The highest mountains are located in southern Asia and in the south of Central Asia - these are the mountain systems of the Himalayas, the Pamirs, the Hindu Kush, the Tien Shan, the Tibetan Plateau. In the north of Asia there are lower mountains - these are the Central Siberian Plateau, the Stanovoye Upland, the Chersky Range, the Verkhoyansky Range, the Sredinny Range, the Altai Mountains. In the east, there are such mountains as the Big and Small Khingan and Sikhote-Alin. In the western part of Asia, on its border with Europe, there are such mountains as the Caucasus and the Urals.
The Himalayas are the highest mountains in Asia and in the world. They are located on the border of South and East Asia and separate the lowlands of the Indus and Ganges from the Tibetan highlands. In the northwest, the Himalayas border on another high mountain system in Asia - the Hindu Kush. The length of the Himalayas is more than 2400 km, and the width is about 200-300 km. The steepest slopes of the Himalayas look south, towards the valley of the Indus and Ganges rivers. From the side of Tibet, the Himalayas look more gentle. In total, there are 130 peaks in the Himalayas, which rise to a height of more than 7000m. 11 mountains in the Himalayas are over 8000 meters high. They are mainly found in the Nepalese Himalayas - the highest part of this mountain system. Among them: Mount Everest (8882 m), Mount Kapchenjunga (8598 m), Makalu (8470 m), Apnapurna (8078 m), Gozaintan (8018 m), Dhaulagiri (8172 m), Cho Oyu (8180 m), Shisha - Pangma (8013 m), Manaslu (8128 m), Lhotse Main (8501 m) and others.
The second highest after the Himalayas in Asia, as well as in the world as a whole, is the Karakorum mountain range. It is located southeast of the Pamirs and the Hindu Kush, between Kun-Lun and the Himalayas. Its average height is 6000 km. More than 80 mountains above 7000 meters. There are also eight-thousanders: mountains Chogori (8611 m), Hidden Peak (8068 m), Gasherbrum (8073 m) and Broad Peak (8047 m).
One of the longest mountain systems in Asia is the Kunlun Mountains - they stretch from the Pamirs in the west to the Sino-Tibetan Mountains in the east, bypassing the Tibetan Plateau from the north (the Himalayas bypass the Tibetan Plateau from the south). The length of the Kunlun is about 2500 km, the width in some places reaches 600 km. The highest mountain in Kunlun is Aksai Chin (7167 m).
Pamir is also a large mountain system. It is located in the south of Central Asia on the territory of modern China, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. The highest mountain in the Pamirs is Kongur Peak. Its height is 7719 m.
The Hindu Kush mountains are also located in the south of Central Asia. Their length is 1000 km., and the width is from 50 to 500 km. They are the boundary between the Indus River basin (South Asia) and the endorheic basin of Central Asia. The highest mountain in the Hindu Kush is Tirichmir (7690 m).
Southeast Asia has many exciting sights and places of interest, such as the magical world of coral reefs or the breathtaking skyline of Hong Kong, Singapore or Shanghai, but the peaks of the most beautiful mountains stand apart.
1. Mount Doi Luang in Chiang Dao ( Thailand)
Mount Doi Luang Chiang Dao is the highest limestone peak in Thailand and one of the dream destinations for nature and outdoor enthusiasts. The mountain, located in the Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, has a height of 2,195 meters from sea level. The peak is a great place to watch breathtaking scenery over the morning sea of mist. The surrounding highlands are home to rare species of birds and butterflies.
2. Bromo Volcano (Indonesia)
Bromo Volcano, 3392 meters high, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Indonesia, the peak is located in East Java on the island of Java and belongs to volcanic complex Tengger. Bromo is the most iconic and most popular mountain in Indonesia. It majestically beckons with its sulphurous fumes from the depths of the Earth. Bromo Volcano is still one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and there are areas that are off-limits to tourists. The most beautiful scenery on Bromo will open up to you during sunrise.
3. Mount Apo (Philippines)
The active volcano Apo is located west of the city of Davao on the island of Mindanao. At 2,954 meters above sea level, Mount Apo is the highest peak in the Philippines. It stands covered in a forest of alpine tropical hardwoods. The highlands are home to the rare Philippine eagle and have numerous peaks and valleys, as well as local attractions such as Malasita Falls, Sibulao Lake and Kissinte Hot Springs.
