Blue Ridge Mountains are eastern ranges of the Appalachian Mountain System. The mountains extend from southeastern Pennsylvania across Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and northern Georgia. The name of the mountains comes from the blue tone that the forested slopes have when seen at a distance.
In Virginia, the Blue Ridge Mountains are 12 to 14 miles (19 to 23 kilometers) wide, and separate the Piedmont Region from the Great Valley or Valley of Virginia. In North Carolina, the Blue Ridge forms the eastern section of a mountain chain over 75 miles (121 kilometers) wide. Other parts of this chain include the Black Mountains and the Great Smokies.
The highest peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains are in North Carolina. Mount Mitchell, the tallest peak, rises 6,684 feet (2,037 meters) above sea level. The James, Potomac, and other rivers have cut narrow, picturesque valleys through these mountains. The Blue Ridge Mountains are famous for their beautiful scenery, especially along the Skyline Drive in Virginia. The Blue Ridge Parkway extends about 500 miles (800 kilometers) south of the Skyline Drive.
