Seven Summits
Topic: World Physical Features and Natural Regions · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Seven Summits are the highest peaks of the seven continents, one peak for each. They are:
- Everest (8,849 m by the China-Nepal survey of 2020; NCERT gives 8,848 m) in Asia
- Aconcagua (about 6,961 m) in South America
- Denali (about 6,190 m) in North America
- Kilimanjaro (about 5,895 m) in Africa
- Elbrus (about 5,642 m) in Europe
- Vinson Massif (about 4,892 m) in Antarctica
- Puncak Jaya (about 4,884 m, New Guinea) or Kosciuszko (about 2,228 m, mainland Australia) for Australia-Oceania
The list changes with how a continent's edges are drawn. That is why Australia-Oceania has two possible peaks.
Example
Arunima Sinha climbed Everest in 2013 and later climbed all seven summits. She was the first woman amputee (a person who has lost a limb) to do so. Bachendri Pal became the first Indian woman to climb Everest in 1984.
Don't confuse with
- Mont Blanc (about 4,806 m, Alps): Europe's highest peak only if the Caucasus is left out. Usually Elbrus is counted.
- Mount McKinley: the same peak as Denali. A US order in 2025 brought back this name (verify current).