Canada, Rocky Mountains: description, sights and interesting facts

The second largest country in the world after Russia, a territory comparable to the size of the whole of Europe, a zone of forests that have not been touched by man - this is all Canada. The Rocky Mountains and the Coastal Mountains are the two youngest mountain ranges in the geological history of the Earth, which are not only a landmark of this country, but also historical and geographical monuments, rightly marked by UNESCO.

Canadian Cordilleras

The Canadian Rockies are only a small part of the Cordillera mountain system. Cordilleras - a mountain range of 18,000 kilometers, stretching from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, crosses two continents of America, passes through the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, and then splits into three mountain arcs.

In every country that was lucky enough to become owners of at least a piece of Cordillera, these mountains became the main attractions. They are proud and they are protected.

We will not be able to describe the whole of the Cordillera ridge in one article, but focus on the segment that Canada owns. Travel to the Rocky Mountains will begin with history and geology.

The main part of the Cordillera

The Rocky Mountains (Canada) are geologically relatively young, their length is 1,400 kilometers, and the width is 700 kilometers. Seismic activity, geysers and hot springs are not uncommon in these places.

The Canadian part of the ridge is formed predominantly by granites, the cliffs reach a height of up to 4 thousand meters. The American part is formed mostly from sandstones, shales, limestone, on average it is higher by half a kilometer. The Pleistocene glaciation took part in the formation of the mountains, which is still noticeable today due to the presence of glaciers. This is the largest watershed between the so-called Pacific and Atlantic Ocean basins.

Flora and fauna

The taiga of this mountain range is represented by three varieties of firs: pretty, slender and alpine; Two kinds of spruce: black and white; Two kinds of pines: pondrose and creeping; Red cedar and American larch. Above the forests pass into the juniper bushes and into alpine meadows, ending with glaciers.

The meadows are represented by North American buffalo and musk oxen, moose, deer (vapit, deer) and thick-legged sheep (they are especially often seen). Amazing representatives of fauna are endemic snow goats whose habitat is in the snowy part of the mountains. Until now, it remains a mystery how these animals manage to survive in the conditions of a harsh winter.

Predators are represented by grizzly bears, pumas, wolverines, large coyotes and wild cats. On the rocks there are many species of eagles, including the bald eagle.

About 150 species of fish live in the rivers Missouri, the Rio Grande and their tributaries. Commercial and amateur fishing attracts tourists by the abundance and variety of the catch.

National Parks and Rocky Mountains

Canada takes care of its natural resources. The Rocky Mountains include four national parks: Banff, Jasper, Kooteney and Yoho.

The oldest park in Alberta is Banff. It was created in 1885. Today is considered the most visited national park in the world. Many tourists want to visit this place. Always happy to have guests Canada. The rocky mountains on this site are famous for their swimming pools, located in thermal springs, and fauna. Glaciers and glacial lakes sometimes absolutely unimaginable colors are definitely worth seeing.

The glacier of Athabasca is the main miracle of the Yasper Park. The area is more than 200 square meters, it amazes with its grandeur. In winter it is an excellent ski resort, and in summer - a paradise for golfers. More recently, there was a new attraction - a viewing platform with a glass floor, located at an altitude of almost 300 meters.

Park Yoho, bordering the park of Banff, is similar to it with its waterfalls and lakes. But the motto of the park Kotenee "From glaciers to cacti" strikes a variety of flora and natural landscapes. It is also famous for its red earth, rich in iron and ocher. The cold source of Pons and the hot springs of the Sinclair Canyon of the Radwall fault are places of pilgrimage and admiration.

Famous for the abundance of extreme entertainment Canada. Rocky mountains and national parks offer tourists not only rafting on the mountain rivers, you can stay in silence alone with nature, make a hiking tour or a bike ride. And an abundance of climbing routes attracts fans from all over the world.

Niagara Falls

Separately, I would like to note the attraction, located between the US and Canada - a fifty-foot waterfall of the Niagara River. The most impressive part of the Great Horseshoe falls attracts thousands of tourists to Canada from the USA alone. On the border bridge, called "Friendship", bypassing the Welland Canal by land and by water, thousands of groups of tourists rush to see this miracle of nature.

Western Canada, and the Rocky Mountains in particular, always captures the attention of travelers. After all, in this region there are such natural attractions as the Gros Morn and Nahanni nature reserve.

Interesting to know

• Caution when traveling in the Rocky Mountains is always necessary. There is a great chance to meet with grizzlies. And a lot of masterpieces of cinematography - far from such an invention. They are intelligent and vindictive animals.
• A common disease is spotted fever in the Rocky Mountains. The bacteria of rickettsia (the causative agent of the disease) are transferred - small inconspicuous ixodid mites.
• The motto of A Mari Usque Ad Mage, which in Latin means "from sea to sea," adorns the coat of arms of the country.
• Tourists who have visited Canada should try pate from Bobryatina and shish kebab from grizzly.
• For poaching in the forests of the Rocky Mountains, there are substantial periods of imprisonment and colossal fines.
• Traveling to the Rocky Mountains is unthinkable without getting acquainted with volcanoes. The current St. Helens volcano scared the neighborhood for the last time in two years (1980-1982) by violent eruptions. The victims of the volcano were then about 40 citizens of the country.

Natural forces formed the Rocky Mountains no more than 75 million years ago. But the scale of this natural formation is impressive and fascinating. Cares for preserving the natural attractions are not only Canada. The Rocky Mountains are listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.