What is the name of the highest mountain in the world. Seven highest peaks of the six continents of the earth. The highest peak of South America - Mount Aconcagua

Eight-thousanders is a group of 14 mountains, the peaks of which are located at an altitude of more than 8000 meters above sea level, in the "death zone". These mountains are independent of each other and are located in the mountain systems of Karakorum and the Himalayas. The "death zone" in the mountains is an altitude of more than 8000 meters, which does not have enough oxygen for breathing. A low oxygen concentration can cause a person to have a high-altitude disease, in which there is an edema of the brain or lungs, and even a fatal outcome is possible. Most climbers prefer to avoid this condition and take an oxygen tank with them, but only a few brave climbers managed to reach the heights of the "death zone" without the help of additional oxygen.

The value of the mountains of eight-thousanders

Eight-thousanders have a great influence on the weather and climate in the Indian subcontinent. The high altitude and extent of the mountains acts as a protective barrier from other peoples. The mountains also allow summer monsoons to bring rain and snow to a region that depends on agriculture. On the slopes of the mountains special terraces can be located, they allow you to grow crops. Glaciers and snow on the mountains melt and fill the watersheds, as well as the rivers of the region. The Himalayas contain huge reserves in which animals and plants live. The climbing season also attracts thousands of climbers every year.

The list of eight-thousanders

The 14 highest mountains in the world included in this list are mountains with a height of more than 8000 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 sleeping volcano, can be considered the highest volcano and mountain in the world (if we take into account its height from the foot at the bottom of the ocean to the peak, then the height will be 10 203 m), but it is not included in this list.

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 Peak I is located in the Annapurna massif, in the central part of 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 Erzog and Louis Lachenal reached the summit of Annapurna, making it the first eight-thousander, which people successfully climbed on the first try. Annapurna I has the highest mortality rate - about 32% of deaths.

The entire mountain range and the surrounding area belongs to the Annapurna National Park with an area of \u200b\u200b7,629 km², which is considered the first and largest conservation area of \u200b\u200bNepal. It is the most geographically and culturally diverse protected area in the world. There is a steep terrace, lush forest, barren plateaus, mountain deserts. On 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 found. The Annapurna region is the most popular trekking area in Nepal.

Nangaparbat (8,126 m), Pakistan

Nangaparbat 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 Bühl.

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. Only after 31 people died trying to conquer the summit, a successful ascent took place in 1953, this peak was called the “Mountain Killer”. Nangaparbat is the third most dangerous eight-thousandth peak with a mortality rate of 22.3%. By 2012, at least 68 climbers died on this mountain.

Most of the area around the mountain is now a protected national park, so wildlife has a chance to thrive. In the valleys under the mountain there are wide meadows covered with lush grasses and wildflowers. Around them are alpine forests, giving the area a distinctively Swiss look. Coniferous forests predominate on the hills, although birch and willow dwarf shrubs thrive in shaded areas.

This area is a temporary area for many migratory birds. About 230 species of birds are found annually in the mountainous region, although the exact number is difficult to calculate due to migrations. At lower altitudes, endangered mammals such as the snow leopard, Himalayan bear, musk deer, Himalayan lynx, mountain ram Marco Polo and others live. They cover a variety of habitats, but the human presence is disturbing.

Manaslu I (8,163 m), Nepal

Manaslu is the eighth largest mountain in the world and reaches an altitude of 8,163 m above sea level. It is considered part of the Mansiri-Himalay massif in the Himalayas. Manaslu was first conquered by the Japanese Toshio Imanisi and Sherpa Gyalzen Norbu 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 valley is the sanctuary of many endangered animals, including snow leopards and small pandas. Here 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 are registered in this area. Wildlife conservation in the area was achieved by 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 Luhsinger 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. Sometimes it is considered part of the Everest mountain range.

Since Lhotse, like Mount Cho-Oyu (see above), are located in 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 the mountains Everest and K2 are actually higher, and Kanchenjunga became the third highest eight-thousander in the world. In May 1955, two British climbers Joe Brown and George Band, the first to successfully climb the mountain.

