Where Are the Highest, Lowest, or Steepest Places on Land in the World?
The Earth is home to a wide variety of weather conditions, but some regions experience extreme weather more intensely than others. From scorching heatwaves and freezing cold to heavy rainfall and intense storms, certain places on Earth are known for their extreme weather patterns. In this section, we will explore some of the places on Earth that are known for their extreme weather.
Highest Places on Land
The highest places on Earth are often found in mountain ranges, where tectonic activity has pushed land upward, creating towering peaks and plateaus. These locations are often difficult to access and experience extreme weather conditions.
1. Mount Everest (Nepal/China)
Mount Everest, located in the Himalayas on the border between Nepal and China, is the highest point on Earth.
- Height: 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level.
- Fun Fact: Mount Everest is part of the Himalayas, a mountain range that formed through the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
- Climbing: Mount Everest is a popular but dangerous destination for climbers, with harsh weather conditions, avalanches, and altitude sickness challenging even the most experienced mountaineers.
2. Aconcagua (Argentina)
Located in the Andes mountain range, Aconcagua is the highest peak in the Americas.
- Height: 6,961 meters (22,837 feet) above sea level.
- Fun Fact: Aconcagua is considered one of the Seven Summits, a collection of the highest peaks on each of the seven continents.
3. Denali (United States)
Denali, located in Alaska, is the highest mountain in North America.
- Height: 6,190 meters (20,310 feet) above sea level.
- Fun Fact: Denali's peak is often shrouded in clouds, and due to its northern latitude, it experiences extreme cold temperatures.
Lowest Places on Land
While some places on Earth reach incredible heights, others are found in depressions, the lowest points on the planet's surface. These regions often feature extreme climates and unique landscapes.
1. The Challenger Deep (Pacific Ocean)
The Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is the deepest known point on Earth, though it is located under the ocean.
- Depth: 10,994 meters (36,070 feet) below sea level.
- Fun Fact: The Mariana Trench is located in the western Pacific Ocean and is so deep that Mount Everest could easily fit inside it with over 2 kilometers to spare.
2. Badwater Basin (United States)
Badwater Basin, located in Death Valley National Park in California, is the lowest point in North America.
- Height: 86 meters (282 feet) below sea level.
- Fun Fact: Badwater Basin is a popular tourist destination known for its vast salt flats and unique landscapes, despite its extreme heat and arid conditions.
3. Dead Sea (Jordan/Israel)
The Dead Sea, located between Jordan and Israel, is one of the lowest points on Earth, as it lies below sea level.
- Height: 430 meters (1,411 feet) below sea level.
- Fun Fact: The high salinity of the Dead Sea makes it impossible for most aquatic life to thrive, hence its name. The mineral-rich waters are known for their therapeutic properties.
Steepest Places on Earth
Steep terrain is typically found in mountainous regions or volcanic landscapes. Steepness is often measured in terms of the slope of the land, and these areas can be both dangerous and awe-inspiring.
1. Mount Hua (China)
Mount Hua, located in the Shaanxi Province of China, is known for its incredibly steep and dangerous paths.
- Steepness: The mountain has an average incline of around 37°, with some sections reaching as steep as 60°.
- Fun Fact: Mount Hua is famous for its "plank paths" – narrow wooden planks bolted to the side of the mountain, which climbers walk along while suspended above the valley below.
2. El Capitan (United States)
El Capitan, located in Yosemite National Park in California, is one of the most famous sheer granite cliffs in the world.
- Height: 900 meters (3,000 feet) from base to summit.
- Fun Fact: El Capitan is a popular destination for rock climbers, and it was famously climbed by Alex Honnold in 2017 without ropes in an astonishing free solo climb.
3. Mount Roraima (Venezuela/Brazil/Guyana)
Mount Roraima, located in the border area between Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana, is a dramatic tabletop mountain known for its steep cliffs.
- Height: 2,810 meters (9,219 feet) above sea level.
- Fun Fact: The mountain is famous for its flat top, which inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel "The Lost World." It is one of the most isolated plateaus on Earth.
