The New Student's Reference Work/Alleghany Mountains

Alleghany (al' e-ga' ni) or Appalachian Mountains, the great range of mountains which extend from Canada to the northern part of Alabama. The greatest width of the main range is in Pennsylvania and Maryland, about 100 miles in extent, and its length is 1,300 miles. While varying little in height, the ridges follow a remarkably straight course, sometimes keeping an almost straight line for 50 or 60 miles. Included in this range are the Green Mountains of Vermont, the Highlands of the Hudson, the Catskills, the Blue Ridge and west of it the Alleghanies proper. Nowhere do these mountains reach the snow line. Mitchell's Peak, in North Carolina, 6,688 feet, is the highest point, while Mt. Washington, in New Hampshire, 6,293 feet high, is the most famous peak. The Alleghanies are one of the great sources of supply for the whole country of iron and coal.