The highest mountain in the world: history and interesting facts. The highest peaks of the world on all continents The highest peak in the world is called
There are many high mountains in the world that climbers have managed to conquer. However highest mountain in the world remained unconquered for a long time.
The highest mountain in the world
The highest mountain in the world is Chomolungma (Everest). Its height is 8,848 m above sea level.
In this case, it is worth paying attention to the clarification “above sea level”, since if you measure the height of the mountain from the core, then the record will belong to the extinct Chimborazo, which is in.
Everyone knows that our planet has the shape of an ellipse. It follows from this that mountains located near the equator are higher than in other areas of the Earth.
Height from the center of the earth In this regard, Chimborazo is located closer to the convex center of the Earth than any other mountains, including Everest.
The most difficult mountain for climbers
Considering all the above facts, the question inevitably arises: why is Everest the most popular mountain in the world, while Ecuadorian Chimborazo (6384 m) remains in the shadows?
This is largely due to the difficulties in climbing Chomolungma.
Let's imagine that we want to conquer both of these peaks.
Climbing Chomolungma
In order to climb Everest, you will first have to reach the base camp.
This part of the journey will take you about 10 days. After this, it will take another month and a half for acclimatization alone!
View of Everest from an airplane Then you will have to climb directly to the top for about 9 more days. And this is the most difficult part of the path.
Climbing Chimborazo
Now let's imagine how long it will take to conquer Chimborazo.
When climbing, acclimatization will take you no more than 2 weeks, and the journey to the top will not exceed 2 days.
Chimborazo From all that has been said, we can conclude that after Everest, climbing the Ecuadorian peak will seem like an evening walk to you.
"Above" and "below" sea level
So, Everest is the highest point on the planet above sea level.
However, speaking of the tallest mountain in the world, and taking into account some other factors, it is appropriate to remember another mountain.
If you measure the absolute height from the base to the top, then the highest mountain will be Mauna Kea, located in the territory.
Mauna Kea It may be difficult for some to understand what we are talking about, so let's sort out this confusion one by one.
Unlike Everest, most of Mauna Kea lies below the surface of the water.
Thus, if we measure the height from the base (underwater) to the top, it will be 10203 m, which is 1355 m higher than Chomolungma.
Everest and Mauna Kea Mauna Kea is an extinct volcano that last erupted approximately 4,600 years ago. An interesting fact is that there are 13 telescopes on the top of this mountain.
This is due to the fact that there is a very low level of humidity and clear skies. Thanks to this, astronomers can monitor celestial objects while studying outer space.
The highest mountains on each continent
- Europe – (5,642 m)
- – Kilimanjaro (5,895 m)
- Asia – Everest (8,848 m)
- – Aconcagua (6,962 m)
- North America – McKinley (6,190 m)
- – Vinson massif (4,892 m)
- – Kosciuszko (2,228 m)
Now let's return again to the highest mountain in the world - Chomolungma, and learn not only its geographical features, but also how man conquered it.
Chomolungma is located on the Mahalangur Himal ridge in. It occupies such a large area that its base is located on the territory of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Over the centuries, the mountain has attracted the attention of many people who wanted to be at its peak. As a result, hundreds of climbers who tried to conquer Chomolungma died.
Attempts to conquer Chomolungma
It is officially believed that Briton George Mallory was the first climber to attempt to climb the mountain. However, he and his partner failed to achieve their goal.
They died on one of the slopes of Chomolungma back in 1924. It is interesting that their bodies were discovered only in 1999. According to experts, they were only 200 m short of conquering the mountain peak.
After this expedition, many more daredevils tried to reach the peak of Everest, but they all either died or returned back, not daring to set foot on the most dangerous sections of the path.
As mentioned earlier, climbing Mount Qomolungma is accompanied by many different difficulties:
- High atmospheric rarefaction (lack of oxygen);
- Low temperature (below -50°C);
- Hurricane winds, as a result of which the human body feels frosts down to -120°C;
- Solar ;
- Frequent avalanches, steep slopes, falling into crevices.
First ascent of the highest mountain in the world
When did the first successful ascent of the highest mountain on earth take place?
And this happened a little more than half a century ago.
On May 29, 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary, together with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, were able to conquer Everest, as a result of which they became the first people to reach its summit.
It is worth noting that before setting off on the expedition, they carefully prepared for it.
