There’s a lot of mystery surrounding the Appalachian Mountains, but within its enigmatic presence is an explosion of beauty.

The Appalachian Mountains are among the most imposing figures in the eastern third of the United States. The trail passes through North Florida’s coastal state into Appalachian Canada, boasting a total length of 2,190 miles. The monumental land runs through 14 states, showcasing its grandeur over numerous residences and continuously catching the attention of its residents.

Hence, while it’s merely a slope from the audience’s perspective, it remains one of the most exciting lands throughout the region.

The Appalachian Mountains Through the Lens of Pop-Culture

Recently, there’s been a rise in attention given to these ridges. With the popularity of social media and the abundance of information passed through these channels, it’s not a surprise how Appalachia has become one of the most highly searched places. People can’t get enough of the allure present throughout its grounds, especially with the tales its residents and visitors bring.

However, if one were to look into the popular content about this land, they wouldn’t be welcomed by those discussing the beauty scattered around it. Instead, they’d be told about the horrors that lived throughout its space. Beneath its pristine exterior lies frightening stories and urban lore that would make anyone question how worthy it is stepping foot into its grounds. Yet despite the terrifying stories surrounding the name, the Appalachian region is still home to some of the most beautiful and diverse topography. With its broad ridges, deep gorges, steep slopes, and wide intermountain valleys, the region holds a range of microhabitats and an impressive list of greeneries in the region.

Most of these stunning florals and plant fossils of the central Appalachian coalfields have been documented in A Guide to Pennsylvanian (Carboniferous) Age Plant Fossils of Southwest Virginia. Readers can see the plethora of plants and species that thrive across the ridges, getting a glimpse of the world within these mysterious folds. These species have continued flourishing as the Appalachian Mountains have been kept isolated from the country and away from people’s influence.

While kept secluded, away from the public’s eyes, it still can’t be helped that its charm has continued to catch passersby’s curiosity and interest.

Looking Through the Smokey Mountains

Beyond the marvel it holds in its lands today, the Appalachian Mountains remain one of the most consequential lands in the region. Throughout the Industrial Revolution, the ridges drew out all the necessary natural resources. These peaks were most known for their coal and ore mines and timber industries, critical to establishing manufacturing industries.

The Industrial Revolution only happened in 1760, some centuries ago. But, the Appalachian Mountains hold a history much more prosperous than its age. Here are some amazing information about the smokey trails you might want to know:

More Than a Billion Years of History

The Appalachian Mountains have fixed their position in the North American landscape for so long that their exact origin remains unknown. With its length, the range didn’t appear all at once. Instead, it cropped up and eroded down several times until holding its position now. However, it has been studied and shown that some parts of this mountain appeared billion years ago. Hence, looking at the mountains’ beauty would be equivalent to seeing a piece of the world’s history.

Its Origins Was Due to a Collision

Millions of years ago, a supercontinent was created when the lands of North and South America collided. The collision resulted in a crease-like mountain as the grounds pushed together. It slid as far as 186 miles only to be separated 100 million years later. However, as these continents split, they left a souvenir from the contact, now known as the Appalachian region.

A Himalayas Competitor

With its conception billions of years ago, when humans had yet to learn numbers and measurements, there’s no way to know how high these mountains went. However, scientists have multiple reasons and evidence to believe they were much taller than they are now. With its highest peak measured at 6684 ft. Many believe the mountains back in the day stood as tall, if not taller, than the Himalayas. This may not be very impressive to most. But it’s still a fact and a beauty to marvel at when one catches oneself staring at the mountain ridges.