along the western edge of South America.
- Its highest peak is Aconcagua.
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Other Major Ranges
- Rocky Mountains - in North America.
- Alps - in Europe; highest peak is Mont Blanc.
- Ural Mountains - separate Europe from Asia.
- Atlas Mountains - in north-west Africa.
How Mountains Form
- Most great ranges are fold mountains formed by colliding plates.
- The Himalayas formed when the Indian plate met the Eurasian plate.
Quick Revision Points
- The Himalayas are the highest mountain range.
- The Andes are the longest mountain range.
- Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world.
- Aconcagua is the highest peak of the Andes.
- The Ural Mountains separate Europe and Asia.
- Mont Blanc is the highest peak of the Alps.
- Most major ranges are fold mountains.