The climbers took oxygen equipment with them and chose the most convenient route. Having reached an altitude of 8500 m, they set up a tent for the night.
The climbers woke up in the morning to find their boots covered in ice.
It took them about 2 hours to defrost their shoes and make the final push to conquer Everest.
A few hours later they were already at the top, where they spent about 15 minutes. During this time, the climbers took several photographs and planted a flag.
Having descended to earth, they immediately became real heroes. The entire world press wrote about their feat, wanting to know all the details of the expedition.
In subsequent years, Qomolungma was conquered by climbers from different countries. The first woman to reach its peak was Japanese Junko Tabei (1976).
Despite the fact that today hundreds of people continue to die on Everest, this mountain still arouses the greatest interest among extreme sports enthusiasts.
It is curious that Chomolungma was conquered in a variety of ways. They climbed it without oxygen masks, descended from its peak on skis and snowboards, and also competed in the time spent on its ascent.
View of the northern wall of Qomolangma from the path leading to base camp An interesting fact is that the youngest person to visit the highest mountain in the world was a 13-year-old Indian girl, Purna Malavath, and the oldest person was 72-year-old American Bill Berg.
According to official data, more than 260 people died on the slopes of the mountain, and about 8,300 climbers have already conquered the peak of Chomolungma.
Who knows what other records will be set in the future, but it is safe to say that Everest will forever remain the most popular mountain in the world.
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Can you imagine yourself standing on these twenty-five highest peaks in the world? Think about it. Let's estimate their height above sea level, starting with Mount Everest. In this case, the highest peak is in the Himalayas.
Unfortunately, this method has complications. It consists in determining what is considered the base of the mountain. Therefore, it is common to measure “relative height” (how much a mountain rises above the surrounding landscape).
So, although Kilimanjaro's summit is not as high above sea level as any peak in the Himalayas, the difference between its base and peak is much greater. With that in mind, here are the 25 tallest mountains in the world.
25. Pico Bolivar
Peak Bolivar is the highest mountain in Venezuela, with an altitude of 4,978 meters. The peak is located in the state of Mérida, and its summit is permanently covered with grainy ice and has three small glaciers.
24. Volcano Tajumulco (Volcano Tajumulco)
Photo: list25.com Volcano Tajumulco is a large stratovolcano located in the department of San Marcos in western Guatemala. This is the highest mountain in Central America reaching a height of 4,220 meters. There are several historical evidences that Tajumulco erupted in the past, but none of them date back to the present time.
23. Mount Ras Dashen
Photo: list25.com Ras Dashen is the highest mountain in Ethiopia and the tenth highest mountain in Africa. Part of the Semien Mountains National Park, it reaches a height of 4,550 meters.
Photo: list25.com K2 is the second highest mountain on Earth after Everest and is located on the border of Pakistan and China. It is also called the "Wild Mountain" due to the death rate of those who decide to climb it. For every four people who reach the summit, one dies. Unlike Annapurna, the mountain with the highest death rate among those who reach its summit is never climbed in winter on K2.
21. Mount Rainier
Photo: list25.com Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano located 87 km southeast of Seattle in Washington State, United States. It is the highest mountain in the contiguous United States and the Volcanic Arc, with a summit elevation of 4,392 m.
20. Mount Kinabalu
Photo: list25.com Mount Kinabalu is located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is located in the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah and is protected as Kinabalu National Park, a World Heritage Site.
19. Namjagbarwa
Photo: list25.com Namjagbarwa is a mountain in the Tibetan Himalayas. According to the traditional definition of the Himalayas as a mountain range extending from the Indus River to the Brahmaputra, this mountain is the eastern anchor of the entire mountain range, and the highest peak in its segment, as well as the easternmost peak of the Earth with an altitude of over 7,600 meters.
18. Bogda Peak
Photo: list25.com Bogda Peak or Bogda Feng is the highest mountain of the Bogda Shan Range, located in the eastern Tianshan Mountains, China, with an altitude of 5,445 m.
17. Chimborazo
Photo: list25.com Chimborazo is a currently inactive stratovolcano located in the Western Cordillera of the Andes. Its last eruption is believed to have occurred around 550 AD. With an altitude of 6,268 meters, Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador.
