It can be conditionally divided into several regions. The northern and central parts of the continent are occupied by plains. But in the west and southeast there are mountains. There are many beautiful and picturesque places in North America. High mountain ranges attract thousands of tourists every year. Mountaineering is developed here. No less popular are the slopes, on which practically all year round you can snowboard and ski. So what are they, the mountains of the North American continent? Why are they unique and where are they located?
Cordillera
The Cordilleras are the largest rocky mountains in terms of length. North America famous for its snow-capped peaks. The highest of them are located in this mountain system. The Cordilleras stretch along the western edge of the mainland, from Alaska to the central part. Then they pass into the Andes, which cover the southern mainland. This mountain range is crossed by many faults. They start from the ocean itself and end on land. The Cordillera arose as a result of the convergence of two But, according to seismologists, the process of mountain building has not yet been fully completed. This is also evidenced by the presence of several active volcanoes, even more of them are "sleeping". Earthquakes are also frequent in this area. If we talk about the height of these mountains, then only the Himalayas can compete with them. The highest point in North America, Mount McKinley, is also located in the Cordillera. Its height is 6193 meters. What else can be said about the Cordillera? They lie in all geographical zones, except perhaps the Arctic. In addition, they are characterized by a wide variety of landscapes, as well as a pronounced altitudinal zonality. These mountains are not like others, they are unique. The beauty of the Cordillera annually attracts thousands of tourists to its slopes, who make multi-day, sometimes difficult ascents. In addition, numerous hotels have been built along their entire length, which will welcome all vacationers.
Appalachians
The mountains and plains of North America create a unique inimitable landscape of the mainland. The place where two states border - the USA and Canada has a special beauty. Here lies the rolling plateau of the Appalachians. Its length is 2600 km. In this mountain system there are some noteworthy peaks. The highest of them is (1916 m). The Appalachians have traces of ancient glaciation. The slopes of these hills are covered with mixed and coniferous forests. There are deposits of iron ore, oil, gas and coal.
Northern Appalachians
The Appalachians are mountains in North America, they are divided into two parts: northern and southern. Of course, these boundaries are arbitrary. The northern Appalachians are much older than the main part. Currently, they are a plateau with a height of only 400-600 meters. Separate ridges and massifs rise above it in places. The most famous of them are the Adirondacks, the White Mountains, the Green Mountains. Their tops are smoothed. The slopes are mostly gentle, only occasionally there are sections dissected by caravans. Mountain ranges separate tectonic valleys. They transform into trogs. The northern Appalachians have a different name for the local population - the "mountains of New England". They are composed of metamorphic and crystalline rocks. These are areas of peneplanated mountains, in which there are faint traces of later uplifts. But at the same time, the impact of glaciation is clearly expressed.
Southern Appalachians
Such mountains in North America as the Southern Appalachians arose somewhat later than others. This happened around the time of the Variscian folding. Their relief is more varied. In the east - Piedmont foothill plateau. It is flat, slightly dissected by valleys. Its height is 40-80 meters. The western part is more hilly. Here the height reaches 400 meters. But more interestingly, massive peaks rise sharply in this region. This is Blue Ridge. Its slopes are steep. The tops are often domed or comb-shaped. The highest point is Mount Mitchell. Its height is 2037 meters. It is composed of sedimentary-volcanic rocks belonging to the Lower and Middle Paleozoic. The western slope of the Blue Ridge drops steeply to a depression - the Big Valley. Here lies the Appalachian Plateau. The mountains are strongly separated by valleys that go down to 1500 meters.
