Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. They are often called the Rockies. The range stretches for about 4,800 kilometers from western Canada to the southwestern United States. Mountains are very high areas of land with steep sides and peaks, which are the highest points. The Rocky Mountains form a natural barrier between different parts of the continent.

The Rocky Mountains run through several countries and regions. In Canada, they pass through British Columbia and Alberta. In the United States, they pass through states such as Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Many famous peaks are found in the range. One of the highest is Mount Elbert in Colorado. It rises more than 4,400 meters above sea level.

The Rocky Mountains were formed by movements of the Earth’s crust. The crust is the outer layer of the Earth. Millions of years ago, large pieces of the crust pushed against each other. This slow movement caused the land to rise and form mountains. Erosion, which is the wearing away of rock by wind, water, and ice, later shaped the mountains into their present form.

The climate in the Rocky Mountains changes with height and location. Climate means the usual weather of a place. Lower areas may have forests and grasslands. Higher areas are colder and often covered with snow for much of the year. Many rivers begin in the Rockies. These include the Colorado River and the Columbia River. Rivers carry water from the mountains to lower lands.

Plants and animals live in many parts of the Rocky Mountains. Forests of pine and spruce trees grow on many slopes. Animals such as elk, mountain goats, bears, and wolves live in the region. The land is protected in many places by national parks. Examples include Rocky Mountain National Park in the United States and Banff National Park in Canada.

People have traveled through the Rocky Mountains for thousands of years. Indigenous peoples lived in and around the mountains long before European explorers arrived. Later, explorers and settlers crossed the Rockies to reach western lands. Today, towns and cities near the mountains depend on farming, mining, and tourism. The Rocky Mountains remain an important physical feature of North America.