The ten highest mountains in Africa. The highest peaks in Africa African mountains by height

Africa, geologically, is represented mainly by the Precambrian period, and the mountain ranges of the Black Continent are located in only two regions. In the south are the Cape Mountains, in the northwest are the Atlas Mountains, but both have a folded shape. Surprisingly, Africa is the only continent where all the highest peaks are not of folded origin. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the top 10 highest African mountains.

10th place - Ras Dejen, 4533 m, Ethiopia

The Ethiopian highlands define this country as the most developed in Africa in terms of mountainous terrain. Ras Dejen is the highest point in the state and is located in the Simien National Park. Ras Dejen, by its origin, is an ancient volcano, which is only the eastern peak of a giant volcano that has not made itself felt for several millennia. The mountain was first conquered by man in 1841, when two officers from France, Galinier and Ferret, climbed to its summit. Today, many climbers, as well as fans of trekking and ecotourism, come to Ras Dejen every year.

9th place - Meru, 4546 m, Tanzania

By its origin, Meru is a stratovolcano and is located in the East African Rift Valley, in an area called Arusha and since 1967 has been part of the national park of the same name. When viewed from the west, the volcano has the shape of a regular cone, and the bottom of the crater is lowered to a depth of more than 2.2 km. Meru's average slope is about 30 degrees, and between the peak and the ash slope lies the world's highest cliff. Climbing the volcano was first carried out in 1901; today it is possible to climb to the top only with the permission of the park and only for research purposes.

8th place - Luigi di Savoia, 4627 m, Uganda

The summit is a fairly flat peak of average height. Mount Luigi di Savoia is located in Uganda and is part of the East African mountain range, on the Ruwenzori ridge. The peak was first conquered by a person in 1906; today, climbing Mount Luigi requires much more physical training from climbers than technology and equipment. Any time of year and any weather is suitable for climbing, but most often climbers come here in winter and summer. Since the height is not critical for a person, no special acclimatization or preparation is required, and upon reaching the highest point you can enjoy the magnificent surrounding landscape.

As for such natural wonders as waterfalls, Europe has not been very successful with them, because the most enormous in power are located on other continents...

7th place - Jesse, 4715 m, Congo

The peak is located in the region of northern equatorial latitudes, in the Eastern hemisphere of our planet. Geographically, Jesse is part of the East African massif, the Rwenzori Range; administratively, the mountain belongs to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The first ascent to the summit took place in 1906, and the optimal time for the ascent is considered to be the beginning of winter and summer. No technical skills are required from climbers when climbing Jessie, so this peak is most often used as a training camp.

6th place - Emin, 4798 m, Congo

Emin is located in the northern latitudes of the equator, in the eastern hemisphere of the Earth. Geographically it is part of the East African Mountains (Rwenzori Range), administratively and territorially it is located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The first ascent was made in 1906; the ideal time for ascent is considered to be mid-winter and summer. The peak is very treacherous and has ruined many human lives, so even experienced climbers are wary of it.

5th place - Baker, 4844 m, Uganda

Baker is located in an amazing place called the Mountains of the Moon. The mountain got its name in honor of the traveler who was the first to climb it, but did not climb the peak on his own. Geographically, Mount Baker is located on the Rwenzori Range, administratively in the country of Uganda. The first ascent occurred in 1906. The slopes of the mountain alternate between rocky terrain and glaciers, so the climb to the top cannot be called easy. The mountain is popular among climbers in the winter and summer months, and climbers can climb one of the developed routes.

For the average person, the difference between “dormant” and “extinct” volcanoes is not obvious. But the differences between them are quite significant,...

4th place - Speke, 4890 m, Congo

The mountain consists of several peaks, ranging in height from 4572 m to 4890 m and is part of the Rwenzori range, which means “lord of rain” in the local language. The first explorers who arrived here for scientific purposes looked for the source of the Nile River in these places. The name of the mountain is given by the name of the person who first set foot on the mountain - John Speke, this happened in 1862. The officially recorded ascent took place in 1906. The local area is amazingly picturesque, and the diversity of flora and fauna will amaze any traveler. Around Speke you can see elephants, antelopes, chimpanzees and leopards.

