Black Mountains (North Carolina)
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The Black Mountains are a part of the great Appalachian Mountain range. They are the highest mountains in the Eastern United States. The Black Mountains are located in western North Carolina. The range takes its name from the black and fraser fir trees which were once found abundantly on the range's upper slopes.
Characteristics
The Black Mountains range itself is quite small, running only fifteen miles in a north-to-south direction. However, within these fifteen miles are 18 peaks climbing to at least 6300 feet (1900 meters) above sea level. The Black Mountains rise prominently above the surrounding lower terrain. This is particularly noticeable from the range's eastern side, which rises over 4500 feet above the Catawba River Valley and Interstate 40, providing some impressive mountain scenery. The highest point in the Black Mountains - and the highest point east of the Mississippi River - is Mount Mitchell. Located in Yancey County, North Carolina, Mount Mitchell rises to 6,684 feet (2,037 meters) above sea level.Environmental Threats
The Black Mountains, like many other ranges in the Appalachians, are currently threatened by acid rain and air pollution. Much of the range's once-famous black and fraser fir trees are dead or dying due to the pollution. The area around the Black Mountains is also experiencing rapid population growth as retirees from other states pour into the region. Due to the lack of proper zoning laws, this has resulted in pell-mell development of ridgetop cabins, bulldozing of lower ridges, and deforestation that threatens the beauty of the region.
Source:
State Parks of North Carolina. Walter C. Biggs and James F. Parnell, Authors. John F. Blair, Publisher, 1989.
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