4. Mount Hkakabo Razi (Myanmar)
Hkakabo Razi is considered the highest mountain in Myanmar. With a height of 5,881 meters, it is located at the point of contact between the borders of three states: India, Myanmar and China. The peak is located in the Hkakabo Razi National Park, Myanmar, which is entirely mountainous and is characterized by broad-leaved evergreen forests. Even higher, at about 4,600 meters, cold, barren, windy terrain and permanent snow and glaciers predominate. At an altitude of about 5,300 meters there is a large ice cap with several glaciers.
5. Phubia (Laos)
Mount Phubia is the highest peak and the most inaccessible region in Laos. With an altitude of 2,820 meters above sea level, it is part of the Annam mountain range at the southern limit of the Xiangkhouang Plateau in the province of the same name. This area gives spectacular views of the jungle. The climate is cold and the area around the mountain is always cloudy.
6. Fansipan (Vietnam)
Fansipan Peak is located in Lao Cai province in the northwestern region of Vietnam. With a height of 3,143 meters above sea level, it is the highest mountain in Indochina. The peak is located 9 kilometers from Sa Pa, a village located on the Hoang Lian Son mountain range.
The majestic Mount Kinabalu is located in the state of Sabain, East Malaysia, or Malaysian Borneo. The mountain is located in Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The peak and its surroundings are among the most important biological sites in the world. Mount Kinabalu boasts many natural attractions, including orangutans, and plant species such as the giant Rafflesia plants.
8. Mount Ihen (Indonesia)
Volcano Ichen located inside a largercalderasIchen, about 20 kilometers wide. Mount Merapi is the highest point of this complex, the name means "mountain of fire" in Indonesian. To the west of Gunung Merapi is the Ikhen volcano, which has a one-kilometer acidcrater lake withturquoise hue, the main attraction of this place.
9. Banaue Rice Terraces (Philippines)
How would you feel traveling over the low mud banks separating the flooded rice fields at over 1,500 meters and reaching the peaks of some peaks? It is priceless to walk through a terraced rice farm that rises to 1,500 meters above sea level. The Paradise Terraces of Banaue in Ifugao, Philippines are recognized for their spaciousness and boundless beauty.
The rice terrace is proof of the engineering ingenuity of ancient people. About 2,000 years ago, the Ifugao indigenous ancestors carved these rice terraces by hand using primitive tools. It is now a World Heritage Site where you can immerse yourself in the culture of the Ifugao Highlands.
10. Mount Rinjani (Indonesia)
Mount Rinjani is an active volcano on the island of Lombok, Indonesia. With a height of 3,726 meters, it is the second highest peak in the country. Hiking in Rinjani is considered one of Indonesia's most popular pastimes among attractions. Hikers must climb up and then down into the crater to reach the lake at 2,000 meters above sea level.
Geography of Asia
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In the west, Asia borders Europe, the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus, the Black Sea, and the Caspian Sea.
In the east, Asia is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, and with a large number of bays and seas.
The Arctic Ocean and several seas form the northern border of Asia, one of them, the Bering Sea, separates Asia from North America. In the southwest, the Red Sea and the Isthmus of Suez separate the continent from Africa.
The Indian Ocean forms much of Asia's southern frontier, as well as a number of bays, gulfs, and seas, and, in addition, vast chains of inhabited and uninhabited islands.
Deserts of Asia
On the territory of Asia and the Near (Middle) East there are several vast deserts. The main ones will be listed next.
Arabian desert
Arabian wasteland (another name - deserts of the Arabian Peninsula) is a vast desert region stretching from Yemen to the Persian Gulf, and from Oman to Jordan and Iraq. The desert is located in the Middle East.
Gobi
The Gobi Desert is the largest desert in Asia, with an area of 1,300,000 sq. km. The Gobi Desert, which stretches from northern China to Mongolia, receives only about 18 cm of rain annually, due to the fact that the Himalayan mountains block the path of rain clouds.
