Where is the highest point on our planet? Where is the highest point in the world? The highest point on earth

Chomolungma, Everest (English: Mount Everest), Sagarmatha (Nepalese: सगरमाथा) (8848 m.)- the highest peak on Earth.

Everest, as the tallest mountain in the world, has attracted people for many years and centuries. Man has a passion for conquest, which is why for a long time brave climbers tried to climb to the top. As a result, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary were able to go down in history as the first to reach the top. More than 60 years have passed since that moment, but they have written their names in history. Probably every person has heard about this mountain, but many interesting facts remain unnoticed.


An interesting fact is that at an altitude of 6700 meters, where it is almost impossible for an ordinary person to live, mountain spiders live. It is difficult to breathe here, but jumping spiders successfully hide in cracks and other corners. It is also worth noting that these are the “tallest” inhabitants in the world, with the exception of several species of birds. They eat almost anything, but most of their diet consists of insects that are blown to the top by strong gusts of wind. Also, in 1924, during a tragic ascent, several species of grasshoppers were discovered on the mountain. Today they can be seen in the British Museum.


Everyone knows that climbing Everest, the highest mountain in the world, is not easy, but also dangerous, as evidenced by numerous deaths. It ranks first in the world in terms of the number of dead climbers. However, there are special cases, which include Phurba Tashi and Apa Sherpa. The two professionals were able to reach the summit 21 times. Apa Sherpa climbed to the top of Everest every year from 1990 to 2011. Phurba, for example, made three ascents in 2007 alone. Apa, in turn, does not just climb the mountain, as he conducts his own research. He noted that climate warming is clearly affecting the mountain. In some places where there was constant snow cover, sections of the mountain begin to become exposed, making the climb even more difficult. He also worries that the Sherpas will be endangered by flooding that could result from melting glaciers.


Besides the fact that climbing Everest, the highest mountain in the world, is very difficult and many lose their lives, some have to face opposition from local residents. When Ueli Steck, Simon Moreau and Jonathan Griffith attempted to reach the summit in 2013, they were met with fierce opposition from the Sherpas. Things came to a fight. The fact is that the local population is afraid of an avalanche, which could occur due to the carelessness of climbers. As a result, the entire misunderstanding had to be corrected by the Nepalese army, drawing up a peace treaty to resolve the dispute.


It is known that Himalayan mountains is about 60 million years old. However, according to studies of sandstone and limestone, everything indicates that the mountains were previously located below sea level. As a result, we can say with confidence that 450,000,000 years ago, Everest was at the bottom of the ocean. Preserved as evidence are fossils belonging to sea creatures that once lived in the ocean. They were taken from the top soil of the mountain. Noel Odell proved a similar fact back in 1924, and the first samples were delivered by Swiss climbers in 1956.


The highest mountain in the world is Mauna Kea or Everest. Although Everest is called the highest peak on the planet, in fact it is not. It all depends on how you look at it. So what is the tallest mountain in the world? For example, the Hawaiian volcano Mauna Kea has a height of 4205 meters above sea level, but it is also 6000 meters deep into the ground and is located below the water level. The total height of the volcano reaches 10,200 meters. The planet also has Mount Chimborazo, located in Ecuador. Although its height is only 6267 meters above sea level, it is actually located higher. The fact is that the planet does not have a perfectly round shape and if you calculate the height relative to the center of the Earth, then it is located on a hill, due to which its peak is higher. As a result, answering the question: the highest mountain in the world is Mauna Kea or Everest, there is no definite answer.