3rd place - Stanley, 5109 m, Congo

Stanley Peak is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Geographically, the mountain is part of the East African Mountains, administratively it is located in the Congo. The peak was first conquered by man in 1906, but even today the beauty of these snow-capped peaks attracts many climbers who come here almost all year round.

2nd place - Kenya, 5199 m

Mount Kenya is located directly on the equator and is part of the East African Highlands. The first ascent was made in 1899, and since 1949 a national park has been opened on this territory. Since 1997, Mount Kenya has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List; many representatives of the rarest African fauna live around the peak.

1st place - Kilimanjaro, 5895 m, Tanzania

The highest African peak and the most beautiful of all that are located on the Dark Continent. Kilimanjaro means "sparkling peak" in Swahili. It consists of three peaks and is part of the East African Highlands. The first ascent was made in 1899 by a climber from Austria and a geographer from Germany. Due to global warming, 80% of the snow cover on the top of Kilimanjaro has melted in a hundred years. According to the latest forecasts, there will be no snow on Kilimanjaro until 2033. According to statistics, more people died on the mountain than on Everest due to the fact that many climbers naively considered the peak easy to conquer.

There are a great many mountains and mountain ranges in the world of very different ages and origins, but among them it is worth highlighting some mountain ranges and individual massifs of Africa. Such as the Atlas Mountains, due to their old age and influence on the climate, because it is because of them that moisture does not reach the Sahara. Other mountains - due to their youth, such as the famous volcano Kilimanjaro, which was formed only one and a half million years ago, and also affects the climate. However, as will be described below, nowadays the climate itself, thanks to human activity, influences the majestic volcano.

1. The highest mountain on the African continent is Kilimanjaro. Not only does it reach 5895 meters in height, but it is also considered one of the most. There are a number of theories about the origin of such a strange name. The most reliable research is considered to be a translation made from Swahili, which literally calls the volcano “sparkling mountain.” But to be precise, Kilimanjaro is a triumvirate of volcanoes called Kibo, Shira and Mawenzi, which have potential activity and are located in the northeast of Tanzania.

2. The Shira volcano was the first to appear, and in height it is significantly inferior to the peak of Kilimanjaro, amounting to only 3962 meters. Scientists believe that in the past this volcano was higher, and the current values ​​were the result of a powerful eruption. Shira is located to the west of the highest peak of the African continent.

3. The second oldest formation is the Mawenzi volcano - this peak is at least 5149 meters high, and it is located east of the main peak. The highest point of Kilimanjaro at 5895 m is Uhuro Peak, on the youngest volcano Kibo. It was formed due to the eruption of its neighbors, and has the distinctive feature of Kilimanjaro - a flat top of the mountain. In fact, the peak is a plateau - a huge volcanic basin with a diameter of 2 kilometers.

4. Occupies an area of ​​64 kilometers in width and 97 kilometers in length. Such a huge size allows it to have a noticeable climatic impact on the surrounding lands.

5. The top of the mountain is covered with eternal ice, and it is almost at the equator itself - the mountain is located only 3 degrees south of the equator line. However, recent studies of the dormant volcano confirm that snow volumes are steadily declining. There are three reasons for this. The first of these is a significant reduction in precipitation. So, now on the highest peak of Kilimanjaro you can expect no more than 200 mm of precipitation per year, while at the same time the snow melts much faster. The second reason is the approach of hot lava to the crater and heating of the top. And the third is the development of global warming. For these reasons, the volcano's ice cap has decreased fivefold over several decades.

Perhaps everyone has heard such a beautiful word as Kilimanjaro at least once in their life. But before, any schoolchild could tell what it is, but today the meaning of this word is not known to many. Let's fill this void. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, and it is also a symbol of the Dark Continent. The height of the mountain reaches 5891 m. Kilimanjaro is in 4th place in height among all the existing peaks of the world, in addition, it is included in the group of “7 peaks”.

To be precise, Kilimanjaro is not a mountain, but several inactive volcanoes, which consist of effusive rocks and volcanic ash. Scientists claim that the tallest mountain in Africa appeared approximately a million years ago. One of the main peaks, Kibo, is considered the highest and at the same time the youngest; it is completely covered with a snow cap.

The most amazing thing is that no one saw the Kilimanjaro eruption, only landslides were observed. However, at the youngest peak, clouds of gas periodically appear, which can lead to the collapse of the peak and lead to an eruption.

