RHAETIAN ALPS

Italian Alpi Retiche, German Rtische Alpen, French Alpes Rhtiques, segment of the Central Alps extending along the Italian-Swiss and Austrian-Swiss borders but lying mainly in Graubnden canton, eastern Switzerland. The mountains are bounded by the Lepontine Alps and Splgen Pass (west-southwest), the Hinterrhein River (west), the Lechtaler Alps (northeast), the tztal Alps and Resia Pass (east-northeast), and the Valtellina (valley of the upper Adda River; south). Bernina Peak (13,284 feet ), on the Italian border, is the highest point. Included within the Rhaetian Alps are the subranges of Silvretta, Rhtikon, and the Albula and Bernina Alps (qq.v.). The Engadin (valley of the Upper Inn River) cuts northeast to southwest among these subranges. In the eastern part (between the Inn River and Ofen Pass) is the Swiss National Park (founded 1914; area 65 square miles [169 square km]), which is noted for its rugged Alpine scenery and its wildlife. Many health resorts and winter sports centres lie within the range.