Tallest Mountains of the World: Top 10 Highest Peaks on Earth

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Did you know that all of the tallest mountains in the world are in Asia? The tallest mountains, like Mount Everest, are one of the seven natural wonders too. These peaks can mainly be found in the Himalayan ranges. These tallest mountains of the world are not just geographically stunning but are tied to the cultural and spiritual symbols of many communities. While their height attracts adventure enthusiasts, their ecosystem supports wildlife. This blog helps you gain an understanding of the tallest mountains in the world.

Top 10 Tallest Mountains of the World with Countries

These are the top ten tallest mountains in the world. Read about them to get an insight into the geology of our planet.

RankTallest Mountain NameHeight (ft)Location
1Mount Everest29,031.7Nepal–China border
2K2 (Godwin-Austen)28,251Pakistan–China border
3Kangchenjunga28,169Nepal–India border
4Lhotse27,940Nepal–China border
5Makalu27,838Nepal–China border
6Cho Oyu26,864Nepal–China border
7Dhaulagiri26,795Nepal
8Manaslu26,781Nepal
9Nanga Parbat26,660Pakistan
10Annapurna I26,545Nepal

1. Mount Everest (29,031.7 ft)

Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world. It is named after Sir George Everest, a British surveyor.

Mount Everest-tallest mauntains of the world
Credit: Wikipedia. 

 Did you know the Tibetan name of the mountain is Chomolungma or the ‘Goddess mother of the world’? Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay (1935) were the first people to climb the mountain. Mount Everest holds this title because it is the tallest mountain above sea level. During recent years, there have been serious traffic jams near the mountain due to overcrowding.

2. K2 (28,251 ft)

What is K2’s full form? K2’s full form is Mount Godwin-Austen. It is also called the “Savage Mountain” for its deadly reputation. About 1 in 4 climbers who went to climb the mountain perished while trying.  This mountain has the second-highest fatality rate among climbers. Members of the Nepali team climbed the mountain in 2012. This was the second attempt. The first attempt was in 954 by an Italian expedition. K2 is located on the China-Pakistan border.

3. Kangchenjunga (28,169 ft)

Kangchenjunga is the third-tallest mountain in the world. The Sherpas believe that the peak of Kangchenjunga has a sacred deity. Due to this belief, several climbers stopped for a shot to honor the local beliefs. It was believed that Kangchenjunga was the tallest mountain in the world. Later on, recalculations were made, and it was found that Everest is the tallest mountain.  This massive mountain has five summits and is called “Five Treasures of Snow” by the Tibetan people.

4. Lhotse (27,940 ft)

Lhotse, the neighbor of Mount Everest is also one of the tallest mountains of the world. For a long time, this mountain remained the world’s highest unclimbed peak. It was conquered by a Swiss team in 1956. Even today, it is considered one of the hardest climbs. Climbers prefer going to Everest compared to Lhotse. Therefore, there is less overcrowding of people on the mountain.

5. Makalu (27,838 ft)

This pyramid-shaped mountain is on the list of the tallest mountains of the world. The mountain has a sharp 4-sided summit and is one of the most beautiful mountains. 

Makalu - tallest mountains in the world
Credit: Peak Promotion

Makalu was only climbed around 1955 during a French expedition consisting of 10 members. Makalu stands just 12 miles east. The Makaly stand just 12 miles east of Everest. However, you require high technical skills to climb it, The success rate of climbing the mountain is 30%. The Makalu-Barun Valley is a UNESCO biodiversity hotspot.

6. Cho Oyu (26,864 ft)

Cho Oyu is another one of the tallest mountains of the world. The mountain has gentle slopes, and it is a “starter peak” for those who like to climb high-altitude mountains. There is a 70% chance of success that you will climb the mountain. The Nangpa La pass near the mountain is a historic migration and trade route between Nepal and Tibet. In 1954 an Austrian team climbed the mountain for the first time.

7. Dhaulagiri (26,795 ft)

Dhaulagiri is another one of the tallest mountains in the world. The mountain has the world’s deepest gorge- the Kali Gandaki Gorge. This mountain was unknown to the world until it was discovered by a French pilot during a reconnaissance flight. The term Dhaulagiri has been taken from a Sanskrit word called White Mountain, as it was thought to be the world’s tallest mountain.

8. Manaslu (26,781 ft)

The Manslue mountain was named in Sanskrit. It means the mountain of the spirit. It is one of the tallest mountains in the world.

Manaslu-highest peaks on earth
Credit: Third Rock Adventures

 This mountain reflects the spiritual symbolism of the Buddhist culture. In 1956, when a Japanese team tried to climb Mount Everest, they faced local opposition. This was because, in 1954, an expedition triggered deadly avalanches. Manaslu was earlier known as the Killer Mountain. However, it is now a good alternative compared to Everest.

9. Nanga Parbat (26,660 ft)

Nanga Parbat is also known as the Naked Mountain. This is because of its stark, exposed ridges. This mountain is also called a Killer Mountain because of the high death toll before the 1950s. This is one of the tallest mountains in the world. The southern face of the mountain is called the Rupal face. This mountain is a magnet for top climbers. The mountain was first climbed by a German team in 1958. Before that, 31 climbers died trying to climb the mountain. This mountain is situated in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan.

10. Annapurna I (26,545 ft)

The Annapurna I is the 10th-tallest mountain in the world. This mountain has a fatality rate of 32%! There have been more than 300 people who have died in an attempt to climb it. It is the first 8,000er conquered. A French team in 1950 first climbed the mountain. This encouraged high-altitude climbers. The southern part of the mountain has common icefalls. Therefore, it is called the “Avalanche Mountain. The mountain is a sacred site of the Hindus.

FAQs – Tallest Mountains of the World

What are the 7 highest mountains in the world?

The 7 highest mountains in the world are -Everest, K2,  Kangchenjunga,  Lhotse Makalu, Cho Oyu, and  Manaslu. These mountains are difficult to climb. Nevertheless, they are people who have climbed the mountains.

Which is the highest, K2 or Kanchenjunga?

K2 is the highest mountain compared to Kanchenjunga. K2 is the second-highest mountain. Earlier, due to miscalculations, it was believed that Kanchenjunga was the tallest. Kanchenjunga is the third-highest peak.

Is K2 in India?

K2 is located in Kashmir. We cannot say that K2 is in Kashmir because it is located in the Karakoram Range, which China administers partly. It lies in the Uyghur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang, China, and partly in the Gilgit-Baltistan portion of Kashmir under Pakistani administration.

Is Kanchenjunga in Nepal or India?

Kanchenjunga is located between the Eastern Nepal border and Sikkim in India. Kanchenjunga is a significant mountain for high-altitude climbers.

Is K2 visible from Ladakh?

Yes. You can see a tiny glimpse of the mountain at the end of the Baltoro Glacier. Beyond the Baltoro Glacier, only a few people travel.

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These were the facts about the tallest mountains of the world. If you find it fascinating and wish to read more such interesting facts, then stay tuned to the General Knowledge page of Leverage Edu.

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