The highest mountains in different countries of the world. All the highest mountains in the world. The highest mountains on each continent

What is the largest mountain in the world, you ask? If by world we mean our planet, then two mountains claim this place: Mount Everest in the Himalayas and Mount Mauna Kea in the Hawaiian Islands. Let's look at each of them, and you decide for yourself which is the largest mountain in the world.

Is Mount Everest the largest mountain in the world or the highest?

(Photo of Mount Everest No. 1)

Mount Everest is named after Sir George Everest, surveyor of British India from 1830 to 1843. and is located in the Himalaya mountain system on the Mahalangur Himal ridge.

Mount Everest is the highest mountain peak in Asia and the highest point on the earth's surface. Its main northern peak is located in China and is 8848 m above sea level. Its southern highest point is located on the border of the Republic of Nepal and Tibet and is 8760 m above sea level.

(Photo of Mount Everest No. 2)

Mount Everest is also called "Qomolungma" in the local Tibetan language, which means "Goddess Mother of the World", or there is another name "Sagarmatha" in the ancient Indian language - "Ocean of the Mother."

Who decided that Everest is the largest mountain in the world? This important discovery was made by the Indian scientist - mathematician and topographer Radhanat Sikdar, who calculated the height of Chomolungma using trigonometry in 1852.

The largest mountain in the world resembles a triangular pyramid in shape, with a very steep bare slope on the south side. From its top, giant glaciers begin, which descend down the mountain and end at an altitude of 5000 m. The Arun River flows through a special through valley for more than 6 km in a southerly direction near Mount Everest.

Many climbers dream of conquering this top of the world, but for some, this risky climb turns out to be deadly. Until now, about 260 people have died on the slopes of Mount Chomolungma. What is the climate like on the largest mountain in the world? For the human body there is very rarefied air, containing little oxygen, add hurricane winds of 55 m/sec, and very low air temperature - 50-60 degrees (but it feels like 100-120 degrees), intense solar radiation also plays a role, as well as The usual dangers for mountains are avalanches, falling into gorges or from slopes. It is impossible to climb Everest without guides and special expensive equipment. But there were brave souls who were the first to conquer this largest mountain in the world - Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary, they climbed to the top through the South Col in 1953. This is a brief introduction to the beautiful majestic mountain that has broken all records for the highest altitude on land. Who is her rival on our planet? Is there really another largest mountain in the world?

Mauna Kea volcano is the largest mountain in the world

(Mauna Kea Photo #1)

The largest mountain in the world, Mauna Kea is an extinct shield volcano, which with its mega base is immersed in the depths of the Pacific Ocean for as much as 6 thousand meters. The visible part of the mountain to the top is 4200 m above sea level (the total height of the mountain is about 10203 m from the base to the top) and is located on the Hawaiian Islands, which have a number of active and extinct volcanoes. Opinions about its formation differed. Some believe that this extinct volcano is millions of years old, while others believe that this mountain, like other mountains, is quite young and was formed thanks to a global earthly catastrophe - the water Flood.

Anyone who has ever been to the mountains remembers them for the rest of their lives. This is such an incredible sight that it is simply impossible to forget. Here, being at the top, you understand what kind of bug you really are. Here your soul and body rest, here you can truly relax, feel the cold mountain air, think about something lofty...

Which mountains are the most popular? Probably the same ones you fly down on skis or snowboard. However, over time, you realize that you want to climb higher and ask yourself the question - what is the largest mountain in the world? It turns out that the answer is simple - this is Everest, which we were told about more than once in school.

Chomolungma (8852 m)

Everest (or, as it is also called, Chomolungma), which is part of the huge Himalaya mountain system and is located on the territory of Nepal and China, reaches an altitude of 8852 above sea level! To get to the top, travelers spend weeks and months, and once there, they resort to using an oxygen mask - if this is not done, you can stay at the top forever, since the air there is very rarefied. Over the entire period, only about 4,000 people were able to conquer the peak, and every year about 500 more volunteers try to do this, but not everyone succeeds.

