Alpy

Alpy, the Polish term for the Alps, denotes the major European mountain system forming a southern boundary of the continent. The range stretches across France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, and Slovenia, roughly 1,200 kilometers long. It acts as a climatic and cultural barrier between Northern and Southern Europe.

Geographically, the Alps are divided into the Western, Central, and Eastern Alps. The highest point is Mont Blanc on the France–Italy border, at 4,808 meters. Other notable peaks include the Dufourspitze (Monte Rosa), 4,634 m, and the Matterhorn, 4,478 m. The range hosts many valleys, glaciers, and lakes and feeds major rivers such as the Rhône, Po, and Danube basins.

Geology and climate: The Alps formed from the collision of the African and Eurasian plates during the Alpine orogeny in the Tertiary period. Glaciers shaped the valleys. The region has an alpine climate with heavy winter snow and cool summers. Flora includes edelweiss and alpine grasses; fauna includes ibex, chamois, and golden eagles.

Human activity: The Alps are a center of tourism and winter sports, with mountain farming and hydroelectric power. They support extensive transport networks and cross-border cooperation. The Alpine Convention (1991) promotes sustainable development across the Alpine countries.

Conservation and heritage: Parts of the Alps are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, notably the Dolomites in Italy and the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn region in Switzerland.