Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The planet's surface is shaped by a variety of natural features, each formed by distinct geological processes. Here are the primary landforms and their characteristics.
Mountains are natural elevations rising more than 2,000 feet (610 meters) above surrounding terrain. They are created by tectonic activity—the movement and deformation of Earth's crust. Found on every continent, mountains vary widely in shape and size. The Himalayas in Asia are the tallest range, with Mount Everest reaching 29,029 feet (8,848 meters).
Hills are smaller elevations, typically between 200 and 2,000 feet (61–610 meters) high. They often appear in mountainous regions but can stand alone. Notably, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, often called a hill due to its gentle slopes, rises 19,341 feet (5,895 meters).
Valleys are depressions bounded by higher land, formed by rivers, glaciers, or tectonic forces. They range from narrow, steep-sided gorges to broad, gentle basins. The largest is Africa's Rift Valley, stretching over 4,000 miles (6,437 km) long and 100 miles (161 km) wide.
Plateaus are large, relatively flat elevated areas. They arise from volcanic activity or tectonic uplift. The Tibetan Plateau in Asia is the world's largest, covering over 1.5 million square miles (3.9 million sq km) with an average elevation above 14,000 feet (4,267 meters).
Plains are expansive, flat lowlands often formed by sediment deposition from rivers, glaciers, or wind. The North European Plain is the largest, spanning over 2 million square miles (5.2 million sq km) with elevations under 100 feet (30 meters).
Deserts are arid regions receiving very little precipitation, characterized by high temperatures, low humidity, and sparse vegetation. They exist on every continent except Antarctica. The Sahara in Africa is the largest, covering 3.6 million square miles (9.4 million sq km) with less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) of annual rainfall.
Rainforests are dense, tropical forests with high rainfall, humidity, and lush vegetation. They are found on all continents except Antarctica. The Amazon Rainforest in South America is the largest, covering 2.1 million square miles (5.5 million sq km) and receiving over 100 inches (254 cm) of rain annually.