Sherpas live in the Everest region. They immigrated here about 500 years ago and Chomolungma is sacred to them. According to beliefs, demons, spirits and Jomo Miyo Lang live on Everest, thanks to which food is obtained. Before climbing to the top of the mountain, the Sherpas perform a special ceremony and commemorate everyone who died here. They also try to put their souls and thoughts in order and ask the spirits to let the climbers through so that they do not die. According to statistics, one person dies for every 10 successful ascents.
Death can occur from the most ordinary factors: the oxygen beam suddenly burst, the wind blew and the powerful cable could not stand it, there was little oxygen, cardiac arrest. Climbers also note that after 8,000 meters, people can lose control of their minds and care more about themselves than about their partners. They think about the consequences after the descent, if of course this happens. Nevertheless, every year people rush here a large number of people to visit the top of the highest mountain. Even though Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world, Everest is more popular.

Everest (Qomolungma) the highest mountain in the world


There has been debate for a long time about what the real height of the mountain is. The fact is that it all depends on which side you look at the hill from. Nepal reports an altitude of 8,848 meters, while China reports an altitude of 8,844 meters. The international community fixes snow in all its measurements, with changes in height, but China insisted on the actual size of Everest, without taking into account the snowy top of a couple of meters. However, in 2010, an official agreement was signed, which fixed the height at 8848 meters. In any case, the most high mountains in the world, Mauna Kea and Everest remain the most popular among climbers.

Recently it turned out that Everest continues to grow. This assumption was first put forward in 1994, when a growth of 4 millimeters was discovered. Later, in 1999, American researchers installed appropriate satellite devices, thanks to which the exact height of the mountain is recorded. And on this moment The actual height of the peak is 8850 meters. The fact is that the Indian subcontinent was previously independent, but later collided with Asia, which is why the Himalayas were formed. As the plates continue to move, the mountain gradually grows.


The peak is known throughout the world as Everest, but the Tibetan indigenous people call the mountain completely differently - Qomolungma, which translates as “Mother of Mountains”. The Nepalese people call the highest mountain in the world Sagarmatha, which means “Forehead in the sky”. International name The mountain received its name in 1865, when topographer Andrei Voga named it in honor of Colonel George Everest.


It is known that more than 200 people died trying to climb to the top of Everest, but this does not stop many people. Not only does one climb cost more than $8,000, but completing the entire section is a big task. However, in 2012, a photo was published that shocked many. It shows a large line of climbers who were forced to turn back due to bad conditions. weather conditions. Everyone had to wait several hours to reach the top. However, in 2012, the peak reached 234 people in half a day. Unfortunately, 4 climbers died.


Many people like to look at beautiful pictures Everest, without even suspecting that the road to the top is literally strewn with corpses of people. Some people talk about having to step over the dead in order to continue climbing. But if this fact is one way or another known to many, then little is said about garbage. But in fact, this is a big problem, especially for people who care about environment. In particular, after each season, people leave behind 50 tons of waste. The mountainside is littered with the remains of climbing equipment, oxygen tanks and human excrement. The service that monitors the ecology of Everest collects 13 tons of waste every year. However, this does not completely solve the problem.

In 2014, the Nepalese authorities introduced a number of amendments for climbers. For example, after each climb, everyone must bring back 8 kilograms of waste, otherwise they will lose $4,000. And the artists decided to hold an action and made works of art from the collected garbage. They used beer cans, broken tents and other items. The resulting masterpieces are designed to attract attention and not litter during the ascent.


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Although Mauna Kea is located at an altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level, it is the most... high mountain on the planet. The fact is that most of it is located under water, and the base is hidden at a depth of 10,000 meters. As a result, the total height of the mountain exceeds the size of Everest. Therefore, on the one hand, Mauna Kea is in fact the highest, however, to climb Everest, you will have to go much more and be in dangerous situations.

Interestingly, not every resident of this region can climb Mauna Kea, as it is considered sacred. Only some leaders are allowed to do this. Numerous observatories are also installed at the top, as they were created here. ideal conditions to monitor starry sky. Geological survey workers are also actively monitoring the life activity of the volcano crater. The last eruption occurred 500 thousand years ago and at the moment it is considered extinct. Residents Hawaiian Islands They are also calm about the current situation and do not believe in its eruption in the near future.