Mount Kanchenjunga and its surrounding landscapes with their various reliefs and climatic conditions serve as excellent habitats for a wide variety of plant and animal species. The savannahs and meadows of the Terai Duara constitute the basis of the mountain landscape, and they are rich in local flora and fauna. Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, horned rhinos, and Asian elephants are just some of the famous mammalian species in this ecoregion.

With increasing altitude, changes in temperature and precipitation, the picture of vegetation also changes. This is an ecosystem consisting of evergreen and deciduous trees, and the rich diversity of such fauna as red pandas, Assamese macaques, Far Eastern leopards, Himalayan bears, Himalayan containers, musk deer, etc. Above the forest belt are East 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 directly to the icy and snowy top 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 a height of 8 611 km. K2 is part of the Karakorum mountain system, located on the Sino-Pakistani border. The mountain is partly located in the Tashkurgan-Tajik Autonomous County of China and partly in Baltistan, an area in northern Pakistan.

The first successful climb to the top of K2 was made on July 31, 1954 by two Italian climbers Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni. Since then, many attempts have been made to climb K2 with many failures and several successes. According to statistics, out of every four people who climb a mountain, one dies. Severe weather and harsh terrain of the mountain are responsible for a large number of deaths associated with climbing. K2 is currently one of the most difficult peaks in the world to climb. Nevertheless, the amazing 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 - China and Pakistan.

The lower valleys of the Karakorum ridge receive a small amount of precipitation and, thus, support vegetation adapted to the arid climate of the region. Residents of nearby settlements use water from glaciers to irrigate fields. Livestock is also an important industry for these people.

The natural vegetation of the lowland region consists of shrubs and forests. Deciduous trees and shrubs such as willow, poplar and oleander grow at altitudes up to 3000 m, followed by coniferous vegetation. There is constant ice on the snowy peak of K2 and snow cover prevents the growth of flora. The fauna of the mountain ecosystems of the Karakorum ridge includes herbivores as well as endangered predators such as snow leopards, lynxes and brown bears. The bird fauna of the region includes golden eagles and snow vultures.

Everest (8,848 m), Nepal / China

Mount Everest is considered the highest mountain in the whole world; its peak is located at an altitude of 8,848 meters. This is part of the Mahalangur-Himal mountain range, which is shared by Nepal and Tibet (autonomous region of China).

Previously, various arguments existed as to whether the height of the mountain should be determined by its mountain peak or snow cap. Measurements taken by India in 1955, the first recorded a height of 8,848 meters, and Chinese measurements confirmed this height after 20 years. The mountain was named after the chief surveyor of India, Sir George Everest, although he himself opposed the name.

Everest attracts many climbers. The first successful ascent was carried out by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Another team of Chinese climbers first reached the summit on the route from Tibet in May 1960. A March 2012 report showed that by then 5,656 climbers had climbed the mountain and 223 deaths occurred.

Everest has very little flora and fauna. At an altitude of 6,480 meters you can see the moss. A small spider-horse, found at an altitude of 6700 meters, is considered the only non-microscopic animal living at such a considerable height. It has been reported that some birds also fly at high altitudes. Yaks are used by climbers to carry cargo to the mountain. Other animals found on Mount Everest include the snow leopard, Himalayan tara, Lesser Panda, Himalayan bear, pika and ants.

With the achievement of the peak of the Jomolungma by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953, every climber in his soul dreams of repeating this feat. The name "highest mountain in the world" was not given to Everest with a simple - the height of the mountain is 8.85 thousand meters. A lot of tourists and climbers from all over the world fly there every year.

When people talk about something extremely high, they assume a distance above sea level. However, judging only by this parameter, the exact height of the mountain will be 8 kilometers 849 meters. Height competition on the planet currently does not exist. The mountain extends into the atmosphere much higher than other mountain peaks.

Interesting fact: at the moment there are 18 routes on which you can climb the mountain, fulfilling your dream.

The highest mountain in the world from the center of the earth

In this case, the highest point, in proximity to the center of the planet, is considered the peak of Chimboraso. It rises above sea level is 6 kilometers 384 meters. Chimborazo is a layered volcano located in Ecuador. The volcano is part of the Andes mountain range.