Karakum
The Karakum desert covers a distance of 350,000 square kilometers, almost 70 percent of the total area of Turkmenistan. Due to the fact that the desert is located along the Caspian Sea, the climatic conditions in the Karakum are milder than many other Asian deserts, which are characterized by harsh winters and dry summers.
Kyzylkum
On the territory of this desert, stretching from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan, with an area of 300,000 square kilometers, a variety of flora and fauna is represented in abundance. And although only 10 to 20 cm of rain falls annually over the desert, the rain falls in cooler seasons, so that the water does not evaporate very quickly, and allows the existence of animals migrating in large numbers in this area.
Altyntag Mountains (upper left corner), forming
part of the northern border of the Tibetan Plateau,
contrast sharply with the Takla Makan desert.
NASA image
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Takla Makan
China's largest desert stretches over a total area of over 337,000 square kilometers. Mainly composed of changing and moving sand dunes, Takla Makan is one of the largest sand deserts in the world. Despite the hostile and unpredictable nature of the desert sands, the Chinese government built a road through the desert in the mid-1990s.
The Thar Desert, located on the territory of India and Pakistan, with an area of more than 200,000 square kilometers, is the only subtropical desert in Asia. Over the desert, up to 50 cm of rain falls annually, mainly during the monsoon period from July to September, and most of the crop is grown during this rainy season.
Lakes of Asia
There are dozens of seas and lakes in Asia. Some of the largest and most significant will be listed below.
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea, located in the western part of Asia, as well as on the eastern border of Europe, is the largest lake on the planet. This lake is called the "sea" thanks to the Romans, who considered it salty, especially on its southern borders, and since then the name has taken root. Oil and natural gas platforms abound along the seashores. In addition, a large number of sturgeons live in the waters of the lake, from the caviar of which especially valuable caviar is produced. Fresh water enters the sea via the Volga and Ural rivers in the north, but the sea is still brackish. The surface area of the lake is 371,000 sq. km., the greatest depth is 1,025 m.
Baikal
Lake Baikal is located in the southeastern part of Russia (in Siberia), north of Mongolia. Baikal is the largest freshwater lake in the world, as well as the deepest (with a depth of 1,620 m). Baikal contains 20% of the total amount of all fresh water in the world. The greatest width of Lake Baikal is 96 km, length is 626 km. The lake is completely surrounded by mountains, over 300 rivers and streams flow into it.
Aral Sea
The Aral Sea is located in the west of Asia, a little east of the Caspian Sea, on the territory of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The Aral Sea is rapidly shallowing (evaporating) and today it is almost completely polluted with fertilizer runoff, residues from Soviet weapons testing, and various industrial facilities. The mismanagement of the waters of this sea, according to many experts, is one of the worst environmental disasters. The diversion of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers for irrigation began in 1918, and this action, combined with other factors, has resulted in the Aral Sea now being 60% smaller than its original size. In recent years, the situation has improved somewhat in the northern part of the sea, but the lower part of the sea is essentially abandoned, and it is expected that the remaining water in this part of the water will disappear within ten years.
Mountains of Asia
There are several significant mountain ranges in Asia. Some of them will be considered below.
Altai mountains
The Altai Mountains are a mountain range located in East and Central Asia, where Russia, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan meet, and where the Irtysh and Ob rivers originate. Mount Belukha is the highest point of the Altai Mountains (with a height of 4,506 m).
Ghats
The Western Ghats are a mountain range along the western part of India, with an average elevation of 1,200 m. The Eastern Ghats are a mountain range along the eastern coast of India. The highest point is Biligiranga Hills (1552 m).
Himalayas
The photo on the left is of the Himalayan mountains. In the foreground is the Tibetan Plateau. Everest is visible in the center, Makalu is on the left.
The photo on the right depicts Mount Chogori. Both photos were taken from the ISS. NASA images
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Asian countries: big and small. The largest mountains, islands, rivers and lakes of the continent
Asia is the largest in area (44,579,000 km2) and the most populated part of the world (3.88 billion inhabitants) of planet Earth. Together with Europe, it forms a single (not separated by straits) continent of Eurasia, which is connected by the Isthmus of Suez to Africa, and separated from North America by a rather narrow Bering Strait (the maximum width is only 86 km). Asia is washed by the waters of all four oceans: the Pacific, Indian, Arctic and Atlantic (Mediterranean Sea).
