What are the top 10 highest/tallest mountains in the world?
The snow-capped mountains of the Himalayan range are the tallest and the youngest mountains in the world. They are also known as the ‘Abode of God’ and people worship the mountain range as a form of divinity. Not only are the mountains a perennial source of water, but they also support the plant, animal, and human life. Adventure seekers and nature lovers find great enjoyment in the mountains. Nine of the top ten tallest mountains belong to the Himalayan Range.
Mt. Everest
First ascended in 1953, Mt. Everest is the world’s tallest mountain peak. It is situated on the border of Nepal and Tibet (China) in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayan Mountains.
K2
First ascended in 1954, K2 is the world’s second-highest peak. Due to the lack of a local name, it was suggested to name it after the local explorer Godwin Austen. K2 is situated on the border of China and Pakistan and is a part of the Karakoram Range.
Kanchenjunga
First ascended in 1955, Kanchenjunga is the world’s third tallest mountain. It is also the second-tallest Himalayan Mountain. Lying partly in Sikkim and Nepal, it is worshipped by the people of Darjeeling and Sikkim.
Lhotse
Successfully ascended in 1956 for the first time, Lhotse stands as the fourth tallest mountain in the world. It belongs to the Himalayan Range and is on the border between Tibet of China and the Khumbu region of Nepal.
Makalu
It was first ascended in 1954 and adds to the beauty of the Himalayan Range. It is the world’s fifth tallest mountain. It stands on the border between Nepal and Tibet. Makalu is an isolated peak and looks like a four-sided pyramid.
Cho Oyu
It took numerous attempts at climbing this mountain until it was submitted successfully in 1954. Cho Oyu is the world’s sixth tallest mountain and belongs to the Himalayan Range and stands at the China-Nepal border.
Dhaulagiri l
Dhaulagiri I first ascended in 1960 and is the world’s seventh tallest peak. It is situated in Nepal and does not lie in any of the adjoining states. Belonging to the Himalayan range, Dhaulagiri consists of several sub-peaks of which Dhaulagiri 1 is the tallest.
Manaslu
First ascended in 1956, this is the world’s eighth tallest peak. Manaslu is one more peak that belongs to the great Himalayan Range. It is in the Gorkha District of Nepal.
Nanga Parbat
It was first ascended in 1953 and is the world’s ninth tallest peak. Due to the high number of climber deaths, this mountain is nicknamed as ‘Killer Mountain.’ Nanga Parbat is also a part of the Himalayan Range. It is in the Diamer District of Gilgit–Baltistan in Pakistan, very close to the Karakoram Range.
Annapurna
Annapurna was first ascended in 1950 and is the world’s tenth tallest peak and is part of the Himalayan Range. It is situated in the Gandaki zone in Nepal. Since it gets its name from the Goddess of Food, Annapurna, the mountain range is worshipped with an open heart.
The table below gives a quick glance at the details of the top 10 tallest mountains:
Rank | Name | Range | Height (feet) |
1 | Mt. Everest | Himalayas | 29,029 |
2 | K2 (Godwin Austen) | Karakoram | 28,251 |
3 | Kanchenjunga | Himalayas | 28,169 |
4 | Lhotse | Himalayas | 27,940 |
5 | Makalu | Himalayas | 27,838 |
6 | Cho Oyu | Himalayas | 26,864 |
7 | Dhaulagiri I | Himalayas | 26,795 |
8 | Manaslu | Himalayas | 26,781 |
9 | Nanga Parbat | Himalayas | 26,660 |
10 | Annapurna I | Himalayas | 26,545 |
Related Links:
- What is the longest Mountain Range in the World?
- How were the Himalayas formed?
- What is Nepal famous for?
- What is the smallest mountain in the World?
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