The height of the largest mountain in the world. The highest mountain in the world: where is the peak

Mountains are great and mighty, they surround people all over the world. Some of them reach unprecedented heights, and some remain small ledges on the ground. The largest mountains have always attracted people, but conquering them is not so easy. There are 14 mountains in the world that exceed 8000 m in height. About 150 years ago, such a height was considered fatal for humans. Now everyone knows that people were able to conquer even the highest and most impregnable peaks, but there were many victims along the way. In this article, we will point out where the largest mountains are located, as well as some interesting facts about them.

Everest is the highest and largest mountain in the world. It is located in the Himalayas on the Mahalangur-Himal ridge. The northern peak of Everest is the highest point on the planet, it is located in China. Its height reaches 8848 m above sea level. The southern peak is slightly inferior and reaches a height of 8760 m above sea level, located on the border of the Republic of Nepal and Tibet.

Mount Everest has several names. In Tibetan, her name is "Chomolungma", which means "Goddess Mother of the World", and in the ancient Indian language, the mountain is called "Sagarmatha" - the ocean of the mother. The mountain was officially named Everest in honor of Sir George Everest, head of the Indian Geodetic Survey.

Everest has the shape of a trihedral pyramid, its southern slope is quite steep, and snow does not linger on it. The glaciers covering the mountain begin at an altitude of 5000 km. The Arun River flows near Everest, its length is more than 6 km.

In 1852, the topographer and mathematician Radhanat Sikdar, having made trigonometric calculations, came to the conclusion that Everest is the largest mountain in the world.

Everest attracts many climbers with its impregnability, but not everyone dares to conquer it. To climb the mountain, you need to have not only a great desire, but also excellent health and endurance, and at least $ 8,000. Climbing the mountain is dangerous, and about 260 people have died trying to do it. The reason for everything is the harsh climate and difficult conditions. throughout the ascent, the air becomes increasingly rarefied and less oxygenated. The air temperature is not higher than -50-60°С, and the wind speed can reach 55 m/s. In such conditions, a person feels the temperature as -100-120°C. Solar radiation also poses a danger to climbers. We must not forget about the standard risks when climbing the peaks, this is an avalanche, steep slopes and cliffs from them, relief crevices hidden under the snow.

The first to conquer Everest were the famous Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary. In 1953, climbers developed a route through the South Col and were able to reach the highest point on the planet. Today, almost everyone can climb Everest (of course, if health permits and there is an opportunity to purchase expensive equipment). Tourist routes are laid on the largest mountain, and climbing guides help the dream of many lovers of mountain peaks come true. Throughout the history of the ascent, several records have been recorded, for example, the smallest member of the expedition is a girl from India, Purna Malawath. At the time of the ascent, she was only 13 years and 11 months old, and the oldest member of the Everest expedition is Yuichiro Miura, who passed this difficult path at the age of 80.

Everest is considered the largest mountain above sea level, but if you take into account the part of the Mauna Kea volcano submerged in water, then it significantly exceeds the size of Everest. This mountain peak is located on the island of Hawaii and is currently considered a dormant volcano. Scientists suggest that the last eruption took place at least 4,500 years ago. The Mauna Kea volcano rises 4200 meters above sea level, and its total height is 10203 meters. The volcano, having a large mass, gradually slides and smoothes under its own weight, this happens at a rate of 0.02 mm per year. Based on these dimensions, we can say that Mauna Kea is the largest mountain in the world.

More than half of Mauna Kea is under the Pacific Ocean

In addition to Mauna Kea, the Hawaiian Islands have a number of extinct volcanoes, but they are all much smaller. For local residents, they are sacred, and only leaders have the right to climb to the top of the famous Mauna Kea. Ordinary residents of these lands are strictly prohibited from visiting these places.

Hawaiians settled on the slopes of the volcano in ancient times, and the surrounding vast forests allowed them to survive. Here they found food, and starting from the 18th century, after the first arrival of Europeans to the islands, the locals had large and small cattle. The diet has improved markedly, but the breeding of these animals has negatively affected the ecological situation as a whole.

