Atlas Mountains
Toubkal Mountain in Toubkal National Park in the High Atlas
Highest point
Peak	Toubkal
Elevation	4,167 m (13,671 ft)
Coordinates	31°03′43″N 07°54′58″W / 31.06194°N 7.91611°W / 31.06194; -7.91611Coordinates: 31°03′43″N 07°54′58″W / 31.06194°N 7.91611°W / 31.06194; -7.91611
Geography
Location of the Atlas Mountains (colored red) across North Africa
Countries	Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia
Geology
Period	Precambrian

The Atlas Mountains (Berber: idurar n Watlas, Arabic: جبال الأطلس‎) is a mountain range across a northern stretch of Africa extending about 2,500 km (1,600 mi) through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The highest peak is Toubkal, with an elevation of 4,167 metres (13,671 ft) in southwestern Morocco. The Atlas ranges separate the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert. The population of the Atlas Mountains are mainly Berbers. The terms for 'mountain' in some Berber languages are adrar and adras, believed to be cognate with the toponym.

The mountains have been home to a number of plant and animal species unique in Africa, often more like those of Europe; many of them are endangered and some have already gone extinct. Examples include the Barbary Macaque, the Atlas Bear (Africa's only species of bear; now extinct), the Barbary Leopard, the Barbary stag, Barbary Sheep, the Barbary Lion (extinct in the wild), the Atlas Mountain Badger, the North African Elephant (extinct), the African Aurochs (extinct), Cuvier's Gazelle, the Northern Bald Ibis, Dippers, the Atlas mountain viper, the Atlas Cedar, the European Black Pine, and the Algerian Oak.

Geology[link]

Map showing the location of the Atlas Mountains across North Africa

The basement rock of most of Africa was formed in the Precambrian (approximately 4.54 - 0.57 billion years ago) and is much older than the Atlas mountains lying in Africa. The Atlas formed during three subsequent phases of Earth's history.

The first tectonic deformation phase involves only the Anti-Atlas, which was formed in the Paleozoic Era (~300 million years ago) as the result of continental collisions. North America, Europe and Africa were connected millions of years ago.

The tectonic boundary.

The Anti-Atlas mountains are believed to have originally been formed as part of Alleghenian orogeny. These mountains were formed when Africa and America collided, and were once a chain rivaling today's Himalayas. Today, the remains of this chain can be seen in the Fall line in the eastern United States. Some remnants can also be found in the later formed Appalachians in North America.

A second phase took place during the Mesozoic Era (before ~65 My) and consisted of a widespread extension of the Earth's crust that rifted and separated the continents mentioned above. This extension was responsible for the formation of many thick intracontinental sedimentary basins including the present Atlas. Most of the rocks forming the surface of the present High Atlas were deposited under the ocean at that time.

Finally, in the Tertiary Period (~65 million to ~1.8 million years ago), the mountain chains that today comprise the Atlas were uplifted as the land masses of Europe and Africa collided at the southern end of the Iberian peninsula. Such convergent tectonic boundaries occur where two plates slide towards each other forming a subduction zone (if one plate moves underneath the other) and/or a continental collision (when the two plates contain continental crust). In the case of the Africa-Europe collision, it is clear that tectonic convergence is partially responsible for the formation of the High Atlas, as well as for the closure of the Strait of Gibraltar and the formation of the Alps and the Pyrenees. However, there is a lack of evidence for the nature of the subduction in the Atlas region, or for the thickening of the Earth's crust generally associated with continental collisions. In fact, one of the most striking features of the Atlas to geologists is the relative small amount of crustal thickening and tectonic shortening despite the important altitude of the mountain range. Recent studies suggest that deep processes rooted in the Earth's mantle may have contributed to the uplift of the High and Middle Atlas.^[1][2]

Natural resources[link]

The Atlas are rich in natural resources. There are deposits of iron ore, lead ore, copper, silver, mercury, rock salt, phosphate, marble, anthracite coal, and gas among other resources.

Subranges of the Atlas Mountains[link]

The range can be divided into four general regions from west to east:

• Middle Atlas, High Atlas, and Anti-Atlas (Morocco).
• Saharan Atlas (Algeria).
• Tell Atlas (Algeria, Tunisia).
• Aurès Mountains (Algeria, Tunisia).

Middle Atlas range[link]

The Middle Atlas is a portion of the Atlas mountain range lying completely in Morocco. The Middle Atlas is the westernmost of three Atlas Mountains chains that define a large, plateaued basin extending eastward into Algeria. South of the Middle Atlas and separated by the Moulouya and Oum Er-Rbia rivers, the High Atlas stretches for 700 kilometres (430 mi) with a succession of peaks among which ten reach above 4,000 metres (13,000 ft). North of the Middle Atlas and separated by the Sebou River, the Rif mountains are an extension of the Baetic Cordillera (Baetic mountains, which include the Sierra Nevada) in the south of Spain.

