Rocheuses

Rocheuses, known in English as the Rocky Mountains, is a major mountain range in western North America. The range extends roughly 4,800 kilometers from the northern reaches of British Columbia and Alberta in Canada to New Mexico in the United States, running parallel to the Pacific coast and forming the eastern backbone of the North American Cordillera. In French-language contexts, the chain is commonly referred to as les Rocheuses.

Geology and landscape. The Rocheuses were formed during the Laramide orogeny, roughly 70 to 40 million years ago, by the uplift of sedimentary rock layers. The range is primarily built from sedimentary rocks such as limestone and sandstone, with some igneous intrusions and metamorphic rocks in places. The topography includes high, rugged peaks, long ridges, and deep valleys, with extensive glaciation in the past.

Highest peaks and coverage. The highest peak is Mount Elbert in Colorado, at about 4,401 meters. The Canadian segment, the Canadian Rockies, includes peaks such as Mount Robson (3,954 m). The range includes numerous national parks and protected areas, including Banff and Jasper in Canada and Rocky Mountain National Park in the United States.

Ecology and use. The Rocheuses host diverse ecosystems, from montane forests to alpine tundra, supporting a wide array of flora and fauna. They are a major destination for recreation, tourism, and outdoor activities, and have historically supported mining and forestry in certain regions. The mountains also influence regional climate, acting as a barrier to weather systems and shaping river basins that feed major watersheds.