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| | The '''Pyrenees''' are a [[Europe]]an mountain range, running from the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. They form the natural border between [[France]] and [[Spain]], and the small country of [[Andorra]] lies entirely within the Pyrenees between the two. The highest mountain in the range is Pico de Aneto (11,168 feet) and a number of other peaks closely approach this height. A few small but shrinking [[glacier]]s remain. Much of the Pyrenees is snowbound in winter, some of the higher passes not reopening until early summer. | | The '''Pyrenees''' are a [[Europe]]an mountain range, running from the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. They form the natural border between [[France]] and [[Spain]], and the small country of [[Andorra]] lies entirely within the Pyrenees between the two. The highest mountain in the range is Pico de Aneto (11,168 feet) and a number of other peaks closely approach this height. A few small but shrinking [[glacier]]s remain. Much of the Pyrenees is snowbound in winter, some of the higher passes not reopening until early summer. |
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| | + | While the mountains appear craggy and unworn, most geologists believe that they are actually older than the [[Alps]].<ref>http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761556167/Pyrenees.html</ref> This is due to the preponderance of hard-wearing granite and comparatively little glaciation. |
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| | Important towns in the vicinity of the range include Biarritz, Pau, Tarbes, [[Lourdes]], Foix and Perpignan in France, and San Sebastian, Pamplona, Girona and Figueres in Spain. | | Important towns in the vicinity of the range include Biarritz, Pau, Tarbes, [[Lourdes]], Foix and Perpignan in France, and San Sebastian, Pamplona, Girona and Figueres in Spain. |
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| | *[[Skiing]]. There are a number of sizeable ski resorts in all three Pyrenean countries. | | *[[Skiing]]. There are a number of sizeable ski resorts in all three Pyrenean countries. |
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| − | *Various other outdoor pursuits such as paragliding, canyoning, white-water rafting, etc can be found throughout the range. | + | *Various other outdoor pursuits such as paragliding, canyoning, white-water rafting, etc. can be found throughout the range. |
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| | *Hunting and shooting. [[Wild boar]], [[deer]] and [[pigeon]]s are popular local quarries. | | *Hunting and shooting. [[Wild boar]], [[deer]] and [[pigeon]]s are popular local quarries. |
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| − | *[[Cycling]] - The [[Tour de France]] and Vuelta a España (Tour of Spain) races both hold a number of stages in the mountains, attracting large numbers of spectators, and recreational cycling is also popular. | + | *[[Cycling]] - The [[Tour de France]] and [[Vuelta a España]] (Tour of Spain) races both hold a number of stages in the mountains, attracting large numbers of spectators, and recreational cycling is also popular. |
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| | + | ==References== |
| | + | <references/> |
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| − | [[Category:Mountains]] | + | [[Category:European Mountains]] |
| | + | [[Category:France]] |
| | + | [[Category:Spain]] |