• Which country has the highest mountains. Geography lesson: what is the highest mountain in the world

    05.12.2023

    There are many high mountains in the world that climbers have managed to conquer. However the most high 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 about the high mountain in the world, and taking into account some other factors, it is appropriate to recall one more grief.

    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 sky. Thanks to this, astronomers can monitor celestial objects while studying outer space.

    The highest mountains on each continent

    1. Europe – (5,642 m)
    2. – Kilimanjaro (5,895 m)
    3. Asia – Everest (8,848 m)
    4. – Aconcagua (6,962 m)
    5. North America – McKinley (6,190 m)
    6. – Vinson massif (4,892 m)
    7. – 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, Qomolangma 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.

    Now you know what the highest mountain in the world is. If you liked this article, share it on social networks.

    If you like it, subscribe to the site IinterestingFakty.org. It's always interesting with us!

    Did you like the post? Press any button.

    Not everyone can travel around the world in search of the highest mountain in the world, but it is quite possible to take a virtual trip.

    The highest mountains in the world

    How far will a person have to travel to reach the highest point on our planet? Which mountains are recognized as the highest on Earth? Who conquered them first and what difficulties await them on the way to the top? You might also be interested in learning about the longest mountains in the world.

    Makalu

    Height: 8485 m.
    A country: China/Nepal
    Mountain system: Himalayas


    Our rating opens with the Tibetan “Black Giant” Makalu - one of the five highest “eight-thousanders”. Europeans learned about this snowy beauty back in the middle of the 19th century, but the first expedition to its peak was launched only a hundred years later. This is because in those years the hearts of brave climbers were captivated by its closest neighbor, Everest, and the peak of Makalu remained “in the shadow” of this giant and was “defeated” only in 1955. The legendary ascent was made by the French under the leadership of Jean Franco.

    Lhotse

    Height: 8516 m.
    A country: China/Nepal
    Mountain system: Himalayas


    There are not so many points on the map of our planet that have surpassed the 8-kilometer mark in height. Mount Lhotse is one of them. Its last peak (Lhotse Middle) was conquered by climbers only in 2001. The first to set foot on this pointed rocky peak were members of a Russian expedition led by V. Kozlov and N. Cherny. The main peak was conquered in 1956 by a group of Swiss climbers while climbing neighboring Everest. But the eastern wall of Lhotse remains unconquered to this day.

    Kanchenjunga

    Height: 8568 m.
    A country: India/Nepal
    Mountain system: Himalayas


    The third highest point on our planet is located on the Kanchenjunga mountain range, which, in turn, belongs to the Himalaya system. Kanchenjunga has five peaks, hence the name, which translated from Tibetan means “Five Treasures of the Great Snows.” The highest is Main Kanchenjunga (8568 m). However, three more of them rightfully bear the proud title of eight-thousander: Yalong-Kang (8505), South (8491) and Central (8478).


    The first attempt to conquer the wayward peak was made in 1905, but was unsuccessful. Having gone three quarters of the way, the group led by Aleister Crowley turned back. Only in 1955 the Englishmen Joe Brown and George Bend were able to reach the main peak.

    There is a legend among the local population that Mount Kanchenjunga is a woman, and therefore hates in advance all girls who set foot on its slope. Only one woman has been to its summit, Englishwoman Ginette Harrison, who climbed in 1998.

    Chogori

    Height: 8611 m.
    A country: China/Pakistan
    Mountain system: Karakoram


    The second highest mountain in the world after Everest also belongs to the Himalaya mountain range. Chogori, known among mountaineers as K-2, lies on the northern border of Pakistan and China. The letter “K” means “Karakorum”, and “2” is the serial number of the peak, which was assigned to it by the traveler Colonel Montgomery in 1856.


    According to statistics, every fourth person who dares to conquer the top of Chogori is doomed to death. That’s why this peak has another name – killer mountain. The legendary Russian climber Pyotr Kuznetsov found his final refuge on its slopes.

    The highest mountain is Everest

    Height: 8848 m.
    A country: Nepal/PRC
    Mountain system: Himalayas


    The highest mountain peak in the world is Chomolungma, better known to us as Everest. It is located in perhaps the most “philosophical” part of the earth - in Tibet. This majestic snow-capped pyramid has amazed many generations of travelers, and even now, when the summit of Everest has been conquered several times, it inspires thousands of brave climbers to pack their things and set off on a long journey to the top full of deadly dangers.

    Everest, one of the most beautiful places in the world, is part of the Himalaya mountain system. The mountain is located between Nepal and China, but its peak is still located in China, in the Tibet Autonomous Region. According to various sources, the height of Everest ranges from 8844 to 8852 meters.

    This data is constantly changing. In the spring of 2010, Chinese residents officially recorded the highest mountain at 8848 meters. And in 2016, scientists “proved” that the summit of Everest is actually 4 meters lower than the stated height. By the way, it has already been proven that Chomolungma grows annually by about five millimeters due to the movement of lithospheric plates, at the junction of which Everest is located.

    The tallest mountain on the planet has quite a few names. The people of Tibet call Everest the “Mother of the gods of the earth” (“Divine (qomo) mother (ma) of life (lung)” - Chomolungma). But the Nepalese call it Sagarmatha. It means "Forehead of Heaven" or "Mother of the Gods." Well, the name “Everest” was given to the mountain by the British in honor of George Everest, who headed the geodetic survey of British India in 1830-1843. A few years after the scientist’s death, in 1856, his successor Andrew Waugh proposed giving the mountain the name Everest. By the way, it was he who presented data from a study of the heights of “Peak XV” and confirmed that this is probably the highest peak in the whole world.

    History of climbing Everest

    The first time a person climbed the highest mountain was on May 29, 1953. The pioneers of Everest were New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpas (Sherpas are one of the peoples of Nepal) Tenzing Norgay. They passed through the South Col along the route that the Swiss had explored shortly before. The conquerors took oxygen equipment with them on their trek. The team itself consisted of 30 people. In May 1982, 11 climbers from the Soviet Union climbed this “roof of the world.” They climbed the southwestern slope, which had previously been considered impassable. The Ukrainians Mikhail Turkevich and Sergei Bershov especially distinguished themselves during the expedition - they were the first in history to climb Everest at night.


    Well, in 2001, an amazing feat was accomplished - a blind American named Eric Weihenmayer climbed the mountain. Before this ascent, he had already visited all the highest peaks of all seven continents, and he had also visited the highest mountains of Russia. In this way, the man wanted to prove that all the tasks that seem unattainable to people are actually achievable. Another Everest record was set on May 14, 2005. Test pilot Didier Delsalle of Eurocopter became the first in the world to successfully land a helicopter on a mountain peak.


    Three years later, the most old man. He became 76-year-old Nepalese Bahadur Sherkhan.


    Two years later, the youngest person appeared on the peak of Everest, 13-year-old American citizen Jordan Romero, who conquered the peak with his father. Previously, this record was assigned to a 15-year-old boy.


    Another unusual ascent was made by a group of Nepalese. 20 people went on a risky expedition to collect waste that climbers leave on the slopes. They collected approximately 1,800 kilograms of garbage.


    The dangers of Everest

    Every year about 500 people try to reach the top of Everest. They are not afraid that at night the air temperature there can drop to -600 C, and the wind literally knocks them off their feet - its gust speed reaches 200 meters per second. However, according to some estimates, about 5 thousand climbers have already climbed the highest mountain. Each rise takes approximately 2 months. At this time, the period of acclimatization and installation of camps begins. By the way, during such a hike, travelers lose weight by an average of 10-15 kilograms.


    And one more difficulty, although insignificant compared to the previous ones. States on whose territory the approaches to the mountain are located request a large sum of money for the right to climb to the top of Everest. The authorities also establish the order of departures for mountaineering companies. You will have to pay the least amount for climbing Chomolungma from Tibet. Well, try to conquer the peak better in spring and in the fall, since the monsoons are not so active at this time.


    Travel companies quote different prices for a trip to the mountain from Nepal: on average from 20 to 60 thousand dollars. On the Chinese side, this can be done cheaper: you will have to spend about 4.6 thousand dollars per person. It is worth adding that these funds are used to purchase an ascent attempt, but do not at all guarantee a successful result.

    How much does it cost to conquer Everest?

