Mount Everest

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. It sits in a huge mountain range called the Himalayas. The top of Everest is about 29,032 feet above the sea. That is taller than any other peak on our planet. People from all over the world dream of climbing it. But it is very cold, windy, and hard to reach.

Where Is Mount Everest?

Mount Everest sits on the border of Nepal and Tibet. Tibet is part of China. The mountain is in a range called the Himalayas. The Himalayas have many tall peaks. Everest is the biggest one of all. The local people in Nepal call it Sagarmatha. People in Tibet call it Chomolungma. Both names mean something like goddess of the sky.

Climbing the Mountain

Climbing Everest is very hard and can be dangerous. The air at the top has little oxygen to breathe. It is also very cold and snowy. The first people to reach the top were Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Today, many climbers still try to reach the summit each year. They need warm gear, ropes, and a lot of training. Guides called Sherpas help them climb safely.

Fun Facts

• Mount Everest grows a tiny bit taller each year because the Earth's plates keep pushing it up.
• The top of Everest is so high that jet planes fly lower than its peak.
• Even though it is freezing cold, some small spiders live high up on the mountain.

Did You Know?

Did you know that Mount Everest was once at the bottom of the sea? Long, long ago, rocks from the ocean floor got pushed up to make the mountain. You can still find tiny sea fossils near the top!