Montrei geology

Montréi's geologic peculiarities are due to the way the land which is now Montréi had been formed. The nation has only one large expanse of flat land, the central and southern part of the great Central Valley (which it shares with Alta California). Unlike Alta California, Montréi has very few Islands of importance (excluding tidal marsh islands in the San Françisco bay), and very few large sandy beaches. Most of the topography is mountainous, and at the shore, it is mainly coastal mountains which plunge directly into the sea (punctuated by sea terraces formed at times of higher water), punctuated by small sandy beaches and coves. There are also few large coastal valleys, the Val de Cañias, and Val de Paxaros are notable exceptions.

Notable features are as follows:

• Sërra Nevà - Extending mainly within Montréi and shared partially with Alta California is nearly 500 miles long. Its origins lie at the time when the Pacific plate began bringing island arcs, uplifting sedmentary rocks from the former sea bed, and volcanism due to subduction. This range is made up of uplifted granitic rocks, sloping gradually from the west, and terminating in much steeper slopes along the western edge. This range contains the highest Mountain in Montréi, Mont Blanco.

• Mont Blanco - the highest Mountain in Montréi, it is the 24th highest in North America. It is considered a mecca for mountain climbers and hikers who visit the country. It is only 80 miles from the lowest point in North America, the Valle del Diablo in neighbouring Alta California

• Gran Val - This valley occupies the center of the nation, and is also the flattest part. The valley has been filled over time with sands and gravels washed from the bordering mountain ranges and has sediment depths from 10,000 to 30,000 feet. It is thought that the valley was once a shallow inland sea. There is one large lake, Lago Tulare, which occupies the southern end.

• Lago Tulare - Named after the abundant tulare (a type of bullrush), this lake is relatively shallow, but it is quite expansive at 570 square miles. This lake appears as a great inland sea. It is fed by spring snowmelt, as well as winter rains, and is entirely fresh water. Native boats are still seen plying the waters, and a scenic road and railway follows the lake's eastern shore. In recent years it has become a popular vacation destination, and several resort communities have sprung up, the largest of which is called "Lago Açù" (Blue Lake). The Lake's levels fluctuate each year.

• Lago Taho - This lake is shared with Alta California, and is smaller than Lago Tulare, but it is the deepest lake in Montréi, at 1,645 feet deep. The waters are intensely blue and clear, and are fed from snowmelt. This lake is so clear that one can see just over 100 feet below the surface.

• Lago Mono - this is a large saline lake, it is shaped roughly like a near circle, and has a solitary island within it, Isla Neguit. This island is volcanic, and there are small cinder cones near the lake. This lake is an important feeding ground for migratory birds. Below the water's surface, strange columns are visibe, created from minerals within the springs which precipitate around the spring vents.

• Islas de los Mörtos - A group of small barren islands to the west of the bay of San Françisco, these islands are considered a place where the dead are according to the native tribes in that area. To this day they refuse to set foot on the islands citing it as bad luck. A local legend says that the dead were left on the island, or set out in reed boats, but no evidence of human remains were found, even though the native people knew of the islands before European settlers arrived on the mainland. There is a light house and small naval station on the largest. Sharks stalk the waters due to the colonies of fur seals, and sea birds nest on them as well. The islands are also a prime fishing ground. These islands were the tips of now submerged coastal mountains.

• Tres Islas - These islands were set aside as tribal lands for the local Txumax people. A small naval station exists on the largest island, but for the most part they are rarely visited by anyone else but the Txumax, who have several villages on them. These islands are visible on a clear day from the shores near Santa Barbara. Like the Islas de los Mörtos, these islands were once the peaks of coastal mountains.