Sierra Nevada
Of course, the most famous mountains in North America are the Sierra Nevada. Probably everyone has heard this at least once in their life. beautiful name. True, not everyone knows that we are talking about a mountain range stretching along the western coast of the United States of America. Its length is 750 kilometers. The Sierra Nevada range originates from the Fredonier Pass in the north and reaches the Tehachapi Pass in the south. In the west, it is limited by the California Valley. The Sierra Nevada borders the Great Basin to the east. Of course the most high mountains North America are not located in this area, but those that rise here can rightfully be called the most picturesque. The crest of the ridge runs along the slope on the western side. All rivers, whose sources are located on the tops, flow into the Pacific Ocean. From north to south, the height of the mountains gradually increases. Between Lake Tahoe and Fredonier Pass, the peaks reach 2400 meters. The highest point on this segment of the ridge is Mount Rose. Its height is 2700 meters. On the territory there is the peak of Olancha (3695 m) and Florence (3781 m). Further, the height of the ridge goes down. The beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains is hard to overestimate. They are known all over the world for their unique landscapes.
Eastern Sierra Madre
The highest mountains in North America are in the Cordillera. But unique ridges located parallel to each other can be found on the territory of modern Mexico, on this East End Sierra Madre. This mountain system is located on the edge of the Mexican Highlands. The length of the ridge is 1000 km. Its landscape is quite varied. In the north, there are several peaks, with a height of 1000 to 3000 m. In the south, the mountain ranges are scattered from each other. There are separate peaks here up to 4000 m high. In the western part, spurs extend to the highlands in several places. In the east, the ridge ends on the coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico. Most of the Eastern Sierra Madre is formed by sedimentary rocks dating back to the upper Mesozoic period. The highest mark of the ridge is Mount Peña Nevada (4054 m). But this is not the only peak worth mentioning. No less famous are the mountains of El Coauilon and Cerro Potosi.
Western Sierra Madre
These mountains in America are considered to be a continuation of the Cordillera. They are located in what is now Mexico. The length of the western Sierra Madre is 1300 km. The width of this mountain range is from 80 to 200 km. It is located in the western part of the Mexican Highlands. The landscape of these places is not monotonous. The ridges are separated by canyons of different depths. The mountains are relatively low: from 1500 to 2000 m. But there are individual peaks reaching 3000 km. For example, the most popular mountain in this region is Chorreras. Its height is 3150 m. The Western Sierra Madre passes through several Mexican states: Sonora, Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Durango, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes. But this ridge begins in the southeast of Tucson, in American Arizona.
Southern Sierra Madre
The southern Sierra Madre are ancient mountains in America. It is difficult to determine their age. But, despite this, it is proved that they were formed much earlier than other mountain systems. Located in the south of Mexico, this range has a length of 1000 km. He runs along coastline Pacific Ocean. The Southern Sierra Madre begins in the state of Michoacán. Then it goes towards the isthmus of Tehuantepec. It crosses the Mexican states of Guerrero and Oaxaca, where it merges with the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. The width of the Southern Sierra Madre is 300 km. These mountains are not high, only some peaks reach above 3000 m. But, despite this, this region is a serious obstacle for transport communications between the hinterland of Mexico and the Pacific coast. The highest point of the Southern Sierra Madre is Mount Teotepec (3703 m).
coast range
The coast range is the mountains of North America, on the map they can be found in the very west of the mainland. They originate from Lake Atlin. Conventionally, they end near. In fact, the Coastal Range is part of the Cordillera mountain system. But it is customary to single it out as an independent array due to its location and some isolation. The length of the ridge is 1600 km. Its width reaches 300 m. The highest mark is Mount Waddington. Its height is 4016 meters. The remaining peaks do not exceed 3000 meters. This mountain range is made of granite. It is strongly dissected by fjords and transverse valleys that have arisen along tectonic cracks. Garibaldi Provincial Park is located on the Coast Range. It is one of the most visited tourist destinations in British Columbia.
Wrangel mountains
The high mountains of North America, located in the southeast of Alaska, can rightly be called unique. The Wrangel volcanic massif has a length of 150 kilometers. In the east, it adjoins the ridge of St. Elijah. The Wrangel Mountains formed relatively recently, in the Neogene. There are once active volcanoes here. Almost all of them are asleep. But there are also active ones, for example, the Wrangel volcano. It has a height of 4317 meters. Among the mountains with a crater peak, the most famous are Sanford (4949 m) and highest point Wrangel Ridge - Blackburn Peak (4996 m). Glaciers are concentrated in the central part of the mountain range. The slopes are covered with tundra forests. On the ridges of Wrangel and St. Elijah is located national park. Many places here are absolutely untouched by man. This makes this region truly unique and unrepeatable.