16. Jengish Chokusu
Photo: list25.com Zhenish Chokusu is the highest mountain in the Tien Shan mountain system with an altitude of 7,439 m. It is located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and southeast of Lake Issyk-Kul.
15. Mauna Kea
Photo: list25.com Mauna Kea is a volcano on the island of Hawaii. Reaching a height of 4,207 m above sea level, its summit is the highest point in the state of Hawaii.
14. Nanga Parbat
Photo: list25.com Nanga Parbat (literally Naked Mountain) is the ninth highest mountain in the world and the western anchor of the Himalayas. Located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, it features a tall peak that dominates the surrounding landscape and has several tragic stories associated with its ascent.
13. Klyuchevskaya Sopka
Photo: list25.com Klyuchevskaya Sopka is a stratovolcano that is the highest mountain on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia and the highest active volcano in Eurasia. Its steep, symmetrical cone rises about 100 kilometers from the Bering Sea.
12. Mount Damavand
Photo: flickr.com Mount Damavand is a potentially active volcano and the highest peak in Iran, holding a special place in Persian mythology and folklore. It is located in the middle ridge of Elbrus next to the highest volcano in all of Asia.
11. Mont Blanc
Photo: flickr.com Mont Blanc (in French) or Monte Bianco (in Italian), the "White Mountain" is the highest mountain in the Alps, Western Europe and the European Union and rises 4,810.45 m above sea level.
10. Mount Elbrus
Photo: flickr.com Mount Elbrus is a dormant volcano located in the Western Caucasus mountain range, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia, near the Georgian border. Its peak is the highest in the Caucasus.
9. Puncak Jaya (Puncak Jaya)
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org At 4,884 m, Puncak Jaya or Carstensz Pyramid is the highest peak of Mount Carstensz in the Sudirman Range in the western central highlands of Papua Province, Indonesia.
8. Vinson Massif
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org Vinson Massif is the highest mountain in Antarctica, located in the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains, which rise above the Ronne Ice Shelf at the base of the Antarctic Peninsula.
7. Pico de Orizaba
Photo: flickr.com The stratovolcano Pico de Orizaba is the highest mountain in Mexico and the third highest in North America. It rises 5,636 meters above sea level in the eastern part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, on the border between the states of Veracruz and Puebla.
6. Mount Logan
Photo: list25.com Mount Logan is the highest mountain in Canada and the second highest peak in North America after Mount McKinley.
5. Peak Cristóbal Colón
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org Named after Christopher Columbus, Cristobal Colon Peak is the highest mountain in Colombia, with an estimated altitude of 5,700 meters.
4. Mount Kilimanjaro
Photo: pixabay.com Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira, is a dormant volcano in Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania. It is the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 meters above sea level.
3. Mount McKinley
Photo: pixabay.com Mount McKinley, or Denali, in Alaska is the highest mountain peak in the United States and North America, with a summit height of 6,194 m above sea level.
2. Mount Aconcagua
Photo: pixabay.com Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Americas at 6,960.8 m. It is located in the Andes mountain range in the province of Mendoza, Argentina, and is 112 km northwest of the capital, Mendoza.
1.Mount Everest
Photo: pixabay.com Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world, with a peak height of 8,848 meters above sea level. It is also the tallest mountain in the world from base to summit. The Tibetan name for Everest, Qomolangma, translates as "Third Goddess", and the mountain is located in the Mahalangur range of the Himalayas. The international border between China and Nepal runs exactly along the top of the mountain.
The eight-thousanders are a group of 14 mountains, the peaks of which are located at an altitude of more than 8,000 meters above sea level, in the “death zone”. These mountains are independent of each other and are located in the Karakoram and Himalaya mountain systems. The “death zone” in the mountains is an altitude of more than 8,000 meters, at which there is not enough oxygen for breathing. Low oxygen concentrations can cause altitude sickness in humans, which causes swelling of the brain or lungs, and can even be fatal. Most climbers prefer to avoid this condition and carry an oxygen tank with them, but only a few brave climbers have managed to reach peaks above the "death zone" without the aid of supplemental oxygen.
The meaning of eight-thousander mountains
Eight-thousanders have a great influence on the weather and climate in the Indian subcontinent. The great height and length of the mountains acts as a protective barrier from other peoples. The mountains also allow the summer monsoons to bring rain and snow to a region that depends on agriculture. Special terraces can be located on mountain slopes; they allow the cultivation of crops. Glaciers and snow on the mountains melt and fill the watersheds and rivers of the region with water. The Himalayas contain vast reserves of animals and plants. The climbing season also attracts thousands of mountaineering tourists every year.
