What is the height of the highest point on the planet? What is the highest and lowest point in the world. The highest mountains on each continent

Wherever this question is asked, the answer will always be “Mount Everest.” However, few people think about the meaning of this question. Most people on the planet won't try to think twice and will immediately answer it the same way. Everest. Therefore, it is not in vain that when we compare the highest mountains on other planets in our solar system (for example, Mount Olympus on Mars), we always compare Everest. The truth is that Everest is not the highest point on planet Earth.

The peculiarity of our planet is such that instead of an ideal sphere, the Earth is an oblate spheroid. Therefore, those places that are located near the equator, as a rule, are much further from the center of the planet than those that are at its poles. If we take this fact into account, then Everest, like all the Himalayas, can hardly be called the highest point on the planet.
Earth as a sphere

The understanding that the Earth is a spherical body came to people back in the 6th century BC. The ancient Greeks were the first to know about this. And although this theory is attributed to Pythagoras, it is equally likely that it could have arisen spontaneously as a result of travel between Greek settlements. The fact is that sailors began to notice changes in the position and visibility of stars depending on the chosen geographical latitude.

By the 3rd century BC, the theory of a spherical Earth began to acquire quite scientific significance. By measuring the angle of falling shadows in various geographical locations, Eratosthenes (276 BC - 194 BC) - a Greek astronomer from Cyrene (in modern-day Libya) - was able to calculate the circumference of the Earth with an error of 5-15 percent . With the rise of the Roman Empire and the adoption of Hellenistic astronomy, the theory of a spherical Earth spread throughout Mediterranean Sea and Europe.

Knowledge about this was preserved thanks to its transmission from generation to generation by monks, as well as thanks to the scholasticism of the Middle Ages. By the era of the Renaissance and revolution in science (mid-16th to late 18th centuries), geological and heliocentric views had become established in science. With the advent of modern astronomy, more accurate measurement methods and the ability to look at the Earth from space, humanity was finally able to see the true shape and size of our planet.

Let's clarify the situation a little: The Earth is not a perfect sphere, but it is not flat either. In the first case, I would like to apologize to Galileo, in the second - to the flat Earth society. As mentioned above, the Earth has the shape of an oblate spheroid, which, in turn, is a consequence of the peculiarity of its rotation. At the poles it seems to be flattened, and in the equatorial part it is elongated. Many space objects solar system have the same shape (take, for example, Jupiter or Saturn). Even rapidly rotating stars, such as one of the brightest, Altair, have the same shape.

Data from the 2014 Global Earth Model, where brighter colors indicate points farthest from the Earth's center

Based on some recent measurements, it has been found that the polar radius of the Earth (that is, the distance from the center of the planet to one or another pole) is 6356.8 kilometers, while the equatorial radius (from the center to the equator) is 6378.1 kilometers. In other words, objects located along the equator are 22 kilometers farther from the center of the Earth (geocenter) than objects located at the poles.

Naturally, it is worth taking into account some topographic changes in certain areas, where some objects located near the equator are closer to the center, and others are further from the center of the Earth, compared to other objects in a particular region. The most notable exceptions are Mariana Trench(most deep place on Earth, depth 10,911 meters) and Mount Everest, whose height above sea level is 8848 meters. However, these two geological features represent very little difference when considering the overall shape of the Earth. The difference in this case is only 0.17 percent and 0.14 percent, respectively.
Highest point on Earth

In fairness, we note that Everest is indeed one of the highest points on our planet. The height at its peak is 8488 meters above sea level. However, due to its location in the Himalayan range (27 degrees 59 minutes north of the equator), it is actually lower than the mountains located in Ecuador.

Mount Chimborazo

This is where it is Mountain chain The Andes Mountains are the highest point on planet Earth. The height of Mount Chimborazo is 6263.47 meters above sea level. However, due to its location (1 degree 28 minutes south of the equator) in the highest protruding part of the planet, its total height from the center is about 21 kilometers.

If we consider the issue in terms of distance to the geocenter, Everest is located at a distance of 6382 kilometers from the center of the Earth, while Chimborazo is located 6384 kilometers. The difference is only about 3.2 kilometers, which at first glance may seem quite insignificant. However, when we're talking about about the titles of “the very best”, you need to be precise.

Of course, even after such explanations, there will be people who will confidently say that Mount Everest is still the highest point on the planet, if we consider its height from the foot (base) to the peak. Unfortunately, they are wrong here too. Because in this case the title of the highest mountain goes to Mauna Kea, shield volcano, located on the island of Hawaii. The height of the mountain from the base to the very top at Mauna Kea is 10,206 meters. This is the most high mountain on our planet. However, most of the mountain goes several thousand meters deep into the ocean, and therefore we can only see its peak at 4207 meters.

However, those who consider Everest the most high mountain according to its height above sea level, they will be right. If we consider its height as height above sea level, then Everest is truly the tallest mountain in the world.

Mountains have always been something incomprehensible to humans; in some cultures they were even considered sacred. Just remember the ancient Greek Olympus, the biblical Ararat or the Japanese Fuji. It seemed impossible to conquer their peaks, but there were brave souls who were ready to prove the opposite.

In this collection we will talk about the highest points of the world and what to do at their peaks.

Everest, Nepal-PRC

The highest peak in the world

Everest is called the mountaineering Mecca. It is enough to stand on its top for a couple of minutes to go down in history. However, such fame comes at a very high price. Climbing Everest is comparable only to flying to Mars - without proper preparation, tragedy cannot be avoided.

Experienced climbers call the climb to Everest a brutal duel between man and nature. The conditions are really harsh - the air temperature ranges from +35 in the sun to -35 at night, added to this are hurricane winds at a speed of 55 meters per second, solar radiation, snowfalls and avalanches.

But if at an altitude of 6,000 meters you can wait out bad weather, then at an altitude of over 7,000 meters, every second spent becomes an unaffordable luxury. The air at such altitudes is rarefied, oxygen starvation begins, which is fraught with hallucinations at best, and cerebral edema at worst.

The most difficult section is the last 300 meters to the top, which is a steep rocky slope without ledges, covered with loose snow. Climbers nicknamed it “the longest mile on Earth.”

But the most terrible test is not prepared by nature. At critical heights, the so-called “high-altitude morality” operates - you can only rely on yourself. In 2006, David Sharp, a teacher from Great Britain, climbed to the top of Everest, but was unable to descend because he ran out of oxygen. That day, 40 more people conquered the mountain with him, not one of them helped the dying climber - the dream turned out to be more important than the life of a stranger.

Anyone who decides to conquer Everest must understand that there is always a risk of not returning back.

How to get there

First of all, you need to get to the city of Lukla, where the ascent begins. The easiest way is by plane from Kathmandu. A round-trip ticket will cost about $300. The cost of a climbing permit is 11 thousand dollars per person. Best time for the rise – April-May and August-October.

Mont Blanc, France-Italy

The highest peak in Europe

Mont Blanc was first conquered by mountain guide Jacques Balme and Dr. Michel Packard in 1786. 230 years have passed since then, but the interest of travelers in the “white mountain” has only increased. Now Mont Blanc bears the proud title of the main European center of tourism and mountaineering.

At the foot of the mountain there is a large ski resort – Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, which is popular not only among skiers and snowboarders, but also among mountain bike fans. However, the bike trails are only open in the summer.

The famous walking route– “Track around Mont Blanc” (Tour du Mont Blanc). Every year a marathon is held along it - “Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc”, the best participants of which cover a path of 170 kilometers in 24 hours.

Extreme sports enthusiasts come here with another goal - to conquer the highest peak in Europe. Climbers without experience and sufficient physical training are better off abandoning this idea - the mountain takes about a hundred lives every year.

You don't have to climb it to enjoy the beauty of Mont Blanc. The most impressive view is from observation deck on top of the Aiguille du Midi mountain. The site is a glass balcony at an altitude of 3800 meters with the colorful name “Step into the Void”. Tourists get to the top of the Aiguille du Midi by cable car.

How to get there

You can get to the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc ski resort from Turin airport by car or bus along the A5 highway in two hours. No climbing permit is required.

