Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world above sea level. It stands at 8,849 meters (29,032 feet). Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first people to reach its summit in 1953. [1, 7, 8, 9, 10]
Understanding "Highest" - Different Perspectives
While Mount Everest holds the title of the highest mountain above sea level, it's important to note that other mountains claim the "highest" title based on different measurement criteria:
-
Highest above sea level: This is the most common definition and refers to the elevation of a mountain's peak relative to mean sea level. Mount Everest definitively wins in this category. [1, 7, 8, 9, 10]
-
Farthest from the Earth's center: Due to the Earth's equatorial bulge, the summit of Chimborazo in Ecuador is considered the point farthest from the Earth's center. [2]
-
Tallest from base to peak: Some sources argue that Mauna Kea in Hawaii, a largely underwater volcano, is the tallest mountain when considering its base from the ocean floor. [6]
Mount Everest: A Quick Overview
- Location: Straddling the border between Nepal and China (Tibet). [3]
- First Ascent: 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. [1, 7, 9, 10]
- Height: 8,849 meters (29,032 feet) above sea level. [1]
- Also known as: Sagarmatha (Nepal), Chomolungma (Tibet). [1]