Many lovers of high mountains dream of getting to the most impregnable mountains in North America. First of all, this article will focus on the mountain system of the Cordillera. The longest mountain system in the world. The Cordilleras stretch along the two Americas and South and North. The Cordilleras are the highest mountains in North America, and throughout the world, only the Himalayas can compete with them in height.
In North America, mountain peaks basically stretch across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Their total length is more than six thousand kilometers, and the highest point in North America is Mount McKinley, located in Alaska. The top of this mountain is located at an altitude of more than six thousand meters.
The Cordeliers are divided into several ranges. Let's consider some of them.
Alaska Ridge - the ridge is located in Alaska, and is the highest of the entire mountain system, the length of the ridge is 650 kilometers. The three highest points of the ridge are McKinley, Foraker and Hunter. The difference between the heights of these mountains is about a thousand meters. The highest mountains of North America are located here, the rest of the mountains of the system are much smaller than the listed peaks.
Rocky Mountains - this part of the Cordillera is located in Canada. The length of this part of the mountains of North America is a little more than six hundred kilometers. The Rocky Mountains of Canada are home to the country's national parks. most high peak can be considered the top of Robson 3954 meters, but only two hundred meters below Mount Columbia. There is not such a big difference in height, as, for example, in the mountains of Alaska.
The Cascade Mountains are the next major range. The ridge is almost entirely located in the United States, only a small part of it captures the territory of Canada. Mount Rainier is the highest peak in the Cascades. The mountain is located less than a hundred kilometers from the city of Seattle. The height of Mount Rainier is 4392 meters. Rainier is a dormant volcano whose activity was last recorded in 1954.
The Sierra Nevada is the next ridge, its length is 626 kilometers, the ridge stretches through California. The slopes of this ridge are strewn with coniferous forests. The highest point on this ridge is at an altitude of 4421 meters, this is a mountain called Whitney, part of the mountainside is located in the parkland of the Sequoia National Park.
The mountains of North America are a truly breathtaking sight.
The relief of North America is diverse and contrasting. In the center of the mainland, almost perfectly flat plains give way to vast hilly expanses. In the east, they are adjacent to the low Appalachian mountains. In the west, the plains adjoin the mountain structures of the Cordilleras.
Subject: Continents. North America
Lesson: Mountains of North America. Features of nature
Rice. 1. North America
Within the mountainous West of the mainland are located. The name of the mountains, translated from Spanish meaning "cord", as it were, emphasizes their significant length. By age, the Cordillera is the youngest part of the mainland, although they began to form in the Mesozoic. They are crossed by numerous faults. Some of them start at the bottom of the ocean. Powerful modern movements are associated with faults earth's crust, frequent earthquakes and bright manifestations of volcanic activity.
Rice. 2. The relief of North America
Within this mountain system, three belts of ridges are clearly visible. One of them - the Cordillera proper - in the west. The second belt, eastern, covers Rocky Mountains. In the far north, these ranges converge, in the central part, on the contrary, they diverge. Between them is a strip of high plateaus and highlands - the third belt, including Colorado Plateau and Great Basin.
Cordilleras prevent the penetration of oceanic air masses deep into the continent. Therefore, the influence of the ocean is most noticeable on the coastal western slopes of the mountains. Thanks to this, they receive the maximum amount of precipitation on the mainland.
Rice. 3. Cordillera
With the distance from the Pacific Ocean, significant differences between the northern and southern parts Cordillera. This is manifested not only in the successive change of climate types - from arctic to tropical, but also in the change in landforms, soil and vegetation cover, etc.
According to natural features, this large mountain system can be divided into such natural countries: the Cordillera of Alaska and Canada, the Cordillera of the USA, Mexican highlands, mountains and islands of Central America.
