71 Canadian Rockies Facts: Read More About The Mountain Range

The Canadian Rockies run from the south to the north of Canada like a cascade mountain.

They are also known as the Canadian Rocky Mountains and form the northern extension of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The Canadian Rocky Mountains can be divided into two parts; the Alberta Rocky Mountains in Alberta, and the British Columbia Rocky Mountains in British Columbia.

The Canadian Rockies share a border to the south with the American states of Idaho and Montana. To the north, the Liard River separates the range from the sea.

The Canadian Rocky Mountains are home to famous national parks. Four parks together form the site that has been declared by Unesco as a World Heritage Site.

The Canadian Rocky Mountains have the Banff National Park at their core. When you go on a road trip from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park, you cross two great glaciers of the Rocky Mountains.

They are the Athabasca Glacier and the Dome Glacier. Here, you will find Mount Snow Dome, which has an elevation of 11,338 ft (3456 mt) above mean sea level.

The Snow Dome in Jasper National Park is unique in its own right. It is positioned in such a way that the run-off that it produces travels in three distinct directions, one towards the Pacific Ocean, one towards the Arctic Ocean, and the third towards the Atlantic Ocean.

If you are finding this article interesting, be sure to check out Colorado Plateau facts and Andes Mountains facts as well.

Fun Facts About The Canadian Rockies

The Banff National Park was Canada's first and the world's third national park. It was established by the federal government of Canada in 1885. The area spreads over 10 sq mi.

The Banff National Park was put under the spotlight in the 1880s after explorers accidentally found many hot springs rich in minerals here. It is no wonder that with time the region became popular with tourists seeking to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the environs along with the aim of curing themselves of various ailments in the hot springs.

If you visit Banff National Park, you will find that it has no shortage of wildlife. Moose, caribous, grizzly bear, elk, and more, can be spotted with a little patience.

Many people spend their time inside the parks walking on the hiking trails that can be found all over the place. Some of these trails lead all the way up to the summit of rocky mountain peaks.

Can you guess which animal is the official mascot of this park? We won't really blame you if you find yourself surprised. It is the humble squirrel!

Geographical Facts About The Canadian Rockies

The Canadian Rockies house over 50 high mountains whose elevation exceeds the 11,000 ft (3,350 m) mark. The highest peak of this range of mountains is Mount Robson, which stands at 12,972 ft (3,954 m) above mean sea level.

This is the second-highest peak in the province of British Columbia. Close behind it is Mount Columbia, with a height of 12,457 ft (3,747 m), which is also the highest point in Alberta.

The Canadian Rockies are essentially the offshoot of the Cordilerra chain of mountains. The Cordillera is a chain of mountain ranges that rise from Alaska, which lies at the northeastern extremity of North America, to the southernmost tip of Chile in South America.

There is no dearth of snowcapped mountains and glaciers in the Canadian Rockies. So what happens when the snow on these mountains and glaciers melt? They form rivers. Some of the foremost rivers forming in these mountains are the North Saskatchewan, Columbia, Fraser, Athabasca, and the Bow rivers. These rivers are snow-fed and hence, never dry out.

The Canadian Rockies' Significance

The Canadian Rockies contain some of the most beautiful and scenic places, not just of Canada but of the entire world. When we talk about a perfect postcard shot, we should think of the Moraine and Peyto lakes, both of which are situated in the alpine valleys of the Banff National Park.

They are among the most scenic freshwater lakes on the planet.

What sets this national park apart from all other national parks anywhere in the world is that it stands out in one particular area.

When officials were made to realize that the Trans-Canada Highway, which runs through the Bow Valley inside this rocky mountains park, was blocking the natural routes of several big and small animals, they quickly set about rectifying the situation.

In a world's first, the national park invited top-grade engineers and architects to design and build overbridges, underpasses, and tunnels all along the road.

Today, these artificial structures allow moose, elk, bighorn sheep, and other animals to cross over to the other side freely and without any dangerous hindrance.

Facts About The Canadian Rockies' Ecosystem

The Canadian Rockies are a major hub of tourism in Canada. Many tourists flock to this region during their holidays to spend quality time in the lap of mother nature. However, on the downside, too many footfalls have the potential to disrupt the delicate ecological balance that is at work here.

In order to protect this vast natural space, the federal government and provincial governments in Canada have divided the Canadian Rockies into a number of national parks and provincial parks. By bringing the whole area under government jurisdiction, the authorities are trying their best to maintain this World Heritage Site.

The Canadian Rockies and the Rocky Mountains of America are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. They are also home to some of the greatest reserves of fresh water in the world. The rivers that originate from these mountains are a source of livelihood to many species of plants and animals, and of course, human beings.

When the whole planet is reeling under the pressure of global warming, it is even more important now that the authorities, with the help of the people who visit in the millions every year, work towards the sustenance of this heaven on Earth.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 71 Canadian Rockies Facts: Read More About The Mountain Range then why not take a look at Mount Kilimanjaro facts, or tallest mountain in America?