Mount Everest is nicknamed the 'roof of the world' because it is the highest point on Earth, with an altitude of 8,848 meters above sea level.
The expression "roof of the world" is not a recent term: it actually comes from the Sanskrit term "Sagarmatha," which roughly means "front (or head) of the sky." Originally, English speakers also adopted the English expression "Roof of the World" used to refer to the neighboring Tibetan plateau – a vast plateau situated at an impressive altitude. With the official discovery by the British in the 19th century that Everest was the highest peak on the planet, this lovely metaphor naturally shifted to the peak itself. Since then, calling Everest the "roof of the world" has become widely accepted as an obvious choice, a simple yet very expressive image to illustrate this place where the Earth literally seems to touch the sky.
Mount Everest reaches a staggering altitude of 8,848 meters, making it the highest mountain on the planet. In comparison, the famous Mont Blanc in Europe doesn't even exceed 4,810 meters, which is almost half the height of Everest. Even K2, often referred to as the "wild mountain," stops at 8,611 meters, more than 200 meters below. This difference may seem minimal on a world map, but in reality, those few hundred meters are significant for climbers, who describe each ascent to the ultimate peaks as particularly demanding both physically and mentally. Moreover, above 8,000 meters, it is known as the "death zone," where oxygen is so scarce that each step becomes an achievement. Therefore, Mount Everest reigns supreme, justifying its nickname.
Mount Everest is located at the heart of the Himalayas, an impressive mountain range that separates the Tibetan plateau to the north from the Indian plains to the south. It plays a key role in shaping the regional climate, acting as a massive barrier that stops the moist currents coming from the south. As a result, the southern slope receives abundant rainfall (thanks to the monsoon!), while the northern side is much drier, almost desert-like in places. Its extreme height also allows it to influence atmospheric currents, affecting the weather on a larger scale. Additionally, its giant glaciers form a vast reservoir of fresh water, essential for millions of inhabitants downstream, supplying sacred rivers and fertile plains all around.
For a long time, Mount Everest has been more than just a mountain; it has become a true cultural and spiritual symbol, especially for the Sherpa people of Nepal and Tibet. In Tibetan mythology, the summit is often associated with Chomolungma, the "Mother Goddess of the World," a protector and sacred figure in the eyes of the local inhabitants. Its towering height has transformed it into the ultimate challenge for climbers from around the world, fueling legendary tales of exploration, courage, but also tragedies. These stories, sometimes heroic, sometimes dramatic, have shaped a collective imagination that far exceeds the borders of the Himalayas, inspiring numerous films, novels, and cult documentaries. Today, Mount Everest symbolizes both the dream of personal transcendence, the ambition to triumph over the impossible, and a profound reverence for the forces of nature.
The first married couple to reach the summit of Everest did so in 1990: they were the Nepali climbers Pem Dorjee Sherpa and Moni Mulepati, who also celebrated their wedding at the very summit.
The Everest mountain is still slowly growing each year, by about 4 millimeters on average, primarily due to tectonic plate movement.
Climbers generally refer to altitudes above 8,000 meters as the 'death zone,' because the oxygen level is insufficient to sustain human life for an extended period.
On the slopes of Everest, you can find marine fossils dating back about 450 million years, proof that the Himalayan mountain range originates from ancient oceanic floors pushed upward by tectonic plate activity.
From the summit of Everest, visibility can be very wide, but the curvature of the Earth remains hardly perceptible to the naked eye, contrary to what is sometimes believed. However, this peak offers an exceptional view that stretches for several hundred kilometers.
Generally, an expedition to reach the summit of Mount Everest takes about two months, including the necessary acclimatization periods for climbers to adapt to the altitude and extreme conditions.
The first recorded successful ascent was made on May 29, 1953, by Edmund Hillary, a mountaineer from New Zealand, and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa from Nepal.
Despite its exceptional altitude, Mount Everest is not considered the most technically difficult peak to climb. Other mountains, such as K2 in the Himalayas or Annapurna in Nepal, are deemed more dangerous and technically challenging.
The exact height of Mount Everest is estimated to be 8,848.86 meters above sea level, according to the latest measurements taken in 2020. This altitude may change slightly over time due to tectonic movements.
No one has answered this quiz yet, be the first!' :-)
Question 1/5