These are the highest mountains on the mainland. The mountain ranges of this natural country fringe the Yukon Plateau to the east and west. The development of the mountains has not yet ended, as evidenced by a large number of active volcanoes. There are many deposits of various ores, and in Alaska and oil.
The development of the mountains has not yet ended, as evidenced by the large number of active volcanoes. There are many deposits of various ores, and in Alaska - and oil.
They are the most diverse natural conditions. In the north, the Rocky Mountains come here, along the Pacific coast, huge Coast Ranges stretch. Between them and the Sierra Nevada mountains lies deep depression California valley. Here forests coexist with perennial glaciers and snows, and death valley in the Great Basin claims to be one of the hottest places in the world.
In the Rocky Mountains was created in 1872 the world's first national park - Yellowstone. Tens of thousands of geysers and hot springs are taken under protection in it. mineral springs, many picturesque lakes, waterfalls.
Some geysers have their own names (“Giant”, “Restless”, “Old Vernyak”) and throw jets of steam and boiling water to a height of up to 50 m.
Rice. 4. Geyser "Old Servant" ()
The mineral salts of the geyser waters formed lacy terraces near the springs, painted in all the colors of the rainbow.
In an arid climate, mountains are rapidly destroyed. Everywhere you can find remnants of bizarre shapes. There are few rivers, and most of the lakes have salt water.
On the plateaus of the Cordilleras of the United States, steppes dominate, alternating with semi-deserts. Even further south, in subtropical deserts, cacti, agaves, and thorny bushes grow.
The Mexican Highlands are surrounded on the west and east by mountain ranges, abruptly breaking off to the coastal lowlands. Vast basins lie between volcanic cones.
Rice. 5. Mexican highlands and mountains of Central America ()
The mountains of Central America are a young natural country where volcanism and earthquakes are clearly manifested. Only a narrow swampy strip of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico is a lowland.
This is the mountain system of the Appalachian Highlands, stretching along east coast North America. The Appalachian Mountains stretch to the northeast for 2300 km. Their width is 200 - 300 km, average height- 1000 - 1300 m.
The highlands are formed in the northeast of the Canadian shield in the US state of Maine and in the area of the Canadian Newfoundland and stretches to the most coastal lowlands of the Gulf of Mexico, where it ends in the territory of Alabama. To the east of the highlands is the Atlantic Ocean, to the west - the interior plains of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. The region has the character of low mountains and hills, the local ranges rarely exceed 1500 m above sea level.
Rice. 6. Appalachians
According to its natural conditions, this is a typical region of medium-altitude forest landscapes of the temperate and subtropical zones.
Although the Appalachian Mountains are orographically one whole, their landscape differences make it possible to clearly distinguish two parts here - the Northern Appalachians and the Southern Appalachians.
Northern Appalachians relative to the South are low, in northern zone they can be described as a hilly plateau, over which individual remnants rise, such as, for example, Mount Monadnock (1000 m). Farther south in the Northern Appalachians, isolated more tall arrays, this Adirondacks, Green Mountains, White Mountains, the highest point of which is Mount Washington (1916 m).
In many places of the Northern Appalachians, especially in the Adindorak massif, traces of the passage of a continental glacier are noticeable: in the east, their peaks are rounded, as if smoothed, the valleys, on the contrary, are deep; many moraine deposits. This is an isolated and uplifted fragment of the Canadian Shield, with which the Northern Appalachians border in the northwest along a large fault (Logan line).
Rice. 7. Appalachians, scheme
Coming up to Atlantic Ocean, Northern Appalachians form numerous large and small peninsulas and islands. Between the Nova Scotia Peninsula and the mainland is the Bay of Fundy, the world record holder for the height of the tides (up to 18 m).
According to landscape features, the Southern Appalachians are usually divided into the following zones: Foothills, Blue Mountains, ranges and valleys and the Appalachian plains.
The appearance of the southern Appalachians more varied. In the formation of their surface, the main role was played by the processes of erosion, which created the so-called Appalachian type of relief: elongated valleys with ridges gradually growing above them, a kind of “spines” of this area. The lowest part of this zone is the Big Valley.
