Continental Ranges facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Continental Ranges
Location map of the Continental Ranges
Dimensions
Area	65,091 km2 (25,132 sq mi)
Geography
Country	Canada
Range coordinates	52°00′N 117°30′W / 52.000°N 117.500°W / 52.000; -117.500
Parent range	Canadian Rockies

The Continental Ranges is a large group of mountain ranges found in the Rocky Mountains. These mountains are located in eastern British Columbia and western Alberta, two provinces in Canada.

Even though it's a big area, the name "Continental Ranges" is mostly used by geologists. Most people don't use this name, and you won't find it on regular maps. However, the names of the smaller mountain groups within it, like the Front Ranges, Park Ranges, and Kootenay Ranges, are well-known.

The Continental Ranges are the largest and most famous part of the Canadian Rockies. The other two main parts are the Hart Ranges and the Muskwa Ranges.

What Are the Main Mountain Groups?

The Continental Ranges are divided into three main sections. These are the Front Ranges, the Park Ranges (also called the Main Ranges), and the Kootenay Ranges. Each of these big sections is then broken down into even smaller, individual mountain ranges.

Front Ranges

The Front Ranges are one of the main parts of the Continental Ranges. Here are some of the smaller mountain ranges you can find within them:

• Bare Range
• Bighorn Range
• Bosche Range
• De Smet Range
• Elk Range
• Fairholme Range
• First Range
• Fisher Range
• Goat Range
• Greenhills Range
• High Rock Range
• Highwood Range
• Jacques Range
• Kananaskis Range
• Lizard Range
• Maligne Range
• Miette Range
• Murchison Group
• Nikanassin Range
• Opal Range
• Palliser Range
• Queen Elizabeth Ranges
• Ram Range
• Sawback Range
• Slate Range
• Taylor Range
• Vermilion Range
• Victoria Cross Ranges
• Whitegoat Peaks
• Wisukitsak Range

Park Ranges (Main Ranges)

The Park Ranges are also known as the Main Ranges. They are another important part of the Continental Ranges. This section includes many famous areas, such as large icefields. Here are some of the ranges and features found here:

• Blackwater Range
• Blue Range
• Bow Range
• Chaba Icefield
• Clemenceau-Chaba
• Columbia Icefield
• Drummond Group
• Freshfields
• Harrison Group
• Hooker Icefield
• Kitchen Range
• Le Grand Brazeau
• McKale-Chalco Divide
• Mitchell Range
• Morkill Ranges
• Ottertail Range
• Rainbow Range
• Royal Group
• Selwyn Range
• Spray Mountains
• Sundance Range
• The Ramparts
• Trident Range
• Van Horne Range
• Vermilion Range
• Wapta Icefield
• Waputik Icefield
• Waputik Mountains
  • President Range
• Winston Churchill Range

Kootenay Ranges

The Kootenay Ranges form the third main subdivision of the Continental Ranges. These ranges are located in the southern part of the area. Here are some of the ranges within the Kootenay section:

• Beaverfoot Range
• Brisco Range
• Hughes Range
• Stanford Range
• Van Nostrand Range

See also

In Spanish: Cordilleras Continentales para niños