Mountains are among the most spectacular and fascinating natural wonders on our planet. They offer breathtaking scenery, diverse ecosystems, rich cultural heritage, and exciting outdoor activities. But which countries have the highest mountains in the world? How do mountains form and how do we measure their height? And what are some of the advantages and disadvantages of living in mountainous areas? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, as we rank the top 10 countries with highest mountain by their average elevation above sea level.
How are Mountains Formed and Measured?
Mountains are the result of the movement and collision of tectonic plates, which are huge pieces of Earth’s crust that float on top of the mantle, the layer of hot and molten rock below the crust. When two plates move towards each other, they can either slide under one another (subduction), or push against one another (orogeny). Subduction creates volcanic mountains, which are formed by the eruption of magma from the mantle through the crust, such as the Andes in South America, which are part of the Ring of Fire, a belt of volcanoes around the Pacific Ocean. Orogeny creates fold mountains, which are formed by the folding and buckling of the crust due to compression, such as the Himalayas in Asia, which are the result of the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates.
The height of a mountain is measured from its base to its summit. However, there are different ways to define the base of a mountain, depending on where it is located and whether it is part of a larger mountain range or system. For example, Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world by its elevation above sea level (29,029 feet or 8,848 meters), which is the distance from sea level to its summit. But Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world by its height from base to summit (33,500 feet or 10,200 meters), which is the distance from its base on the ocean floor to its summit above sea level. Mauna Kea is a volcanic island in Hawaii that is mostly submerged under water.
Top 10 Countries with Highest Mountain by Average Elevation
According to World Population Review, the top 10 countries with highest mountain by their average elevation above sea level are:
Bhutan – 10,760 feet (3,280 meters) Bhutan is a small landlocked country in South Asia that lies on the eastern edge of the Himalayas. It is known for its Buddhist culture, its Gross National Happiness index, and its environmental conservation efforts. It is also home to some of the highest and most remote mountains in the world, such as Gangkhar Puensum (24,840 feet or 7,570 meters), which is the highest unclimbed peak in the world. Most of Bhutan’s population lives in the lower valleys and hills in the south, where agriculture and tourism are the main economic activities.
Nepal – 10,715 feet (3,265 meters) Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia that lies on the southern slopes of the Himalayas. It is famous for its ancient culture, its diverse ethnic groups, and its natural beauty. It is also home to eight of the world’s ten highest peaks, including Mount Everest (29,029 feet or 8,848 meters), which is shared with China. Nepal attracts millions of tourists every year who come to enjoy trekking, mountaineering, wildlife viewing, and cultural exploration. Nepal also faces many challenges such as poverty, political instability, and natural disasters.
Tajikistan – 10,455 feet (3,187 meters) Tajikistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia that lies on
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the junction of several mountain ranges, such as the Pamirs, the Tien Shan, the Alay, and the Hindu Kush. It is one of the most mountainous countries in the world, with more than 90% of its territory above 1,000 meters. It is also one of the poorest and most isolated countries in the world, with a history of civil war, authoritarian rule, and geopolitical rivalry. Tajikistan’s highest peak is Ismoil Somoni Peak (24,590 feet or 7,495 meters), which is also the highest point in the former Soviet Union. 4. Kyrgyzstan – 9,805 feet (2,987 meters) Kyrgyzstan is another landlocked country in Central Asia that lies on the northern slopes of the Tien Shan mountain system. It is known for its nomadic culture, its yurt dwellings, and its horseback traditions. It is also known for its scenic landscapes, such as Lake Issyk-Kul, the second-largest alpine lake in the world, and Jengish Chokusu (24,406 feet or 7,439 meters), the highest peak in the Tien Shan and Kyrgyzstan’s highest point. Kyrgyzstan is a parliamentary republic that has experienced several revolutions and ethnic conflicts since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. 5. Lesotho – 7,090 feet (2,161 meters) Lesotho is a small landlocked country in Southern Africa that is entirely surrounded by South Africa. It is the only country in the world that has all its land above 1,000 meters. It is also one of the highest countries in the world by average elevation, with more than 80% of its land above 1,800 meters. Lesotho’s highest peak is Thabana Ntlenyana (11,424 feet or 3,482 meters), which is also the highest point in Southern Africa. Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy that has a rich culture and history, but also faces many challenges such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, and climate change. 6. Andorra – 6,550 feet (1,996 meters) Andorra is a tiny landlocked country in Western Europe that lies on the eastern Pyrenees mountain range between France and Spain. It is one of the smallest countries in the world by area and population, but also one of the richest and most developed countries in the world by GDP per capita and human development index. Andorra’s highest peak is Coma Pedrosa (9,652 feet or 2,943 meters), which is also part of the border with France. Andorra is a parliamentary co-principality that has two heads of state: the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell in Spain. 7. Afghanistan – 6,180 feet (1,884 meters) Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South-Central Asia that lies on the crossroads of several ancient civilizations and trade routes. It has a diverse geography that includes plains, deserts, rivers, lakes, and mountains. The Hindu Kush mountain range covers most of Afghanistan’s territory and forms part of the border with Pakistan. Afghanistan’s highest peak is Noshaq (24,580 feet or 7,492 meters), which is also shared with Pakistan. Afghanistan is an Islamic republic that has a long and turbulent history of wars, invasions, coups, and insurgencies.