The earth is not a smooth ball; it rises on the sides of the equator and is slightly flattened at the poles. Thus, the mountains near the Equator are located farther from the center of the planet than those that are at the poles. Chimborazo is closer to the Equator than Everest. And this means that it is closer to space than even the highest point of the Chomolungma (another name for Everest).

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The highest mountain in the world from base to top

Jomolungma is the highest mountain peak above sea level, but the highest mountain from the base to the top is considered to be the Hawaiian mountain Mauna Kea, local people call it White Mountain. The distance above sea level is 4 kilometers 205 meters, however, the mountain goes down almost another 6 kilometers, since most of Mauna Kea is submerged to the sea depth.

The height of the mountain is more than 10 kilometers, which is 1345 m more than the value of Everest. In fact, this is not quite a mountain - Mauna Kea is an extinct volcano that arose about a million years ago. It was then that the tectonic plate, on which the island is located, moved over the plume of a red-hot mantle inside the planet. The last eruption of the volcano occurred approximately 2.6 thousand years BC.

White Mountain Peak is a real find for astronomical observations. Humidity is low, the sky is mostly clear, and the nearest light sources are at a decent distance, not illuminating the night sky. Thus, at the peak, an excellent view of any celestial bodies opens. At the top of the mountain, approximately 13 telescopes are currently installed.

It is also worth noting that officially Everest remains the highest mountain only above sea level. Using this parameter, the rest of the mountains cannot even claim to be the insurmountable peaks of the Andes, belonging to the top of Mount Aconcagua, which rises 6 kilometers 961 meters above the sea. However, even she is not a rival to Everest.

Where is Everest located?

Everest is located in the Himalayan mountains on the ridge Mahalangur-Himal. There also passes the Nepalese-Chinese border.

Interesting fact: An annual increase in the mountain by several millimeters is noted.

What does Everest look like?

Everest looks like a trihedral pyramid with a more sloping southern slope. Precisely because of this, in the southern part of the mountain and on its ribs, coarse-grained and fine-grained snows are simply not kept, therefore a stone stands under them. The northeastern shoulder of the mountain reaches 8393 meters in height, the distance from the top to the mountain foot is approximately 3550 meters. Mountain peaks, as a rule, consist of sedimentary mountain deposits.

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The southern part of the mountain passes into the South Saddle Pass, located at an altitude of 7906 meters, and from Lhotse - 8516 meters. Some call it the southern peak of the mountain.

Interesting fact: The youngest climber to climb up was 13 years old and the oldest climber was 80.

In the north of the mountain is the North Saddle, the size of 7020 meters, connecting the mountain with a separate peak Changse, a height of 7553 meters. Towards the east, the Kangshung wall, 3350 meters, abruptly ends. Glaciers constantly flow from the entire mountain range, which end quite high - at an altitude of 5 kilometers. Part of the mountain belongs to Nepal National Park, the rest belongs to China.

Interesting fact: to climb to the top of the mountain you will have to spend from 40 days to two months.

The summit of Everest aggressively hosts climbers. Constant winds rage there, the rarefied atmosphere does not allow breathing normally. The speed of some air flows develops up to 80 m / s, and may be greater. Often the strongest winds and storms blow here. The air around is very cold - the temperature drops to -60, which feels like -100 degrees Celsius. In summer, the mountain is slightly warmer than usual - the temperature rises to -19. At the top there are never positive temperatures. Without special equipment and acclimatization to survive on the mountain is not possible.

Flora and fauna of Everest

The climate is too aggressive for a mass of animals and plants to appear on the mountain. From the plant world there you can find small shrubs, mosses, lichens and some conifers. Animals on Everest are also not very common: jumping spiders, grasshoppers, flies and some birds.

Every year on the planet less and less spoiled by humanity places, the mountain region is also ranked among them. During the rise, tourists are surrounded by picturesque landscapes. From the side of Nepal, the mountain is fenced by two more mountain ranges, so for good visibility you have to walk several thousand meters.

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Why is Everest so called?

The map of Tibet was first issued in 1719, it was compiled according to the results of Chinese intelligence. Intelligence was carried out by llamas on the orders of the ruler of China. The European copy of the map reflected only the approximate location of the mountain, its name was not the same as on the Chinese original map.

From the point of view of India, the mountain was called Discovery, but the latter name was not defined until 1856. The mountain is named after George Everest, the previous head of the expeditions of the geodetic service of India, colonized by Britain. Until about the 20th century, a lot of names of the mountains could be heard from India, but geography as a science did not take them seriously due to inaccuracies in location. The first representative of the Indian Observation, who was able to visit the area near Everest, was Natha Singh. It was he who first heard the name of Everest, as "Chholungbif."

At the beginning of the winter of 1920, thanks to an employee of the British mission Charles Bell, who at that time was trying to settle the issue related to the ascent of the first English explorers to the mountain, parchment was awarded. This parchment was handed by the Dalai Lama along with permission to rise. In Tibetan parchment, words were written that a monastery is located on the mountain. Part of the sentence was: "Cha-Mo Lung." This passage of phrase interested researchers. A little later, in Lhasa, the researcher was told that this is not a set of words, but the abbreviated name of Everest “Cha-Dzi-Ma-Lung-Ma”, next to it was the prefix “Lho”, which translates as the south side.

In a special document that allowed the British expedition to climb the peaks issued by official representatives of the Tibetan authorities, the mountain was called as "Chha-Mo-Lung Ma". Later, this name was found in all documents with permission to climb issued by the Tibetan government until 1936.

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The new name of the mountain became official after many years - in the 1960s. it was then that it became a documented geographical name of the area. Many translations of the name Chomolungma from Tibetan indicate that the mountain was called the Divine Mother of the Earth or the Wind. The locals call Everest among themselves “a mountain over whose peaks birds cannot fly.” Judging from the Nepalese side, the mountain was called “Sagannatha”, a similar name dates back to the 1960s, when the territories of Nepal and China were divided along the top of the mountain.

The meaning of “Chha-Mo-Lung Ma” is translated as “Divine Mother of the energy of life”. Everest is so named after the deity of one of the schools of Tibetan Buddhism, Sharab Chzhamma. The name of the goddess can be translated as the wisest and most loving mother. Thus, for certain schools of Buddhism, the mountain represents maternal energy. Also, the mountain is sometimes called "Chomogangkar", which also means "Holy Mother". Because of the snow on the peaks, the phrase “white as snow” is added.

Chomolungma is the highest mountain. This fact makes tourists from all over the planet fly to this place. Climbing occurs regularly, but not every climber can survive climbing.

You will have to climb to the top within two months. This is subject to acclimatization, as well as the regular establishment of tourist camps. When climbing, climbers lose about 15 kilograms. Countries around the mountains charge a fee not only for climbing the peak, but also for related services such as an interpreter, transport and signalman. Each expedition climbs according to order, the cheapest ascent is from Tibet. The most standard climb to the mountain starts from the north.

Basically, the rise is carried out in the spring and autumn. Then there are no monsoons, so climbing is a little easier. The most suitable season for conquering the Chomolungma is spring. In the spring, it is much easier to climb the opposite slopes of the mountain. In the fall it is much easier to climb the south side.

There are 14 mountain peaks in the world with a height of more than 8,000 meters. Climbing mountains like these is not for cowards. Currently, only 30 experienced climbers managed to climb all 14 peaks. Why do people dream of conquering these mountains, if such an ascent can turn into a fatal outcome? Probably in order to prove something to himself ... No one can argue with the fact that these giants cannot but bewitch. And today we have prepared for you a selection of the most incredible mountains in the world in height.

Located in Nepal

Height: 8848 meters

It has 2 peaks: south (8760 meters) and north (8848 meters).

The mountain is very beautiful, has the shape of a trihedral pyramid.

Everest is the highest mountain peak in the world, part of the Mahalangur-Himal mountain range.

During attempts to climb Everest, more than 250 people died. Most of the deaths were due to falls from a height, avalanches, ice collapses, as well as various health problems due to being in a highland environment. Today, climbing the main route no longer presents such problems as in the last century. However, at a high altitude, climbers expect a lack of oxygen, a gale of wind and a low temperature (below 60 degrees). In order to conquer Everest, you need to be not only brave, hardy, but also a wealthy person. At least $ 8,000 must be spent on this business.

Located in the Himalayas, on the border of China and Pakistan

Height: 8614 meters

The second highest mountain in the world. Chogori is considered one of the most difficult peaks for climbing, it was first conquered in 1954. The mortality rate is 25%.

Located in the Himalayas, on the border between China and Nepal, 3 km from Everest

Height: 8516 meters

They managed to conquer this mountain in 1956.

Lhotse has 3 peaks, each of them reaches a height of over 8 kilometers.

Located in the Himalayas, on the border of Nepal and China, 12 kilometers from Everest

Height: 8485 meters

The second name is the Black Giant.

This mountain is very difficult to climb, its slopes are too steep. Only a third of expeditions usually succeeded. Several dozen people died.

Located on the border of Nepal and China

Height: 8201 meters

It is considered not the most difficult to climb, but, nevertheless, 39 climbers died.

Located in the Nepalese part of the Himalayas

Height: 8167 meters

From the local language, “dhaulagiri” is translated as “white mountain”.

Almost its entire area is covered with glaciers and snow. It is considered one of the most difficult peaks for climbing.

They were able to conquer it for the first time in 1960. More than 60 climbers died on it.

Located in Nepal, part of the Mansiri-Himal mountain range

Height: 8156 meters

The Japanese expedition conquered her for the first time in 1956.

Located in Pakistan

Height: 8125 meters

Second name: Nanga Parbata - Diamir (translated - “Mountain of the Gods”).

It was first conquered in 1953.

In terms of mortality among climbers, it ranks third after Everest and K-2. This mountain is also called the "killer."

Located in Nepal

Height: 8091 meters

The first Himalayan eight-thousander, which was conquered in 1950.

The mountain has 9 peaks, one of which is Machapuchare. Nobody has managed to get on it yet.

Locals consider this peak the abode of God Shiva. Therefore, climbing it is prohibited.

The highest of the 9 peaks is called Annapurna. About 40% of climbers who tried to climb it, and remain to lie on its slopes.

Height: 8080 meters

First ascent: 1958

The highest peak of the Gasherbrum mountain range, the second highest in Karakoram and the eleventh highest among the world eight-thousanders.

On July 5, 1958, Peter Schening and Andrew Kaufman, members of the American expedition, made their first ascent to the summit along the southeast ridge.

Located in Kashmir, in the Pakistan-controlled Northern Territories on the border with China, Baltoro Muztag, Karakorum, 8 km from Mount Chogori

Height: 8051 meters

The summit belongs to the Baltoro Muztag mountain range and the Gasherbrum mountain. It includes 2 peaks whose height exceeds 8 km.

In 1957, the Austrian expedition made its first ascent.

Located in Pakistan-controlled Northern Territories on the border with China, Baltoro Muztag, Karakoram

Height: 8035 meters

A gracefully defined peak with steep cliffs and eternal snow belongs to the Baltoro Muztag mountain range. Included in the multi-peaked mountain massif Gasherbrum. The first ascent was made by the Australians in 1956.

Located in China, Langtang, Himalayas

Height: 8027 meters

Included in the Langtang mountain range. It consists of three peaks, two of which are more than 8 km. The first ascent took place in 1964. Over 50 years, 21 people were killed while trying to climb, although among the eight-thousanders it is considered the easiest.

There are many highest peaks on planet Earth. People conquer them, chant, and study with interest where the highest mountains are. One of these places is called Everest - it 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 claimed lives and an interesting history of research. In addition to it, there are 13 more mountains that have exceeded the mark of 8,000 meters.

Highest mountains

The list of the largest mountains of planet Earth includes 117 names. It hit 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. Rating opens the highest peak of the earth - Everest. The highest mountains on earth also belong to the Himalayan eight-thousanders: Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, Karakorum, Lhotse, Makalu, Manaslu, Nangaparbat, Chogori. Let's pay attention to those mountains that are located on other continents of the world:

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

Highest peak of the world

Any heights on land are usually counted from sea level, which determines which mountains are the highest. Since his position is constantly changing, a constant average annual indicator is taken as the basis. It does not depend on fluctuations in water, tides, ebbs and flows, therefore it is an accurate mark. The mark above this level is considered to be vertical from the mountain, the position of which is determined to the average surface level. So it was revealed that the largest points of the earth reach almost 9 thousand meters.

