Scandinavian Mountains

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The Scandinavian Mountains, in Swedish Skanderna, Fjällen ("the Fells") or Kölen, and in Norwegian Kjølen, with the two latter meaning the Keel, are a mountain range that runs through the Scandinavian Peninsula. The western sides of the mountains drop precipitously into the North Sea and Norwegian Sea, forming the famous fjords of Norway, while to the northeast they gradually curve towards Finland (Both geographically and historically Finland has/and is a part of Scandinavia). To the north they form the borders between Norway, Sweden and Finland, but are scarcely more than hills in the vicinity of the North Cape.

The mountains are not very large; Galdhøpiggen in southern Norway is the highest, at 2,469 m (8,098 ft). Even so, the combination of northerly situation and moisture from the North Atlantic means that there are many icefields and glaciers. And the fact that many mountains are very steep, makes them a spectacular and dramatical scenary. Kebnekaise has the highest peak on the Swedish side, at 2,103 m (6,900 ft), while Halti is the highest in Finland, at 1,328 m (4358 ft).

The Scandinavian mountain system is geologically connected with the mountains of Scotland, Ireland and, crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the Appalachian Mountains of North America. Geologists hold that all these formed a single range prior to the breakup of the ancient supercontinent Pangaea. The current mountains are remainings from the Caledonian mountains, which many geologists believe is the biggest mountain range in history.

The Scandinavian Montane Birch forest and grasslands terrestrial ecoregion is closely associated with the mountain range.

[edit] The highest mountains in Norway

See also List of Norwegian peaks over 2000 meters.

Of the 10 tallest mountain peaheheks in Scandinavia, 7 are situated in Oppland, Norway. The other 3 are situated in Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. There are 83 peaks equal to or taller than 2,200 m (7,218 ft.) in Norway.

1. 2,469 m (8,100 ft.) Galdhøpiggen (Oppland)
2. 2,464 m (8,084 ft.) Glittertind (Oppland)
3. 2,405 m (7,890 ft.) Storen (Sogn og Fjordane)
4. 2,387 m (7,831 ft.) Store Styggedalstinden east (Sogn og Fjordane)
5. 2,383 m (7,818 ft.) Store Styggedalstinden west (Sogn og Fjordane)
6. 2,373 m (7,785 ft.) Store Skardstinden (Oppland)
7. 2,369 m (7,772 ft.) Vesle Galdhøpiggen (Oppland)
8. 2,368 m (7,769 ft.) Surtningssue (Oppland)
9. 2,364 m (7,756 ft.) Store Memurutinden west (Oppland)
10. 2,363 m (7,753 ft.) Store Memurutinden east (Oppland)

Jotunheimen with the highest mountains in Scandinavia

Trollheimen, winter 2005

Coastal mountain in North Norway: Efjord south of Narvik

[edit] The highest mountains in Sweden

There are 12 peaks in Sweden that reach above 2000 meters, or 13 depending on how you define a peak. Eight of them are located in Sarek National Park and the other four in the further north region of Kebnekaise.

1. Kebnekaise 2,103 m (Lappland)
2. Sarektjåkka Stortoppen 2,089 m (Lappland)
3. Kaskasatjåkka 2,076 m (Lappland)
4. Sarektjåkka Nordtoppen 2,056 m (Lappland)
5. Kaskasapakte 2,043 m (Lappland)
6. Sarektjåkka Sydtoppen 2,023 m (Lappland)
7. Akka Stortoppen 2,016 m (Lappland)
8. Akka Nordvästtoppen 2,010 m (Lappland)
9. Sarektjåkka Buchttoppen 2,010 m (Lappland)
10. Pårtetjåkkå 2,005 m (Lappland)
11. Palkattjåkkå 2,002 m (Lappland)

Other popular mountains for skiers, climbers and hikers in Sweden

• Sulitelma 1,860 m (Lappland)
• Helagsfjället 1,796 m (Härjedalen)
• Norra Storfjället 1,767 m (Lappland)
• Templet 1,728 m (Jämtland)
• Lillsylen 1,704 m (Jämtland)
• Åreskutan 1,420 m (Jämtland)
• Storvätteshågna 1,204 m (Dalarna)
• Molnet 1,191 m (Dalarna)

[edit] The highest mountains in Finland

1. 1,328 m (4,357 ft.) Halti (Lappi/Finnmark)
2. 1,317 m (4,321 ft.) Ridnitsohkka (Lappi)
3. 1,280 m (4,200 ft.) Kiedditsohkka (Lappi)
4. 1,240 m (4,068 ft.) Kovddoskaisi (Lappi)
5. 1,239 m (4,065 ft.) Ruvdnaoaivi (Lappi)
6. 1,180 m (3,871 ft.) Loassonibba (Lappi)
7. 1,150 m (3,773 ft.) Urtasvaara (Lappi)
8. 1,144 m (3,753 ft.) Kahperusvaarat (Lappi)
9. 1,130 m (3,707 ft.) Aldorassa (Lappi)
10. 1,100 m (3,609 ft.) Kieddoaivi (Lappi)

Coordinates: 65°00′N 14°00′E