For a long time, the forests growing on the slopes of Mauna Kea provided food for the indigenous population. When Europeans came to the islands, they slightly shook the ecological balance. As a result, some flora and fauna simply disappeared due to introduced plants and animals.


TOP 10 highest mountains in the world There are 14 high peaks on our planet, whose heights exceed 8,000 meters. What’s most interesting is that all these mountain formations are located in Central Asia, as if dividing the planet into two parts, but the highest ones are in the Himalayas. Previously, it was believed that no one would be able to conquer a height of eight thousand meters, but thanks to modern equipment and the will of man, this has become a reality. Let's talk about the 10 highest mountains in the world, whose height is a little lower. Some may also be interested in: the highest mountain in the world is Mauna Kea or Everest?


opens the top ten highest mountains in the world and is located in Nepal in the Himalayas. Its height is 8091 meters, and it was only possible to conquer it in 1950. It is also worth noting that Annapurna took the lives of many climbers whose professionalism was beyond doubt. The mountain consists of 9 peaks, one of which is called Machapuchare. It is forbidden to climb it, since according to local beliefs, God Shiva lives here.


- in another way the mountain is called Diamir, which means “Mountain of the Gods”. However, among climbers it was also nicknamed the “killer”, since it ranks third in the world list for the number of deaths among climbers, after Everest and K-2. Before reaching the summit in 1953, six unsuccessful expeditions were made. A large number of professionals actually died here. The mountain is located in Pakistan, and its height reaches 8125 meters.


Eighth in the list of the highest mountains in the world is Mount. Its height is 8156 meters and it is located in Nepal, being part of the Mansiri-Himalayan range. The first to conquer the peak was a Japanese expedition in 1956. Tourists love Manaslu for its picturesqueness. However, to climb to the top you will need physical fitness, endurance and a lot of experience. In total, 53 climbers died here.


One of the 10 highest mountains in the world - . It is also located in the Himalayas, and its height is 8167 meters. It is worth noting that this peak is very difficult to conquer, since most of it is covered with glaciers and snow. But in 1960, climbers still managed to climb to its height. Climbing Dhaulagiri, 58 experienced climbers died.


The sixth place in the list of the highest peaks on the planet is occupied by Mt. It is located on the border of China and Nepal. Its height reaches 8201 meters and is not difficult to climb. However, this only applies to experienced climbers. However, 39 people died here trying to reach the summit.


- another name for the Black Giant. The height of the mountain is 8485 meters, and it is located on the border of China and Nepal in the Himalayas. Interestingly, the peak is located only 19 kilometers from Everest. Climbing Makalu is very difficult, as climbers face great steepness during the ascent. According to statistics, only a third of climbers achieve their goal. 26 climbers died here.


- one of the most dangerous and highest mountain peaks in the world. They were able to climb it for the first time in 1956. The height reaches 8516 meters and it is located on the border of Nepal and China. In total, Lhotse has three peaks, each of which is higher than 8000 meters. The mountain is also located just 3 kilometers from Everest.


Trying to conquer the peak, 40 climbers died. The mountain has a height of 8585 meters and is located on the border between Nepal and India. It ranks third in height on the planet after the tallest mountain in the world, Mauna Kea and others. It has five peaks and is very beautiful. For the first time it was possible to climb to the top of Kanchenjunga in 1954.


- a very picturesque peak, whose height reaches 8614 meters. The mountain is located on the border of Pakistan and China. It is one of the most difficult to climb, like the tallest mountain in the world, Mauna Kea. It was first climbed in 1954. Among the 249 experienced climbers who attempted to reach the summit, 60 died.


Everest (Chomolungma) is the highest mountain on Earth.

The height of Everest is 8848 m.

