Mount Everest is one of the greatest and most awe-inspiring natural wonders on the planet, with its towering peak rising up to 29,029 feet above sea level. Every year, thousands of intrepid souls attempt to climb to its summit, in a feat of endurance and determination.
Teaching students about Mount Everest is a great way to introduce them to geography, history, geology, and environmental science. Here are some facts about Mount Everest that you can use to engage your students and spark their curiosity:
1. Location: Mount Everest is located in the Himalaya mountain range on the border between Nepal and Tibet (China).
2. Elevation: Mount Everest is the highest mountain on the planet, with a height of 29,029 feet (8,848 meters) above sea level.
3. Names: Mount Everest is known by several different names, including Chomolungma (in Tibet), Sagarmatha (in Nepal), and Qomolangma (in China).
4. First ascent: The first people to climb to the summit of Mount Everest were Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953.
5. Deaths: More than 300 people have died trying to climb Mount Everest, with many more seriously injured or suffering from altitude sickness.
6. Sherpas: Sherpas are the local people who have lived in the Everest region for generations and are expert mountain climbers. They often serve as guides and porters for climbers attempting to reach the summit.
7. Climate: The climate on Mount Everest is extremely harsh, with bitterly cold temperatures, high winds, and frequent snow and ice storms.
8. Base camp: Mount Everest base camp is situated at an elevation of 17,598 feet (5,364 meters) and serves as a staging area for climbers.
9. Oxygen: The oxygen levels at the summit of Mount Everest are only about one-third of what they are at sea level, making it extremely difficult to breathe and move around.
10 Environmental impact: The climbing of Mount Everest has a significant impact on the environment, with trash, human waste, and other pollution left behind on the mountain.
