Laurentian Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Laurentian Mountains |
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Mont Raoul Blanchard |
| Elevation | 1,166 m (3,825 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Quebec |
| Range coordinates | 47°19′N 70°50′W / 47.317°N 70.833°W |
The Laurentian Mountains are a large mountain range in Quebec, Canada. They are located north of the St. Lawrence River and the Ottawa River. These mountains are also known as Laurentides in French.
The highest point in the Laurentian Mountains is Mont Raoul Blanchard. This peak reaches about 1,166 meters (3,825 feet) high. It is found northeast of Quebec City, inside the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve.
Many important rivers start from lakes within these mountains. Some of these rivers include the Gatineau, L'Assomption, Lièvre, Montmorency, Nord, and St. Maurice rivers.
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What are the Laurentian Mountains?
The Laurentian Mountains are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. They have rocks that formed over 540 million years ago! These mountains are a very old part of the Earth's crust.
They are part of a huge ancient rock formation. This formation is called the Grenville orogeny. It was created about a billion years ago.
Where are the Laurentian Mountains located?
The Laurentian Mountains are mostly in southern Quebec, Canada. They stretch across several different areas of Quebec. These areas include Capitale-Nationale, Outaouais, Lanaudière, Mauricie, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, and Côte-Nord.
Even though Laurentides is an official region in Quebec, the mountain range itself covers a much larger area.
Are the Adirondack Mountains part of the Laurentians?
South of the Canadian border, in the U.S., are the Adirondack Mountains. These mountains are in New York State. They are actually an extension of the Laurentian Mountains.
Sometimes, people mistakenly think the Adirondacks are part of the Appalachian Mountains. However, they are geologically connected to the Laurentians.
What are the Opeongo Hills?
The Laurentian Mountain range also extends into central Ontario. In this area, the lower parts of the mountains are known by different names. They are called the Opeongo Hills or the Madawaska Highlands.