The vegetation of Appalachia is predominantly forest, starting with forest-tundra in the north. In the south, in conditions of greater humidity, the most ancient forests of the continent have been preserved. The main plant wealth of Appalachia is forests growing in tiers.
rich and animal world Appalachia from polar wolves and arctic foxes in the north to alligators in the Mississippi floodplain. Typical inhabitants of mountain forests are moose, deer, bears, porcupines, etc. Previously, wood bison also lived here, but it was preserved only in reserves.
Rice. 8. Appalachians, autumn
Mountains give Appalachia a lot of minerals. Its 165,000 km 2 coal basin accounts for more than a tenth of the world's hard coal deposits, producing about 70% of the total US coal production, including 95% of anthracite.
Rice. 9. Map of minerals
Magnetic and clayey ironstones run from Canada to Alabama, but mainly in the south. In Black and blue mountains there are deposits of copper, silver and lead. Oil and gas are produced in Canada and Pennsylvania. The saline beds of Appalachia are a major source of gypsum.
Homework
Read § 40. Do practical work:
IN contour map, using the map of the atlas and the text of the lecture, plot the relief objects of the mountains that are mentioned in the lecture.
Bibliography
MainI:
Geography. Earth and people. Grade 7: textbook for general education. uch. / A.P. Kuznetsov, L.E. Savelyeva, V.P. Dronov. Series "Spheres". - M.: Education, 2011. Geography. Earth and people. Grade 7: atlas. Series "Spheres". - M.: Education, 2011.
Additional:
1. Maksimov N.A. Behind the pages of a geography textbook. - M.: Enlightenment.
Literature for preparing for the GIA and the Unified State Examination
1. Tests. Geography. Grades 6-10: Teaching aid / A. A. Letyagin. - M .: LLC "Agency" KRPA "Olimp": Astrel, AST, 2001. - 284 p.
2. Study guide for geography. Tests and practical tasks in geography / I. A. Rodionova. - M.: Moscow Lyceum, 1996. - 48 p.
3. Geography. Answers on questions. Oral exam, theory and practice / V. P. Bondarev. - M.: Publishing house "Exam", 2003. - 160 p.
4. Thematic tests to prepare for the final certification and the exam. Geography. - M.: Balass, Ed. House of RAO, 2005. - 160 p.
1. Russian Geographical Society ().
2. Russian education ().
3. Journal "Geography" ().
4. Geographical directory ().
are two continents that lie in the western hemisphere. It can be said that the mountain systems of America are inferior to the mountains of the eastern hemisphere, perhaps in height, but by no means in length or even more so in beauty. The Andes, the Appalachians and the Cordillera can safely be called the three American mountain pearls.
Andes are the most mysterious mountains America
Such a world-famous name has a mountain system, which is located in the northern and western parts South America and has a length of 900 (!) Kilometers. The Andes can be conditionally divided into Northern, Central, Chile-Argentine and Southern. From the north side, this miracle of nature begins on the island of Trinidad and on the northern cape of the mainland. Here the mountain ranges are low, stretch along the coastline and are called the Caribbean Andes. Closer to the western part of the mountain, higher and higher, reaching 4000-4500 meters above sea level. Also in this area there are snowy peaks and glaciers. One after another there are pointed peaks, active and extinct volcanoes of various calibers.
In the Chilean-Argentinean part of the Andes, they narrow, but at the same time reach dizzying heights even if you just look at them. It is here that the peak-record holder of the South American continent is located - Mount Aconcagua (just imagine!) - 6960 meters above sea level, as well as another celebrity (slightly lower height - 6770 m) - Mount Mercedario. . All the mountains of this region, which exceed the mark of 4000 meters, are covered with ice and snow, their slopes are very steep and almost impregnable. The southern Andes drop markedly and to some extent resemble the northern ones. Here the highest point - the top of Fitzroy - reaches only 3440 meters.