8. Chile – 6,140 feet (871 meters)
Chile is a long and narrow 871 meters) in South America that lies along the western coast of the continent. It has a varied climate and geography that ranges from the driest desert in the world (the Atacama) in the north, to the fertile valleys and vineyards in the center, to the glaciers and fjords in the south. The Andes mountain range runs along the eastern border of Chile and contains many active volcanoes and high peaks. Chile’s highest peak is Ojos del Salado (22,615 feet or 6,893 meters), which is also the highest volcano in the world.
9. China 6,035 feet (1,839 meters)
China is a vast country in East Asia that covers about 9.6 million square kilometers and has a population of about 1.4 billion people. It has a diverse landscape that includes plains, plateaus, basins, hills, deserts, rivers, lakes, and mountains. The Himalayas, the Kunlun, the Tian Shan, and the Altai are some of the major mountain ranges that span across China’s territory and form part of its borders with neighboring countries. China’s highest peak is Mount Everest (29,029 feet or 8,848 meters), which is shared with Nepal. China is a socialist republic that has a rich culture and history, but also faces many challenges such as pollution, human rights, and territorial disputes. 10. Armenia – 5,879 feet (1,792 meters) Armenia is a landlocked country in Western Asia that lies on the Armenian Highlands, a mountainous region that covers parts of Armenia, Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. It is one of the oldest countries in the world and the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion. It is also home to Mount Ararat (16,854 feet or 5,137 meters), which is considered to be the resting place of Noah’s Ark according to the Bible. However, Mount Ararat is located in Turkey and is not part of Armenia’s territory. Armenia’s highest peak is Mount Aragats (13,419 feet or 4,090 meters), which is a dormant volcano with four summits. Armenia is a parliamentary republic that has a vibrant culture and heritage, but also faces many challenges such as poverty, corruption, and conflict.
Conclusion
Mountains are not only beautiful and impressive natural features, but also important sources of water, energy, minerals, biodiversity, and tourism. They also play a significant role in shaping the climate, culture, and history of many countries and regions around the world. However, mountains also pose many challenges for human development and well-being, such as accessibility, isolation, vulnerability to natural hazards, climate change impacts
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, and land degradation. Therefore, it is essential to protect and conserve the mountain ecosystems and resources, and to promote sustainable and inclusive development for the mountain communities and countries.
10 Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: What is the highest mountain in the world? A: The highest mountain in the world by elevation above sea level is Mount Everest, which is 29,029 feet or 8,848 meters high. It is located on the border between Nepal and China in the Himalayas.
Q: What is the tallest mountain in the world? A: The tallest mountain in the world by height from base to summit is Mauna Kea, which is 33,500 feet or 10,200 meters tall. It is located on the island of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. Most of its base is submerged under water.
Q: What are the seven summits? A: The seven summits are the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. They are: Mount Everest in Asia, Aconcagua in South America, Denali in North America, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Elbrus in Europe, Mount Vinson in Antarctica, and Puncak Jaya or Kosciuszko in Australia/Oceania.
Q: What are the ten highest peaks in the world? A: The ten highest peaks in the world by elevation above sea level are: Mount Everest (29,029 feet or 8,848 meters), K2 (28,251 feet or 8,611 meters), Kangchenjunga (28,169 feet or 8,586 meters), Lhotse (27,940 feet or 8,516 meters), Makalu (27,838 feet or 8,485 meters), Cho Oyu (26,906 feet or 8,201 meters), Dhaulagiri (26,795 feet or 8,167 meters), Manaslu (26,781 feet or 8,163 meters), Nanga Parbat (26,660 feet or 8,126 meters), and Annapurna (26,545 feet or 8,091 meters).
Q: What are the benefits of living in mountainous regions? A: Some of the benefits of living in mountainous regions are: access to clean water, renewable energy sources, mineral resources, biodiversity, scenic beauty, cultural diversity, recreational opportunities, and spiritual values.
Q: What are the challenges of living in mountainous regions? A: Some of the challenges of living in mountainous regions are: low oxygen levels
, harsh weather conditions, natural hazards, limited arable land, poor infrastructure, isolation, poverty, food insecurity, health problems, social conflicts, and environmental degradation.
Q: How does climate change affect mountainous regions? A: Climate change affects mountainous regions in various ways, such as: melting glaciers and snow, reducing water availability and hydropower potential, increasing the risk of floods and landslides, altering the distribution and diversity of flora and fauna, threatening the livelihoods and cultures of mountain people, and increasing the vulnerability of mountain ecosystems and resources.
Q: How can we protect and conserve mountainous regions? A: We can protect and conserve mountainous regions by: raising awareness and education about the importance and value of mountains, promoting sustainable and inclusive development for mountain communities and countries, supporting research and innovation on mountain issues and solutions, enhancing cooperation and coordination among different stakeholders and sectors, implementing policies and laws that respect and protect the rights and interests of mountain people and environments, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change impacts.
Q: What are some of the best places to visit in mountainous regions? A: Some of the best places to visit in mountainous regions are: Machu Picchu in Peru, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is an ancient Inca citadel located on a mountain ridge; Grand Canyon in the United States, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a spectacular gorge carved by the Colorado River; Mount Fuji in Japan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a sacred and iconic volcano; Swiss Alps in Switzerland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a stunning range of snow-capped peaks and valleys; Himalayas in Asia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the highest and most diverse mountain range in the world; Rocky Mountains in North America, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a vast and rugged range of peaks and parks; Table Mountain in South Africa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a flat-topped mountain overlooking Cape Town; Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania