Noted for their scenic beauty, the Allegheny Mountains, or the Alleghenies, extend from Pennsylvania to Virginia. At one time these mountains were an obstacle to settlers who wished to move westward.

Physical features

The Allegheny Mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountains. The Alleghenies rise in central Pennsylvania and cover parts of western Maryland, eastern West Virginia, and western Virginia. They stretch more than 500 miles (800 kilometers).

The Alleghenies consist of two nearly parallel ridges. These ridges are drained by the Potomac and New rivers. Parts of the Monongahela, George Washington, and Jefferson national forests cover the mountains.

At Mount Davis near the Maryland border, the Alleghenies rise to 3,213 feet (979 meters), the highest point in Pennsylvania. The highest point in West Virginia is 4,863 feet (1,482 meters), at Spruce Knob.

Economy

The Allegheny range has an abundance of mineral reserves. A large amount of coal is mined from them. Heavy forest cover also makes the Alleghenies a rich source of timber.