- There are enough wonders of the world in Asia, both those that mother nature gave to mankind like Halong Bay in Vietnam or wonderful ones in Thailand, and those that were created by man
Some, like the Great Wall of China or, are very famous, others are not very well known, but some (for example, in Japan, the Sigiriya Palace on a rock in Sri Lanka, the imperial residence in Hue in Vietnam), are still considered to be attractions of the regional level, although they clearly deserve more!
Asian countries (47 states):
- Most of Asia's population is concentrated in countries such as China (PRC): over 1.3 billion people, and India: 1.1 billion people, which are the most populated on the planet.
Geography of Asia: mountains, rivers, lakes and islands
Asia is the most mountainous part of the world: the average height of the territory is 950 meters. The main mountain ranges cross the continent approximately in the middle: in the southwest-northeast direction. The highest plateau, Tibetan, rises above the surface of the oceans by about 4500 meters and covers an area of about 2.5 million square kilometers.
- Here is also the world's highest mountain system, the Himalayas (which in Sanskrit means "dwelling, shelter of snow"), which includes 17 (!) The highest mountains on the planet. Chinese-Nepalese Chomolungma (or Everest, 8848 meters), Pakistani K-2 (Chogo Gangri, 8611 meters) and Indian-Nepalese Kangchenjunga (Kangchen Dzö-nga, 8586 meters) top this impressive list
There are also many volcanoes in Asia, most of which are active. Among the most famous we highlight:
- Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano in Kamchatka is the highest active volcano in Eurasia (4750 meters). It is highly active to this day. The last recorded eruption was in 2007.
- Indonesian (Krakatoa) is also world-famous, having once “gobbled up” itself. Once it was located on the island of the same name, located between Java and Sumatra, and in 1883 it gave birth to a mighty eruption (on a nuclear scale equal to approximately 200 megatons), which was heard even in Perth, Australia, 3,100 kilometers away.
The sky, even over Europe, was for a long time painted with an ominous red color due to clouds of ash raised into the atmosphere - the famous Norwegian artist Munch even dedicated this. By the way, another eruption of Krakatoa (in 1927) "gave birth" to a small (about 2 km in diameter) volcanic island, called "Son of Krakatau" (Anak Krakatau). He is growing rapidly and, like the parent, has a violent temper.
Let's also mention:
Pusuk Buhit, Lake Toba, Indonesia - Tomboro (Tambora or Tomboro), also located in Indonesia and in 1815 during the eruption (presumably the strongest in recent history) that destroyed more than 70 thousand inhabitants of the island of Sumbawa
- Indonesian (Lake Toba), which is also a supervolcano and covers an area of about 100 by 30 km. The largest volcano lake in the world. It is believed that the massive eruption of this volcano approximately 70-75 thousand years ago led to global climate change
- A whole volcanic region is also in Indonesia, which is a popular tourist attraction in the country mainly because of its pristine landscape from the series “This is how the Earth was born”
Mount Fuji in Japan - (Fuji), which is considered one of the three Japanese "Sacred Mountains" and has a relatively "meek" disposition. The last of the recorded eruptions refers to 1707-1708. Fuji is located very close to the Japanese capital, Tokyo, is very loved by tourists and therefore is positioned as one of the main attractions of the "Land of the Rising Sun".
Any tourist can climb this mountain today - in the summer season!
The Asian continent includes a large number of islands. The largest of them are the Indonesian Borneo (the third largest, 743,330 km2, after Papua New Guinea, the island in the world) and Sumatra (470,000 km2). And the most populated: Indonesian Java (124 million inhabitants, according to a 2005 estimate) and Japanese Honshu (103 million people).
, Sri Lanka Some Asian countries are located exclusively on the islands (island): Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, Cyprus, Maldives, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Philippines and Japan and do not have territories on the continent.
- The largest peninsulas of Asia: Hindustan (or the subcontinent of India, with an area of 4,480,000 sq. km), the Arabian Peninsula, the Indochinese Peninsula, the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Korean Peninsula
The largest rivers in continental Asia
- Chinese Yangtze (6300 km long - 3rd in the world after the South American Amazon and the African Nile)
- Russian river system Yenisei-Angara-Selenga (5540 km)
- Chinese Huang He (Yellow River, 5464 km)
- Russian river system Ob-Irtysh (5410 km)
- Russian-Chinese-Mongolian river system Amur-Argun (4444 km)
- Russian Lena (4400 km).