List of eight-thousanders
The 14 highest mountains in the world included in this list are those with an altitude of more than 8,000 meters above sea level. Although there are many mountain regions in the world, it is unlikely that there are other peaks that were not included in this list. For example, Mount Mauna Kea with a height of 4207 meters above sea level, which is located on the island of Hawaii and is a dormant volcano, can be considered the highest volcano and mountain in the world (if we take into account its height from the foot on the ocean floor to the peak, the height will be 10,203 m), however it is not included in this list.
| № | Vertex names |
Altitude (meters) |
Location |
| 1 | Everest | 8848 m | Nepal, China |
| 2 | Chogori | 8611 m | Pakistan, China |
| 3 | Kanchenjunga | 8586 m | Nepal, India |
| 4 | Lhotse | 8516 m | Nepal, China |
| 5 | Makalu | 8485 m | Nepal, China |
| 6 | Cho Oyu | 8188 m | Nepal, China |
| 7 | Dhaulagiri I | 8167 m | Nepal |
| 8 | Manaslu | 8163 m | Nepal |
| 9 | Nangaparbat | 8126 m | Pakistan |
| 10 | Annapurna I | 8091 m | Nepal |
| 11 | Gasherbrum I | 8080 m | Pakistan, China |
| 12 | Broad Peak | 8051 m | Pakistan, China |
| 13 | Gasherbrum II | 8035 m | Pakistan, China |
| 14 | Shishabangma | 8027 m | China |
Below are the 10 highest mountains of our planet, with photos, descriptions, climbing features, as well as characteristics of flora and fauna.
Annapurna I (8,091 m), Nepal
Annapurna I Peak is located in the Annapurna mountain range, in central Nepal and the southern spur of the Himalayas, at an altitude of 8,091 meters above sea level.
Annapurna is only the tenth highest mountain peak in the world, but it is considered one of the most dangerous. On June 3, 1950, French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal reached the summit of Annapurna, making it the first 8,000-meter mountain to be successfully climbed by humans on their first attempt. Annapurna I has the highest mortality rate with about 32% fatalities.
The entire mountain range and its surrounding area belongs to the 7,629 km² Annapurna National Park, which is considered Nepal's first and largest conservation area. It is the most geographically and culturally diverse protected area in the world. There is a steep terrace, lush forest, barren plateaus, mountain deserts. In the territory of this reserve, 1226 species of plants, 38 species of orchids, 9 species of rhododendrons, 101 species, 478 species of birds, 39 species and 22 species were discovered. The Annapurna region is the most popular trekking area in Nepal.
Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), Pakistan
Nanga Parbat is the ninth highest mountain in the world and rises to 8,126 meters above sea level. This is one of the most famous peaks in the world. It is located in the western part of the Himalayan range, in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, in northern Pakistan. The first successful ascent was made in 1953 by Hermann Buhl.
This mountain is considered the second most difficult eight-thousander after K2 (the second highest peak in the world), and is also one of the most dangerous. It was only after 31 people had died trying to reach the summit that a successful ascent took place in 1953 and the peak was nicknamed “Killer Mountain.” Nanga Parbat is the third most dangerous eight thousand peak with a mortality rate of 22.3%. By 2012, at least 68 climbers had died on this mountain.
Much of the area around the mountain is now a protected national park, so wildlife has a chance to flourish. The valleys below the mountain contain wide meadows covered with lush grasses and wildflowers. They are surrounded by alpine forests, giving the area a distinctly Swiss feel. The higher elevations are dominated by coniferous forests, although birch and willow dwarf shrubs thrive in shaded areas.
This area is a temporary habitat for many migratory birds. About 230 species of birds are found in the mountainous region each year, although the exact number is difficult to count due to migration. Lower altitudes are home to endangered mammals such as the snow leopard, Himalayan bear, musk deer, Himalayan lynx, Marco Polo sheep, etc. They cover a variety of habitats, but human presence is a concern.
Manaslu I (8,163 m), Nepal
Manaslu is the eighth largest mountain on the planet and reaches an altitude of 8,163 m above sea level. It is considered part of the Mansiri Himal range of the Himalayas. Manaslu was first conquered by Japanese Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu Sherpa on May 9, 1956.
