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At an altitude
of 1,027m (3,369 ft.), Chamonix is the historic capital of
Alpine skiing. Site of the first Winter Olympic Games,
in 1924, Chamonix is in a valley almost at the junction of
France, Italy, and Switzerland. Skiers of the world, know
its 20km (12-mile) Vallée Blanche run, one of the most
rugged, and the longest, in Europe. With exceptional
equipment -- gondolas, cable cars, and chairlifts --
Chamonix is among Europe's major sports resorts, attracting
an international crowd with lots of English and Swedish
skiers. Thrill seekers also flock here for mountain climbing
and hang gliding. A charming old-fashioned mountain town,
Chamonix has a breathtaking backdrop, Mont Blanc, western
Europe's highest mountain at 4,734m.
In 1741 two English men, Windham and Pococke, discovered the
'Chamouny' valley and its glaciers. Their expedition was met
by a rural population of mountain farmers. This community
lived off animal husbandry and a sparse harvest of oats and
rye.
Windham and Pococke explored the valley and visited the Mer
de Glace (Sea of Ice). The stories of their exploits,
published in literary journals throughout Europe, started a
craze to find out more about Chamonix.. Since then, tourism
to this enchanting village, has never stopped. |
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