In general terms, the Andes - amazing place, which breathes with the mysteries of civilizations gone forever, rich in virgin vegetation, teeming with predators and poisonous snakes. If you are an unrestrained lover of mountaineering, survival and mysticism, then the South American Cordillera (as the Andes are also called) is exactly the corner of the Earth that you need. In addition, some locals claim that there are places in the Andes that no man has set foot on. So you have a chance to be the first.
The Cordillera are the most long mountains America.
The longest mountain system in North America is the Cordillera. Most scientists agree that the Cordillera and the Andes are one mountain range, which in principle can be verified by looking at their location on a globe or on a world map. However, since they are located on different continents and even on different hemispheres - southern and northern, it makes sense to consider them separately. 
The Cordillera, like the Andes, lie in the western part of the continent and stretch from north to south. This mountain system is quite solid and in its height. The main mountain (McKinley) reaches 6193 meters above sea level. Dozens of peaks reach 5-6 thousand meters. Peaks covered with gray snow and rocks heated in the sun, gentle paths and sheer cliffs, densely forested areas and endless stone deserts - all this can be found in the Cordillera. They play an important role in logging, mining, tourism, industrial hunting and fishing. Mountain streams can be found in almost all latitudes, and many major rivers: Yukon, Missouri, Colorado and others. This makes life possible in certain areas of this mountain system, where Indian settlements are still (though rare).
The Appalachians are a mountain range in eastern North America.
In terms of its length, the mountains of America, the Appalachians are significantly inferior to the Cordillera - only 2600 kilometers. It is also inferior in height: Mount Mitchell rises to 2037 meters above sea level. But this can hardly be considered a disadvantage, since the Appalachians are unique mountains in their own way. 
Geographically, this mountain range is also international, as it is located on the territory of Canada and the United States. Scientists claim that at one time the ice age reigned here, which left a peculiar imprint on the landscape. If you are a beginner climber, then before going to the Cordillera, you should visit the Appalachians. There are relatively gentle slopes, beautiful landscapes, and the population density is much higher. characteristic feature these mountains of America have high humidity: a dense river system, in some places even swampy terrain, plus a large amount of precipitation. Previously, the Appalachians were almost completely covered with forests, but now their number is constantly declining due to uncontrolled logging. However, the surviving forests are famous for their flora and fauna. You can also often see orchards and livestock on the slopes of the mountains. The tourist infrastructure is well developed.
Ecology
The highest peaks are at the peak of the highest mountains of the seven continents. Among climbers they are known as " seven peaks", which was first conquered by Richard Bass on April 30, 1985.
Here are a few interesting facts about the highest points in all parts of the world.
highest mountain peaks
One of these days program Google Maps' Street View invited everyone to enjoy the view of the highest peaks of the world, offering interactive galleries of the highest mountains on Earth.
Maps include panoramic view of 4 of the 7 peaks: Everest in the Himalayas of Asia, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus in Europe and Aconcagua in South America.
You can make a virtual ascent of these peaks without exposing yourself to the heights and natural difficulties that climbers face.
1. The highest peak in the world and Asia - Mount Everest (Chomolungma)
Mount Everest height
8848 meters
Mount Everest geographic coordinates:
27.9880 degrees north latitude and 86.9252 degrees east longitude (27° 59" 17" N, 86° 55" 31" E)
Where is Mount Everest located?
Mount Everest or Chomolungma is highest mountain on earth, which is located in the area Mahalangur Himal in the Himalayas. The international border between China and Nepal runs along its summit. The Everest massif includes the neighboring peaks of Lhotse (8516 m), Nuptse (7861 m) and Changze (7543 m).
The highest mountain in the world attracts many experienced climbers and amateurs from all over the world. Although climbing the standard route is technically not a big problem, on Everest the biggest dangers are considered to be lack of oxygen, disease, weather and wind.
Other facts:
Mount Everest, which is also called Chomolungma from Tibetan it is translated as "Divine mother of snows" and from Nepali as "Mother of the Universe". The mountain is considered sacred to local residents. The name Everest was given in honor of the Briton George Everest, who was the first to measure the height of the highest mountain top peace.