Everest has a very interesting climate. Tropical plants grow at the foot of the mountain, while at the top there is incredible frost (down to -70 at night), and wind speeds reach several hundred meters per second. Even if you managed to get to the peak under such weather conditions, you will not stay there for long. Firstly, the rarefied atmosphere, secondly, severe frost, thirdly, you need to get down in time while it is still light. By the way, going down is not much easier than going up. However, many travelers are not afraid of this at all.

Not long ago, scientists discovered a mountain on Mars whose height is as much as 21.2 kilometers, that is, it is more than two times higher than Everest. Probably, climbers would be happy to climb it, but we can’t fly to the red planet yet, alas.

Chogori (8611 m)

Chogori is the second highest mountain peak after Everest. It was first discovered by researchers in 1856 and at that time they decided to name it K2 in honor of the second peak of the Karakorum. However, years later the mountain received its current name.

Interestingly, the British first tried to climb Chogori at the beginning of the 20th century, but they succeeded. The Italians were the first to conquer the mountain in 1954.

For a long time it was believed that Chogori is the highest mountain on the planet, since many researchers claimed that its height could reach 8900 meters. And only in 1987, full measurements were carried out, thanks to which it turned out that the true height of Chogori is 8611 m.

Climbing Chogori is technically very difficult, so until the mid-2000s, only about 250 people climbed the mountain, and another 60 died during the climb. Moreover, successful attempts to climb occurred exclusively in warm seasons. Those who tried to conquer the mountain in winter invariably died.

Kanchenjunga (8586 m)

Kanchenjunga is a mountain range in the Himalayas and is located on the border of India and Nepal. The massif consists of five peaks and all of them are incredibly high, but Kanchenjunga Main is the highest.

It is not known exactly when the massif was discovered, but it was for a long time considered the highest mountains until the mid-19th century. The first attempts to conquer the peak began in 1905, when an expedition led by Aleister Crowley was only able to climb to a height of 6200 meters. The next attempt took place in 1929, but it also ended unsuccessfully. But the members of the expedition led by Charles Evans were finally able to reach the peak on May 25, 1955. The ascent took place from the Yalung glacier.

Usually, with the development of technology, the mortality rate when climbing mountains falls, but this does not apply to Kanchenjunga. The fact is that the number of cases that end tragically is only increasing. Interestingly, almost all the women who tried to conquer the mountain died. Local residents even have a legend - they say that the mountain kills all women who try to climb it out of jealousy.

Lhotse (8516 m)

Lhotse is part of the Mahalangur Himal mountain range, located on the border of China and Nepal. It has three peaks, the height of the main one reaches 8516 m.

The first successful conquest of the peak took place in 1956, when members of a Swiss expedition were able to do it. In 1990, Russians under the leadership of A. Shevchenko were able to climb the mountain along the South Wall. To date, their record has not been achieved, since climbing Lhotse this way is incredibly difficult. One of the participants in that expedition says that this happened only because the Soviet Union was able to bring together 17 excellent specialists who knew how to work harmoniously with each other.

The total number of people who reached the summit according to 2003 data is about 240, and about 12 died.

Makalu (8481 m)

Number five on our list of the highest mountains is Makalu or the Black Giant. This is a mountain range located in the Himalayas. It has several peaks, the main one reaching a height of 8481 m.

Like several other participants in our rating, the mountain is located on the border of China and Nepal, located 22 km from Qomolungma. According to historical data, Makalu has been known to Europeans since at least the beginning of the 19th century, but the first attempts to conquer the peak began only in the mid-20th century. Why? The explanation is simple - most specialists at that time wanted to conquer the highest mountains, which were Everest and Lhotse, and they were much less interested in the rest. However, over time this situation has changed radically.

The first successful ascent to the main peak was in 1955 - a French group led by Jean Franco managed to do this. They climbed the mountain along the northern route. Later there were successful climbs along other routes. If we talk about the Slavs, the last to climb Makalu were the Ukrainians from the city of Sumy, whose journey took two whole months.

Cho Oyu (8188 m)

Another mountain peak in the Himalayas, located on the border of Nepal and China, is Cho Oyu, whose height reaches 8188 m. It belongs to the Mahalangur Himal mountain range and is part of the Chomolungma mountain range.

