What is the name of the highest peak in the world. The highest mountains in the world

What is the name of:Everest (Chomolungma) | Height above sea level: 8848 meters.

Location:between Nepal and China (Tibet) | Highest point: China

Everest - has earned worldwide fame as the highest mountain in the world, formed about 60 million years ago. The highest peak was conquered by many, each time amazed by the beauty and grandeur of Chomolungma. At the top, the mountain is covered with snow, and glaciers flow down from the slopes at a distance of 5 thousand meters.

The beauty of this mysterious mountain, despite numerous ascents, is also due to its shape. The pyramid proudly rises above sea level and beckons researchers with some kind of mystery ... The conquerors of its peaks continue to climb even now, despite the dangers that may lie in wait on the way - frostbite, avalanche, lack of oxygen and so on. About 500 people travel to Everest every year hoping to conquer the unapproachable cold peak of the world.

"Names" of the mountain

The majestic mountain in the Himalayan region has many names, so the first and most famous is Everest. This is the name of the mountain in honor of the English explorer geographer George Everest, who in 1830-1843 led the geodetic service in India. This name is more recent and new, as it appeared in the 19th century. But even earlier, the mysterious mountain had its own names, which still inspire a mixture of fear and adrenaline for fans of extreme sports. For example, the mountain received the name "Chomolungma" from the Tibetan population, in their language it means - "Divine"... The Divine Mountain was also named by the Nepalese people as "Sagarmatha" is the Mother of the Gods. There is one more "name" - "Chomo-Kankar", which in translation from Tibetan means - "Mother and Queen of Snow White".

We would like to note that the now generally accepted name was given on the initiative of the successor of George Everest, and George himself in every possible way avoided his fame and popularity. He just wanted to finish the job he had begun. And when the highest mountain peak in the world conquered him, his happiness knew no bounds. But Britain at that time needed popularity, and the mountain, along with Everest, gave it the necessary glory.

Unfortunately, the geographer did not have time to bathe in the rays of this glory, and in general he did not want this, his health was undermined too early. The peak, which he registered at that time, was measured several times after him, and it did not coincide with his indicators (8840). Now, with the help of modern equipment, you can accurately determine the top. It is known that every year the mountain grows by 3-5 mm, or as a result of earthquakes, it sinks by several centimeters. At the moment, the data of 2010 are officially used - 8 km 848 m. From sea level and 8 km 844 m. - from the solid surface of the earth.

Conquest of the summit

The first ascent, when Chomolungma was officially recognized as the highest peak of the planet, was made by Sir Edmund Hillary (New Zealand) and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in May 1953. But still, George Everest and his expedition laid the foundation for research to find out what is the tallest mountain in the world, on such an extraordinary triangular pyramidal mountain. Then the peak was called "Peak 15", and its estimated height was measured by Radhanata Sikdara, a member of the expedition.

The first Soviet expedition conquered Everest in 1982, according to sources, 11 people climbed to the top. They accomplished this feat, moving along the western slope, which is very dangerous, but it happened, and the Soviet expedition became the 25th in the world to make the ascent. The first woman to conquer the top of Chomolungma is the Japanese Junko Tabei, she did it in 1975.

And 1996 marked a case of mass death of climbers due to an unforeseen storm. As a result of such weather conditions, visibility decreased, it was difficult for the participants of the two expeditions to find each other, and in general to find at least some clue about where they are. Killed 8 people - they froze to death, among them and the leaders - Fisher and Hall. The Kazakhstani participant of the expedition, not finding support, brought several people out and saved their lives. Anatoly Bukreev was that brave man with a capital letter, who later received worldwide fame. Based on these events, the 2015 film Everest was filmed.

The ascent carries with it many dead, and in whatever years and centuries the ascents are carried out, a large area of ​​the mountain is covered with corpses. Therefore, people often compare Everest to the largest cemetery on the highest mountain. There are daredevils who dare to climb the summit without oxygen masks, the first conquerors - Reinhold Messner and German Peter Habeler. What motivates such people is unknown, vanity or stupidity, if it is known that the air is thin on the peaks and it is almost impossible to breathe. Risking your life for a moment of glory ...?