All these rivers and river systems are included in the list of the ten largest on the planet Earth.
The largest lakes in Asia
- The Caspian Sea (with an area of 371,000 km2) is a colossal body of salt water, which is recognized by various sources as either a sea or a lake.
- (37,500 km2), in addition to being the deepest lake in the world (1470 meters) and the largest reservoir in terms of fresh water (23,600 cubic km)
- Balkhash (18,428 km2).
It is noteworthy that all of these reservoirs are wholly or partially located on the territory of the former USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).
The tallest mountains in the world, over 8 kilometers high, are peaks that are impressive. Passenger planes fly at such an altitude (8-12 kilometers). In fact, there are many more such mountains than fourteen. But only those that are separated from each other by a considerable distance are taken into account. All major eight-thousanders are located in Central Asia. Nepal, China, Pakistan, India. I wonder if this is the will of the gods or is it connected with something?
It is not given to everyone to conquer at least one peak from the “14 gods”, but there are those on our planet who strive to conquer all fourteen! At the moment there were only 41 of them, out of more than 9 billion inhabitants of the planet. It is difficult to say what height attracts them, perhaps only one: "... height, height, height ...".
It should be added that there is such a thing as a “clean ascent”, that is, climbers made the ascent without using oxygen masks. For reference, even commercial airliners often fly regularly at lower altitudes.
More than 10 thousand ascents were made to the great 8th thousanders.
About 7 percent of all ascents ended tragically. The bodies of many dead climbers remained at the heights they had not conquered, due to the difficulty of their evacuation. Some of them serve as landmarks for modern conquerors of certain heights. For example, the height of 8500 meters on Everest for 17 years met climbers with the body of Tsevang Palzhor, who died on it in 1996. She even received an unofficial name - "Green Boots", this is the color of the shoes that was on the deceased climber. Why are we so attracted by unconquered heights? Everyone has their own answer to this question.
Another well-known name is Chomolungma (from the Tibetan " Chomolangma" means "Divine" or "Mother". The highest point in the world and the most "prestigious" peak on our "blue" planet. Its height is 8848 meters above sea level. Its English name "Everest" was given in honor of the head of the geodetic survey of British India, Sir George Everest.
Where is Everest
Everest is located on several hundred square kilometers, on the territory of mainly two states - Nepal and China. Chomolungma is part of the Himalayan mountain system, the Mahalangur-Himal range (in the part called Khumbu-Himal). Perhaps no other peak on our planet attracts to its conquest, like Chomolungma.
Climbing Everest
The mountain was first climbed on May 29, 1953 by Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary.
About three hundred people have already died since the "ascending travelers" were counted. Even the most modern equipment and equipment do not allow all the thirsty inhabitants of our planet to conquer this height.
Every year, about five thousand people try to conquer Everest. By 2018, more than 8,400 climbers have reached the summit, nearly 3,500 of them have climbed Everest more than once.
Climbing Everest takes about 2 months - with acclimatization and setting up camps. Climbers lose an average of 10-15 kilograms of their weight during this time.
The last 300 meters to the summit are considered the most dangerous part of the ascent. Not all climbers can overcome this part. Strong winds up to 200 km/h often blow at the top. And the temperature varies throughout the year from 0°C to -60°C.
The second highest mountain in the world, Chogori (K2)
Chogori (the second name of K2) is the second highest peak on the planet, but climbing it is considered much more difficult. Moreover, in winter, no one managed to conquer it at all, and the mortality rate when climbing this peak is the highest and amounts to 25%. Only a few hundred climbers managed to conquer this height.
In 2007, it was Russian climbers who managed to climb the most difficult section of the summit - the Western Face, and they did it without the use of oxygen equipment. The most massive conquest of Chogori took place in the summer of 2018. Of the group, which consisted of 63 people, one died. At the same time, Andrzej Bargiel became the first climber to ski down from the top of this mountain.
