Appennine

The Appennine, commonly known as the Apennines, is a major mountain range that runs the length of the Italian Peninsula. Extending roughly 1,200 kilometers from the Ligurian Sea in the north to the Mediterranean coast near Calabria in the south, it forms the backbone of the peninsula and separates the east and west coasts as well as the Po Valley from the coastal plains.

The name derives from Latin Apenninus, with possible Greek roots. The range is traditionally divided into three main sectors: the Northern Apennines, the Central Apennines, and the Southern Apennines. The highest point is Gran Sasso d'Italia, at 2,912 meters, located in the central section.

Geologically, the Appennine are a young mountain system formed by the ongoing convergence of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates during the Cenozoic era, resulting in folding and faulting and significant seismic activity.

The range hosts varied climates and ecosystems, from alpine zones in the higher peaks to Mediterranean vegetation at lower elevations. It contains several protected areas, including Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise National Park; Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park; and Sibillini National Park. The fauna includes species such as the Apennine wolf and the Marsican brown bear; the region has a long human history with numerous towns, roads, and rail routes passing through its passes.