Mount Manaslu is part of the Manaslu Protected Area, declared as such in December 1998. The area covered by the protected area is 1,663 km².
Unlike many other regions, the mountain's valley is home to many endangered animals, including snow leopards and red pandas. You can also find lynx, Himalayan bear, gray wolf, Assamese macaques, etc. More than 110 species of birds, 33 species of mammals, 11 species of butterflies and 3 species of reptiles have been recorded in this area. Conservation of wildlife in the area was achieved by the monks who banned hunting.
Lhotse (8,516 m), Nepal
The fourth highest mountain on the planet is Lhotse. It is part of the Mahalangur Himal mountain range and reaches an altitude of 8,516 meters above sea level. The first successful ascent was made by the Swiss Reiss and Luchsinger in 1956.
The mountain range is located in the Himalayas, on the border of Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Mount Lhotse is located south of Everest and is joined by a ridge at an altitude of about 7,600 meters. It is sometimes considered part of the Everest mountain range.
Since Lhotse, like Mount Cho Oyu (see above), are located within the same national park, they have similar flora and fauna.
Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), Nepal
Kanchenjunga is an impressive snow-capped mountain, 8,586 m high, which is part of the highest Himalayan mountain system and is located along the border between India and Nepal.
Until 1852, this mountain was considered the highest on Earth. However, it was later determined that Mount Everest and K2 were actually higher, and Kanchenjunga became the third highest eight-thousander in the world. In May 1955, two British climbers, Joe Brown and George Band, were the first to successfully climb the mountain.
Mount Kanchenjunga and its surrounding landscapes, with their varied topography and climate conditions, provide excellent habitats for a wide variety of plant and animal species. The savannas and grasslands of the Terai Dooar form the backbone of the mountainous landscape and are rich in native flora and fauna. Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, one-horned rhinoceroses and Asian elephants are just some of the known mammal species of this ecoregion.
With increasing altitude, changes in temperature and precipitation, the vegetation pattern also changes. It is an ecosystem consisting of evergreen and deciduous trees, and a rich variety of fauna such as red pandas, Assamese macaques, Amur leopards, Himalayan bears, Himalayan tahrs, musk deer, etc. Above the forest belt are the eastern Himalayan subalpine coniferous forests with their own flora and fauna. Gradually, the coniferous belt gives way to alpine meadows and shrubs and, finally, mountain deserts covered with moss and lichens. They lead straight to the icy and snowy peak of Mount Kanchenjunga.
Chogori or K2 (8,611 m), Pakistan
Mount K2, also known as Chogori, is considered the second highest peak in the world and has an altitude of 8,611 km. K2 is part of the Karakoram mountain range located on the China-Pakistan border. The mountain lies partly in the Tashkurgan-Tajik Autonomous County of China and partly in Baltistan, a region in northern Pakistan.
The first successful ascent to the summit of K2 was made on July 31, 1954 by two Italian climbers, Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni. Since then, there have been many attempts to climb K2, with many failures and a few successes. According to statistics, out of every four people who climb the mountain, one dies. Strong weather and the mountain's harsh terrain are responsible for a large number of climb-related deaths. K2 is currently one of the most difficult peaks in the world to climb. Nevertheless, the stunning beauty of the mountain and the desire to conquer it attract a large number of daredevils to it every year. K2 also forms a natural and almost impassable border between the two countries of China and Pakistan.
The lower valleys of the Karakoram Range receive little rainfall and thus support vegetation adapted to the arid climate of the region. Residents of nearby settlements use water from glaciers to irrigate fields. Livestock farming is also an important industry for the livelihood of these people.
The natural vegetation of the lowland region consists of shrubs and woodlands. At altitudes up to 3000 m, deciduous trees and shrubs such as willow, poplar and oleander grow, followed by coniferous vegetation. On the snow-capped peak of K2 there is permanent ice and the snow cover prevents the growth of flora. The fauna of the mountain ecosystems of the Karakoram Range includes herbivores as well as endangered predators such as snow leopards, lynxes and brown bears. The region's avian fauna includes golden eagles and snowy vultures.
Everest (8,848 m), Nepal/China
Mount Everest is considered the highest mountain in the entire world, its peak is at an altitude of 8,848 meters. It is part of the Mahalangur Himal mountain range shared by Nepal and Tibet (autonomous region of China).
