Mountains span approximately 20% of Earth’s surface and are found on every continent.
Standing at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet), Everest is the tallest mountain when measured from sea level.
Although Everest is tallest above sea level, Hawaii's Mauna Kea is taller from base to summit at over 10,000 meters when measured from its base on the ocean floor.
Stretching over 7,000 km (4,300 miles), the Andes is the longest mountain range in the world.
The Himalayas continue to rise about 5 millimeters per year due to the ongoing collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Mountains are often called 'water towers' because they provide freshwater to over half the world’s population.
Located in Tanzania near the equator, Kilimanjaro’s summit still has glaciers, although they are rapidly melting.
Extending from Canada to New Mexico, the Rockies are one of the longest mountain systems in North America.
Most mountains are formed by the collision or separation of tectonic plates that push the Earth’s crust upwards.
High mountain environments are cold, windy, and low in oxygen, which challenges both humans and animals to adapt.
The Alps span eight countries, including France, Switzerland, and Austria, and are a major tourist attraction.
Located in Russia’s Caucasus Mountains, Mount Elbrus stands at 5,642 meters (18,510 feet).
Many species found in mountain habitats are endemic, meaning they exist nowhere else on Earth.
Estimated to be over 480 million years old, the Appalachian Mountains are heavily eroded but geologically ancient.
Mount Fuji is a symbol of Japan and an active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707.
All over 8,000 meters, these include Everest, K2, Lhotse, and Annapurna.
This massive collision created the beautiful, rugged Alps millions of years ago.
They extend across Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia and form a barrier between the Sahara and the Mediterranean.
Snow leopards are specially adapted to cold, high-altitude environments in Asia.
Examples include Mount Kailash in Tibet and Mount Olympus in Greece.
Located in Argentina, it stands at 6,961 meters (22,838 feet).
It reaches heights of up to 3,482 meters and forms a natural border between Lesotho and South Africa.
They block cold winds from Central Asia and help create the Indian monsoon system.
Tectonic activity that builds mountains also causes frequent earthquakes in these areas.
Located in California and Nevada, this mountain range features dramatic peaks and lakes.
Also known as Mount McKinley, it rises to 6,190 meters (20,310 feet) in Alaska.
They form from accumulated snowfall and help shape mountain landscapes through erosion.
This range lies between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
Mountain slopes can have vastly different climates depending on sun exposure and altitude.
Located in Sicily, Italy, Mount Etna erupts frequently and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Stretching from the Arctic Ocean to Kazakhstan, they serve as a physical divide between continents.
Native to Nepal, Sherpas have helped countless expeditions climb Everest and other Himalayan peaks.
Ojos del Salado in Chile is the tallest volcano, rising to 6,893 meters.
Volcanoes like Mount St. Helens and Mount Fuji are also mountains created by eruptions.
Examples include the Ganges, Amazon, and Yangtze rivers.
They stretch through countries like China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Rising temperatures are causing glaciers to retreat and snow cover to decrease.
They use their hooves and balance to navigate steep, rocky slopes with ease.
This range is also home to unique wildlife and ancient pilgrimage routes.
At high altitudes, water boils at lower temperatures due to reduced atmospheric pressure.
They are among the oldest mountains on Earth and have rich oil reserves beneath them.
This range includes mountains in Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine.
They consist of three major chains: Occidental, Oriental, and del Sur.
Gold, silver, copper, and other minerals are often mined in mountainous regions.
Pilots must navigate around or above mountain ranges, especially in poor weather.
Arun Valley is one of the world’s deepest valleys, carved between Everest and Makalu.
Alpine plants are low-growing and can survive extreme cold and wind.
Located in Central Asia, they feature some of the highest and most remote peaks.
Heavy snow accumulation on steep slopes can trigger deadly avalanches.
This range has historically been a major trade and invasion route.
When moist air rises over mountains, it cools and precipitates, leaving dry areas on the other side known as rain shadows.
Glacial movement carves out basins that fill with meltwater, forming stunning alpine lakes like Lake Louise in Canada.