    Experts say that the success of the expedition depends on the weather and the team’s equipment. Before climbing Everest, you must undergo acclimatization. The most difficult thing, experienced people say, is the last three hundred meters of the way to the top. Climbers call them the “dead zone” or “the longest mile on Earth.” In this area you need to go through a very smooth and steep rocky slope, which is covered with snow. But the main obstacle is not the slippery surface, but the rarefied air, which literally overshadows the climber’s consciousness.

    Pay for a dream

    Thousands of climbers have tried to climb Everest. Some paid for this with their lives. From the time the peak was discovered until today, more than two hundred people have died during expeditions. According to some reports, this most often happened due to lack of oxygen. Sometimes people died in avalanches, on descents or ascents, due to heart failure or frostbite.

    The dead climbers who are found are buried by the people of Nepal. They sincerely follow age-old traditions and do everything so that the souls of steeplejacks find peace. According to beliefs, if a special solemn ceremony is not held to “save the souls of the dead,” then the dead climbers will not find peace and will wander on the “roof of the world.” And local climbers set off to the top of the highest mountain only with talismans and rituals, so as not to meet the spirits of Chomolungma.

    The Dark Side of Everest

    According to Nepalese Buddhist and professional guide Pemba Dorja, in May 2004, on his journey to the top of Everest, he took with him a medallion with the image of the Dalai Lama and an amulet from a Buddhist monastery. The man climbed to the peak in a record 8 hours and 10 minutes. And in the “dead zone”, which is located at an altitude of 8 kilometers above sea level, he met the shadows of people who extended their hands and asked for food. The Nepalese is sure that if he had not had the amulets, he would not have returned alive.

    Alternative record holders

    In 2016, scientists shocked the public with the news that Everest was no longer the highest point on the planet. The earth, according to them, has the shape of a geoid - a figure flattened at the poles and convex at the equator. This means that if you measure the height of a mountain from the center of the earth, then the mountain ranges located along the equator will have an a priori advantage in height. Of course, such messages only caused the surveyors to laugh loudly. But – for the sake of interest – we present below data on the “new record holders”.

    Chimborazo

    Height: 6384 m.
    A country: Ecuador
    Mountain system: Andes


    Having measured the height of Everest from the center of the Earth and compared the data obtained with the height of the extinct volcano Chimborazo, scientists found that the latter “bypasses” the Tibetan giant by 4 meters. However, the fact that the top of Chimborazo is the most distant point from the center of the Earth was discovered back in 1998.

    Mauna Kea

    Height: 4205 / 10203 m.
    A country: USA
    Mountain system: –


    Mauna Kea volcano juts above the surface Pacific Ocean by 4.2 kilometers – an impressive figure. But this, as they say, is only a small part of the iceberg. Most of its base is hidden under water, and the total height of the mountain is 10,203 meters. Therefore, if we take into account solely the distance from the foot to the top, and not the height of the mountain above sea level, then Mauna Kea can safely be considered the highest mountain in the world.
    Subscribe to our channel in Yandex.Zen

    The highest mountains of different countries such as Hungary, Austria, Greece and Argentina are presented in the table below.

    This article briefly describes the highest mountains in different countries of Europe and America. The name and height are given. Some descriptions about their names, locations and more are provided.

    Highest mountain in Hungary

    Hungary is located 200 meters above sea level, and at the same time it does not have high mountains. The highest mountain in Hungary is Kekes. In English it means “bluish” in front. Well, indeed, if you look at the mountain from a distance, it seems bluish.

    Mount Kekesh is part of the Matra mountain range, being the longest ski slope Hungary. Its length is about 2 km. The mountain is ideal for beginners. Its height is 1014 meters above sea level. It is located between the cities of Eger and Gyöngyös.

    After Lake Balaton and the Danube, Kekes is one of the most popular attractions in Hungary.

    The highest mountain in Hungary is Kekes, 1014 meters high.

    Highest mountain in Austria

    A quarter of Austria is occupied by the ridges of the Eastern Alps, united in chains. The most impressive landmark in the country and at the same time the highest mountain in Austria is Grossglockner. This mountain has 2 peaks: Großglockner and Kleinglockner. The height of Grossglockner is 3798 meters, the second peak is slightly lower and reaches a height of 3770 meters. Between the peaks there is a pass, and at the foot there is the most large glacier- Pasterze.

    The highest mountain in Austria is Grossglockner, 3798 meters high.