Previously, there were various arguments regarding whether the height of a mountain should be determined by its mountain peak or its snow cap. Indian measurements in 1955 were the first to record a height of 8,848 meters, and Chinese measurements confirmed this height 20 years later. The mountain was named after India's chief surveyor, Sir George Everest, although he himself opposed the name.
Everest attracts many climbers. The first successful ascent was made by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Another team of Chinese climbers reached the summit for the first time on a route from Tibet in May 1960. A March 2012 report showed that by that time, 5,656 climbers had climbed the mountain and 223 deaths had occurred.
Everest has very little flora and fauna. At an altitude of 6,480 meters you can see moss. The small jumping spider, found at an altitude of 6,700 meters, is considered the only non-microscopic animal living at such a significant altitude. Some birds have also been reported to fly at high altitudes. Yaks are used by climbers to carry loads up the mountain. Other animals found on Mount Everest include the snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, red panda, Himalayan bear, pika and ants.
Since Sir Edmund Hillary climbed the peak back in 1953, hundreds of adventurers have attempted to conquer Everest's deadly peak. Everest owes its popularity to its impressive title of "Earth's highest peak", but this is actually an unscientific title.
The highest peak in the world - in fact Chimborazo - is in Ecuador because it is the farthest point from the center of the Earth. Chimborazo, with an altitude of 6,248 meters, is 2,600 meters lower than Everest, but everything changes when the measurement is taken from the center of the Earth. But nevertheless, Everest Peak is the highest point on Earth with an altitude of 8848 m above sea level.
In contact with
It is located in the Himalayan mountains on the border between Nepal and Tibet (China). In Tibet, this peak is called Chomolungma (mother of the universe). The English name, Everest, was given in honor of the British surveyor Sir George Everest.
Tallest mountain in the world
In 1847, English surveyors began detailed studies of the Himalayas. At that time, Mount Kanchenjunga was considered the highest peak. But the British noticed a higher peak behind it, however, weather conditions did not allow them to conduct research. In 1852, Radhanath Sikdar, an Indian scientist, was the first to identify Everest as the world's highest peak, using trigonometric calculations made by English surveyors. The official announcement that this peak was the highest was delayed for several years, during which time the calculations were checked several times.
Finally, in March 1856, the results were announced, which stated that Kanchenjunga had 8,582 meters, and Peak XV (as Everest was then called) is 8,839 meters. Once the height was calculated, the next problem was determining the name of the peak. The policy of the study was to retain local names whenever possible.
Searching by local name was made difficult by the fact that Nepal and Tibet were closed to foreigners at the time. There were many local names, most famous in Tibet. This is Chomolungma, a name that appeared on a 1733 map published in Paris by the French geographer D'Anville. However, the British decided that the XV peak would be named after George Everest. In 1865, the Royal Geographical Society officially adopted the name Everest as the name of the tallest mountain in the world. Everest is the mountain whose peak is at its highest distance from sea level.
Chomolungma's competitors
But several other peaks are sometimes also given the title of "highest peak" based on different criteria. Mauna Kea in Hawaii has an altitude of 10,200 meters, but measured from its base on the ocean floor. Based on the same criterion of base-to-summit height, Denali Peak in Alaska is also taller than Everest, although it is only 6,193.6 m above sea level.
There are at least 109 mountains on Earth with altitudes over 7,200 meters. The vast majority of these mountains are located on the edge of the Indian subcontinent and Tibet, with some peaks in Central Asia. But the highest mountains above sea level are usually not the highest above the surrounding landscape. They are also not the most voluminous. Mauna Loa 4166 is the largest mountain on Earth, in terms of base area - 5200 km2.
Almost all of the highest peaks are located in the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges to the south and west of the Tibetan Plateau. In fact, all 7 thousand peaks in the world are located in Asia:
- East Asia.
- Middle Asia.
- South Asia.
They are:
- on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan;
- on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang;
- in the north in Sichuan province;
- on the border of Sikkim (India) - Nepal in the south.
Top 10 highest peaks on the planet
In first place, as mentioned above, is Mount Everest. This is the highest point in the world.
Mount K2, also known officially as Chogori, has a peak height of 8,611. It is located on the border between China and Pakistan.
