Great Smoky Mountains, Mountain range in North Carolina and Tennessee, United States.
The Great Smoky Mountains stretch along the border between North Carolina and Tennessee and reach elevations up to 2025 meters (6643 feet) at Clingmans Dome. The area contains dense forests with hardwood trees at lower elevations and coniferous woods on the higher peaks, while valleys and gorges wind between the ridges.
The Cherokee inhabited these mountains long before European settlers arrived in the 18th century and gave them the name Shaconage. The protected area was created in 1934 by the federal government after several states and private supporters campaigned for forest preservation.
Historic log cabins and grist mills from early settler days stand among the forests and show the life of mountain dwellers from past centuries. Many visitors encounter craftspeople in small valleys who demonstrate traditional techniques such as blacksmithing and basket weaving.
The trail network covers more than 1370 kilometers (850 miles) of marked paths through different elevations and vegetation zones. Conditions change considerably depending on the season, as snow and fog are common in winter and summer thunderstorms are typical in the afternoon.
The bluish haze layer over the peaks forms from natural terpenes released by dense vegetation that react with particles in the air. This reaction is especially visible during high humidity and warm weather and gives the range its characteristic appearance.
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