Aconcagua, Argentina

Highest peak in South America

Millions of years ago Aconcagua was powerful volcano, the eruption of which could plunge the entire planet into a volcanic winter. Over time, the mountain tamed its ardor and acquired a new title - this is the highest point in South America.

Despite the impressive height of 6962 meters, climbing to the top of Aconcagua is not technically difficult. The route follows safe paths with signs and fences. Experienced climbers call this route “tourist” and recommend it to beginners. In 2013, even a child managed to complete it - nine-year-old Tyler Armstrong from the USA became the youngest conqueror of Aconcagua.

But do not forget about altitude sickness - at an altitude of over 6000 meters, your health worsens and even hallucinations begin. Some “climbers” claimed to have seen ghosts, others wanted to stay on the slopes of the mountain forever. Therefore, it is better to climb accompanied by a guide or with a partner.

You can gain strength on the way to the top or during the descent, and at the same time get acquainted with art at the Plaza de Mulas pass, where the highest art gallery in the world is located with works by the artist Miguel Doura.

How to get there

The ascent begins from the village of Penintentes. You can get there from Mendoza airport by car or bus along the RN7 highway in three hours. A climbing permit costs about $800 per person. The best time to climb is November-March.

Denali, USA

Highest peak in North America

Denali is an ideal option for those who are filled with determination to conquer mountain peak, but it’s still too early to approach Everest. Weather here they are no less severe - a piercing gusty wind that intensifies with every meter, and extremely low temperatures. The landscapes do not change throughout the entire route - endless expanses of ice that seem completely lifeless - only occasionally a bird flies by.

The path to the top lies through the Kahiltna glacier. The cracks on its surface are hidden by a dense layer of snow, so you need to move around this area on skis or in a bundle. Some climbers turn off halfway - there is very little oxygen, and the cold becomes more and more noticeable.

Once the euphoria of conquering the mountain wears off, you can visit Denali National Park at the base of the mountain. Nature lovers will enjoy the park with the opportunity to watch walruses and seals and fish on the Kenai River. They say there are huge salmon here!

How to get there

The ascent begins from the town of Talkeetna. You can get there by bus or car along highways AK-1 N and AK-3 N from Anchorage Airport in two hours. The cost of a permit is from $250.

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Highest peak in Africa

The height of Kilimanjaro reaches 5895 meters, but even novice climbers can conquer its peak - safe and well-equipped routes are laid out for them.

Climbing the highest peak in Africa is a truly exciting experience. Travelers will pass through several climatic zones - from the humid tropics to eternal ice, which do not melt even despite the proximity of the equator, and watch the local inhabitants - leopards and buffaloes.

If conquering Kilimanjaro is not part of your plans, you can visit national park Serengeti, one of the largest nature reserves in the world, or take a jeep tour of the surrounding area. And then enjoy a cup of famous African coffee, which is grown at the foot of the mountain.

Kilimanjaro is not just a mountain, it is also the highest stratovolcano on our planet. True, there were no documented eruptions, but local legends talk about his activity 150-200 years ago.

Recently, gas clouds have been observed on the mountain tops. Some researchers believe that the volcano is waking up. Therefore, it is better not to put off visiting the main attraction of Africa.

How to get there

The climb begins in Kilimanjaro National Park. The easiest way to get there is from Kilimanjaro National Airport along the A23 highway by car or bus. The journey will take about two hours.

The ascent is carried out all year round, but in April and May it is undesirable to climb - there is too much rainfall. The cost of the permit is $600.

Highest point in Antarctica

It is difficult to imagine a more inhospitable continent than Antarctica - the temperature here ranges from -40 to -90 degrees Celsius, all around there is a continuous icy desert with small “oases” of ferns, lichens and moss. The real test of professional aptitude among climbers is the conquest of the highest peak of Antarctica - Vinson Massif.

The year in Antarctica can be roughly divided into winter, when the continent plunges into the polar night, and summer, when the polar day begins. Climbing is only possible in the “summer” months - from November to April, when the temperature rises to -30 degrees Celsius and the chances of turning into an ice sculpture become less.

