Chamonix, France is home to the first Winter Olympics in 1924 and shares the title of highest commune in France with neighboring Saint Gervais-les-Bains. It is a popular skiing and mountain destination known for its cable cars, including one that was formerly the highest in the world, allowing visitors to cross the Mont Blanc massif. Tourism has dominated the local economy since the late 19th century and is increasingly dependent on international visitors drawn to the area's natural beauty, including Mont Blanc which is the third most visited natural site globally.

1. Chamonix
France
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or, more commonly, Chamonix is a commune in the Haute-
Savoie department in the Rhone-Alpes regionin in south-eastern France. It was the
site of the 1924 Winter Olympics the first Winter Olympics. The commune's
population of around 9,800 ranks 865th within the nation of France.
Situated near the massive peaks of the Aiguilles Rouge, Chamonix shares both the
summit of Mont Blanc and the title of highest commune in France with its neighboring commune, Saint
Gervais-les-Bains. The commune is well known and loved by skiers and by mountain enthusiasts of all
types. Mont Blanc, at a height of 4,810 metres, is the third most visited natural site in the world. This
lends the area a notably cosmopolitan atmosphere. With an area of 245 square kilometres, Chamonix is
the fourth largest commune in mainland France.
Chamonix is famous for its spectacular cable car up to the Aiguille du
Midi (3842 m). Constructed in 1955, it was then the highest cable car in
the world. Together with a cable car system going up to the Pointe
Holbronner (3462 m) from Entreves in the Aosta Valley (Italy) it is
possible to cross the entire Mont Blanc massif by cable car. Apart from
high-mountain summer sports, Chamonix is also a destination for the
hardcore mountain biker.
From the late 19th century on, tourist development was dominated by national and
international initiatives rather than local entrepreneurs, though the local community was
increasingly dependent upon and active in the tourist industry.

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37. Created by Izabela & Miki Pitish Music: Gheorghe Zamfir - Cavatina by Stanley Myers