Climatic conditions

The highest mountain in the world is located in the Himalayas (Eurasia). The climate on the slopes and tops of the mountain is slightly different. So, on the southern slopes the temperature is more moderate, in the northern areas it is much colder. The temperature in winter is kept within -60 degrees Celsius, cold winds blow from the northwest. It is very cold, so the best period for climbers is the beginning of May. It is in the spring that the ascent should begin, which on average will last about 2 months. Just in time for July-August, you can arrive at the top of the mountain, and the climate at this time of the year is the most optimal so as not to freeze.

True, during this period climbers face dangers - snow storms and hurricanes, but the wind subsides, compared to winter snow storms. In July, you can even spend several hours at the top, enjoying the beautiful view, because the temperature will stay within -20 degrees. Such a record (for the duration of stay at the top) was set by a resident of Nepal and spiritual teacher Bhakta Kumar Rai, who stayed on Chomolungma for 32 hours, 27 of which he meditated and prayed to God.

And two more mountains worthy of attention

  1. Mount Mauna Kea it is considered the highest mountain, since part of it rests under the waters of the ocean. It is located on the island of Hawaii. Thus, it is the highest mountain in the world with a total height of about 10,200 meters, which is truly a big figure! Due to the fact that the height from the ground level is much less - about 4000 meters, it is not so difficult to climb it both for researchers and for all climbers. Now the largest telescope in the world is being built there and astronomical research is being carried out.
  2. The highest mountain in the world, the country from the center of the Earth - the extinct volcano Chimborasso and it is located in Ecuador. The last time this volcano erupted was in AD 400-700. Its height is 6267 meters, which is 2.5 thousand meters below Everest, but this is the point on the surface farthest from the center of the earth. The first to conquer the summit of Chimborazo was the Englishman Edward Wimper in 1880. The glacier located on the mountain is highly valued by the inhabitants of the mountainous area; glacial water is used quite often as the only source of liquid in hot countries.

Climbing Mount Everest is a challenge to yourself and a challenge to the world, often bordering on difficult conditions and dangers. Perhaps, in part, that is why the coveted highest mountain peak in the world attracts people of the whole planet. They say that if you have not conquered Everest, then you are not a climber. Here are some interesting facts about Chomolungma:

  • The fauna of the mountain is rather scarce. Apart from some species of birds, only insects can be seen there. Spiders, which are called Himalayan spiders, feel quite normal at an altitude of 6,000 meters above ground level and feed on insects that have been blown up by the wind. They look quite formidable, they are practically the only inhabitants who live so high on the entire planet.
  • The summit of Mount Everest was once part of the ocean (about 450 million years ago), at the peak, the remains of fossilized sea creatures were discovered.
  • The ascent to the top was not always calm in terms of the community of nationalities. So in 2013 there was a "clash" of Sherpas and Nepalese on the slope of the mountains. The Sherpas expelled the "aliens" with stones and accused them of causing an avalanche. The climbers had to retreat and go down.
  • To date, according to the measurements of a special device at the peak, a new summit of 8850 meters has been established. Thus, the situation is traced that the mountain rises up and "grows" as a result of the movement of continental plates.
  • Mount Chomolungma is increasingly becoming a challenge for climbers, rather than an object of research. So at the moment its slopes and peaks are compared with the highest landfill in the world, because people do not care about the environment, leaving piles of garbage, broken equipment and oxygen cylinders. In Nepal, there is a law that says - every climber who descends from the top must take 8 kilos of garbage with him, otherwise he will incur a monetary fine.
  • Mount Everest is the highest relative to sea level but if we take other parameters for comparison, it lags far behind the extinct volcano Mauna Kea. Its height above the water level is about 4000 meters, and most of the rock formation is under the water. The height from the bottom of the sea is more than 6,000 meters, therefore, the total height is more than 10 thousand meters, Chimborasso is the highest mountain, if we count from the center of the earth.
  • At an altitude of 5 thousand meters from the top of Chomolungma, wireless Internet was installed, now climbers can transfer information and call relatives, as well as transfer interesting photos.
  • The most interesting fact is that not only sighted people have conquered the summit. The first and only blind man was Erik Weichenmeier, who climbed the peak in 2001.
  • But such a date will remain in the memory of the newlyweds forever, and not only for them - this is 2004. It was then that young people from Nepal played a wedding, reaching the summit of Everest.