What is the name of

The highest mountain in the world is part of the Himalayan 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 grief by the inhabitants of Tibet. It means the Goddess of the world or the Divine mother. The second name - Everest appeared since 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 gathered in their chain the highest mountains of the world. This is Everest, which is located on the border of Nepal with the border of China. In Nepal, there is a smaller peak, in China - the highest. 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 start climbing. The nearest village, 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, the peak of which reaches 8760 meters from sea level, and the northern one, which is the main one, reaching 8848 meters. On the southern slopes and on the eastern side, the mountain is a sheer cliff that is not even covered with snow. The northern slopes reach 8393 meters. Because of these three sides, Everest has a triangle shape. From the earth to its highest point, the mountain stretched up for three and a half kilometers.

Climbing history

Although the mountain is characterized by harsh environmental 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 surrendered far from immediately. The first to reach the summit was the Englishman, in whose honor the mountain bears one of its names. It dates back to 1953. Since then, another four thousand people have ascended. Every year, 400 people are stormed by Jomolungma. Of the total number of climbers died and continues to die 11%.

Highest peak of the world

Long before Everest answered the question of what is the largest mountain in the world, it was an extinct volcano Chimboraso from the mountains of the 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. If you build on this indicator, then Everest loses to him three meters and takes second place. The length of the Himalayan peaks is 6381 meters.

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

The peculiarity of our planet is that instead of an ideal sphere, the Earth is a flattened spheroid. Therefore, those places that are near the equator, as a rule, from the center of the planet are much farther than those that are at its poles. Given this fact, 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 as early as the 6th century BC. The ancient Greeks first learned about this. And although this theory is attributed to Pythagoras, it is likely that equally it could appear by itself as a result of travels 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.

Planet Earth. Space view of the western hemisphere

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

Knowledge of this has been preserved thanks to their transfer from generation to generation by monks, as well as thanks to the scholasticism of the Middle Ages. By the era of the Renaissance and the revolution in science (mid-16th - end of the 18th century) geological and heliocentric views were established in science. With the advent of modern astronomy, more accurate measurement methods and the ability to look at the Earth from space, mankind was still able to see the true shape and size of our planet.

Modern Earth Models

To clarify the situation a bit: the Earth is not an ideal sphere, but it is not flat either. In the first case, I would like to ask for forgiveness from Galileo, in the second - from the society of a flat Earth. As mentioned above, the Earth has the shape of a flattened spheroid, which, in turn, is a consequence of the peculiarity of rotation. At the poles, it is as if flattened, and in the equatorial part it is elongated. Many cosmic objects of the solar system have the same shape (take at least Saturn). Even fast-rotating stars, for example, one of the brightest, Altair, have the same shape.

Data from the 2014 global Earth model, where the most distant points from the center of the Earth are indicated in brighter colors

Based on some recent measurements, it was 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 located 22 kilometers further from the center of the Earth (geocenter) than objects located at the poles.

Naturally, it is worth considering some topographic changes in various areas, where some objects located near the equator are closer to the center, while others are farther from the center of the Earth, compared to other objects of a particular region. The most notable exceptions are the Mariana Trench (the deepest place on Earth, a depth of 10,911 meters) and Mount Everest, whose height above sea level is 8848 meters. However, these two geological features represent a very slight difference, if we take into account the general 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 chain of the Himalayan ridge (27 degrees 59 minutes north of the equator), it is actually lower than the mountains located in Ecuador.

Mount Chimboraso

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 bulging part of the planet, its total height from the geocenter is about 21 kilometers.

View of Mount Everest from the top of Kala Pathar

If we consider the issue in terms of the distance to the geocenter, Everest is located at a distance of 6382 kilometers from the center of the Earth, while Chimboraso is located at 6384 kilometers. The difference with rounding is only about 3.2 kilometers, which at first glance may seem very insignificant. However, when it comes to the titles of “most-most”, 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 of the planet, if we consider its height from the foot (base) to the peak. Unfortunately, they are also mistaken here. Because in this case, the title of the highest mountain goes to Mount 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. It is the highest mountain on our planet. However, most of the mountain goes several thousand meters inland, and therefore we can only see its peak with a height of 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 the height above sea level, then Everest really is the highest mountain in the world.