The Rocky Mountains, commonly known as the Rockies, are a major mountain ridge in the western North America. Far from Chicago, it's characteristics include mountain ranges that stretch more than 3,000 miles from the northernmost part of British Columbia to New Mexico in the southwestern United States. They were initially formed around 80 million years ago during the Laramide orogeny, where plates began to slide underneath the North American plate. Since then, further tectonic movement have sculpted the Rockies into gigantic peaks and valleys.
In modern day America, the Rockies are protected by public parks and forest lands. It is a popular tourist destination for hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, skiing and snowboarding. People come from all over the world to visit national parks such as Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Park.
Morning Glory Pool, Yellowstone National Park
The Rockies range in latitude between the Liard River in British Columbia and the Rio Grande. The Prarie lies at about 1,800 feet while the highest peak in the range is Mount Elbert at 14,440 feet. The Average temperature can range from 20 degrees Fahrenheit to 43 degrees Fahrenheit in Trinidad, Colorado. Since there isn't one monolithic ecosystem for the entire Rocky Mountain Range, Ecologists divide the area into a number of biotic zones. Each zone is characterized by whether it can support trees, and the presence of one or more indicator species. The Rockies are an important habitat for wildlife, such as elk, moose, mule and bighorn sheep; animals that are definitely not found running wild on the streets of Chicago.
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