Mountains in Africa

Mountain ranges of varying heights

Whether it's the Great Rift Valley in East Africa that is highlighted, or the young Atlas Mountains in North Africa that are of interest, the mountain ranges can be mentioned in connection with the Alps. The mountains are generally divided on the African continent into five larger mountain ranges and massifs. Depending on how high a mountain is, it is referred to as a mountain or massif. The terms mountain or massif already represent much higher massifs. The Precambrian platforms are recorded in most of Africa. In the northwest of the African continent, there is the Maghreb Mountains and the Atlas Mountains. These separate the countries of Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. It is a very young geological formation, which was shaped by the African and Eurasian plates. In the east of Africa, too, there is a mountain range, the African Rift Valley.

Old and yet beautiful elevations

Partly, the elevations in Africa are very old and are traced back to prehistoric times by geology. The rift valley is an extension from the Red Sea to the rest of Africa. Here, the massifs are also named, which include, among others, the mountains of Kenya or Ruwenzori. The largest mountains reach heights of 4000 to 5000 meters, which are located in the most diverse African regions or states of Africa. A highland also belongs to the mountainous landscapes, which extends upwards. The great mountains of the continent include five mountain ranges. The Kilimanjaro, where the Kibo peak is located in the state of Tanzania, and the Kenya Massif with the highest peak Batian. In the states of Congo and Uganda, the Rwenzori Mountains stretch upwards, where the Margherita Peak measures over 5100 meters. The Abyssinian Highlands are located in Ethiopia. The state also has a very high mountain, which is recorded on the map at just under 4500 meters. The Virunga volcanoes mountain range with the 4500 meter high Karisimbi peak runs through the states of Rwanda, Congo and Uganda. The mentioned elevations and massifs belong to the five most important mountain ranges and in addition to these, there are also other smaller mountains. These extend to Tanzania or Morocco.

Most important mountain ranges and highlands

The highland in Ethiopia is one of the most important mountain regions in Africa. The Drakensberg in the southern part of Africa and the mountain range in the Sahara are also counted among them. The lake highlands in the east of Africa are over 1200 and 2100 meters high. The mountains were formed by volcanism and were thus pushed away by the earth. This created the elevations, as can be seen today with the help of cartography. There is also a fold mountain range in the northwest of Africa, as well as the Cape Mountains in the south. But basin areas and landscapes are also not uncommon in the mountains.