At an altitude of 3975 meters above sea level, you can visit Waiau Lake

Mauna Kea can surprise not only with its size, but also with a variety of ecological zones. Alpine forests grow at its very top, thickets of golden-leaved sophora and sandalwood are located a little lower. And complete the local flora with forests of Acacia koa and Metrosideros polymorpha. Unfortunately, the latter were practically destroyed by man due to the development of the sugar industry, but the authorities of the Hawaiian Islands decided to revive the former vegetation. To this end, plant and animal species introduced into the protected area are eradicated whenever possible.

The highest point of the Hawaiian Islands turned out to be the best place for astronomical observations. Since 1964, by agreement with the local authorities, 13 telescopes have been installed at the very top.

Eleven countries conduct observations and study space objects

On the border of Kashmir, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, Mount Chogori or K2 is located on the Baltoro Range. It is the second highest peak, but much more dangerous than Everest.

Climbing Chogori is possible only in the summer months, in winter it is fraught with death or serious injury. Of the numerous winter expeditions, not one was successful.

The height of Chogori is 8611 meters, its slopes are steep and dangerous. In the whole world, there are not even 300 climbers who have managed to conquer this peak. Mortality while climbing K2 is 25%. During numerous attempts to climb the dangerous mountain, 66 people died.

Avalanches and falling stones and seracs await those who decide to try their luck and climb this height along the way, cracks on the approaches and simultaneous gatherings of huge masses of snow are also dangerous. And all this in addition to rarefied air and low temperatures.

Chogori has the unofficial name "Mountain of Death"

In 1902, there was the first attempt to conquer Chogori, but it, like all subsequent ones, was unsuccessful for 50 years. Only in 1954 A. Compagnoni from Valfurno and L. Lacedelli from Cortina d'Ampezzo were able to conquer the summit of K2. In 1996, a Russian team led by I. Dusharin chose the route to climb the Northern Chogori Ridge. Experienced climbers conquered the peak and hoisted the Russian flag on it. And in 2007, a team of 11 climbers led by V. Kozlov laid a route along the previously impregnable Western side of K2. However, they did not use oxygen equipment, which could greatly facilitate this difficult journey.

Mount Olympus on the planet Mars

If we consider all the mountains known to mankind, not only on planet Earth, but also on other planets, then Mount Olympus, located on Mars, will rightfully take the leading place. Its dimensions are simply amazing, it reaches a height of 26,200 meters and a width of about 540,000 meters. The giant hill was once a volcano and that is why it has grown to such a size. And due to the fact that there are no tectonic plates on Mars, there is no movement of the planet's crust. It is for this reason that Mount Olympus is still towering, and it can be seen in its entirety only from a great distance - from the orbit of the planet or from the Earth. For scientists, Mount Olympus is a mystery, as its slopes are steep. There is an assumption that earlier it was surrounded by the ocean and the water washed the shores of the mountain.

Mount Olympus erupted on Mars over 2,000,000 years ago

Mountain ranges surround us, they are fraught with many dangers and at the same time beckon. Everyone who has ever dared to climb a mountain hill is rewarded with breathtaking views, nature thus rewards the daredevils. And each time, rising higher and higher, a person wants to conquer the next mountain peak and see with his own eyes the largest mountains. But to do this is not so easy. After all, there are 14 mountain peaks in the world that exceed a height of 8000 m, and there are only 30 people who have visited each of them.

Since Sir Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1953, thousands of climbers have been eager to repeat his feat. Due to the fact that Everest has the impressive title of "the highest mountain in the world", it has been visited by so many people that every year this Himalayan beauty gradually turns into a literal garbage dump.

When we say which is the highest mountain in the world, we usually think about the height above sea level. And if you take this parameter, then the height of the mountain (8849 meters above sea level) is beyond competition. Everest extends higher into the atmosphere than any other peak in the world.

However, the farthest point from the center of the Earth, and therefore the highest in terms of distance, is Chimborazo (6384 meters above sea level). It is a stratovolcano in Ecuador, which is part of the Andes mountain range.

The earth is not flat, it bulges out at the equator and flattens out near the poles. This means that the mountains near the equator are technically higher than in other areas of the planet. And it so happens that Chimborazo is closer to the convex center of the Earth than Everest. It turns out that it is closer to the stars than the highest point of Mount Everest.