Kanchenjunga
Kanchenjaga is the third highest eight-thousander of the planet. Located in the Himalayas. Until the middle of the 19th century, it was considered the highest mountain peak, but at present, after calculations, it ranks third in height. At the moment, more than ten routes have been laid to climb this peak. Translated from Tibetan, the name of the mountain means "treasury of the five great snows."
Due to its location, Kanchenjaga is partly part of the national park of the same name in India. If you look at the mountain from the side of India, you can see that there are five peaks in this mountain range. Moreover, four out of five peaks rise to a height of more than eight thousand meters. Their combination forms a very colorful landscape, so this mountain is considered the most picturesque among its kind. One of the favorite places of creation of Nicholas Roerich.
The first conquest of this peak belongs to the English climbers Joe Brown and George Bendu. It was committed on May 25, 1955. In Nepal, for a long period of time, there was a legend about Kanchenjaga - a mountain woman who does not allow the fair sex to conquer her peak. Only in 1998 did the British Ginette Harrison manage to do this. The general downward trend in the death rate during the conquest of the mountain peaks, unfortunately, did not affect Kanchenjaga and is 22 percent.
Lhotse
Lhotse, a mountain peak on the border of China and Nepal, has a height of 8516 meters. The mountain is located in close proximity to Chomolungma, the distance between them does not exceed 3 kilometers. They are separated by the South Col Pass, the highest point of which almost reaches eight thousand. Such proximity of two great peaks creates a very majestic picture. From a certain angle, you can see that Lhotse is like a three-sided pyramid. Moreover, at the moment there is the smallest number of climbing routes for each of these three faces. This is largely due to the fact that the slopes of the peaks are very steep, and the likelihood of avalanches is extremely high.
Unlike Chogori, this peak was still conquered in winter. It is worth noting that so far none of the individual climbers or groups have been able to pass along the traverse of all three peaks of this eight-thousander. The East Face of Lhotse also remains unconquered.
Makalu
Makalu is an unusually beautiful peak, but extremely difficult to climb. Less than 30% of organized expeditions ended in success. The mountain is located on the border of China and Nepal, just over 20 km southeast of Everest.
The mountain did not attract much attention for more than a hundred years after it was marked on the maps. This is largely due to the desire of previous expeditions to conquer higher peaks located in close proximity to it. For the first time the summit was conquered only in 1955.
In certain circles, the mountain is known as the "black giant". This name was assigned to it due to the fact that the extremely sharp edges of the peak do not allow snow to be fixed on them, and it often appears before its contemplators as black granite rocks. Since the mountain is located on the border of two eastern countries, its conquest refers to mystical factors, supposedly the mountain itself decides which of the expeditions to allow the ascent, and who is not worthy of this fact.
Cho Oyu
The height of Cho Oyu is a little over 8200 meters. Near the top lies the Nangpa-La pass, through which the main "trade route" of the Sherpas from Nepal to Tibet passes. Thanks to this route, many climbers consider this peak the most accessible of all the eight-thousanders, although this is not entirely true. Just from the side of Nepal there is a very sheer and difficult wall, so most of the ascents are carried out from the side of Tibet.
The weather in the Cho Oyu region is almost always favorable for climbing, and its “accessibility” makes this peak a kind of springboard before climbing Everest.
Dhaulagiri I
The number one fully reflects the essence of the name of the mountain, it consists of many ridges, the highest of which reaches a height of 8167 meters. It is believed that the mountain has 11 peaks, of which only one is higher than 8000 meters, the rest lie in the range from 7 to 8 kilometers. Dhaulagiri is located in the central part of Nepal and belongs to the Main Himalayan range.
Despite the complexity in the name, it is translated very simply "white mountain". The history of its conquest is interesting. Until the 30s of the 19th century, it was considered the highest mountain on the planet. And the conquest of the peak was taken up only in the middle of the last century. For a long time it was impregnable, only the eighth expedition managed to reach the top. Like other brethren, this peak has both simpler routes and very impregnable slopes.
Manaslu
The mountain is located in the northern part of Nepal and reaches a height of 8163 meters. Due to its relative seclusion, this peak looks extremely majestic against the backdrop of the surrounding splendor. Maybe this explains its name, which means “mountain of spirits”. For a long time, climbing the mountain was difficult due to hostile local residents (the name of the mountain speaks of this). Avalanches often hit local settlements, and only after long offerings to the highest gods of the Japanese expedition did they finally manage to conquer this peak. Mortality among climbers conquering Manaslu almost reaches 18 percent.
