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Glite Dictionary
⛰️ Between mountains ⛰️ A mountain region
intermontane

intermontane

9.3
A low area of land between mountain ranges
  • noun
  • /ˌɪntərˈmɒnteɪn/
  • Specialized
: intermontano
  • The intermontane region contains several unique ecosystems located between the Rocky Mountains and other ranges.
  • intermontane basin

Examples

  • Alaotra is an intermontane basin of approximately 190,000 hectares at an altitude of 750 meters and contains Lake Alaotra, the largest lake on the island.

    Academic text (1994)

  • In contrast, many counties within the western High Plains, Rocky Mountain, and Intermontane regions had no commercial dairy farming at all.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Average herd size increased most rapidly in counties scattered across the Sunbelt from Florida to California, plus portions of the Intermontane West.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Geologists studied the intermontane areas to understand how mountain formations influence local climates.

  • Hiking trails in the intermontane valleys offer breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.

Surface Forms

intermontane singular
intermontanes plural

Morphology

intermontane = montane (semi-transparent) = inter + montane

The prefix 'inter-' clearly means 'between', but the base word 'montane' is a learned term for 'mountainous', so the full meaning is only partly predictable for many learners.

Etymology

Intermontane breaks into inter- 'between' and montane 'mountain', which gives a simple image: an intermontane is the land or region 'between mountains', the area you find between two mountain ranges.