    Highest mountain in Greece

    Known from ancient Greek mythology, Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece, where 12 gods lived, led by Zeus.

    In ancient times, Mount Olympus was the border between two states - Thessaly and Macedonia. Today, the entire area surrounding the mountain range has been declared a national park. Since 1981, the mountain has been recognized as part of the World Natural Heritage and a historical and architectural heritage site by UNESCO.

    There are 52 peaks on the mountain, the heights of which vary from 760 to 2917 meters. The highest peak of Olympus is Mitakis, whose height is 2917 meters. The second and third places were taken by the peaks of Scolio, 2912 meters high, and Stefani, 2905 meters high.

    The highest mountain in Greece is Olympus, the highest peak of Olympus is Metakis, 2917 meters high.

    Highest mountain in Argentina

    Aconcagua rises 6962 meters in height, and is the highest point of South America, as well as the entire southern and western hemispheres.

    The mountain appeared at the time of the collision of the South American and Nazca tectonic plates. Today the mountain is completely covered with snow. The name of the mountain is translated into Russian as Stone Guardian.

    The highest mountain in Argentina is Aconcagua, 6962 meters high.

    This rating will feature mountain peaks that are more than 8 kilometers high. Such mountains are called " eight-thousanders", there are 14 of them in the world, all of them are located in Asia, namely in two neighboring mountain systems: the Himalayas and the Karakoram.
    The most famous and highest mountain system in the world is the Himalayas, which contains 10 eight-thousanders. To understand why this area of ​​the Earth became what it is today, we need to look back 120 million years, when the Indian subcontinent broke away from the supercontinent Gondwana and began moving north at a speed of 5 centimeters per year. 80 million years ago, Hindustan accelerated three times, up to 15 centimeters per year. It moved until it collided with Eurasia, and the Himalayas were formed where two tectonic plates met. To visit the Himalayas, you need to go to one of the following countries: India, Nepal, China (Tibet), Pakistan or Bhutan.
    The second highest mountain system, the Karakoram, where 4 eight-thousanders are located, is located in the northwest of the western chain of the Himalayas and spans three countries: India, Pakistan, China (Tibet and Xinjiang).
    Next is a rating that presents the highest mountains in the world, their location and the year they were first conquered.

    14th place. Shishabangma(Himalayas). Height 8027 m. The mountain is located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. This mountain peak was first conquered by a Chinese expedition in 1964 led by Xiu Jing.


    13th place. Gasherbrum II(Karakorum). Height 8035 m. The peak is located in Kashmir, in the Pakistani-controlled Northern Territories on the border with China (Tibet Autonomous Region). The first ascent of the mountain was made by climbers Fritz Moravec, Hans Willenpart, Sepp Larch (Austria) in 1956.

    12th place. Broad Peak(Karakorum). Height 8051 m. Located in Kashmir, in the Pakistani-controlled Northern Territories on the border with China (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region). The first ascent of the mountain was in 1957 by an Austrian expedition consisting of Fritz Wintersteller, Markus Schmuck, Kurt Diemberger and Hermann Buhl.

    11th place. Gasherbrum I(Karakorum). Height 8080 m. The peak is located in Kashmir, in the Pakistani-controlled Northern Territories on the border with China (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region). In 1958, members of the American expedition Peter Schöning and Andrew Kaufman made the first ever ascent of the mountain along the southeastern ridge.

    10th place. Annapurna I(Himalayas). Height 8091 m. The peak is located in Nepal. Annapurna became the first eight-thousand-meter mountain to be conquered by man. French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal climbed it in 1950.

    9th place. Nangaparbat(Himalayas). Height 8125 m. The peak is located in the northwestern tip of the Western Himalayas between the Indus and Astor rivers, in Kashmir, in the Pakistan-controlled Northern Territories. The first successful ascent of the mountain was made in 1953 by the Austrian Hermann Buhl. This was an episode that had no analogues in the history of conquest of eight-thousanders until that time: Buhl reached the summit alone. It is also worth noting that Hermann Buhl conquered Nanga Parbat without the use of oxygen.

    8th place. Manaslu(Himalayas). Height 8156 m. The peak is located in Nepal. The first ascent of the mountain took place in 1956 by the Japanese Toshio Imanishi and the Sherpa (Sherpas are a people living in Eastern Nepal, as well as in India) Gyalzen Norbu.

