Atlas Mountains
| Atlas Mountains | |
|---|---|
Mount Toubkal in Toubkal National Park within the High Atlas, Morocco | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Toubkal, Morocco |
| Elevation | 4,167 m (13,671 ft)[1] |
| Listing | Mountain ranges |
| Coordinates | 31°03′35″N 7°54′54″W / 31.05963°N 7.91513°W[1] |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 2,500 km (1,600 mi) |
| Geography | |
The location of the Atlas Mountains (red) across North Africa | |
| Countries | |
| Region | Maghreb |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | Precambrian |
The Atlas Mountains are a mountain range in the Maghreb in North Africa. They separate the Sahara Desert from the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean; the name "Atlantic" is derived from the mountain range, which stretches around 2,500 km (1,600 mi) through Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The mountains are associated with the Titan Atlas.[2] The range's highest peak is Toubkal, in central Morocco, with an elevation of 4,167 metres (13,671 ft).[3] The Atlas Mountains are primarily inhabited by Berber populations.[4]
The terms for 'mountain' are Adrar and adras in some Berber languages, and these terms are believed to be cognates of the toponym Atlas. The mountains are home to a number of animals and plants which are mostly found within Africa but some of which can be found in Europe. Many of these species are endangered and a few are already extinct. The weather is generally cool but summers are sunny, and the average temperature there is 25 °C.[5] The Atlas Mountains have earned a reputation as a trekkers’ den, attracting adventurers year-round.[6]
- ^ a b "Topographic map of Toubkal". opentopomap.org. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
- ^ Smith, s.v. Atlas
- ^ "Atlas Mountains – Students | Homework Help". Britannica Kids. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
- ^ "Atlas Mountains: Facts and Location". study.com. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
- ^ "Atlas Mountains, Morocco - Live Weather Update".
- ^ Petter, George (23 June 2022). "Travel Guide to Atlas Mountains". Marrakech Desert Trips.