It has long been known which is the highest mountain in the world and many are trying to conquer it. They were able to climb Everest for the first time only in 1953. The mountain has two peaks: the southern one is 8760 meters high and the northern one is 8848 meters high (the highest on the planet). Interestingly, Chomolungma has a triangular shape, reminiscent of a pyramid. 210 climbers died trying to climb to the top of the mountain. Although reaching the summit today is not a big problem, people face a lack of oxygen, low temperatures and strong winds. There is practically no fire burning at the top. To try to climb to the top, you need to spend at least $8,000.

In any case, climbing any mountain is a very labor-intensive and complex process that requires maximum endurance, attention and skill. Only 30 climbers, three of whom were women, managed to climb the 10 highest mountains in the world. It is difficult to say why some are so eager to rise to the occasion. Maybe climbers prefer challenges and strive to prove to themselves that they are stronger than others, because Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

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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 different geographical locations Eratosthenes (276 BC - 194 BC) - a Greek astronomer from Cyrene (the territory of modern 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 want to ask for forgiveness from Galileo, in the second - from society flat earth. 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

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 taken into account general shape Earth. The difference in this case is only 0.17 percent and 0.14 percent, respectively.
The most high point on the ground

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


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 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 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 on the 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 lowest point on earth


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 Arctic Ocean. This island is located 443.3 kilometers from 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 southernmost point of the planet


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: At the 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 a completely volcanic island, and its central part all covered with an ice crust. In fact, it is a huge extinct 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 network of caves in the world, covering an area of ​​approximately 52,830 hectares, which is twice the size of the second largest underwater network, San Actun, located in Mexico. This is an amazingly stable cave system formed in a layer of limestone. At the moment, the explored part of the caves is 630 kilometers, and it is increasing every year.

1. The point farthest from the center of the planet


No, this is not Mount Everest. The farthest point from the center of the Earth is Mount Chimborazo, an extinct volcano in Ecuador. The height of the mountain is 6268 meters, and although it is not the highest mountain, its location on the equator makes it so. The mountain is located 1 degree south of the equator, and since our planet is flattened at the poles, the equator is the “thickest” place on our planet.

Everyone knows that the highest mountain is Everest. Can you name the second tallest? Or at least three more from the TOP 10 list? How many eight-thousanders in the world do you know? Answers under the cut...

No. 10. Annapurna I (Himalayas) - 8091 meters

Annapurna I - highest peak mountain range Annapurna. The height of the mountain is 8091 meters. It ranks tenth among all the peaks of the world. This peak is also considered the most dangerous - the mortality rate of climbers for all years of climbing is 32%, but in the period from 1990 to the present, the mortality rate has decreased to 17%.

The name Annapurna is translated from Sanskrit as “Goddess of Fertility.”

The peak was first conquered in 1950 by French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal. Initially they wanted to conquer Dhaulagiri, but found it impregnable and went to Annapurna.

No. 9. Nanga Parbat (Himalayas) - 8125 meters.

Nanga Parbat is one of the most dangerous mountains to climb among the eight-thousander mountains. The height of the Nanga Parbat peak is 8125 meters.

Among the Europeans, the peak was first noticed in the 19th century by Adolf Schlagintveit during his trip to Asia and made the first sketches.

In 1895, the first attempt to conquer the peak was made by British climber Albert Frederick Mummery. But he died along with his guides.

Then several more attempts were made to conquer it in 1932, 1934, 1937, 1939, 1950. But the first successful conquest occurred in 1953, when Hermann Buhl, a member of the German-Austrian expedition led by K. Herligkoffer, climbed Nanga Parbat.
Nanga Parbat has a climber mortality rate of 21%.

No. 8. Manaslu (Himalayas) - 8156 meters.

Manaslu (Kutang) is a mountain that is part of the Mansiri Himal range in Nepal.
In 1950, Tilman made the first reconnaissance of the mountain and noted that it was possible to climb it from the northeast side. And only 34 years later, after several unsuccessful attempts to conquer the peak, on January 12, 1984, Polish climbers Ryszard Gajewski and Maciej Berbeka climbed the main peak of Manaslu for the first time, conquering it.
The mortality rate among climbers on Manaslu is 16%.

