Apennines, << AP uh `nynz,` >> is the name of a mountain range in Italy that extends from the Gulf of Genoa to the Strait of Messina, about 840 miles (1,350 kilometers). The range varies from about 25 to 80 miles (40 to 130 kilometers) in width. The mountains have been worn down by wind and rain for millions of years and are among the lowest in Europe. Corno Grande, the highest peak, rises 9,554 feet (2,912 meters). A famous peak is Vesuvius, the only active volcano in mainland Europe.
Many types of vegetation grow in the Apennines. Shrubs and rough pastures grow above about 6,000 feet (1,800 meters). Below them are forests of beech, chestnut, conifers, and oak. Olive groves and farms spread across the lowest elevations. The mountains consist mainly of limestone and marble. Quarries near Carrara are noted for their marble.
