A mountain is a landmass elevated considerably above e its surrounding areas. Usually the land tracts, more than 300 m in height, are called mountains. All the mountains have been formed due to the violent changes in the earth. Most of the mountains are found connected in chains or ranges. Do you know which are the famous mountains of the world?

Main mountain ranges of Asia are as follows:

The Himalayas is the largest mountain range on the earth. It is about 2413 kilometers long. It contains the highest peak in the world, the Mount Everest, which is 8848 m. (29028 ft.) high. Karakoram is the second largest mountain range of Asia. Its highest peak K2 is 8610.7 meters high. Pamir is. another famous chain whose height ranges from 3352.8 meters to 3962.45 meters.

The main mountain ranges of Europe are:

The Alps, Caucasus, Carpathians, Pyrenees and Urals. The Alps extend upto 1190 meters. Its highest peak is Mont Blanc which is 4810.1 meters high. Caucasus range has a length of 1432 kilometers. Its highest peak is 5633. meters high Mount Elbrus. Carpathian ranges are thickly forested. Pyrenees occupies the isthumus between France and Spain. Pico de Aneto is its highest peak with an elevation of 3404.05 m Ural range is 2413 kilometers long. It lies between, Asia and Europe.

The mountain ranges of Africa form independent units. They are separated by great distances from one another. Abyssinian highlands, Atlas, Ruwenzori, and Kilimanjaro are the main ranges. Abyssinian highlands are a vast mountain area. Its highest peak is Ras Dashan which is 4620.2 meters high. Atlas range is about 2413 kilometers long. Ruwenzori is a small chain extending upto 104.585 kilometers. It has four main peaks. It has thick forests. Kilimanjaro is an inactive volcano with a height of 5963 meters.

North America has only two main mountain ranges: Rocky mountains and Appalachians. The Rocky ranges run from north to south. They are 3539 km in length. Mount Mckinley is its highest peak which has a height of 6194 m. Appalachian ranges are extremely ancient mountains and do not have very high peaks. Its highest point is the Mt. Metchell which is 2037.3 m above sea level.

The Andes is the only main range of South America and is 7360 kilometers long. Its highest peak is Aconcagua which has a height of 6960.1 meters.

The highest mountain of Australia is Kosciusko which is 2226 meters high.

There are certain mountains in the world which originated from the bottom of the sea and have risen above the sea level. Mauna Kea is one such mountain. Its height above sea level is 4205 meters and under the sea is 4877 meters. Its total height comes to be 9082 meters. Thus from its base it is even higher than Mount Everest.