The Chinese side is considered the most difficult and dangerous, so climbs are usually undertaken from the Pakistani side. After Annapurna, K2 has the second highest number of climber deaths.
Unlike other 8,000-meter peaks, no one has ever climbed K2 in winter.
Kanchenjunga
Kanchenjunga is the third highest peak in the world. It rises on the border between Nepal and India and is marked 8586 meters. Located 125 kilometers from Everest, Kanchenjunga is the second highest mountain in the Himalayas. Until 1852 it was believed to be the highest mountain in the world. However, after some calculation, it was announced that Everest was higher.
There is a tradition when climbing Kanchenjunga stops only at the top. It dates back to the first ascent of Joe Brown and George Brand in 1955.
Lhotse
With height - in 8,516 meters, Lhotse, is the fourth highest peak in the world. It is adjacent to Everest and is part of the Everest massif. This mountain was first conquered in 1956 by a Swiss team consisting of Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luxinger. It is interesting to note that Lhotse Middle (Lhotse's sister peak with an altitude of 8,410 meters) was not summited until 2001. Although it is lower than the main Lhotse Peak, it is considered one of the most difficult peaks to climb.
Makalu
With height 8.485 m, Makalu is officially the fifth highest peak in the world. Situated 19 km southeast of Everest, on the border between Nepal and China, Makalu is distinguished by its iconic pyramid. Makalu was first conquered in 1955 by Lionel Terrey and Jean Cousy, who were part of a French expedition.
Due to the mountain's isolated position, as well as numerous knife-edged ridges and steep deposits, Makalu is considered by many in the mountaineering community to be one of the world's toughest climbs. The latter stages of the climb in particular involve some extremely difficult technical rock and ice ascents.
Cho Oyu
This mountain is on the opposite end of the difficulty spectrum. Cho Oyu, according to many, is the easiest of the eight thousand peaks to climb. Cho Oyo, which means "Turquoise Goddess", stands on the China-Nepal border. The first ascent was made by Austrians Joseph Jokler and Herbert Tichy in 1954.
Dhaulagiri
With height 8167 meters, Dhaulagiri, is the seventh highest mountain in the world. It is located in Nepal. It was first climbed in 1960 by the combined efforts of Switzerland/Austria/Nepal. In 1808, Dhaulagiri was noted as the highest mountain in the world until Kanchenjunga took first place in 1838, after which Everest officially became number one in 1858 .
Manaslu
Manaslu, is located in the western part of central Nepal and has a peak located at a height 8,163 m above sea level. The first successful ascent of Manaslu occurred in 1956, when Japanese climber Toshio Imanishi and Nepalese Sherpa Gyaltsen Norbu set out to reach the summit. Just as some Britons claim Everest as their mountain, Imanishi's ascent and subsequent ascents of other Japanese adventurers made it clear that Japan claimed Manaslu as its own peak.
Nanga Parbat
Nanga Parbat is the ninth highest mountain in the world. Its peak is located at a height 8126 meters above sea level. It is located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan which is the westernmost point of the Himalayas. In 1953, Hermann Buhl, who was part of the German/Austrian expedition team, became the first person to climb Nanga Parbat.
Annapurna
Annapurna, the tenth highest mountain in the world. Technically speaking, Annapurna is a massif in the Himalayas, consisting of 30 mountains with a height of more than 6 thousand meters. But when they say “Annapurna”, they mean the only peak in the massif with a height of 8091 meters.
Historically speaking, Annapurna and its supporting peaks in the massif are some of the most difficult and dangerous mountains in the world to climb. For example, the mortality ratio on Annapurna is truly scary - 32%. The mountain is located in north-central Nepal and was first conquered in 1950 by a French expedition led by Maurice Herzog and Louis Laquenal.
The most famous peaks of some countries
One of the first things children learn in geography classes is how tall their countries' mountains are, and of course they all compare to Everest or other peaks that are the tallest in the world. Mountains have become a source of national pride in many countries.
So when we visit another country, mountains are an instant attraction. Anyway, if you're wondering which mountains are famous enough to be seen on your travels, here's a list of some of the most famous, but not the tallest, peaks in the world:
- Mount Fuji, Japan.
- Popocatepetl, Mexico.
- Mount McKinley, USA.
- Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
- Aconcagua, Argentina.
- Mont Blanc, France.
- Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Russia. you will find the answer in the link.
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