Despite the warming, temperatures at night can drop to -50 degrees. The already harsh conditions are complicated by squally winds and a lack of oxygen in the air - with every meter it becomes harder to breathe, symptoms of altitude sickness appear - dizziness, weakness, confusion and hallucinations.

Surprisingly, it is true: despite the warning dangers, climbing the Vinson Massif is popular among travelers. Even novice climbers can conquer the highest mountain of the icy continent - according to travel agencies Antarctica, out of 100 climbers, 95 reach the end of the route.

How to get there

People travel from Russia to Antarctica by plane with a transfer to Chile. The flight from Chile to Antarctica lasts about five hours.

No climbing permit is required.

Australia's highest peak

Experienced climbers on Kosciuszko will be bored - there are no breathtaking climbs or dangerous descents, the routes are safe and more reminiscent of trekking than climbing. You can even get to the top by cable car. It is not surprising that even pensioners and families with small children conquer Australia’s highest mountain.

At the foot of the mountain there is a national park where you can walk through the eucalyptus garden, meet their permanent inhabitants - koalas, and improve your health in the thermal pools. And for an additional fee, take an excursion to picturesque glacial lakes and ride around the surrounding area on quad bikes.

All ski resorts in New South Wales are located within the park. During the colder months - in Australia this is June and July, when the temperature on the mountain slopes drops to -2 degrees - winter sports enthusiasts come here.

How to get there

The closest town to Mount Kosciuszko is Thredbo. You can get there by plane from Sydney in one hour. The flight is direct, planes fly three times a day.

You can climb the mountain all year round. No permission required.

Jaya, Indonesia

Highest peak in Oceania

Mount Jaya was first discovered by the Dutch explorer and navigator Jan Carstens. In Europe, the discoverer was laughed at - a mountain with a snow cap in the tropics near the equator! The authenticity of Casterns' discovery was confirmed almost 300 years later. The mountain even bore his name for some time.

From a technical point of view, Jaya is one of the most difficult mountains to climb. The path to the top begins with crossing a dense tropical forest. Due to continuous rains, the ground here has turned into silt-like mud, into which your feet sink up to your ankles; numerous rivers and streams have to be crossed on slippery stones or rotten bridges; the route is complicated by thickets of vines and thick fog.

When a tropical forest, finally left behind, the climbers find themselves at mountain lake at an altitude of 4500 meters. This is the last pass before the vertical climb along a steep stone wall to the very top of Jaya.

Before traveling, it is advisable to make inquiries about the political situation. From time to time, Papuan tribes advocate independence from Indonesia. Staying in the country at this time is extremely dangerous.

How to get there

Jaya is on an island New Guinea. Nearest locality- Timika. You can get there from Russia by plane with a transfer to Bali.

Highest peak in Scandinavia

Galhöpiggen is the most high peak Scandinavia, but the mountain is famous not for its height, but ski resort on the Juvbreen glacier. During the ski season - in Norway this is the period from May to November - at least 30 thousand fans gather at Jvbreen active species sports. The resort offers guests two-kilometer trails with a height difference of 350 meters, which end at mountain lakes.

For thrill-seekers, a more exciting program has been prepared - descent along undeveloped sections of the glacier. Inexperienced skiers should limit themselves to the classic route - glacial crevasses may be hidden under the snow.

The path to the top of the mountain also passes through a glacier. To avoid falling into a crack, instructors advise climbing in groups and in a bunch.

You can take a breath before the descent and drink a cup of hot coffee in a cozy hut-cafe at the very top of the mountain.

Mount Galhopiggen, Norway

How to get there

Galhöpiggen is located in the territory national park Jotunheimen. Immediate big cities– Oslo and Bergen. From Oslo you can drive along the Rv162 and E18 in four hours. From Bergen - along the Rv55 and E16 in five hours.

No climbing permit is required.

Mount Elbrus, Russia

The highest peak in Russia

Without serious physical training and mountaineering skills, it is better to refuse to conquer Elbrus - the route is dangerous and is accompanied by changeable weather and sudden changes in temperature. According to statistics, 15 people die on its slopes every year.

For the thrill and unforgettable impressions You don't have to risk your life. In addition to its height, Elbrus has plenty of other attractions.