Not far from Cho Oyu there is the Nangpa La Pass, covered with ice. Its height reaches 5716 m. It is through it that the trade route passes, along which the inhabitants of Nepal get to Tibet. From the latter side it is very easy to climb the mountain, but from the Nepal side it is incredibly difficult, since travelers are faced with a steep wall.

The first successful ascent to the peak occurred in 1952.

Dhaulagiri (8167 m)

Continuing our list, we cannot fail to mention Dhaulagiri or White Mountain, as it is sometimes called. Dhaulagiri is a mountain range in the Himalayas that has many peaks, the highest of which is Dhaulagiri I - its height reaches 8167 m.

The first ascent of the mountain took place in the middle of the 20th century, but a successful conquest took place only in 1960, when a team of the best European climbers decided to climb to the top. This took place in May, and the first winter ascent was made by the Japanese Akio Koizumi in 1982 together with Sherpa Nima Wangchu.

Manaslu (8156 m)

Our list ends with Manaslu (Kutang), located in the Himalayas. The mountain is part of the Mansiri Himal mountain range, which is located in northern Nepal. Manaslu has three peaks: main, eastern and northern. The first is the highest of them, its height reaches 8156 m.

The first successful ascent to the summit was made in 1956. The number of deaths during the ascent for the entire time was about 20 percent, which is a lot, although you can’t tell from the photo.

Today the mountain and its surrounding areas are part of the Manaslu National Park, which was founded 15 years ago.

Everest (Qomolungma) 8848 meters

Coordinates: 27°59’ N. latitude, 86°55’ e. d.

The highest mountain in the world is Everest (Chomolungma). This mountain consists of two peaks: the southern one, lying on the border of Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region, with an altitude of 8760 meters, and the northern one, located in China, with a height of 8848 meters. The shape of the mountain is a triangular pyramid, with a steeper southern slope. Due to the fact that firn and snow are not retained on the southern side, the slope and ribs are bare. The peak itself is covered almost entirely by sedimentary deposits. At night, the air temperature at the top of the mountain drops to -60 °C, and wind speeds can reach 200 km/h. Partially, this mountain became part of Sagarmatha, a national park in Nepal.

Chogori (K2) 8614 meters

Coordinates: 35052′ s. latitude, 76°30′ e. d.

The peak in the east is 8230 meters, and in the south - 8132 m. Chogori is the second highest mountain after Everest and the northernmost eight-thousander in the whole world. This mountain peak is located in Kashmir, the northern territories of which, on the border with China, are controlled by Pakistan. The mountain is also part of the Karakoram massif, which is located from the Himalayas to the west. Sometimes Chogori is called: Karakorum 2, Godwin-Austen, Dapsang.

8598 meters

Coordinates: 27042′ s. sh., 88009′ e. d.

Mount Kanchenjunga is located in the Himalayas, or rather on the border of Nepal and the Indian state of Sikkim, of which it is partly a national park. The name of this mountain range can be translated as “five treasures of the great snows.” And the mountain is named so because it consists of five peaks: the main (8586 m), southern (8491 m), middle (8478 m), western (8505 m) and Kangbachen peak (7902 m). Until 1852, Kanchenjunga was considered the highest mountain peak in the world. However, after performing some calculations, it became known that Everest was still much higher and Kanchenjunga became the third highest mountain in the world.

8516 meters

Coordinates: 27058′ s. sh., 86056′ e. d.

Lhotse is considered the fourth highest mountain, which has three peaks: main (8516 m), middle (8414 m) and eastern (8383 m). It was called “Southern Mountain” and is located on the border of China and Nepal, at a distance of 3 km from Everest in a southern direction. Like Everest, it is partially included in Nepal's Sagarmatha National Park.

Makalu 8481 meters

Coordinates: 27053′ s. sh., 87005′ e. d.

