The Massif Central (French pronunciation: [masif sɑ̃tʁal]; Occitan: Massís Central, pronounced [maˈsis‿senˈtral]; literally “Central Massif”) is a highland region in the middle of Southern France, consisting of mountains and plateaus . It covers about 15% of mainland France.
What does Massif Central mean in geography?
The Massif Central (French pronunciation: [masif sɑ̃tʁal]; Occitan: Massís Central, pronounced [maˈsis‿senˈtral]; literally “Central Massif”) is a highland region in the middle of Southern France, consisting of mountains and plateaus . It covers about 15% of mainland France.
What is the Massif Central known for?
The Massif Central is particularly appreciated for its magnificent natural environment , its rivers, forests, lakes and mountains, its wildlife, and its peace and quiet. With hundreds of kilometres of marked trails, it is very popular with hikers and ramblers.
Is Massif Central active?
The N-S-trending chain of basaltic and trachytic cones, basaltic maars, and trachytic lava domes in France’s Massif Central has been active into the Holocene . The latest well-documented activity took place about 6,000 years ago.
Is Massif a word?
a compact portion of a mountain range , containing one or more summits.
What type of mountains are Le Massif Central?
The Massif Central is made up of 4 main volcanic massifs : the Chaîne des Puys, the Monts Dore, the Monts du Cantal, and the Volcanic Velay. There are around 450 extinct volcanoes in the region, a glorious mix of rugged rocky mountains, many with circular summits.
What is the land cover for Massif Central France?
The vast plateau of the Massif Central covers about 33,000 square miles (86,000 square km) , or some one-sixth of the area of the country. The Massif Central borders the Rhône-Saône valley on the east, the Languedoc lowlands on the south, the Aquitaine Basin on the southwest, and the Paris Basin on the north.
How was Massif Central formed?
The intensive nappe-stacking during continental collision transported high-grade terranes in a southerly direction over less deformed units creating the impression of an inverted metamorphism – a feature so ubiquitous in the Massif Central.
Are the Jura Mountains part of the Alps?
Geologically, the Jura is a part of Alpine foreland .
Does France have any active volcanoes?
The Chaîne des Puys in the Massif Central of southern France is one of Europe’s youngest volcanic fields. ... The last activity occurred only about 6000 years ago, which is why the volcanoes should be considered still active although there are no signs at present of any new activity to be expected in any near future .
When was the last volcanic eruption in France?
| Piton de la Fournaise | First ascent 21 September 1751 |
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What is the natural border between France and Spain?
The Pyrenees form a high wall between France and Spain that has played a significant role in the history of both countries and of Europe as a whole. The range is some 270 miles (430 kilometres) long; it is barely six miles wide at its eastern end, but at its centre it reaches some 80 miles in width.
What is meant by Massif?
1 : a principal mountain mass . 2 : a block of the earth’s crust bounded by faults or flexures and displaced as a unit without internal change.
What is the difference between a massif and mountain?
is that mountain is a large mass of earth and rock, rising above the common level of the earth or adjacent land, usually given by geographers as above 1000 feet in height (or 3048 metres), though such masses may still be described as hills in comparison with larger mountains while massif is a principal mountain mass.
What does massive mean in slang?
(much larger than normal): colossal , enormous, gargantuan, giant, gigantic, great, huge, mahoosive (slang), titanic. (of great significance or import): consequential, meaningful, overwhelming, significant, weighty. (of grandeur): awesome, super, excellent, stupendous.