A must visit for winter sports lovers resort center on the southern slope of Mount Elbrus-Azau, where you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding and sledding, take a snowmobile ride in the surrounding area and admire the mountains during a helicopter excursion. For large groups there is a paintball court. And in the evening, guests are invited to a hot sauna!

If the prospect of cutting through the snowy expanses does not seem attractive, you can soak up the mineral springs in the Djily-Su tract or visit the Elbrus Defense Museum - the highest mountain museum in the world, where 270 exhibits from the Second World War are presented.

It is impossible to enjoy the beauty and entertainment of Elbrus in one day. Anyone can stay longer on the slopes of the highest peak in Russia - the LeapRus hotel is located at an altitude of 3900 meters. Guests are provided with amenities that seem impossible at such an altitude - heating, hot water and even free wifi!

How to get there

The ascent begins from the Djily-Su camp. You can get there from Pyatigorsk or Kislovodsk along the A157 highway by car or bus in one to two hours.

The cost of the permit is 1000 rubles.

Earth as a sphere

Planet Earth. View of the Western Hemisphere from space

By the 3rd century BC, the theory of a spherical Earth began to acquire quite scientific significance. By measuring the angle of falling shadows in various geographic locations, Eratosthenes (276 BC - 194 BC), a Greek astronomer from Cyrene (in modern-day Libya), was able to calculate the circumference of the Earth with an error of 5-15 percent. . With the rise of the Roman Empire and the adoption of Hellenistic astronomy, the theory of a spherical Earth spread throughout the Mediterranean and Europe.

Modern models of the Earth

Let's clarify the situation a little: The Earth is not a perfect sphere, but it is not flat either. In the first case, I want to apologize to Galileo, in the second - to the flat Earth society. As mentioned above, the Earth has the shape of an oblate spheroid, which, in turn, is a consequence of the peculiarity of its rotation. At the poles it seems to be flattened, and in the equatorial part it is elongated. Many space objects in the solar system have the same shape (take Jupiter or Saturn, for example). Even rapidly rotating stars, such as one of the brightest, Altair, have the same shape.

Data from the 2014 Global Earth Model, where brighter colors indicate points farthest from the Earth's center

Naturally, it is worth taking into account some topographic changes in certain areas, where some objects located near the equator are closer to the center, and others are further from the center of the Earth, compared to other objects in a particular region. The most notable exceptions are the Mariana Trench (the deepest place on Earth, 10,911 meters deep) and Mount Everest, whose altitude is 8,848 meters above sea level. However, these two geological features represent very little difference when considering the overall shape of the Earth. The difference in this case is only 0.17 percent and 0.14 percent, respectively.

Highest point on Earth

In fairness, we note that Everest is indeed one of the highest points on our planet. The height at its peak is 8848 meters above sea level. However, due to its location in the Himalayan range (27 degrees 59 minutes north of the equator), it is actually lower than the mountains located in Ecuador.

Mount Chimborazo

It is here, where the Andes mountain range is located, that the highest point on planet Earth is located. The height of Mount Chimborazo is 6263.47 meters above sea level. However, due to its location (1 degree 28 minutes south of the equator) in the highest protruding part of the planet, its total height from the geocenter is about 21 kilometers.

View of Mount Everest from the top of Kala Patthar

If we consider the issue in terms of distance to the geocenter, Everest is located at a distance of 6382 kilometers from the center of the Earth, while Chimborazo is located 6384 kilometers. The rounded difference is only about 3.2 kilometers, which at first glance may seem quite insignificant. However, when it comes to the titles of “the very best”, you need to be precise.

Of course, even after such explanations, there will be people who will confidently say that Mount Everest is still the highest point on the planet, if we consider its height from the foot (base) to the peak. Unfortunately, they are wrong here too. Because in this case, the title of tallest mountain goes to Mauna Kea, a shield volcano located on the island of Hawaii. The height of the mountain from the base to the very top at Mauna Kea is 10,206 meters. This is the highest mountain on our planet. However, most of the mountain goes several thousand meters deep into the ocean, and therefore we can only see its peak at 4207 meters.