All the Highest Mountains in the World

The formation of mountains on Earth takes millions of years. They arise from the collisions of huge tectonic plates that make up the earth's crust.

Today we will get acquainted with the highest mountains on 6 continents and see how they look against the background of the highest mountain peaks in the world - "eight-thousanders", whose height above sea level exceeds 8,000 meters.

How many continents are there on Earth? Sometimes it is believed that Europe and Asia are 2 different continents, although they are one continent:

Before starting our story about the tallest mountains on the 6 continents, let's take a look at a general diagram of the tallest peaks on Earth.

"Eight-thousanders" is a common name for the 14 highest mountain peaks in the world, whose height above sea level exceeds 8,000 meters. They are all in Asia. The conquest of all 14 "eight-thousanders" of the planet - the conquest of the "Crown of the Earth" - is a great achievement in high-altitude mountaineering. As of July 2012, only 30 climbers managed to do this.

North America - Mount McKinley, 6,194 m

This is the highest two-headed mountain in North America, named after the 25th President of the United States. Located in Alaska.

Indigenous peoples called this peak "Denali", which means "great", and during the period of Russian colonization of Alaska it was called simply - Big Mountain.

Mount McKinley, view from Denali National Park:

The first ascent to the main peak of McKinley took place on June 7, 1913. There are 5 large glaciers on the slopes of the mountain.

South America - Mount Aconcagua, 6,962 m

It is the highest point of the American continent, South America, and the western and southern hemispheres. Belong to the longest mountain range in the world - the Andes.

The mountain is located in Argentina and in the Quechua language means "Stone Guard". Aconcagua is the largest extinct volcano on our planet.

In mountaineering, Aconcagua is considered a technically easy mountain if you climb the northern slope.

The first recorded ascent of the mountain was in 1897.

Europe - Mount Elbrus, 5 642 m

This stratovolcano in the Caucasus is the highest peak in Russia. Considering that the border between Europe and Asia is ambiguous, Elbrus is often called the highest European mountain peak.

Elbrus is a two-headed volcano with a saddle. The western peak has a height of 5,642 m, the Eastern - 5,621 m. The last eruption dates back to 50 AD ...

In those days, the eruptions of Elbrus probably resembled the eruptions of modern Vesuvius, but were more powerful. At the beginning of the eruption, powerful clouds of vapors and gases, saturated with black ash, rose from the craters of the volcano at the beginning of the eruption, covering the entire sky, turning day into night. The earth shook from powerful tremors.

Nowadays, both peaks of Elbrus are covered with eternal snow and ice. On the slopes of Elbrus, 23 glaciers diverge in different directions. The average speed of movement of glaciers is about 0.5 meters per day.

The first successful ascent to one of the peaks of Elbrus was made in 1829. The average annual death toll during the ascent of Elbrus is 15-30 people.

Asia - Mount Everest, 8 848 m

Everest (Chomolungma) is the top of our world! The first 8000m peak and the highest mountain on Earth.

The mountain is located in the Himalayas in the Mahalangur-Himal ridge, with the South peak (8760 m) lying on the border of Nepal, and the North (main) peak (8848 m) located in China.

Everest has the shape of a triangular pyramid. At the top of Chomolungma there are strong winds blowing at a speed of up to 200 km / h, and the air temperature at night drops to -60 Celsius.

The first ascent to the summit of Everest took place in 1953. Since the first ascent to the summit until 2011, more than 200 people have died on the slopes of Everest. Now the ascent to the summit takes about 2 months - with acclimatization and the installation of camps.

View from space:

Climbing Mount Everest is not only extremely dangerous, but also expensive: the cost of climbing as part of specialized groups is up to 65 thousand US dollars, and the only one permission to climb, issued by the government of Nepal, costs 10 thousand dollars.

Australia and Oceania - Mount Punchak Jaya, 4884 m

The highest peak in Australia and Oceania, which is located on the island of New Guinea. It sits on the Australian Plate and is the world's tallest mountain located on an island.