No. 7. Dhaulagiri I (Himalayas) - 8167 meters.

Dhaulagiri I is the highest point of the Dhaulagiri mountain range in the Himalayas. The height of the peak is 8167 meters.

From 1808 to 1832, Dhaulagiri I was considered the highest peak in the world. Climbers paid attention to it only in the 50s of the 20th century, and only the eighth expedition was able to conquer the peak. Team best climbers Europe, led by Max Eiselin, reached the summit on May 13, 1960.

In Sanskrit, dhavala or dala means “white” and giri means “mountain”.

No. 6. Cho Oyu (Himalayas) - 8201 meters.

Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain peak in the world. The height of Cho Oyu is 8201 m.

The first successful ascent was made in 1954 by an Austrian expedition, which included Herbert Tichy, Joseph Jächler and Pazang Dawa Lama. For the first time, an attempt was made to conquer such a peak without oxygen masks and cylinders, and it was a success. With its success, the expedition opened a new page in the history of mountaineering.

Today there are 15 different routes to the top of Cho Oyu.

No. 5. Makalu (Himalayas) - 8485 meters.

Makalu is the fifth highest peak in the world. Located in the central Himalayas, on the border of Nepal with China (Tibet Autonomous Region).

The first ascent attempts began in the mid-50s of the 20th century. This can be explained by the fact that most expeditions wanted to conquer Qomolungma and Lhotse, while Makalu and other lesser-known neighboring peaks remained in the shadows.

The first successful expedition occurred in 1955. French climbers led by Lionel Terray and Jean Cauzy conquered the peak on May 15, 1955.

Makalu is one of the most difficult peaks to climb. Less than 30% of expeditions are successful.

To date, there are 17 different routes to the top of Makalu.

No. 4. Lhotse (Himalayas) - 8516 meters.

Lhotse is the fourth highest peak in the world, at 8516 meters. Located on the territory of Tibet Autonomous Okrug.

The first successful ascent was made on May 18, 1956 by a Swiss expedition consisting of Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger.

Of all attempts to climb Lhotse, only 25% were successful.

No. 3. Kanchenjunga (Himalayas) - 8586 meters.

Until 1852, Kanchenjunga was considered the highest peak in the world, but after calculations based on data from the 1849 expedition, it was proven that the highest mountain is Everest.

All peaks in the world tend to have a decreasing mortality rate over time, but Kangchenjunga is an exception. In recent years, the mortality rate when climbing to the top has reached 23% and is only growing. In Nepal, there is a legend that Kanchenjunga is a woman mountain that kills all women who try to climb to its peak.

No. 2. Chogori (Karakorum) - 8614 meters.

Chogori is the second highest peak in the world. Chogori was first discovered by a European expedition in 1856 and was designated Mount K2, that is, the second peak of the Karakoram.
The first attempt to climb was made in 1902 by Oscar Eckenstein and Aleister Crowley, but ended in failure.

The summit was conquered in 1954 by an Italian expedition led by Ardito Desio.

To date, 10 different routes have been laid to the top of K2.
Climbing Chogori is technically much more difficult than climbing Everest. In terms of danger, the mountain ranks second among eight-thousanders after Annapurna, the mortality rate is 24%. None of the attempts to climb Chogori in winter were successful.

No. 1. Chomolungma (Himalayas) - 8848 meters.

Chomolungma (Everest) is the highest peak on Earth.

Translated from Tibetan, “Chomolungma” means “Divine (jomo) Mother (ma) of vital energy (lung).” The mountain is named after the Bon goddess Sherab Jamma.

The English name "Everest" was given in honor of Sir George Everest, the head of the British India Survey in 1830-1843. This name was proposed in 1856 by George Everest's successor Andrew Waugh after the publication of the results of his collaborator Radhanath Sikdar, who in 1852 first measured the height of "Peak XV" and showed that it was the highest in the region and, probably, in the whole world.