The mountain itself and its surroundings are part of the National Park of Nepal with the same name. The indescribable beauty of the park prompted the country's authorities to create a hiking route for mountain lovers.
Nanga Parbat (Nanga Parbat)
One of the few eight-thousanders located not in China or Nepal, but on the territory controlled by Pakistan. There are four main peaks on the mountain, the highest of which is 8125 meters. The top of the mountain is in the top three in terms of the number of deaths of people during its conquest.
According to the history of climbing, it is interesting that it was on this mountain that the first attempt was made to climb the eight-thousander. It was back in 1895. It is with this mountain that the first conquest of the peak alone, and not as part of a prepared expedition, is connected. It is believed that it was here that the symbols of Nazi Germany were first seen, the representatives of which, as you know, were close to the occult sciences.
Certain difficulties in planning expeditions to this peak are brought about by internal political disagreements on the territory of Pakistan.
Annapurna I - the most dangerous peak among the eight-thousanders
Annapurna I is the first of the eight-thousander peaks, whose height is already below 8100 meters (officially 8091 meters). However, for all the years of ascents taken into account, she has the highest mortality rate among the conquerors, almost one in three (32%). Although it is currently steadily declining from year to year. Annapurna is located in central Nepal and the entire mountain range stretches for more than 50 kilometers. It consists of many ridges of different heights. From the upper points of Annapurna, you can observe another giant - Jaulaguri, between them about 30 kilometers.
If you fly near these mountains on an airplane, a majestic view of the nine main ranges of this massif opens up. It is part of the national park of the same name, located in Nepal. Several hiking trails run along it, along which indescribable views of the Annapurna peaks open up.
Gasherbrum I
The summit of Gasherbrum I is part of the Baltoro Muztag mountain range. Its height is 8080 meters and it is the eleventh eight-thousander of the planet. It is located in Pakistan-controlled territory near the border with China. It means "beautiful mountain". She also has another name - Hidden Peak, which means hidden peak in English. In general, there are seven peaks in the Karakorum mountain system, to which Gasherbrum belongs, and three of them exceed 8 thousand meters, although not by much.
The first ascent of the peak dates back to 1958, and in 1984 the famous climber Reinhold Messner makes a traverse between Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II.
Broad Peak
The second highest peak in the Karakurum, the middle brother between the two sisters Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II. In addition, literally 8 kilometers from Broad Peak there is another high relative - Mount Chogori. The first ascent of Broad Peak took place a year earlier than neighboring Gasherbrum I, in 1957.
By itself, it consists of two peaks - the Presummit and the Main (8047 meters). The South-Western slopes are much lighter than the opposite ones, the North-Eastern ones, and it is on them that the classic climbing routes to the Main Peak are laid.
Gasherbrum II
Just below Broad Peak is another peak among the eight-thousanders - Gasherbrum II (height 8035 meters). Either its relative baseness affected, or for another reason, but the first ascent to this peak dates back a year earlier than Broad Peak, to 1956. The main routes of the conquerors of peaks pass along its southwestern slope. It is the least prone to mountain collapses and avalanches. It is he who is used by many climbers who begin to conquer everything above 8 kilometers.
This mountain fully justifies its name, in good weather the boundaries between gray and black limestone rocks are clearly visible, corresponding to different age boundaries, which, combined with crystal clear snow, creates unique landscapes.
Shishabangma
The majestic iceberg with a height of 8027 meters is the lowest of all known eight-thousanders. Located in the Himalayas, in China. It consists of three peaks, two of which - Main and Central (8008 meters) exceed 8 kilometers. Translated from the Tibetan language means "harsh climate".
The first conquest of this peak was made by a Chinese expedition in May 1964. It is considered one of the least difficult peaks, although more than 20 climbers have died on its slopes over the past years.
The highest mountains in the world on the world map
This is how a brief overview of all 14 eight-thousanders of the planet looks like. Each mountain is unique in its own way and the saying is true for each of them - "only mountains can be better than mountains."