The hardest mountain for climbers

According to one report, Everest extends 6,382 meters from the center of the earth. At the same time, Chimborazo stretches for a distance of 6384 meters. Although the height difference between the two mountains is only 2 km, this is enough to transfer the title of "highest mountain" to the Ecuadorian stratovolcano.

So why does Mount Everest keep getting all the credit while Chimborazo goes relatively unnoticed? It all comes down to the difficulty of climbing.

If you are a climber and want to test yourself by conquering Everest, then the journey to the base camp will take 10 days. It will take another six weeks to acclimatize, and then it will take nine days to climb to the top. On the other hand, acclimatization on Chimborazo takes about two weeks, and the journey to the top takes about two days. Simply put, after Everest, climbing Chimborazo will feel like a walk in the park.

Above and below sea level

Mount Everest is the highest point above sea level, but if we are talking about sheer height from the base to the top, then the honor of being called the highest mountain belongs to the “White Mountain” (Mauna Kea) on the island of Hawaii. Its height above sea level is 4205 meters, but the mountain goes down 5998 meters to the bottom. More than half of the mountain is submerged in water.

The total height of Mauna Kea is 10,203 meters. This is 1345 meters higher than the height of Everest.

Mauna Kea is actually an extinct volcano on the big island of Hawaii. It originated about a million years ago when the Pacific Ocean tectonic plate moved over a plume of liquid magma deep inside the Earth. Mauna Kea last erupted about 4,600 years ago.

The top of the mountain is an astronomer's paradise: It has low humidity, clear skies above, and a long distance from any light pollution. That is, from the top of the volcano, perhaps the best view of celestial objects opens. Now there are 13 telescopes on the peak of Mauna Kea.

It is important to note once again that Everest is the highest of the highest mountains when measured from sea level. If you use this parameter, then Chimborazo cannot even count on the title of "highest peak in the Andes". This title belongs to Mount Aconcagua, which rises to 6961 meters above sea level.

The highest mountains on every continent

1. In Asia - Mount Everest (8,849 meters).
2. In South America - Mount Aconcagua (6,961 meters).
3. In North America - Mount McKinley (6,190 meters).
4. In Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters).
5. In Europe - Mount Elbrus (5,642 meters)
6. In Antarctica, the Vinson Massif (4,897 meters).

In Australia - Oceania - Mount Punchak Jaya (4,884 meters) in Oceania and Mount Kosciuszko - the highest point on the Australian continent (2,228 meters).

Top 10 highest mountains in the world

The problem with measurement is that it is often not clear where the dividing line lies between a mountain with several peaks and a single mountain. For this reason, it is better to use a measurement called "topographic elevation" (the height of a mountain peak above the bottom of the valley closest to the mountain). Taking into account, first of all, this criterion, and secondly, the height above sea level, we have compiled a rating of the highest points on the Earth.

Topographic elevation - 4,741 m.

It rises to 5,642 meters above sea level.

Mount Elbrus is an extinct volcano located in the western part of the Caucasus Range, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, not far from the Russian-Georgian border. This is the highest peak in the Caucasus.

Elevation - 4 884 m.

Height - 4 884 m.

This mountain, located on the Australian Plate on the island of New Guinea, was originally named after the discoverer, the Dutchman Jan Carstens. In 1965, it changed its name in honor of the Indonesian President Sukarno, and in 1969 it was renamed for the third time, Jaya (Indonesian for Victory) and has stopped there for now.

Elevation - 4 892 m.

The height of the peak is 4,892 m.

Record holders of Antarctica and part of the Ellsworth Mountains, which rise above the Ronne Ice Shelf.

Elevation - 4 922 m

Height according to GPS - 5636 m, according to INEGI - 5611 m.

Stratovolcano, the highest mountain in Mexico and the third highest in North America. Orizaba last erupted in 1687, after which he "fell asleep" and does not wake up to this day.

Topographic elevation - 5,250 m

Height above sea level - 5959 m.

The highest mountain in Canada and the second in North America, after McKinley. Due to active tectonic uplift, Logan is still growing in height. Until 1992, the exact height of the mountain was unknown and was assumed to be in the range of 5,959 to 6,050 meters. In May 1992, a GSC expedition climbed Logan and established its current altitude of 5,959 meters using GPS.

Topographic elevation - 5,585 m.

