Features: For mountains, the Rockies are relatively young. They were created by changes in the earth's crust about 65 million years ago, at the end of the Cretaceous period. The Rocky Mountain system is divided into four sections: the Arctic Rockies, northern Rockies, middle Rockies, and southern Rockies. These areas vary in height from 1,000 to 15,000 feet and in width from 100 to 400 miles. As a whole, the Rocky Mountain range is made up of many tall peaks, plateaus, and, in the far northwest, low hills. Much of the range is now protected as national park.

Mammals: The animal species found in a given area of the Rockies depends on the elevation and latitude. The wolf, for example, is found only in the Arctic Rockies, and the caribou lives on ly in the Arctic and northern Canadian Rockies. Animals living at high altitudes include deer, bears, antelope, foxes, elk (wapiti), moose, marmots, and bighorn sheep. Coyotes, jackrabbits, and prairie dogs can be found at lower elevation. With their abundance of grizzly bears, moose and bison, the Rockies once attracted many hunters. Now hunting is strictly regulated to protect the wildlife.

Vegetation: In the Rockies the tree line (the highest altitude at which trees will grow) ranges from 2,500 feet in the icy Yukon territory to 12,000 feet in more temperate New Mexico. Just below those areas that are covered permanently with snow, the forests are made up of pine, spruce, and fir trees. At lower elevations they also include birch, beech, and cherry trees. Knee high willows cover much of the Arctic Rockies, and mature willows beside streams. Above the tree line, lichen, saxifrage, solumbine, larkspur, and other alpine plants abound.

Birds: Many birds in the Rockies are migratory. In winter they include three toed woodpeckers, white tails ptarmigan, and certain finches. In summer various thrushes, finches, sparrows, wrens, and hummingbirds arrive. Permanent residence include the mountain bluebird, the pine grosbeak, Swainson's thrush, and the western screech owl.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Rocky Mountain National Park is a beautiful preserved 580 square mile wilderness area located in north central Colorado. It contains glaciers, lakes, streams, waterfalls, and more than 100 peals 10,000 feet or higher. The tree line is 11,000 feet above sea level, and in summer the entire park is ablaze with wildflowers. Animals living in the park include beavers, deer, black bears, bison, mountain lions, bobcats, and coyotes. It is one of the few places where you can see flocks of bighorn (mountain sheep) in their native habitat.  A number of trails crisscross the park, but there are very few roads. Although there are a few cabins and campsites, it is an almost totally natural environment.

Key Facts: 
Mammals: Grizzly bear, black bear, brown bear, pronghorn, bighorn, lynx, coyote, wolverine, muskrat, martin, porcupine, red squirrel, gopher, pika, jumping mouse, lemming mouse, raccoon, chipmonk, flying squirrel, jackrabbit, elk (wapiti), beaver, wolf, mountain goat.
Birds: Western bluebird, hermit thrush, brown creeper, pine grosbeak, gray jay, western screech owl, sage grouse, golden eagle.
Reptiles and Amphibians: Rattlesnake, salamander.

Rocky Mountain Resources: 
Water: Water is in short supply in the Rockies, especially in the south, where the climate is dry. Many reservoirs have been built, but few suitable dam sites are left and it may be necessary to import water from the Columbia River and western Canada.
Oil and Gas: Wyoming, New Mexico, Montana, Colorado, and Utah all have oil and gas fields in the Rockies.
Coal: The Rockies contain the Western Hemisphere's richest coal reserves, and coal is a common energy source.
Metals and Nonmetals: Copper and iron ore are mined extensively in the Rockies. There are also silver, gold, lead, and zinc mines. Nearly all of North America's uranium is produced in the Rockies. Nonmetallic reserves include potash, magnesium, gypsum, limestone, and dolomite.

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