The mountain was discovered in 1623 by the Dutch explorer Jan Carstens, who saw from afar into the glacier at the summit. Therefore, the mountain is sometimes called the Pyramid of Carstens.

The first ascent of Punchak-Jaya took place only in 1962. The name of the mountain from the Indonesian language translates roughly as "Pobeda Peak".

Antarctica - Windson Massif, 4 892 m

These are the highest mountains in Antarctica. The existence of the mountain range became known only in 1957. Since the mountains were discovered by American planes, they were later named Vinson Massif, in honor of the famous American politician Carl Vinson.

View of Vinson Massif from space:

Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro, 5895 m

It is the highest point in Africa, a huge dormant volcano with two well-defined peaks in northeastern Tanzania. The mountain has had no documented eruptions, but local legends speak of volcanic activity 150-200 years ago.

The higher one is Kibo Peak, an almost regular cone with powerful glaciation.

The name comes from the Swahili language and supposedly means "the mountain that sparkles."

The snow cap that has covered the top of the mountain for 11,000 years since the last Ice Age is rapidly melting. Over the past 100 years, the volume of snow and ice has decreased by more than 80%. It is believed that this is not caused by a change in temperature, but by a decrease in the amount of snowfall.

The highest peak in Africa was first conquered by the German traveler Hans Meyer in 1889.

All cat sleeping positions

There are 14 mountain peaks in the world with a height of over 8,000 meters. Climbing such mountains is not an exercise for cowards. Currently, only 30 experienced climbers have managed to climb all 14 peaks. Why do people dream of conquering these mountains, if such an ascent can be fatal? Probably to prove something to yourself ... No one will 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.

Located in Nepal

Height: 8848 meters

It has 2 peaks: southern (8760 meters) and northern (8848 meters).

The mountain is very beautiful, it has the shape of a three-sided pyramid.

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


During the attempts to climb Everest, more than 250 people died. Most of the deaths were associated with falls from heights, avalanches, ice collapses, as well as various health problems due to being in an alpine environment. Today, climbing the main route no longer presents such problems as in the last century. However, at high altitudes, climbers expect a lack of oxygen, gusty winds and low temperatures (below 60 degrees). In order to conquer Everest, you need to be not only brave, hardy, but also a wealthy person. You need to spend at least $ 8,000 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 mountain peaks to climb; 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


This mountain was conquered in 1956.

Lhotse has 3 peaks, each of which 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 Black Giant.

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

Located on the border of Nepal and PRC

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 all of its area is covered with glaciers and snow. It is considered one of the most difficult mountain peaks to climb.

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

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

Height: 8156 meters


She was first conquered by a Japanese expedition in 1956.

Located in Pakistan

Height: 8125 meters

Second name: Nanga Parbata - Diamir (translated as "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 climb on it yet.


Locals consider this peak to be 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 remain lying on its slopes.

Height: 8080 meters

First ascent: 1958


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

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

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

Height: 8051 meters


The summit belongs to the Baltoro Muztag mountain range and the multi-peaked Gasherbrum mountain range. It includes 2 peaks, the height of which exceeds 8 km.

In 1957 the Austrian expedition made its first ascent.

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

Height: 8035 meters


The gracefully contoured peak, with sheer cliffs and eternal snow, belongs to the Baltoro Muztag mountain range. It is included in the Gasherbrum mountain massif. The first ascent was made by the Australians in 1956.

Located in China, Langtang, Himalayas

Height: 8027 meters


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

Our planet contains many secrets and mysteries. Most of them are hidden in the highest mountains on 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 that are most closely associated with the word eternity.

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

There is even an informal society of climbers called the 7 Summits Club, which includes people who have successfully conquered all 7 mountains.

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

There are also some disagreements, and specifically they relate to the highest point of Australia and Oceania. If we take into account only the continent of Australia, then the highest point will be the peak of Kosciuszko (or Kosciuszko), which is 2,228 meters above sea level. But many disagree, as the peak is of no climbing interest.

Taking into account Australia and Oceania, the highest point is the Carstens Pyramid, or Punchak Jaya, which 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 the 7 peaks of the world.