    7th place. Dhaulagiri I(Himalayas). Height 8167 m. The peak is located in Nepal. In 1960, the Swiss-Austrian expedition of Diemberger, Diener, Schelbert, Forer and the Nawang and Nyima Sherpas conquered the mountain for the first time.

    6th place. Cho Oyu(Himalayas). Height 8201 m. Located on the border of Nepal with China (Tibet Autonomous Region). In 1954, the first ascent took place, made by members of the Austrian expedition Herbert Tichy, Joseph Joechler and Sherpa Pazang Dawa Lama.

    5th place. Makalu(Himalayas). Height 8485 m. The mountain peak is located on the border of Nepal with China (Tibet Autonomous Region). In 1955, a French expedition led by Jean Franco achieved success by climbing the mountain along the northern route. On May 15-17, three groups climb Makalu in a total of 9 people - all members of the expedition and the sirdar (leader of the Sherpa group).

    4th place. Lhotse(Himalayas). Height 8516 m. Located on the border of Nepal with China (Tibet Autonomous Region) 3 km south of Everest and separated from it by the South Col pass. The first ascent to the top of Lhotse Main was made in 1956 by the Swiss Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger.

    Lhotse (right) and Everest

    3rd place. Kanchenjunga(Himalayas). Height 8586 m. Until 1852, Kanchenjunga was considered the highest mountain in the world, but then calculations showed that Everest is higher, and Kanchenjunga is the third highest peak. Located on the border of Nepal and India (Sikkim state). The first successful ascent of the mountain was made on May 25, 1955 by members of the British expedition George Band and Joe Brown. Kanchenjunga was one of Nicholas Roerich's favorite themes in painting.

    2nd place. Chogori(Karakorum), also known as K2 (this site runs on a Joomla component named after the mountain). Height 8611 m. This is the highest mountain peak of the Karakoram. It is located on the border of Kashmir (Pakistan-controlled Northern Territories) and China (Xinjiang). The first to reach the top of K2 was an Italian expedition in 1954 led by Ardito Desio.

    1 place. Chomolungma(Himalayas), also known as Everest. Chomolungma in Tibetan means “mistress of the winds.” As for the English name Everest, it was given in honor of Sir George Everest, head of the geodetic survey of British India in 1830-1843. The first to determine that Qomolungma is the highest mountain peak on Earth was the Indian mathematician and topographer Radhanath Sikdar in 1852, based on trigonometric calculations, when he was in India 240 km from Qomolungma. The height of this greatest mountain peak in the world is 8848 meters. Chomolungma is located in China, namely in Tibet, on the border with Nepal. At the top of Chomolungma there are strong winds, blowing at speeds of up to 55 m/s. The average monthly air temperature in January is -36 °C (on some nights it can drop to -50...−60 °C), in July it is about zero °C. The first ascent of Everest was made on May 29, 1953 by Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary. The climbers used oxygen devices. More than 30 Sherpas took part in the expedition.

    Mountains are magnificent creations of living nature. Sometimes they are so beautiful that it is impossible to take your eyes off them. Mountain ranges and peaks covered with snow caps make up the beautiful scenery. Many tourists strive to visit mountainous areas, as these places give an unforgettable experience. Extreme sports enthusiasts all over the world annually conquer one peak after another, trying to climb to the most unattainable heights. Total on the globe great amount mountains that vary greatly in size. A mountain is an elevation on land that is more than 500 meters high. There are low, medium and high mountains. The latter include all elevations more than 2000 meters long from base to top. At the same time, their relative height is indicated - the size from the foot to the top. Absolute altitude is measured from sea level; as a rule, this is a larger parameter. Scientists have compiled a table of all the largest mountains on the planet. The list of the highest peaks in the world includes 117 hills. They have a magnitude of more than 7200 meters above sea level. All of them are located in Central and South Asia. The top 10 highest mountains in the world include peaks that mainly belong to the Himalayas (except for one). The Himalayas are the highest mountain system on the planet. It is located between the Tibetan Plateau and the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

    Top 10 highest mountains in the world

    1. Chomolungma: 8848 m.
    2. Chogori: 8611 m.
    3. Kanchenjunga: 8586.
    4. Lhotse: 8516 m.
    5. Makalu: 8485 m.
    6. Cho Oyu: 8188 m.
    7. Dhaulagiri: 8167 m.
    8. Manaslu: 8163 m.
    9. Nanga Parbat: 8126 m.
    10. Annapurna 1: 8091 m.

