European Alps

Alps
Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps, view from the Savoy side
Highest point
Peak	Mont Blanc
Elevation	4,808.73 m (15,776.7 ft)
Coordinates	45°50′01″N 06°51′54″E / 45.83361°N 6.86500°E / 45.83361; 6.86500
Geography
Relief of the Alps. See also map with international borders marked
Countries	List Slovenia France Germany Switzerland Italy Austria Liechtenstein Monaco
Range coordinates	46°30′20″N 9°19′49″E / 46.5056°N 9.3303°E / 46.5056; 9.3303Coordinates: 46°30′20″N 9°19′49″E / 46.5056°N 9.3303°E / 46.5056; 9.3303
Geology
Orogeny	Alpine orogeny
Age of rock	Tertiary
Type of rock	Bündner schist, flysch and molasse

The Alps (/ælps/; French: Alpes [alp]; German: Alpen [ˈalpən]; Italian: Alpi [ˈalpi]; Romansh: Alps; Slovene: Alpe [ˈáːlpɛ]) are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, stretching approximately 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) across eight Alpine countries: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia, and Switzerland. The mountains were formed over tens of millions of years as the African and Eurasian tectonic plates collided. Extreme shortening caused by the event resulted in marine sedimentary rocks rising by thrusting and folding into high mountain peaks such as Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. Mont Blanc spans the French–Italian border, and at 4,810 m (15,781 ft) is the highest mountain in the Alps. The Alpine region area contains about a hundred peaks higher than 4000 metres (just over 13,000 feet).