However, those who consider Everest the highest mountain according to its height above sea level will be right. If we consider its height as height above sea level, then Everest is truly the tallest mountain in the world.

What do nature lovers, travelers and adventurers have in common? They all know how to appreciate the natural beauty of the world, and for good reason. You don’t need to be an ardent naturalist to appreciate all the natural riches of our planet. In the end, this is the only way we can thank her for the interesting and mysterious world. We offer you a list of the ten most outstanding geographical objects of our planet.

As you might have guessed, now we will talk about Everest - the highest point globe. The height of Everest is 8844 meters above sea level. This peak is on every decent adventurer's bucket list. First discovered in the 1850s, the mountain was named after Surveyor General George Everest, who, ironically, never saw the peak. Despite all the romanticism of the idea of conquering this peak, climbing Everest is a rather dangerous activity, which has already claimed the lives of several people.

9. The most low point globe

The lowest point on the globe is the Dead Sea, which is 434 meters below sea level. Moreover, over the past 40 years it has dropped even lower (almost 25 meters). One of the most interesting phenomena of the Dead Sea is the bloom of red algae, due to which it suddenly changes its color. This happened in 1980 and 1992.

8. The most northern point planets

No, this is not the North Pole. From the point of view of the entire globe, this would be the North Pole, but not from the point of view of land - this is the island of Kaffeklubben (Greenland), located in the North Arctic Ocean. This island is located 443.3 kilometers from the North Pole and was first discovered by Robert Peary (an explorer of the American part of the Arctic) in 1900. The name was coined by the Danish researcher Lauge Koch in 1921. No matter how strange it may sound, but Kaffeklubben translated from Danish means “Coffee Club”; today, few people can explain what exactly Lauge was guided by when coming up with such a name.

7. The most southern point planets

This time it really is the South Pole, located in Antarctica. This place rises only 100 meters above sea level, although the ice cover here reaches a thickness of 2700 meters. Interesting fact: on South Pole you can witness the sunrise and sunset only once a year, in September and March respectively.

6. The most remote island on the planet

Bouvet Island is one of the loneliest islands in the world. It is located in the South Atlantic Ocean and is a territory of Norway. This is completely volcanic island, and its central part is completely covered with an ice crust. In fact it's huge dormant volcano. was first discovered by Jean-Baptiste Charles Bouvet de Lozier on January 1, 1739, and a little later was named after its discoverer. The island is uninhabited, its area is 59 square kilometers, and its height above sea level is 935 meters.

5. The most large island

The largest island in the world is Greenland. Its surface area is 2,166,086 square kilometers. Initially, the island was under the control of Denmark, but from 1979 to the present day it is a separate state with its own government and parliament. Due to unfavorable living conditions, Greenland's population is only 57,000. Most of The island is covered with ice, which in some places reaches a thickness of 4 kilometers. And although the fish resources here are already quite depleted, help local residents the melting of glaciers came, exposing readily available mineral resources and providing them with a new source of livelihood.

4. The deepest river

The deepest river in the world is the Congo, located in west-central Africa and flowing into Atlantic Ocean. Its depth in some places reaches 220 meters. It is the second longest river in the world, following the Amazon. Previously it was known as Zaire. The total length of the river is 4,700 kilometers, which makes it 9th in the world among the most long rivers planets.

3. The youngest island

Niijima Island is a small volcanic island located in the Philippine Sea. It was created by a volcanic eruption in late November 2013, 163 miles south of Tokyo. This once again proves that the surface of the Earth is constantly changing, but despite the fact that everyone expected Niijima to disappear soon, he, contrary to public opinion, remained in his place.

2. Longest cave network

The Mammoth-Flint Ridge cave system is located in the US state of Kentucky. It is the longest cave network in the world, covering an area of approximately 52,830 hectares, which is twice the size of the second largest underwater network.

There are many highest peaks on planet Earth. People conquer them, sing them, and study with interest where the highest mountains are. One of these places is called Everest - this is the highest mountain in the world, known not only for its height, but also for numerous ascents in attempts to conquer it, hundreds of lives lost and interesting story research. In addition to it, there are 13 more mountains that have exceeded the mark of 8000 meters.