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

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

The first with a 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 7 peaks of the world has been dragging 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 attract the conquerors of the peaks so much that they beckon them up. Quoting the first person who climbed Mount Everest, you can say: "I climb this peak because it is."

The second name of the mountain is 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, it is today, several hundred people every year try to conquer the roof of the world, but not everyone succeeds. Every year, many die in pursuit of their dreams.

Despite all these factors, over 1,000 people have already visited the top of the mountain. The cost of the ascent will be about $ 40,000.

Karstens pyramid... The second name is Punchak-Jaya. Height above sea level - 4,884 meters. Located on the island of New Guinea. The summit itself is not difficult.

Difficulty and discomfort is caused by the inaccessibility and unusual climate. The cost of the ascent will be about $ 19,000.

Height above sea level - 2,228 meters. For climbers, this mountain is not of interest, since it is possible to climb it without special preparation. It is rather 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 associated with the conquest of the 7 highest peaks of 7 continents.

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

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

Dear reader, if you have not found the information you are interested in on our website or on the Internet, write to us at and we will definitely write useful information just for you.

Tops of the most-most can be created almost everything that is on the planet. This applies to the forms of the earth's surface, plants, buildings, etc. Reading about them, let alone seeing them, is very interesting and informative.

In this article, let's talk about what even schoolchildren learn, but only superficially. It's about the highest mountains on planet Earth. After all, a rare traveler does not dream of conquering the top of one of them.

Top of the highest mountain peaks in the world

Many people from school know the name of the highest mountain on the planet and where it is located. This or Chomolungma, located on the border of China with Nepal. Its height is 8848 m above sea level. For the first time, its summit was conquered in 1953, and after that this height is the goal of climbers from all over the world.

Not far from the highest mountain in the world, Everest, is the second highest peak - Chogori, 8611 m. It is located on the border of China with Pakistan. Climbers consider it one of the most difficult to climb.

Both of these heights are at. Besides them, there is also Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Manaslu, Nangaparbat, Cho-Oyu. Their height is over 8000 m.

One might get the impression that all the high mountains are located only in the Asian part of the planet. But this is not so, they are also on other continents.

Kilimanjaro - 5895 meters

Located on the African continent, on the territory of the Tanzania National Park of the same name. It is not just a mountain, it is a volcano with three peaks: Shira, Mavenzi and Kiba. The first two are already extinct, and the third is only dormant, so he can wake up at any moment and start erupting lava.

Elbrus - 5642 meters

This is the highest peak in the Caucasus Mountains in Russia. It is also an extinct volcano. It has two peaks, differing by 21m in height. Due to the fact that the upper part of the mountain is covered with a permanent snow cap, it is also called Ming Tau, Yalbuz and Oshkhamaho. The snow lying on Elbrus gives rise to and regularly feeds several rivers in this region, such as the Baksan and the Kuban.

McKinley - 6194 meters

This pride of North America is located in Alaska, in the Denali National Park. It was named after the American president. Before that it was called Denali or simply Big Mountain. Due to its northern location, the most optimal period for climbing McKinley is from May to July. Indeed, the rest of the time at the top there is a rather strong lack of oxygen.

Aconcagua - 6959 meters

Located in Argentina on the South America continent, Mount Aconcagua, despite its height, is one of the easiest for climbers. This is due to the fact that if you go up the northern slope, you will not need additional equipment (ropes, hooks). It belongs to the Andes mountain system and consists of several separate glaciers.

Vinson Peak - 4892 meters

Few people know which mountain is considered the highest on the mainland Antarctica, because it is not particularly populated. But scientists have found that on the Sentinel Ridge in the Ellsworth Mountains there is an array 13 km wide and about 20 km long. The highest point of this hill was named Vinson Peak. It is poorly studied, because it was discovered only in the 50s of the 20th century.

Punchak Jaya - 4884 meters

Even in the vastness of Oceania there is a high mountain - this is Punchak Jaya, on the island of New Guinea. It is also considered the highest mountain in Australia.

As you can see, although Everest is the highest mountain in the world, each continent can boast of its own giant.

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