Recently, the ice and snow at the peak of the mountain have begun to melt. This may be caused by several reasons: an increase in the average annual temperature of the Earth, a lack of precipitation that forms a snow cap. According to some scientists, this phenomenon indicates the awakening of the volcano. These are all just guesses that have not been proven at this time.

A little history

Kilimanjaro literally means “sparkling mountain”. The name is actually chosen correctly, because the snow cap on the mountain really shimmers brightly under the sun’s rays. In the distant past, people who lived at the foot of the mountain thought that there was silver at the top of the mountain. After the first explorations of the mountain top, it began to be called “The Abode of the God of Cold.”

In Europe, people learned about Kilimanjaro at the end of the 19th century. This is the merit of the priest of the Protestant Church, Johannes Rebman. The first person to climb Kilimanjaro was Count Samuel Teleki. He managed to reach the snow line at an altitude of 5300 meters, which took more than one year. After this, the count decided to conquer Mount Kenya. In 1889, Kilimanjaro was conquered by two more people: the Austrian climber Purtscheller and the traveler Meyer.

Legends of the volcano

A huge number of legends are associated with the volcano, some can still be heard today. Local residents continue to believe that gods live on Kilimanjaro, and dwarf gnomes live in the dungeons. In addition to the gods, evil spirits who control weather conditions settled at the peak of the mountain. Another legend says that the Wachagga people previously lived in the vicinity of the volcano. Since then, a story has come down to us about two brothers named Kibo and Mawenzi. According to legend, the older brother made fire from the younger one. Since they learned about the tribe relatively recently, there is an opinion among scientists that this is confirmation of the recent activity of the volcano.

Kilimanjaro is one of the symbols of the African continent. Once it was an active volcano, but now its top is covered with snow, thanks to which it got its name. Translated from Swahili, it means “sparkling mountain.” Despite the fact that this volcano is considered extinct, scientists say its activity can resume at any time.

Kilimanjaro is located in modern-day Tanzania and covers an area of ​​approximately 400,000 hectares. This is one of the largest volcanoes in the world. This unique African mountain annually attracts many tourists who dream of admiring the incredible landscapes and climbers who appreciate the mountain for its variety of routes.

The mountain has three peaks. The highest point - Kiba Peak - was conquered before anyone else. The fact is that the easiest route leads to this peak, which can be overcome even without special training. The other two peaks (Mawenzi - 5149 m and Shira - 3962 m) are more inaccessible and treacherous, therefore, over the entire history of ascents, many unlucky climbers have died on their slopes.

An interesting fact is that the fee charged to tourists for visiting the Tanzanian National Park, the center of which is Kilimanjaro, is the main source of replenishment of the Tanzanian budget. And the park itself is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

This is quite natural. The mountain is so unique that even the climate here is different from the climate in the surrounding area. Elephants, giraffes and lions roam at the foot. At the very bottom, on the slopes, there are banana groves and coffee plantations; at an altitude of 1800 m they give way to tropical rainforests, where you can find monkeys, leopards and honey badgers. Even higher begins the kingdom of mountain swamps and meadows. So, gradually the levels replace each other, finally leaving the snowy kingdom.

African peaks

Kilimanjaro is not the only mountain worth visiting in Africa. In second place after it is Mount Kenya, located on the territory of the state of the same name (right on the equator line). Its height is 5199 m. Among the inhabitants of the slopes of the mountain you can find many rare animals. Kilimanjaro and Kenya are the highest mountains on the continent, standing alone.

Mount Stanley closes the trio of giants, which, like Kilimanjaro, has three peaks (Margherita - 5109 m, Alexandra - 5091 m and Albert - 5087 m). It is part of the Rwenzori Mountains, formed by crystalline rocks. These mountains, half covered with tropical forest, are home to a huge number of unique flora and fauna. That is why two national parks have been created here, the purpose of which is to preserve rare species of animals and plants.

The fourth and fifth places in height belong to the Speke and Baker mountains, also located in the Rwenzori mountain range. The peak has several jagged peaks, but all are less than 5 km (4890 m, 4865 m, 4834 m and 4572 m, respectively). Mount Baker has an altitude of 4844 m.

The Rwenzori Mountains are quite difficult to climb and require serious preparation on the part of climbers.