It is the highest mountain in the Cascade Range and is closely monitored due to its potential volcanic activity.
Mountain ranges often isolate populations, leading to distinct languages and traditions developing in valleys.
The Rocky Mountains span over 4,800 kilometers from British Columbia to New Mexico.
Skiing, hiking, and mountaineering attract millions of tourists to mountain regions each year.
Groups like the Quechua in the Andes or the Sherpas in Nepal have adapted to high-altitude life for centuries.
Stretching over 7,000 kilometers, the Andes run along the western edge of South America.
Due to the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, the Himalayas grow a few millimeters annually.
At higher altitudes, air pressure drops and oxygen becomes thinner, impacting breathing and physical performance.
Located in the Balkans, they span countries like Croatia, Bosnia, and Montenegro.
In Australia, these mountains appear blue due to light scattering caused by eucalyptus oil vapor in the air.
This mountainous region in northern Scotland is famous for its dramatic landscapes and history.
It stands at 2,228 meters (7,310 feet) and is located in the Snowy Mountains range.
This mountain range includes Banff and Jasper National Parks, known for breathtaking views and wildlife.
Symptoms include headache, nausea, and dizziness and can occur above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet).
Although it hasn't erupted in centuries, Kilimanjaro is a dormant stratovolcano and Africa’s highest mountain.
From Inca cities in the Andes to early settlements in the Zagros, mountains played key roles in human history.
Millions rely on glacial meltwater from mountain sources for fresh water.
High mountain elevations can preserve permafrost, which remains frozen year-round.
These glaciers are rapidly retreating due to climate change, impacting water sources and ecosystems.
Triggered by weather, terrain, or human activity, they pose serious risks in snow-covered regions.
K2, located on the China-Pakistan border, reaches 8,611 meters (28,251 feet).
High elevations can experience sudden shifts in temperature, precipitation, and visibility.
Mount Kazbek in Georgia is a dormant stratovolcano with cultural and mythological significance.
Built by the Inca Empire, Machu Picchu rests on a mountain ridge nearly 2,430 meters high.
This mountainous region reaches altitudes over 4,500 meters and supports unique ecosystems.
Trade routes like the Silk Road used mountain passes to connect empires and cultures.
Found in the Virunga Mountains and Bwindi Forest, they are critically endangered primates.
Due to harsh climate, trees cannot survive above a certain elevation known as the tree line.
It contains over 50 peaks above 5,700 meters and stunning glacier-fed lakes.
While not the highest above sea level, Mauna Kea in Hawaii rises over 10,000 meters from its base on the ocean floor.
Switzerland, Austria, and France offer world-renowned skiing, snowboarding, and mountaineering.
Large mountain ranges can steer wind patterns, which in turn affect oceanic flow and temperature.
Ice cores drilled from mountain glaciers reveal ancient atmospheric data and climate trends.
This mountain range in India contains many endemic species and lush tropical forests.
The Laramide orogeny event pushed up the Rockies in western North America.
Terrace farming on mountain slopes is practiced in the Andes, Himalayas, and Ethiopia.
These ancient mountains in Russia hold deposits of precious metals, gemstones, and fuel.
Composers like Beethoven and artists like Turner found creative inspiration in the Alpine landscapes.
Due to remoteness, danger, or cultural restrictions, several mountains remain untouched by humans.
The snow line varies with latitude and elevation, defining where snow remains year-round.
Examples include Olympus in Greece and Meru in Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first confirmed climbers to reach the summit.
They often act as boundaries between countries and regions, like the Pyrenees between Spain and France.
Formed by the collision of tectonic plates, examples include the Himalayas, Alps, and Rockies.
Many peaks in the Andes, like Cotopaxi and Villarrica, are volcanic and erupt periodically.
Mountain forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO₂ and helping combat climate change.
It’s Australia’s most substantial mountain range and affects the country’s weather and water systems.
Despite their relatively small area, they are crucial for biodiversity, water supply, and human livelihood.