Above sea level - 5,776 m

Highest point in Colombia. The Colombian peak of Simon Bolivar is almost equal in height to it. Together they are the two peaks of the country closest to the stars.

Topographic elevation - 5,885 m.

Above sea level - 5,895 m.

Kilimanjaro, and its three volcanic cones (Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira) is a dormant volcanic mountain in Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania. This is the highest mountain in Africa. There is no documented evidence of an eruption of Kilimanjaro, but local legends say that the volcano was active 150-200 thousand years ago.

Topographic elevation - 6 144 m

Height above sea level - 6 190 m

The two-headed Mount McKinley (aka Denali), located in Alaska, is the highest mountain peak in the United States and North America. At the beginning of the 19th century, it was called Bolshaya Gora and was the highest point of the Russian Empire.

Topographic elevation - 6,962 m.

Above sea level - 6,962 m.

The highest mountain in North and South America. It is located in the Andes mountain range, in the Argentinean province of Mendoza. In 2013, the youngest climber, nine-year-old American Tyler Armstrong, climbed the mountain. And last year, Aconcagua was conquered by the youngest climber, twelve-year-old Romanian Dor Jeta Popescu.

1. Mount Everest (Chomolungma)

Topographic elevation - 8,848 m.

Height above sea level - 8,848 m.

The leader of the mountain hit parade was named after the English colonel, Sir George Everest, who was India's chief surveyor from 1830 to 1843. Mount Everest is also known by the Tibetan name Chomolungma (Mother Goddess of Life Energy) and the Nepalese name Sagarmatha (Forehead of Heaven).

Where is the highest mountain in the world

Chomolungma is located in the Mahalangur Himal mountain range in the Himalayas. Part of it lies on the border of Nepal and China, part on the territory of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Many human triumphs and tragedies have been associated with Everest. George Mallory (Great Britain) was the first climber to attempt the summit of Everest. In 1924, he died near the summit and his remains were found only in 1999, but the body of his teammate Andrew Irwin was not found.

Mount Everest has been the inspiration for many Guinness World Records, from the simple fact that it is the highest peak in the world to the world's highest (by venue) concert.

Despite the title of "the highest peak on Earth", Everest is not the highest mountain on the planet. That is, in terms of height above sea level, Everest has no equal. But as for the height from the base to the top, then Mauna Kea in Hawaii, USA holds the palm. The visible part of it is 4,205 meters, and everything else is under water. The total height of Mauna Kea reaches 10,203 meters.

The highest peaks are scattered throughout the continents of the globe. Climbers collectively call them "Seven Peaks". For the first time, each of them was conquered in 1985 by Richard Bass.

The biggest mountains on earth

The table below shows the highest mountain peaks in the world.

Mountain systems are numerous. But where are the biggest mountains? From the above insignificant list, it can be seen that the most majestic peaks are located in the Himalayas.

The highest points in the world

Each continent of the planet has its famous well-known mountain peaks:

• Everest - the highest peak in Asia (the largest mountain in the world);
• Aconcagua is the highest peak in South America;
• McKinley is a giant mountain in North America;
• Kilimanjaro - the highest peak in Africa;
• Elbrus is the highest peak in Europe (and Russia);
• The Vinson Massif is a giant located in Antarctica;
• Puncak Jaya is the largest mountain in Australia and Oceania.

Mountain peaks of different continents of the Earth

Mount Aconcagua is the tallest natural structure in the South American Andes. Its height is 6962 m. In addition, this mountain is the largest extinct volcano on the planet.

McKinley is located in North America. Above sea level, it rises to 6194 meters.

In hot Africa, there is the snowy mountain peak Kilimanjaro, which has a height of 5895 m. It is the highest point in Africa. Fantastic landscapes open from the height of these mountains. Due to global warming, there is also a rapid melting of snow on the summit.

Elbrus is the highest peak not only in Russia, but also in Europe. This mountain is a cone formed from a once extinct volcano. Its height is 6642 meters. From the top of Elbrus, fabulous landscapes of snow-white caps of snow and a veil of light clouds open up.

The largest peak in Asia and, accordingly, the largest mountain in the world is the famous unsurpassed Everest.

Cold icy Antarctica also has a similar attraction. The Vinson massif was discovered in the middle of the 20th century. Its height is 4892 meters.

