What is Massif Central?
[[File:France radar.jpg|thumb|270px|France's mountains from space (Taken by [[NASA]])]] [[File:France Massif central.jpg|thumb|270px|Exactly where the Massif is]] [[File:Paragneis Nontron.jpg|thumb|270px|[[Neoproterozoic]] [[gneiss]] of the [[Arverne]] domain near [[Nontron]], [[Dordogne]]. The light-coloured [[greywacke]] layer dips steeply to the NNE.]] The '''Massif Central''' is a high region in south-central [[France]]. It has [[mountain]]s and [[plateau]]x. It covers 15% of the country. The geological history of the massif is complicated. It is very ancient, and many things have happened to it.<ref>Faure, Michel, Lardeaux, Jean-Marc & Ledru, Patrick 2009. A review of the pre-Permian geology of the Variscan French Massif Central. Les grands traits de l’évolution anté-permienne du Massif central français. ''Comptes Rendus Géoscience'', '''341''', numéro 2-3, pages 202-213.</ref><ref>Peterlongo, J.M. 1978. ''Massif Central''. Guides géologiques régionaux, Masson. {{ISBN|2-225-49753-2}}</ref> The Massif Central is an ancient [[massif]]. It was formed during the [[Variscan orogeny]], consisting mostly of granitic and [[metamorphic rock]]s. It looks younger in the East because the Alps uplifted during the [[Palaeogene|Paleogene]] period. The crystalline base of the Massif is [[Proterozoic]], and so is older than most types of life. Many [[extinct volcano]]s are there. It has the largest concentration in the world, with 450 volcanos. The Auvergne Volcanoes National Park is in the massif. The Massif is separated from the [[Alps]] by the valley of the [[Rhone]]. These departments are usually considered as part of the Massif Central: [[Allier]], [[Ardèche]], [[Aveyron]], [[Cantal]], [[Corrèze]], [[Creuse]], [[Haute-Loire]], [[Haute-Vienne]], [[Loire]], [[Lot]], [[Lozère]], and [[Puy-de-Dôme]]. == Mountains == Here are some well-known mountains in the massif central: *[[Puy de Dôme]] (1464 m) *[[Puy de Sancy]] (1886 m) *[[Plomb du Cantal]] (1855 m) *[[Mont Lozère]] (1702 m), the highest non-volcanic summit *[[M