The highest mountains

The list of the largest mountains on planet Earth includes 117 names. It includes most of the highest peaks, which number more than 7200 meters. Most of them are located in Asia, in the Himalayas - a chain stretching from India to Bhutan. The ranking opens with the highest peak on earth - Everest. The highest mountains on earth also belong to the Himalayan eight-thousanders: Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, Karakorum, Lhotse, Makalu, Manaslu, Nanga Parbat, Chogori. Let's pay attention to those mountains that are located on other continents of the world:

In first place is Everest (Chomolungma), 8848 meters. It is located in the central Himalayas.
The American mountain Aconcagua from Argentina takes second place and reaches 6961 m.
In Alaska there is Mount McKinley, 6168 m.
The famous Kilimanjaro from Africa takes fourth place thanks to its 5891.8 meters.
Elbrus, popular among climbers, is located on Greater Caucasus. Height - 5642 m. Its first conquest in Caucasus mountains dates from 1829.
Vinson, whose height is 4897 meters. This is the highest peak in Antarctica.
Mont Blanc is the largest peak in Europe. Reaches 4810 m.
Kosciuszko is a mountain that Australia can boast of. Height - 2228 meters.
Pyramid of Carstens (4884 m). Refers to the highest peaks Australia and Oceania.

The highest peak in the world

Any height on land is usually measured from sea level, which determines which mountains are the highest. Since its position is constantly changing, a constant average annual indicator is taken as a basis. It does not depend on water fluctuations, ebbs, flows and evaporation, therefore it is an accurate mark. The elevation above this level is calculated vertically from the mountain, the position of which is determined to the average surface level. Thus, it was revealed that the largest points on the earth reach almost 9 thousand meters.

What is the name of

The highest mountain in the world is part of the Himalaya mountain belt, located on the Mahalangur Himal mountain range and is known by the names: Chomolungma, Everest, Sagarmatha, Chomo Kankar. The first name was given to the mountain by the inhabitants of Tibet. It means Goddess of Peace or Divine Mother. The second name, Everest, appeared in 1856. The mountain is named after Sir George Everest, who was the first to conquer it. The European name was preceded by the local name Chomo-Kankar or Queen of Snow White. Sagarmatha is a Nepali word that means Mother of the Gods.

Where is

The Himalayas have gathered in their chain the highest mountains in the world. This is Everest, which is located on the border of Nepal with the border of China. There is a smaller peak in Nepal, and the highest one in China. Everest is the crown of the main ridge of the entire chain. Around the base of the mountain is the national park of the country Nepal - Sagarmatha. In the same region there is a base camp from where you can begin your ascent. The closest settlement where the base for climbers is located is also located on Nepalese territory. This is the village of Lukla.

What height

There are two highest points on Chomolungma: the southern one, whose peak reaches 8760 meters from sea level, and the northern one, which is the main one, reaching 8848 meters. From the southern slopes and from east side the mountain consists of sheer cliffs that are not even covered with snow. The northern slopes reach 8393 meters. Because of these three sides, Everest has the shape of a triangle. From the ground to its highest point, the mountain stretches upward for three and a half kilometers.

Climbing history

Although the mountain is distinguished by its harsh natural conditions, the temperature exceeds -60 degrees and the strongest wind constantly blows, climbers regularly try to conquer Chomolungma - one of the most difficult peaks. The history of ascents began in 1921, but the mountain did not give up immediately. The first to reach the top was an Englishman, in whose honor the mountain bears one of its names. This dates back to 1953. Since then, four thousand more people have climbed. Every year 400 people storm Chomolungma. Of the total number of climbers, 11% have died and continue to die.

The highest peak in the world

Long before Everest became the answer to the question of what the most big mountain in the world, it was the extinct volcano Chimborazo from mountain ranges Ecuadorian Andes. The top of the volcano is located at the farthest distance from the center of the Earth. According to the navigation satellite system, with which measurements were made in 2016, the volcano reaches a height of 6384 meters from the center of the Earth. Based on this indicator, Everest loses three meters to it and takes second place. The length of the Himalayan peak is 6381 meters.