Regardless of height, origin and location, Africa's mountains are unique. They seem to have been created specifically for those who dream of enjoying the exoticism of the continent, amazing untouched nature and the original culture of the local population.

Africa is most often associated with huge hot deserts and savannas, but Africa is also a country of unconquered heights and dangerous volcanoes. From a geological point of view, Africa is a young, geologically active continent, in which new relief is being formed right now.

Most of the peaks in Africa are located in the east of the continent, in the rift zone, in the northwest (Atlas Mountains) and in the south (Cape Mountains).

Snow Kilimanjaro

The highest point in Africa is Mount Kilimanjaro, located in the state of Tanzania. Kilimanjaro is a young mountain from the point of view of geology (from the school geography course we remember that the oldest mountains have the lowest peaks, already destroyed by time, and the youngest ones have the highest points). Kilimanjaro is also a volcano, and a potentially active one at that. Locals call Kilimanjaro "the sparkling mountain", and it's true: at 5,899 meters, Africa's tallest volcano is visible for hundreds of miles around, not only in Tanzania but also in neighboring Kenya.

The top of the volcano is elongated, flat, the slopes are sloping. On hot days, when the air is still and seems to vibrate, the base of the mountain becomes invisible against the general background, and then it seems that the ice cap of the volcano is floating in the sky.

View from above of Kilimanjaro

The area of ​​Kilimanjaro is 97 km long by 64 km wide, its influence on the climate is so great that its own climate system has been formed around it: it holds the clouds that have collected water in the Indian Ocean, and they rain at its foot, creating the opportunity for successful agriculture in the foothills. That is why tropical forests grow around it, and the vegetation here is significantly different from that of Africa.

The highest peak of the continent is covered with an ice cap, which, according to scientists, is rapidly melting: precipitation is not enough to compensate for the water lost as a result of melting ice. Kilimanjaro's ice cover will be gone at this rate within 200 years, but whether the accelerated melting of snow is the result of global warming is not yet clear. This gives rise to speculation that the volcano is about to awaken and is already heating up.

Kilimanjaro looks like a three-headed dragon, because in fact its peak is made up of three volcanoes that merged as a result of active eruptions.

The oldest foundation of Kilimanjaro is the Shira volcano. Today it is a plateau 3810 meters high. During one of the eruptions, Shira was destroyed and formed the basis of later formations - the Mawenzi and Kibo volcanoes. Kibo, the youngest part of Kilimanjaro, is the highest part of the mountain. It looks like a crater within a crater - these are the consequences of several powerful eruptions that occurred one after another. The most recent eruption created an ash cone that stands inside the central crater itself.

Atlas Mountains

The Atlas is a vast mountain system in northwestern Africa, stretching from the borders of Morocco with the ocean to the coast of Tunisia. Named after the mythical hero Atlas, who supposedly held the firmament on his shoulders. The Atlas seems to prop up the sky, and given that ancient Greek tragedies took place geographically in northern Africa, it is easy to imagine that the ancient Greeks had these mountains in mind.

The Atlas system includes several significant ridges, among which the High Atlas and Middle Atlas are famous for their highest peaks. The highest point of the Atlas is Toubkal Peak (its height is 4167 meters).

The Drakensberg Mountains are basalt mountains formed as a result of uplift of the earth's crust. They are located in southern Africa, in the countries of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. The highest point is Thabana Ntlenyana with a height of 3482 meters. The mountain is located in Lesotho. The Drakensberg Mountains are full of waterfalls and, as a result, stunning views. There are many national parks open here.

The name was given in the 19th century because of the foggy haze that often shrouds the ridges. It resembles steam coming out of the nostrils of a lurking and sleeping dragon.

Cape Mountains - a natural wonder of Africa

The Cape Mountains are the oldest (380 million years old) geologically speaking mountain formations on the continent, which is why they are the lowest. Located in the extreme south of the continent, territorially they belong to South Africa. Another peak in Africa is Kompassberg Peak, whose height is 2504 meters. In terms of length, they occupy a huge part of the continent and have formed their own ecosystem with endemic rare species of plants and animals.

Top 5 highest points of the African continent

African mountains are diverse in shape, climate and measures of conquest. The harsh northeastern mountains cannot be compared with the soft southern ones, but everyone dreams of seeing the soaring snow cap of Kilimanjaro with their own eyes.