Provence Alps and Prealps

Summary

The Provence Alps and Prealps (Alpes et Préalpes de Provence in French) are a mountain range in the south-western part of the Alps, located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (France). Provence Alps and Prealps encompass the south-western area of the French Prealps.

Provence Alps and Prealps
Tête de l'Estrop - south face
Highest point
PeakTête de l'Estrop
Elevation2,961 m (9,715 ft)[1]
Coordinates44°17′14″N 6°30′17″E / 44.28722°N 6.50472°E / 44.28722; 6.50472
Naming
Native nameAlpes et Préalpes de Provence (French)
Geography
CountryFrance
RégionProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
RiversDurance, Verdon and Var
Parent rangeAlps
Borders onMaritime Alps, Dauphiné Alps, Dauphiné Prealps and Cottian Alps
Geology
OrogenyAlpine orogeny
Type of rockSedimentary rocks[2]

Etymology edit

The Provence (French pronunciation: [pʁɔvɑ̃s]) is a historical region nowadays part of the administrative région of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Geography edit

Administratively the range belongs to the French departments of Vaucluse, Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

The western slopes of the range are drained by the Rhone river through the Durance and other tributaries while its south-eastern part is drained by the Var and several smaller rivers that flow directly to the Mediterranean Sea.

Notable summits edit

 
The Luberon, in the SW part of the range; view from north-west

Some notable summits of the range are:

Name metres feet
Tête de l'Estrop 2,961 9,712
Grande Séolane 2,909 9,542
Trois-Évêchés 2,818 9,243
Montagne du Cheval Blanc 2,323 7,619
Mourre de Chanier 1,930 6,330
Mont Ventoux 1,912 6,271
Montagne de Lure 1,826 5,989

References edit

  1. ^ Highest summit elevation as reported on Géoportail of Institut Géographique National
  2. ^ Préalpes, article on Larousse encyclopedia (on line version:www.larousse.fr/encyclopedie)

Maps edit