The highest mountain in Australia, Oceania, located on the island of Guinea - Punchak Jaya. On its spurs are the largest mines in the world (gold and copper). The ice cover of this peak, like on Kilimanjaro, is melting very quickly. Scientists have estimated that the last remaining glaciers of these places (Punchak Jaya Mountains) will melt in the next 10 years. Its height is 5030 meters.

Everest - the highest mountain in the world

Everest is a recognized leader in height. It is known that this is the largest mountain in the world. The Tibetan people call it Chomolungma, and the Nepalese call it Sanarmatha.

The name of this peak was given in honor of the English scientist George Everest (1790-1866) in 1865. From 1830 to 1843, he held the post of chief surveyor in India, made the greatest contribution to the study of the majestic Everest at the very initial stage.

In 1852, it was announced that the mountain has the highest height among all the peaks closest to it, which also have a height of more than 8000 m. Until then, it had the number "Peak XV". A more accurate height was determined by Andrew Waugh, the student and successor of the famous George Everest. The height of the largest mountain is 8850 meters.

The formation of the highest point in the world began about 20 million years ago (raising the bottom of the sea). The layering of rocks took place over many years, and this process continues to this day. The thicknesses of the Himalayas rise by an average of 5 cm annually.

Climbing the Himalayas

Every year, there are numerous ascents to the peak of Everest (about 500 people). This event is associated with great risk. However, despite the high cost of one ascent (the average cost per person is $ 50,000), the number of people wishing to conquer the famous peak is growing every year. It should be noted that the very first woman to climb the mountain was a brave Japanese climber Junko Tabei. This happened in 1976.

The climbing practice of numerous climbers shows that the most difficult section on the way to the top is the last segment (300 meters). In this regard, the site is called the longest mile on Earth. On this segment, climbers have practically no opportunity to insure each other, since this is a very steep snowy slope. The largest mountain in the world is impregnable, but conquered by many.

In addition, there are still difficulties and obstacles that interfere with the successful finish of climbers at the very top. At the very peak of the mountain, the wind speed reaches 200 km / h, and the air temperature is 60 degrees below zero. In total, about 200 climbers died here during the entire period of ascents. The main reasons for this are severe frosts, unexpected avalanches, lack of oxygen, health problems, and so on.

Mountains on the planet Mars

Mount Olympus is located on the planet Mars. It is an extinct volcano. It is the second highest peak in the solar system. The first is the peak of Reyasilvia on the planet Vesta. It received its name from the name of Mount Olympus, located in Greece. According to ancient myths, the Olympian gods once lived on it.

Mount Olympus is 26,200 meters high and 540,000 meters wide. It is so huge that its profile can only be seen at a great distance from the Earth or from the orbit of the planet.

Perhaps the large size of the mountain is due to the fact that there are no tectonic plates on Mars, as on Earth, and therefore there is no movement. The last volcanic eruption on the planet was about 2 million years ago. The mystery of Olympus is its steep slopes. It is not entirely clear where they came from. Many scientists believe that there was once an ocean on Mars and its waters washed away Olympus.

Atmospheric pressure on Mount Olympus at the very top is 2%, while on the terrestrial Everest this figure reaches 25%.

It is impossible to imagine the Earth without its beautiful majestic elevated areas - mountains. They tower over the whole world like giants, demonstrating their fantastic beauty, and allow the most daring and courageous people to admire the fabulousness and infinity of the world around them.

Our planet holds many secrets and mysteries. Most of them are hidden in the highest mountains of the Earth. There is an opinion that the first people descended from the mountains when the great water began to recede.

Hundreds of thousands of archaeologists, historians, topographers, geographers, biologists and ordinary travelers every year make a pilgrimage to the great mountains, which are most closely associated with the word eternity.

The 7 highest peaks of the world are not the highest mountains on the planet, they are the highest points of each continent.

There is even an informal climbing society called the 7 Peaks Club, which includes people who have successfully climbed all 7 mountains.

This idea first appeared in 1981, since then very few have been able to climb all 7 peaks of the world.

There are some disagreements, and specifically they relate to the highest point of Australia and Oceania. If only the continent of Australia is taken into account, then the highest point will be the Kosciuszko (or Kosciuszko) peak, 2,228 meters above sea level. But many do not agree, since the peak is of no climbing interest.

