Geography
The State of Colorado encompasses great geographic diversity. The land is covered by plateaus, canyons, mountains and plains. The high mountain ranges in the western part of the State are responsible for giving Colorado the highest average elevation of any state.
It is one of the few states that lie on both sides of the Continental divide. The split created by the Continental divide splits the Colorado Mountains into areas of western and eastern slopes. On one side, the water flows via rivers and streams toward the Pacific Ocean. On the other side, the water flows toward the Atlantic Ocean.
Colorado is diverse, having distinct areas on the western and the eastern half of the State.
The eastern portion of the state is mainly flat with high plains and flowing prairies, which give rise to a range of foothills, that lead up to the higher ranges of the Rocky Mountains.
The Continental Divide runs across the state from north to south, bisecting the state into western and eastern slopes. On the western part of the state, you will find typical alpine terrain, which has intermixed with it, wide valleys, rugged canyons, sharply carved basins, and high flat plateaus.
Colorado is well known for its high mountain ranges. These various high mountain peaks together make for an average elevation of 6,800 feet. In all, there are at least fifty-four mountain peaks in the state that are over 14,000 feet high and at least a thousand peaks which rise to a height of over 10,000 feet. These mountains are home to the headwaters of six major rivers – the Colorado River, the North Platte, the South Platte, the Arkansas River, the Republican and the Rio Grande.
Colorado is a state full of mountains and rivers, which provides scenic splendor and adventure for all visitors.
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