Mount Everest annually rises by 3-6 mm and shifts to the northeast by 7 cm.
- First ascent of Everest committed New Zealander Edmund Hilary(Edmund Hillary) and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay(Tenzing Norgay) as part of the British expedition on May 29, 1953.
The largest expedition to climb Everest consisted of 410 people who were part of the 1975 Chinese team.
- The safest year on Everest was 1993, when 129 people reached the top, and 8 died. The most tragic year was 1996, when 98 people conquered the summit, and 15 people died (8 of them died on May 11).
The Nepalese Sherpa Appa is the person who has most climbed Everest. He set the record by climbing 21 times from 1990 to 2011.
2. The highest peak in South America - Mount Aconcagua
Height of Aconcagua
6.959 meters
Geographic coordinates of Aconcagua.
32.6556 degrees south latitude and 70.0158 degrees west longitude (32°39"12.35"S 70°00"39.9"W)
Where is Mount Aconcagua
Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Americas, located in the Andes mountain system in the province of Mendoza in Argentina. Also this highest peak in both the western and southern hemispheres.
The mountain is part Aconcagua National Park. It consists of a series of glaciers, the most famous of which is the Polish Glacier in the northeast, a frequent climbing route.
Other facts:
- Name "Aconcagua" probably means from the Araucan language "on the other side of the Aconcagua River" or from the Quechua language "Stone Guard".
In terms of mountaineering, Aconcagua is easy mountain to climb, if heading along the northern route, which does not require ropes, hooks and other equipment.
- First conquered aconcagua british Edward Fitzgerald(Edward FitzGerald) in 1897.
The youngest climber to reach the summit of Aconcagua was 10 years old Matthew Monitz(Matthew Moniz) December 16, 2008. The oldest is 87 years old Scott Lewis(Scott Lewis) in 2007.
3. The highest mountain in North America - Mount McKinley
McKinley height
6194 meters
Geographic coordinates of McKinley.
63.0694 degrees north, 151.0027 degrees west (63° 4" 10" N, 151° 0" 26" W)
Where is Mount McKinley
Mount McKinley is located in Alaska national park Denali and is the highest peak in the US and North America, as well as the third most prominent peak in the world after Mount Everest and Aconcagua.
Other facts:
Mount McKinley used to be the highest peak in Russia until Alaska was sold to the US.
Locals call it "Denali" (translated from the Athabaskan language "Great"), and the Russians who inhabited Alaska simply " big mountain". She was later renamed "McKinley" in honor of US President William McKinley.
- The first to conquer McKinley steel American climbers led by Hudson Stack(Hudson Stuck) and Harry Carstens(Harry Karstens) June 7, 1913.
Best climbing period - from May to July. Because of the far northern latitude, here the lower Atmosphere pressure, and less oxygen at the summit than on other high mountains in the world.
4. The highest peak in Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro
Height of Kilimanjaro
5895 meters
Geographic coordinates of Kilimanjaro.
3.066 degrees south latitude and 37.3591 degrees east longitude (3° 4" 0" S, 37° 21" 33" E)
Where is Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and is located in Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania. This volcano consists of three volcanic cones: Kiba, Mawenzi and Shira. Kilimanjaro is a huge stratovolcano that began to form a million years ago when lava erupted in the Rift Valley region.
Two peaks: Mawenzi and Shira are extinct volcanoes, while the highest - Kibo is dormant volcano, which may erupt again. The last major eruption occurred 360,000 years ago, and activity was recorded only 200 years ago.
Other facts:
There are several versions explaining Origin of "Kilimanjaro". One theory is that the name comes from the Swahili word "Kilima" ("mountain") and the Kichagga word "Njaro" ("whiteness"). According to another version, Kilimanjaro is the European origin of the phrase kichagga, which means "we did not climb it."
Since 1912, Kilimanjaro has lost more than 85 percent of its snow. According to scientists In 20 years, all the snow on Kilimanjaro will melt.