If we take into account Australia and Oceania, then the highest point is the Karstensz Pyramid, or Puncak Jaya, whose height is 4,884 meters above sea level, located in Indonesia. In order to avoid eternal disputes, today there are two programs for climbing 7 peaks. Everyone chooses the peak that he considers correct, in any case it will be counted as the conquest of 7 peaks of the world.

Some manage to climb 8 peaks, thereby leaving no room for omissions.

The very first conqueror and creator of the idea was Dick Bass, who completed the program on April 30, 1985 by climbing Everest. In his version, the Kosciuszko Peak was included in the program.

The first with the version of both mountains of Australia and Oceania was Reinhold Messner, who was not satisfied with the role of the second, and he decided to conquer all 8 peaks.

The race for records in climbing the 7 peaks of the world has been going on for a long time, and every year new records and new disagreements appear. There is a special site where detailed and clear statistics are kept about each ascent.

What kind of mountains so attract conquerors of peaks that beckons them up. To quote the first person to climb Everest, you can say: "I climb this peak because it is."

The second name of Mount Chomolungma. Height above sea level - 8 848 meters. This is the highest point in Asia and the whole world, according to all versions. It is located on the border of Nepal and China, these days, several hundred people every year try to conquer the roof of the world, but not everyone succeeds. Every year, many die while pursuing their dreams.

Despite all these factors, more than 1,000 people have already been to the top of the mountain. The cost of the ascent will be about $40,000.

Pyramid Carstensz. The second name is Puncak Jaya. Height above sea level - 4884 meters. Located on the island of New Guinea. The top itself is easy.

Discomfort and difficulties are caused by inaccessibility and unusual climate. The cost of the ascent will be about $19,000.

Height above sea level - 2228 meters. For climbers, this mountain is of no interest, since it can be climbed without special preparation. It's more like a checkmark, in the list of 7 peaks of the world.

The cost of the ascent will be about $ 5,000.

I would also like to note some records related to the conquest of the 7 highest peaks of 7 continents.

The youngest conqueror of the 7 summit program was Jordan Romero at the age of 15. The oldest conqueror of the program was Carlos Soria, at the age of 71.

This once again proves that the impossible is possible, you just have to want it. And if you are currently sitting on the couch and reading this article, then get up and go to conquer the highest point in the district, for example, climb a 20-story building on foot.

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The most important indicator characterizing the degree of elevation of relief forms above the level of the World Ocean is called absolute height. Based on these data, the highest points are determined for individual regions and for the whole world as a whole.

Each continent has its highest point, which is vertically as far as possible from the surface of the World Ocean.

The highest points of the continents and parts of the world

Record holders of absolute height on different continents are:

1. Aconcagua - South America (6,962 km);
2. McKinley (North America (6.194 km);
3. Kilimanjaro - Africa (5,895 km);
4. Vinson settlement - Antarctica (4,897 km);
5. Punchak - Jaya - Oceania (4,884 km);
6. Mont Blanc - Europe (4,810 km);
7. Kosciuszko - Australia (2,228 km)

Record holder for the height of the western hemisphere of the city of Aconcagua in South America. It is located in the Argentine Andes zone.. The summit is covered with perennial snows and glaciers. Climbers first conquered it in 1897.

The highest point of the North American continent was first described by the Russian explorer L. A. Zagoskin in the 19th century. The local Indian tribes called it "Big Mountain" - Denali. At the end of the 19th century, the peak was named after the American President McKinley. It was conquered by climbers in 1913.

Kilimanjaro, the high-altitude leader of the Black Continent, has a unique geolocation. The summit is located just three degrees south of the equator. The ice cap on Kilimanjaro is melting rapidly and could disappear by 2020. The African giant is of volcanic origin and its awakening is not excluded. The German expedition was the first to reach its summit at the end of the 19th century.

The least explored among the continental champions is the Antarctic Vinson Peak, discovered in the middle of the last century. It is the highest point of the Sentinel Range. The mountain is separated from the south pole by only 1.2 thousand km. In 1966, Vinson Peak was summited by the first group of climbers led by Nicholas Klingham.

