• mountain range is a series of mountains ranged in a line and connected by high ground.
  • mountain system or mountain belt is a group of mountain ranges with similarity in form, structure, and alignment that have arisen from the same cause, usually an orogeny.
  • Mountain ranges are formed by a variety of geological processes, but most of the significant ones on Earth are the result of plate tectonics. Mountain ranges are also found on many planetary mass objects in the Solar System and are likely a feature of most terrestrial planets.
  • Mountain Chain: It consists of mountain ranges which differ in size and period of formation.
  • Cordillera is a community of mountains which includes ridges, ranges, mountain chains and mountain systems. The best example is the Western Cordillera in the western part of North America.

Important Mountain Ranges & Peaks

Mountain RangeImportant/Highest PeaksLocationDescription
Rocky MountainsMt. Elbert (highest peak in the Rockies)North AmericaIt is one of the longest fold mountains in the world and extends from Canada to Western US (New Mexico State)
Appalachian MountainsMt. Mitchell, North Carolina, US (highest peak of Appalachian Mountains)North AmericaIt is a fold mountain with rich in mineral resources
AlpsMont Blanc (French –Italian border)EuropeIt is a folded mountain and source for rivers like Danube, Rhine, etc.
Sierra NevadaMt. WhitneyCalifornia, USAHabitat for many Red Indian tribes
Alaska RangeMt. McKinleyNorth AmericaMt. McKinley highest peak in North America
Altai MountainsBelukha mountainCentral AsiaYoung folded mountain which extends from Kazakhstan to northern China.
Andes MountainsMt. AconcaguaSouth AmericaLongest mountain chain in the world
Atlas MountainsMt. ToubkalNorthwestern AfricaYoung fold mountain spreading over Morocco and Tunisia.
Drakensberg MountainsMt. LesothoSouth AfricaYoung folded mountain
Caucasus MountainMt. ElbrusEuropeLocated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea
Scandinavian MountainsGaldhøpiggen Europe (Finland, Norway, Sweden)The western sides of the mountains drop precipitously into the North Sea and Norwegian Sea, forming the fjords of Norway, whereas to the northeast they gradually curve towards Finland.
Carpathian MountainsGerlachovský štítEurope Range of mountains forming an arc across Central and Eastern Europe.
Ural MountainsMt. NarodnayaRussiaThis mountain range act as a boundary between Europe and Asia.
Hindukush MountainsMt. Trich MirPakistan and AfghanistanFolded mountain with rugged topography which makes it difficult for transportation.
HimalayasMt. EverestAsiaYoung fold mountains in Asia which separates Indian sub-continent from Asian plains
Arakan YomaMt. Kennedy peakMyanmarIt extends from north to south direction. Shifting cultivation is practised.
Kunlun MountainsMt. MuztagNorth of Tibetan plateau and western ChinaIt is one of the young folded mountains.
VosgesMt. Grand BallonEastern France, EuropeFamous for the cultivation of grapes and manufacture of wines.
Great Dividing RangeMt. KosciuszkoAustraliaThis range is the source for the rivers Darling and Murray.
major mountain ranges of the world
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
kRISHNA KUMAR JOSHI

Nice and very helpful for ias ASPIRANT