What is normally considered the oldest mountain range in North America?

The oldest mountain range in North America is the Appalachian Mountains. They extend from Newfoundland to Alabama. Mt. Mitchell, the highest mountain on the east coast, is located in the Appalachian Mountains. Most of the Appalachian Mountains are covered in deciduous forests, which include oak, hickory and maple trees.

The Appalachians first formed roughly 480 million years ago during the Ordovician Period; they in fact predate the formation of the North American continent. They once reached elevations similar to those of the Alps and the Rocky Mountains before naturally occurring erosion. The Appalachian chain is a barrier to east-west travel, as it forms a series of alternating ridge lines and valleys oriented in opposition to most roads running east or west.

Today, coal is a major industry in the Appalachian Mountains. Stone, oil, iron and timber are also produced in this region. The state of North Carolina uses the timber to make furniture. The Appalachian Mountains are also home to the Appalachian Natural Scenic Trail, which is 200 miles long and is the longest foot path on the U.S. eastern coast.

Because North America and Africa were connected, the Appalachian Mountains formed part of the same mountain chain as the Little Atlas in Morocco.