At the beginning of the 17th century, the Dutchman Jan Carstens discovered the largest mountain on the island of New Guinea - Punchak Jaya. . It is also the highest in Oceania.. The peak, located in the Maoke mountain range, was conquered only in the 60s of the 20th century. a group of Austrian climbers. In honor of the Polish revolutionary Tadeusz Kosciuszko, the largest mountain in Australia got its name. It is located in the southeastern part of the Alpine Range. The first expedition reached its summit in 1840.

On the border between Italy and France The Mont Blanc mountain range is located, with a total length of 50 km. Among its peaks, the great White Mountain stands out - the highest in the Old World. Climbers have repeatedly climbed to its ice-covered peak. The pioneers were J. Balma and M. Pakkar in 1786. According to other geographical data, Elbrus in the Caucasus is considered the highest point in Europe. Elbrus is an extinct volcano with 2 peaks. The western peak reaches a height of 5,642 km. In the 20s. XIX century, the first expedition led by General G. Emmanuel reached the summit of the Caucasian giant.

highest mountain system

“The kingdom of snows” is the name of the highest mountain system in the world, which separates Central Asia from South Asia, is translated into Russian. The total length of the mountain system is 2.4 thousand km, the width is 200–350 km. In the Himalayas, there are ten peaks of 8-thousanders, so they rightfully bear the title of "The highest mountains on earth." It has been scientifically proven that the movement of lithospheric plates, at the junction of which the Himalayas are located, causes an annual increase in the mountain system by 5 mm.

In the top five Himalayan high-altitudes are the most inaccessible and dangerous mountains in the world. Only every 4th expedition gets to the top of Lhotse, every third expedition to Makalu. High mortality rates are recorded in Kangchenjunga (23%) and Chogori (24%), known as K-2. Climbing it is considered more dangerous and difficult than Everest.

Chomolungma, the history of discovery and conquest

Until 1832, the highest point on the globe was Dhaulagiri ("White Mountain"). In 1852, the Indian mathematician R. Sikdar, using trigonometry methods, calculated the height of Chomolungma -8848 m and the world championship passed to her. General public height of Chomolungma became known thanks to the head of the geodetic service of British India, E. Vo. On his initiative, the mountain received a European name by the name of George Everest, the chief topographer of India. The locals call the highest peak in the world "Divine Mother of Life" (Chomolungma) or "Forehead of Heaven" (Sagarmatha).

Everest rises at the junction of Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. According to the measurements of topographers, the peak of the giant belongs to China. At the end of the 20th century, scientists from the National Geographic Society of the United States, based on GPS data, calculated that Everest's absolute excess of the level of the World Ocean is 8850 m. In 2016, it was stated that the height of the mountain is 8844 m. Thus, there is no unambiguous data on the height of Chomolungma.

The shape of the highest mountain in the world resembles a pyramid with three sides. The greatest steepness is noted on the southern slope. Climbing Chomolungma makes it difficult for several reasons:

• extremely rarefied air with a minimum oxygen content;
• powerful wind currents with a speed of 55 m/s;
• extremely low air temperature (-50−60 С);
• intense solar radiation;
• high probability of avalanches.

For the first time, it was possible to climb to the top of the world in 1953. E. Hillary and T. Norgay became the pioneers. Everest tries to conquer half a thousand people every year. The ascent takes 2 months, including the acclimatization period. More than 200 people died during the expeditions.

Alternate High Altitude Leaders

In the last 10 years, established leadership Everest began to be questioned. Scientists put forward new contenders for the title of "The Greatest Mountain Peak in the World". If we take into account the theory that the earth has the shape of a geoid, that is, flattened at the poles and more convex at the equator, then the prerogative of the absolute height record will go to the Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador. It has a maximum height in relation to the center of the Earth -6.384 km (at Everest -6.381 km).

Far surpassed Chimborazo, and Chomolungma "White Mountain" from the Hawaiian Islands. The cone of the extinct Mauna Kea volcano rises 4.2 km above the level of the World Ocean. The main part of the mountain (over 6 km) is under water. Therefore, the total height is 10.2 km. This is an absolute world record.

Mountains are affected by various factors. Some cause their slow growth, others - gradual destruction. Therefore, the title of "The highest point in the world" can be considered transitive.