    Chomolungma - the highest mountain on the planet

    Chomolungma tops the list of the highest mountains, formed in descending order. It is the highest peak on the globe. It is located on the Mahalangur Himal mountain range. The southern tip of the mountain is located near the border with Nepal, its northern point (the highest) belongs to China. Other names for the highest peak on the planet:

    • Everest;
    • Sagarmatha;
    • Shengmufeng.

    Chomolungma has the shape of an irregular tetrahedron, in which two edges are flatter than the third. It comes into contact with other mountain peaks, which are also ranked as the highest. These are the South Col (7906 meters), Lhotse (8516 meters), North Col (7020 meters), Changtse (7553 meters). At the top of Everest there are accumulations of ice from which water flows along all sides of the tetrahedron. The hill attracts a lot of extreme sports enthusiasts who want to add it to the list of peaks they have conquered. With the development of tourism, this has become much easier. Travelers are required to undergo the necessary training, be equipped according to all rules, and pay fees for transport services, communication, security.

    The fee for climbing and traveling along the route is several tens of thousands of dollars. In this case, you need to obtain permission for the expedition, which is paid separately. The entire route can be completed in 3 to 4 weeks. The expedition includes accommodation in camps and acclimatization. The difficulties lie not only in mastering the steepness itself, which requires enormous physical resources, but also in the fact that the top of the highest point in the world has abnormally low temperature conditions. They reach -60 degrees, which can pose a threat to human life. Plus, there are strong winds and solar radiation affects it. The last section, leading straight to the top, is called the longest mile, as it is the most dangerous. This is a very steep path that is not easy to overcome.

    Chogori - the second largest mountain in the world

    Chogori is in 2nd place in the top 10 largest mountains on the planet. Also, this peak is the northernmost of the list of all eight-thousanders in the world. This is the only peak from the top 10 that does not belong to the Himalayas, but to the Karakoram mountain system. It is located within the Baltoro-Muztagh mountain range, which runs from Kashmir to China. It is also known under the names K2, Dapsang, Godwin-Austen.


    In the late 1980s its height was disputed as the highest in the world. A team of US scientists said satellite measurements show a magnitude of about 8,900 meters, placing Chogori at the top of the world's top 10 highest mountains. However, Chinese researchers soon refuted this opinion, establishing the height of the mountain as 8611 meters. Conquering Chogori is even more difficult than the object described above. The passage of the path is fraught with even greater difficulties. Figures showing the number of fatal accidents are 23-26%. For comparison: by the end of the 2000s, more than 3,500 travelers had visited Chomolungma, and only 284 had visited Chogori, and for 66 people the ascent ended in death. Chogori is the second most dangerous mountain in the world after Annapurna. In winter, not a single extreme sports enthusiast has been able to visit the top of Chogori.

    Kanchenjunga - the third eight-thousander in the world

    Kanchenjunga is located in the Himalayas, like the other 8 mountains on their list of the highest. It closes the top 3 highest peaks on the planet. Its height is 8586 meters. Kanchenjunga separates India and Nepal, running along their border. The mountain includes five peaks, 4 of which are above 8000 meters. Its name is translated into Russian as “five treasures of the great snows.”


    Until the mid-19th century, this mountain was considered the highest of all the peaks in the world, but then calculations made dropped it to third position in the top 10. Kanchenjunga, like Chogori, has a fairly high mortality rate when climbing it. The number of deaths is determined as 22%. This figure does not decrease, even despite the higher level of technical equipment. The Nepalese say that the culprit is the spirit of the mountain, which has taken the form of a woman, so it takes the lives of girls trying to climb it. For 10 years, the only woman to climb Kanchenjunga was Briton Ginette Harrison. Then three female climbers visited the summit: from Austria, Spain, and Poland.

    Lhotse - the most difficult routes

    Lhotse is a mountain in the Mahalangur Himal mountain system in the Himalayas. It is 3 km away from Everest; the mountains are separated by the South Col pass. Lhotse with an absolute height of 8516 meters ranks 4th in the top 10 highest mountains in the world. From the outside, Lhotse looks like a tetrahedron with 3 vertices. In addition to the main one, climbers climb the Srednyaya Peak and Shar, which are 8414 and 8383 meters long, respectively.