Makalu is the fifth peak of the world, the massif of which is expressed by the main (8400 m) and southeastern (8010 m) peaks. The mountain is located 22 kilometers from Everest in an easterly direction, in the Khumbu region. The western, eastern, southwestern and northeastern ridges extend from this mountain peak, on which the Chomo Lonzo massif with a height of 7804 meters is located. A distinctive feature of the area is powerful glaciations.

8201 meters

Coordinates: 28006′ s. sh., 86040′ e. d.

Chl-Oyu has two peaks: Ngoyumba Ri-1, whose height is 7806 meters, and Ngoyumba Ri-2, which reaches a height of 7646 meters. Cho Oyu is located on the Nepal-China border in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The peak of the mountain became part of the Everest mountain range and became part of the Sagarmatha National Park. Cho Oyu is the easiest eight-thousander in the world.

8167 meters

Coordinates: 28042′ s. sh., 83030′ e. d.

Dhaulagiri closes the list of the highest mountains in the world. The location of the multi-peaked mountain is Nepal. In total, this mountain range has 11 peaks, of which the highest is Dhaulagiri I - 8167 m, and the lowest is Gurya Himal - 7193 m. If you translate the name of the mountain from Sanskrit, you get the phrase “White Mountain”. The roof-shaped shape and thick snow and ice cover are the distinctive features of Dhaulagiri.

The most dangerous mountains (Killer Mountains) Video

Among climbers, the highest mountains in the world are called the “Seven Summits”. This list includes:

  1. Everest - 8848 m.
  2. Aconcagua - 6959 m.
  3. McKinley - 6194 m.
  4. Kilimanjaro - 5895 m.
  5. Elbrus - 5642 m.
  6. Vinson - 4892 m.
  7. Puncak Jaya - 4884 m.

Major mountain peaks

You can often hear the question: which mountains are the highest? This is Everest. The mountain is considered the highest on the entire planet. Thousands of climbers strive to get here. Basically, if you climb along a proven route, no technical difficulties ever arise. But these beautiful mountains are not conquered by everyone. Climbers face different problems:

  • strong winds;
  • lack of oxygen;
  • unpredictable weather;
  • various diseases.

By the way, Lhotse - this mountain, exceeding 8000 m, ranks fourth among the highest peaks in the world. It is located closest to Everest. However, climbers are in no hurry to conquer its peak; there have been very few ascents.

The highest mountains in the world are mainly found in the Andes. Among them, Aconcagua is considered the highest. This mountain is famous for several glaciers, the most famous being the Polish Glacier. The Andes mountains are perhaps the most beautiful in the world.

The highest mountains are also in Alaska. A prominent representative was Mount McKinley, reaching 6194 m. Which mountains are the highest? We can consider that this mountain, having such a height, is one of the highest points on the entire Earth.

Features of highly elevated areas

The highest mountains in Africa are represented by Kilimanjaro. It is located in Tanzania and is of volcanic origin.

It contains several volcanic formations:

  • Kiba;
  • Mawenzi;
  • Shira.

The mountain is more than a million years old. This is the oldest mountain on the planet. Its formation is associated with a volcanic eruption and lava falling into a beautiful rift valley. Beautiful mountains have always interested climbers. Every year tens of thousands of people try to conquer this height.

In Europe and Russia, Elbrus is considered the highest mountain. This is a long-extinct volcano, but beneath it, molten magma rages at great depths.

The most beautiful hills are the Caucasus Mountains, among which Elbrus stands out. If you translate the word “Elbrus” into Russian, you get “high mountain”. Elbrus glaciers feed several rivers:

  • Kuban;
  • Malka;
  • Baksan.

Antarctica is considered another beautiful place. It is here that the Visson massif is located, reaching an altitude of 4892 m.

You can meet Mount Puncak Jaya if you visit Australia. Two Austrian climbers were able to conquer this height for the first time. This happened in the early 60s of the last century. Today, to conquer the rock, you must obtain government permission. Only specialized travel agencies can obtain such permission.

Annapurna is a mountain in Tibet that is considered the most difficult to climb on Earth.. In the middle of the 20th century, French climbers managed to climb its peak. This ascent is considered the most outstanding in the world for the entire history of mountaineering.