High Atlas[link]

The High Atlas in central Morocco rises in the west at the Atlantic coast and stretches in an eastern direction to the Moroccan-Algerian border. At the Atlantic and to the southwest the range drops abruptly and makes an impressive transition to the coast and the Anti-Atlas range. To the north, in the direction of Marrakech, the range descends less abruptly.

On the heights of Ouarzazate the massif is cut through by the Draa valley which opens southward. In this chaos of rocks the contrasts are astonishing: water runs in some places, forming clear basins. It is mainly inhabited by Berber people, who live in small villages and cultivate the high plains of Ourika Valley.

Near Barrage Cavagnac, there is a hydroelectric dam that has created the artificial lake Lalla Takerkoust. The lake serves also as a source for fish for the local fishermen.

The largest villages and towns of the area are Tahanaoute, Amizmiz, Imlil, Tin Mal, Ijoukak, and Oukaïmden.

Anti-Atlas ranges[link]

The Anti-Atlas extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the southwest of Morocco toward the northeast to the heights of Ouarzazate and further east to the city of Tafilalt (altogether a distance of approximately 500 kilometres / 310 miles). In the south it borders the Sahara. The easternmost point of the anti-Atlas is the Djebel Sarhro mountains and its eastern boundary is set by sections of the High Atlas range.

Saharan Atlas range[link]

The Saharan Atlas of Algeria is the eastern portion of the Atlas mountain range. Though not as high as the Grand Atlas, they are far more imposing than the Tell Atlas range that runs to the north of them and closer to the coast. The highest peak in the range is the 2,236 m (7,336 ft) high Djebel Aissa. They mark the northern edge of the Sahara Desert. The mountains see some rainfall and are better suited to agriculture than the plateau region to the north. Today most of the population of the region are Berbers (Imazighen).

Tell Atlas range[link]

Panoramic view of typical Berber village (Morocco - High Atlas Mountains).

The Tell Atlas is a mountain chain over 1,500 kilometres (930 mi) in length, belonging to the Atlas mountain ranges and stretching from Morocco, through Algeria to Tunisia. It parallels the Mediterranean coast. Together with the Saharan Atlas to the south it forms the northernmost of two more or less parallel ranges which gradually approach one another towards the east, merging in Eastern Algeria. At the western ends at the Middle Atlas range in Morocco. The area immediately to the south of this range is high plateau, with lakes in the wet season and salt flats in the dry.

Aurès mountain range[link]

Aures Mountains

Aures localisation

The Aurès Mountains of Algeria and Tunisia are the farthest eastern portion of the Atlas mountain range.

See also[link]

• Capsian culture
• North Africa

References and notes[link]

1. ^ UAB.es Potential field modelling of the Atlas lithosphere
2. ^ UAB.es Crustal structure under the central High Atlas Mountains (Morocco) from geological and gravity data, P. Ayarza, et al., 2005, Tectonophysics, 400, 67-84

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v t e Subfields of physical geography Biogeography Climatology / Paleoclimatology Coastal geography Edaphology Geomorphology Glaciology Hydrology / Hydrography Landscape ecology Limnology Oceanography Palaeogeography Pedology/Soil science Quaternary science

Fionn Regan
Regan performing at the Summer Sundae Festival in 2010.
Background information
Born	1981 Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland
Genres	Folk, folk rock
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, musician
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano, percussion
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Bella Union, Lost Highway, Heavenly, Heffa
Website	fionnregan.com

Fionn Regan is an Irish singer-songwriter and artist from Bray, County Wicklow, who came to prominence in 2006 with the release of his Mercury-nominated debut album, The End of History. In 2010, Regan released his second album, The Shadow of an Empire, with a third, 100 Acres of Sycamore, appearing in 2011. Regan cites Bob Dylan and Neil Young as influences.^[1][2]

Overview[link]

Regan's early releases included the single, "Little Miss Drunk" a 7", and two EPs titled Hotel Room, Reservoir, which were released on a small indie label, Anvil Records [1]. He also self-released a 'tour only' EP called Campaign Button. Following these releases, in 2006, Regan signed to former Cocteau Twin Simon Raymonde's independent record label, Bella Union, in the UK, resulting in Regan's debut album The End of History being released on 7 August 2006 to major critical acclaim. A leader of the new 'brit' folk movement, The Guardian saying "Folk has a new Pied Piper" ^[3]

Following his UK success, Regan was subsequently signed by the American label Lost Highway Records. The End of History was released in the U.S. on July 10, 2007.