- First ascent was made by a German researcher Hans Meyer(Hans Meyer) and an Austrian climber Ludwig Purtsheller(Ludwig Purtscheller) on the third attempt October 6, 1889
- About 40,000 people try to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro every year.
The youngest climber to climb Mount Kilimanjaro was 7 years old Keats Boyd(Keats Boyd), who made the ascent on January 21, 2008.
5. The highest peak in Europe (and Russia) - Mount Elbrus
The height of Mount Elbrus
5642 meters
Geographic coordinates of Mount Elbrus
43.3550 degrees North, 42.4392 East (43° 21" 11" N, 42° 26" 13" E)
Where is Mount Elbrus located?
Mount Elbrus is an extinct volcano located in the western part of Caucasus mountains on the border of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia in Russia. The top of Elbrus is the highest in Russia, in Europe and the western part of Asia. The western peak reaches 5642 m, and the eastern 5621 m.
Other facts:
- Name "Elbrus" comes from the Iranian word "Albors", which means "high mountain". It is also called Ming tau ("eternal mountain"), Yalbuz ("mane of snow") and Oshkhamakho ("mountain of happiness")
Elbrus is covered by a permanent ice sheet that supports 22 glaciers, which in turn feed the Baksan, Kuban and Malka rivers.
Elbrus located in a mobile tectonic region, but deep below extinct volcano is molten magma.
- First ascent on the eastern peak of Elbrus was committed on July 10, 1829 Hilar Kachirov, who was on the expedition of the Russian General G.A. Emmanuel, and to the western one (which is about 40 m higher) - in 1874 by an English expedition led by F. Crawford Grove(F. Crauford Grove).
From 1959 to 1976 a cable car , which takes visitors to a height of 3750 meters.
A year on Elbrus about 15-30 people die mainly due to poorly organized attempts to conquer the summit
In 1997 SUV Land Rover Defender climbed to the top of Elbrus, setting a Guinness world record.
6. The highest peak of Antarctica - Vinson Massif
Vinson array height
4892 meters
Geographic coordinates of the Vinson massif
78.5254 degrees south latitude and 85.6171 degrees west longitude (78° 31" 31.74" S, 85° 37" 1.73" W)
Vinson Massif on the map
The Vinson array is the most high mountain Antarctica, which is located on the Sentinel Range in the Ellsworth Mountains. The massif, approximately 21 km long and 13 km wide, is located 1200 km from the South Pole.
Other facts
The highest peak is Vinson Peak, named after Carl Vinson- Member of the US Congress. The Vinson Array was first discovered in 1958, and first ascent was committed in 1966.
In 2001, the first expedition reached the summit via Eastern route and measurements of the height of the summit were made using GPS.
More 1400 people tried to conquer Vinson Peak.
7. The highest peak in Australia and Oceania - Mount Punchak Jaya
Height of Puncak Jaya
4884 meters
Geographic coordinates of Puncak Jaya.
4.0833 degrees south latitude 137.183 degrees east longitude (4° 5" 0" S, 137° 11" 0" E)
Where is Punchak Jaya
Puncak Jaya or Carstens Pyramid is the highest peak of Mount Carstens in western Papua, Indonesia.
This mountain is highest in Indonesia, on the island New Guinea, in Oceania (on the Australian plate), the highest mountain on the island, and the highest point between the Himalayas and the Andes.
Mount Kosciuszko is considered the highest peak on the Australian continent., whose height is 2228 meters.
Other facts:
When Indonesia began to administer the province in 1963, the summit was renamed Sukarno Summit in honor of the President of Indonesia. Later it was renamed Punchak Jaya. The word "Puncak" in Indonesian means "mountain or peak", and "Jaya" is translated as "victory".
The summit of Punchak Jaya conquered for the first time in 1962, Austrian climbers led by Heinrich Garrer(Heinrich Harrer) and three other members of the expedition.
Access to the summit requires government permission. The mountain was closed to hikers and climbers from 1995 until 2005. Since 2006, access has been possible through various travel agencies.
Puncak Jaya is considered one of the hardest climbs. He has the highest technical rating, but not the greatest physical demands.