No oxygen was used during the ascent. This can be called a feat, because at an altitude of more than 8000 m the air contains only 30% oxygen. A person can only be in such conditions for a short period of time. It took exactly two weeks for climbers to descend from this mountain. The mountain in Tibet is one of the most dangerous peaks in the world; more than 40% of climbers die while climbing.

The second highest peak (Chogori) is located in Karakorum. The peak is located at an altitude of more than 8611 m. It is the most difficult mountain to climb. Moving along the easiest route, climbers have to pass through difficult glaciers. On their way there are rocks with steep sections. You have to overcome frequent seracs, which are icy blocks that barely hold on and can suddenly collapse. Since it is very difficult to climb this mountain, it is considered the most dangerous on the planet. Almost 24% of people who dare to conquer it die during the ascent.

Kanchenjunga is also a very dangerous peak, which reaches 8586 m and is located in the Himalayas. This mountain also received another name in the world, namely “Five Treasures Peak”. Climbing Kanchenjunga is associated with the death of many climbers.

In recent years, the percentage of accidents has increased significantly and amounted to 22%. The main reasons were various difficulties (avalanches, atmospheric conditions and technical difficulties).

Other mountain peaks

The most famous highlands on Earth are the following:

  1. Nanga Parbat.

The height of the mountain reaches 8126 m. The rock is located in the north of the Himalayas and is considered their northern end.

To get to this height, you need to go through a narrow mountain climb. The southern part of this ridge, exceeding 4600 m, is considered the mountain slope with the largest dimensions on the planet. Since the difficulty of climbing the mountain has a very high coefficient, this mountain received the second name “Killer Mountain”.

In the west of Europe, right in the Alps, this high peak is located, reaching 4810 m. A mountain range stretching for 50 km is also named by this name.

A huge area is hidden under the ice. Almost 200 km² is covered with a thick ice crust. The name means "white mountain".

Near the top there are famous ski resorts:

  • Chamonix - France;
  • Courmayeur - Italy.

Mont Blanc was first conquered in 1786 by two French climbers Balmat and Paccard. Local residents call this massif the “cursed mountains” due to the high mortality rate.

Basically, for modern mountaineering, climbing this rock is not considered particularly difficult. However, almost every year accidents are recorded here. The main reasons are considered to be poor preparedness, poor organization, climatic conditions and avalanches.

This most beautiful mountain on Earth is located in the Alps. It shares Italy with Switzerland. Its peak reaches 4478 m. The mountain is unique in its shape, which looks like a horn that begins to grow directly from the numerous valleys surrounding the massif. The highest mortality rate is recorded among climbers trying to conquer this mountain.

What do you know about the highest peak in the world? That it's called Everest. Some will also remember the alternative name - Chomolungma. Can you tell me the height? At least approximately. Where is it located? Also no? Then once again we will talk about the highest mountains on Earth.

The undisputed leader in terms of height, this mountain, like a magnet, attracts professional climbers, beginners and people simply thirsty for extreme sports from all over the world. Climbing it is the cherished dream of everyone who has made at least one climb to any other peak. And today thousands of people every year make this dream come true.

Everest with routes and key points

Brief information. Chomolungma, also known as Everest, also known as Sagarmatha, is the highest peak in the world. Its peak reaches a height of 8848 meters. Belongs to the Himalaya mountain system, divided between China and Nepal. Most of the climbing takes place from the Nepal side. It takes about two hours for an ordinary person to walk 7 kilometers 200 meters. Here you need to climb up rocky slopes in cold, and even thin air. It’s still a test, but every year thousands of people decide to take it. Not all of them reach the top. Not everyone returns home. Many die in the process.

Despite this, organizing the climb to Everest has now become a profitable business. Nowadays, solo climbers are rare; most often people turn to special companies that assign guides, conductors, instructors, doctors to them, select equipment, purchase licenses for climbing, provisions, and medicines. In this case, the recovery may take up to two months. This time is needed for acclimatization, which is carried out at critical points. This pleasure is not cheap. On average, a tourist spends 65 thousand dollars for a climb. But he exchanges them for unforgettable impressions.