    These two peaks present more challenging routes to climb. The middle peak remained inaccessible until 2001. The route along the South Face to Lhotse Shar is recognized as one of the most difficult in the world. According to the Italian extreme mountaineer Messner, who was the first in the world to visit all 14 of the highest mountains on the list of eight-thousanders, there is no route equal in difficulty to the South Wall. There are also very high mortality statistics here.

    Makalu is the fifth mountain from the top 10

    Makalu is in 5th position on the list of the highest peaks in the world. Its name translates as “Black Giant”. It is separated from Everst by 22 km. Makalu consists of two peaks: Main and South-East. This mountain has long been known to world-famous climbers, but the first ascents to it began only after the 50s of the 20th century.


    This fact can be explained by the fact that first people strive to conquer the highest mountains in the world, and only then pay attention to the remaining peaks. Unlike Lhotse, which has only a few routes, Makalu has many more tourist routes. There are 17 routes along which you can climb to the peak. The French group was the first to ascend Makalu. In the late 90s, Russian climbers reached the peak by climbing the mountain along the Western Face. Technical is one of the most difficult paths. The climb was recognized as the best of the year, and the participants received the prestigious Golden Ice Ax award.

    Cho Oyu - the easiest way

    Cho-Oyu, or Chovouyag, is the sixth highest eight-thousander of the top 10. Its height above sea level is 8,201 meters. Chovouyag belongs to the same system of mountain ranges as the higher mountains on the list of the highest peaks in the world. This is the Everest mountain range. Unlike previous mountains, famous for their most difficult trails, Chovouyag is considered the easiest to climb.


    The path to the top runs through the Nangpa-La pass. It is located between Nepal and China, 30 km from Everest. This is the main trade route between the Tibetans and the Sherpa people of Nepal. Climbers also climb it. Despite the easier route, not all climbers manage to successfully reach Chovouyaga Peak. There were cases of travelers dying from exhaustion or as a result of an avalanche. In 2014, an American teenager, who was 16 years old, was able to conquer this mountain. He became the first climber of his age in the world to climb Cho Oyu.

    Dhaulagiri - a large number of peaks

    Dhaulagiri completes the list of the seven highest mountains in the world. Another name for the peak is White Mountain. This massif is located in the center of Nepal, in the south of the Main Himalayan Range. Its peculiarity is that it has as many as 11 peaks.


    The height of the main one is 8167 meters, the rest have a height from 7193 to 7751 meters. Like other eight-thousanders in the world, which are smaller in size than Everest, Dhaulagiri was conquered only in the middle of the last century. Although the mountain was previously known as rivaling Everest in height. Swiss climbers who climbed in 1960 were the first to use a light aircraft to transport equipment. The team paved a path to the top that is now considered a classic.

    Manaslu - Mountain of Spirits

    Manaslu is part of the Manmiri Himal mountain range located in central Nepal. Its name translates as Mountain of Spirits.


    It is located on the territory national park with the same name. There is a walking route inside the park a tourist route which takes two weeks. Its highest point is the Larkya-La pass with an altitude of 5200 meters.

    Nanga Parbat - difficult climb

    Nanga Parbat is in 9th place in the list of eight-thousanders in the world. This mountain is located in the northwestern part of the Himalayan mountain system. It represents their ending. Nanga Parbat is located in Pakistan. The name translates as Naked Mountain, and also as Mountain of the Gods.


    The climbing routes to the top of the Mountain of the Gods are among the most difficult. Nanga Parbat is one of the 3 most difficult peaks to climb. The array consists of 4 vertices. The height of the main one is 8125 meters, the rest have sizes from 6820 to 7070 m.

    Annapurna - the most dangerous mountain in the world

    Annapurna closes the list of eight-thousanders included in the top 10. But she is famous not only for this. The hike to its summit is the most difficult, which is why it is at the top of the list in terms of mortality rates.


    This figure reaches 32%. With the development of technology and improved equipment for climbers, it decreased somewhat, but still remained the highest compared to other mountains. Another feature of the mountain is that it has the largest number of peaks - 13.



    Similar articles