The End of History was produced by Regan himself (mixing the album with Simon Raymonde). Mojo magazine gave the album four stars in a review that dubbed the disc "a debut that oozes rare confidence, startling maturity and originality".^{[citation needed]} The album received a slew of 4 and 5 star reviews from publications including The Times^[4] and The Guardian^[5]

Regan has toured worldwide and played many festivals around the world including the Glastonbury Festival, XPoNential Music Festival in Camden, New Jersey, Electric Picnic (Ireland), Summercase and Benicassim (Spain), Bestival (Isle of Wight) ACL (Austin, Texas) Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (San Francisco).^{[citation needed]} and Laneways Festival Australia

Fionn was invited to perform with Lucinda Williams on her 2007 tour. Williams saying at the Irving Plaza NY concert that Fionn is “his generation’s answer to Bob Dylan” ^[6]

Fionn was photographed by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair magazines prestigious music portfolio ^[7]

Regan was nominated for two Meteor Music Awards (Best Male and Best Newcomer) in 2006^{[citation needed]} and The End of History was nominated for Irish Album of the Year at the Choice Music Prize.^[8] and was one of the twelve shortlisted albums for the 2007 Mercury Music Prize Album of the year.^[9]

Fionn Regan was nominated for the 2008 Shortlist Prize, the U.S. equivalent of the Mercury Prize ^[10]

In July 2008 Regan had the honour of being invited to perform as part of a live concert film "Liam Clancy: Live The Bitter End NYC" A very special Liam Clancy concert, where Fionn shared the stage with Liam Clancy, Tom Paxton, Shane McGowan and the incredible Odetta (this was the last filmed performance of the late Odetta) ^[11]

The single "Be Good or Be Gone" has been used in the television dramas Grey's Anatomy, Nearly Famous, and Skins. His song "Put A Penny In The Slot" has been offered as an iTunes Free Download of the Week.

In 2008 Regan recorded a follow-up album to The End of History with producer Ethan Johns (son of the legendary 60's producer Glyn Johns) for the Lost Highway label, who refused to release it. The album remains unreleased and Regan has referred to this album as "The Red Tapes" ^[12][13]

The following year (2009) Regan retreated to Co. Wicklow Ireland to record what would become The Shadow of an Empire without any record label involement or intrusion. Jeff Barrett of Heavenly Records was one of the first to hear the completed album and quickly signed him up ^[14]

Regan released his second studio album, The Shadow of an Empire, to critical acclaim on February 8, 2010 ^[15] Achieving Mojo**** Uncut**** Q**** Sun***** Hotpress**** Financial Times**** The Telegraph**** The Guardian **** The Independent**** Mail on Sunday**** ^[16]

The Welsh actor Rhys Ifans has a tattoo of Regans' lyrics "Be good or be gone" ^[17]

Ellie Goulding and Andrea Corr have been quoted in the press saying they are fans of Regans music ^[18][19]

In 2009 Regan was invited to speak and made an honorary member of the Trinity College Literary Society the chairman saying “In his music, Mr. Regan has done more than many artists to erode the boundaries between music and literature, with his lyrics always possessing the most beautiful poetry"

In 2010 Regan gave a special performance in Dylan Thomas’ boathouse in Laugharne, Wales ^[20]

Regan's song “Put a Penny in the Slot” was selected to be included on a special compilation album created by IASCA and FMC in partnership with Culture Ireland to present the gift of music from Ireland to dignitaries HRH The Queen and President Obama and their international press corps travelling with them during their individual visits to Ireland in 2011.^[21]

Regan is currently working on his next album, the release date has yet to be announced.^[22]

[edit] 100 Acres of Sycamore (2011)

Regan released his third studio album, 100 Acres of Sycamore, in August 2011, with the track "Dogwood Blossom" featuring prominently in Shane Meadows' TV drama This Is England '88.

Regan performed at the Eurosonic Festival in 2012 when Ireland was the "Spotlight Country".^[23]

Discography[link]

Regan at XPoNential Music Festival in 2007

Albums[link]

• The End of History (2006)
• The Shadow of an Empire (2010)
• 100 Acres of Sycamore (2011)

EPs[link]

• Slow Wall (EP) (6 October 2000) (under the name Bilbo)
• Reservoir (EP) (10 February 2003)
• Hotel Room (EP) (15 March 2004)
• Campaign Button (EP) (2005)
• Home Recording Sampler

Singles[link]

• "Little Miss Drunk" (22 July 2002)
• "Be Good or Be Gone" (5 February 2006)
• "Protection Racket" (November 2009)
• "For A Nightingale" (July 2011)

Compilation appearances[link]

• "Getting Better" (Mojo Presents Sgt. Pepper...With A Little Help From His Friends, Mojo, 2007)
• "Put a Penny in the Slot" (Acoustic 07, V2 Records, 2007)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Fionn Regan on Myspace