The second highest mountain peak, Chogori, is inferior to Everest, but not by much - 8611 meters. It belongs to the Karakoram mountain system and is located on the border of China and Pakistan. This is the northernmost eight-thousander and the most inhospitable. It is much more difficult to climb it than the almost lived-in Everest, surrounded by well-functioning service. Despite the fact that the mountain is the second highest, it is climbed much less often, and the risk is much higher. For example, no one has yet managed to conquer it in winter. The mortality rate among climbers is staggering: about 30%. True, it is calculated not from the total number of tourists, but in comparison with the number of people who reached the top.

The third highest mountain has a height of 8586 meters. It was divided between Nepal and India, and it belongs to the same Himalayas as Everest, but is located a little to the south. Kanchenjunga translated into Russian means “five treasures of the great snows,” and this is not just an artistic image: it is divided into five independent peaks, of which only one is below 8000 meters, and then only 100. This mountain is especially familiar to fans of Nicholas’s work Roerich, because she was one of his main sources of inspiration and was repeatedly depicted on his canvases.

Another eight-thousander, and again from the Himalayas. It is also divided into two states already familiar to us - Nepal and China. The name of this mountain is “South Peak”, which has some meaning. It is, indeed, located a little south of the famous Everest. It is connected to it by the famous South Col pass. The other side - the South Wall - is steep. By the way, she was conquered only once. In 1990, the Soviet Union assembled a powerful expedition of 17 climbers. Only two of them reached the top, the rest provided them with a safe ascent, but an unprecedented result could only be achieved through joint team efforts. The mountain is divided into three peaks with heights of 8516, 8414 and 8383 meters, respectively.

Again the border between China and Nepal, again the same mountain range. The Himalayas are the leaders in the number of high peaks and Makalu is another confirmation. The height of this mountain is 8485 meters. It is believed that of all the eight-thousanders, this is the heaviest. Only less than a third of all expeditions reach the top, and most have to turn off halfway. The “black giant” (this is how the name of the mountain is translated) is not particularly kind to climbers.

This is the sixth highest eight-thousander. You can guess the rest yourself: Nepal-China, Himalayas, height – 8201 meters. Accordingly, you can climb it from both one and the other side. But, if on the Nepal side you have to face a very difficult wall, which not everyone can overcome, then on the Tibet side there is a convenient pass that makes Cho-oyu one of the most convenient eight-thousanders for climbing.

Reading the name of this mountain the first time is already a task, and only a few manage to climb it. “White Mountain” is one of the most massive. It is divided into 11 peaks, however, only one was able to overcome the eight-thousandth mark - Dhaulagiri I. By the way, for some time it was Dhaulagiri that was considered the highest peak in the world. True, this was a long time ago, from 1808 to 1832.

This is already the eighth eight-thousander, but we still have the same thing: the Himalaya mountain range, but, for a change, it belongs entirely to Nepal. “Mountain of Spirits” is how its name is translated. This is a sacred place. Perhaps this is why climbing is considered quite dangerous, and the mortality rate reaches 18% even today. The mountain has three peaks, the highest of which rises to 8156 meters.

For a change, the mountain is located in Pakistan, although it belongs to the already well-known Himalayas. It is divided into 4 peaks, of which the highest is 8125 meters. “Naked Mountain”, “Mountain of the Gods” - it’s all about the ninth eight-thousander. It is considered one of the most difficult to climb due to the climatic conditions and bare sheer peaks. The situation is complicated by the unsettled situation in the country. So, in 2013, a real tragedy occurred when militants attacked a climbers’ camp. 10 people died, including three Kharkov residents. Not surprisingly, the mortality rate is 22%.

Our list ends with another eight-thousander, the most dangerous. The mortality rate is 41%. The name of the mountain translates as “Goddess of Fertility,” but apparently this goddess requires human sacrifice. However, the number of climbers willing to climb its 8091-meter peak is sufficient.

These are the ten highest mountains and the first of 14 eight-thousanders. Several people have already managed to conquer them all, and thousands more dream of it. Perhaps you are among them.