Mount Everest: The World's Highest Mountain

Mount Everest stands as Earth's highest mountain above sea level, a crown jewel of the Himalayas that has captivated explorers, scientists, and adventurers for over a century.

Key Facts

• Elevation: 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) – jointly confirmed by Nepal and China in 2020
• Location: Mahalangur Himal sub-range, Himalayas
• Border: Straddles Nepal (Khumbu region) and China (Tibet Autonomous Region)
• Coordinates: 27°59′17″N 86°55′31″E

Names and Significance

• Sagarmatha (Nepali): "Forehead of the Sky"
• Chomolungma (Tibetan): "Goddess Mother of the World"
• Mount Everest (English): Named after Sir George Everest, former Surveyor General of India

Geological Context

Formed by the ongoing collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, Everest continues to rise approximately 4 mm annually. The summit consists of marine limestone from the ancient Tethys Ocean floor, pushed to extreme altitude over millions of years.

Climbing History

• First confirmed summit: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay (May 29, 1953)
• Over 6,000 summits by 4,000+ individuals (as of 2023)
• Death zone above 8,000 m requires supplemental oxygen for most climbers