The Apennines
Apennines, a mountain system of Italy. Beginning north of the Gulf of Genoa, along the Riviera, the Apennines curve southeastward to the peninsula's “toe.” After disappearing beneath the Strait of Messina, they reappear as the mountains of Sicily. Length of the system is about 850 miles (1,370 km), including about 160 miles (260 km) in Sicily; width is from 25 to 85 miles (40 to 135 km).
Though geologically young, the Apennines have few areas of high, rugged terrain. The most notable exception is the Gran Sasso d'Italia range northeast of Rome. Here the highest peak, Corno Grande, rises 9,554 feet (2,912 m) above sea level. Elsewhere there are lower ranges, plateaus, and hills, some of which have a wild, desolate appearance because of severe erosion. Volcanic land-forms, such as crater lakes and volcanic cones, occur in the western Apennines of central Italy and in Sicily. Mounts Vesuvius and Etna are the best-known active volcanoes. Earthquakes are frequent, particularly in the southern part of the chain.
The Apennines are of limited economic value. Rivers, draining either westward to the Ligurian or the Tyrrhenian Sea or eastward to the Adriatic, are short and unnavigable and carry little or no water during much of the year. Some, however, provide hydroelectric power and water for irrigation. As a result of summer drought, especially in the south, and widespread forest misuse, much of the Apennines is scantily covered or barren. Forests occur mainly on high, remote mountain slopes. Grazing lands are extensive; crops are confined largely to low slopes, basins, and river valleys. Mineral resources are also meager, Carrara marble being the most notable product.