User:Jennytacular/sanbox/Laurentian Mountains

The Laurentian Mountains, also known as the Laurentians or Laurentides, are a mountain range in Canada. The range is 1,448 km (900 mi) long and ranges in height from 500 m (1,640 ft) to 1,000 m (3,280 ft). The Laurentians extend across Labrador and Quebec within the Laurentian Upland, which contains foothills in northeastern Ontario. The range is located near the rivers of Ottawa, St. Lawrence, and Saguenay. The Laurentians primarily stretch across multiple regions in Quebec, with geologic formations such as the Jacques-Cartier Massif located within the range.

The Laurentians Mountains are one of the oldest mountain ranges on earth. The range formed 540 million to one billion years ago during the Grenville orogeny, in which the Grenville Province formed, a subdivision of the Canadian Shield. During that time, Laurentia, the geologic core of the Canadian Shield, collided with other continents and formed Precambrian rocks which extend across the range. The mountain range is located around other related geographic features, such as the Monteregian Hills.

The Laurentians Mountains are home to vast extents of boreal ecosystems and mixed forests. The southern areas of the range are dominated by black spruce and balsam fir, with various wildlife species present. The Laurentian Mountains are an important part of the economy of Quebec, as they provide access to tourism and outdoor recreation for people living in the region.

Etymology
The namesake of the mountains is derived from the term "Laurentide" or "Laurentian", attributing itself to the St. Lawrence River. François-Xavier Garneau, author of Histoire de Canada, was first to use the term "Laurentien" when he coined the name of the mountains in 1845. Early geologists adopted the name for the complex of metamorphic and igneous rocks in this area, with the terms further being applied to the Laurentide Ice Sheet and the Laurentian Shield (Canadian Shield). He applied the new term to the whole range north of the St. Lawrence River. While the region has been popularly referred to as the Laurentians and Les Lauretides, it was officially adopted in 1987 as the territory was defined.

Geography
The Laurentian Mountains extend from Quebec to Labrador over a distance of 1,448 kilometers (900 miles). They are partially bounded by the Ottawa, St. Lawrence, and Saguenay River. The Laurentian Mountains reside in the Laurentian Upland, which extends as far west as Lake Huron, with foothills extending into northeastern Ontario. Sub-ranges in the upland are the Opeongo Hills, Misquah Hills, Huron Mountains, and the Porcupine Mountains. This region is extensively forested and contains nearly untouched wilderness, with it not being suited for agriculture.

One of Quebec’s official regions is called Laurentides. The mountain range runs through four other regions; Capitale-Nationale, Outaouais, Lanaudière, and Mauricie. The elevation generally ranges from around 500 m (1,640 ft) to 1,000 m (3,280 ft) with Mont Raoul-Blanchard being its highest peak, at 1,166 m (3,825 ft). Mont Tremblant, Mont Bleu, and Mont des Conscrits are other prominent peaks in the mountain range. Jacques-Cartier National Park is located in this mountain range, which is north of Quebec City, residing in the Jacques-Cartier Massif.

Geology
The Laurentian Mountains are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, with areas of the region dating to over one billion years old. The mountain range is between other related geologic features, such as the Monteregian Hills and the older Oka Hills. The mountain range is located within the Grenville orogeny. The rocks of the Laurentian Mountains contain deformation and metamorphic structures that show long periods of tectonic activity occurred. The Grenville Province is a subdivision of the Canadian Shield, and in this area, the oldest rocks of this geologic region are found. These rocks represent a chain of mountains that formed between between 1,500 and 900 million years ago. During that time, Laurentia, the geologic core of the Canadian Shield, collided with other continents that were dragged by moving tectonic plates. The Laurentian Mountains consists of Precambrian rocks, with some over 540 million years old.

Ecology
The Laurentian mountains contain dense boreal forests. It is home to some deciduous trees, such as sugar maple, beech, and also contains bogs. The boreal ecosystem is represented by mixed forests, dominated by black spruce and balsam fir to the south, including areas of white birch. Laurentides Wildlife Reserve, which is located in the range, contains mammals such as black bears, bobcats, raccoons, grey wolfs, otters, moose, white-tailed deer and caribou, with birds such as the barred owl, American kestrel, and osprey.

Economy
The Laurentian Mountains are a popular four-season destination in Quebec. The first ski lift in North America was built in the mountain range in 1931, and by the late 1930s, "snow trains" had brought tens of thousands of skiers to the range. In the area, there is skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, ice climbing, and snowmobiling during winter at Mont-Tremblant, with rafting, kayaking, hiking, camping, and golf through the region during spring, summer, and fall.