Before the first successful ascent to the summit, which took place in 1953, about 50 expeditions were carried out to the Himalayas and Karakoram (to Chomolungma, Chogori, Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat and other peaks).

On May 29, 1953, Everest was conquered by New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.

In subsequent years highest peak climbers conquered the world different countries world - USSR, China, USA, India, Japan, and other countries.

Over the entire period of time, more than 260 people died while attempting to climb Everest. Nevertheless, more than 400 people try to conquer Chomolungma every year.

The answer to the question about eight-thousanders is that there are 14 of them in the world, 10 of them are in the Himalayas, and the remaining 4 are in the Karakoram.

Ever since Sir Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1953, thousands of climbers have been eager to emulate his feat. Thanks to Everest's impressive title of being the world's tallest mountain, so many people have climbed it that every year this Himalayan beauty gradually turns into a literal garbage dump.

Everest is the highest mountain in the world (∼ 8,848 m)

When we talk about what is the highest mountain in the world, we usually think about the height above sea level. And if we 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). This is a stratovolcano in Ecuador that is part of mountain range Andes.

The earth is not flat, it bulges out at the equator and flattens out near the poles. This means that mountains near the equator are technically higher than those 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 extends over a distance of 6384 meters. Although the height difference between the two mountains is only 2 km, it is enough to give the title of “highest mountain” to the Ecuadorian stratovolcano.

So why does Mount Everest continue to receive all the laurels while Chimborazo remains relatively unnoticed? It all comes down to the difficulty of the climb.

If you are a climber and want to test yourself by conquering Everest, then the path to base camp will take 10 days. It will take another six weeks to acclimatize, followed by nine days to reach the summit. 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 seem 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 base to summit, then the honor of being called the highest mountain goes to the “White Mountain” (Mauna Kea) on the island of Hawaii. Its height above sea level is 4205 meters, but the mountain goes 5,998 meters down 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 Everest.

Mauna Kea is actually an extinct volcano on big island Hawaii. It arose about a million years ago when the tectonic plate Pacific Ocean 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 a paradise for astronomers: It has low humidity, above it clear sky, and a long distance from any light pollution. That is, from the top of the volcano it opens, perhaps best view to celestial objects. There are currently 13 telescopes on the peak of Mauna Kea.

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

The highest mountains on each 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 there is the Vinson Massif (4,897 meters).

In Australia - Oceania - Mount Puncak 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 unclear 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 Earth.




Topographic elevation - 4,741 m.

It rises 5,642 m above sea level.

Mount Elbrus is an extinct volcano that is located in the western part of the Caucasus Range, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, near the Russian-Georgian border. This is the highest peak in the Caucasus.


Excess - 4,884 m.

Height - 4,884 m.

This mountain, located on the Australian plate on the island New Guinea originally bore the name of its 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, to Jaya (Indonesian for Victory) and stopped there for now.


Excess - 4,892 m.

The height of the peak is 4,892 m.

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


Elevation - 4,922 m

The height according to GPS is 5,636 m, according to INEGI - 5,611 m.

Stratovolcano, the highest mountain in Mexico and the third highest in North America. Orizaba last erupted in 1687, after which it “fell asleep” and has not woken up to this day.


Topographic elevation - 5,250 m

Altitude above sea level - 5,959 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 range from 5,959 to 6,050 meters. In May 1992, the GSC expedition climbed Logan and established the 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 country's two closest peaks 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 an inactive volcanic mountain in national park Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. This is the highest mountain in Africa. There is no documented evidence of Kilimanjaro erupting, but local legends they say that the volcano was active 150-200 thousand years ago.


Topographic elevation - 6,144 m

Altitude above sea level - 6,190 m

The double-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 Big mountain 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 Argentine 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 (Qomolungma)


Topographic elevation - 8,848 m.

Altitude above sea level - 8,848 m.

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

Where is the tallest 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 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 world's tallest peak to the world's tallest (by location) concert.

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