A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth’s crust. Its sides are generally steep and its summit often shows exposed bedrock. While mountains and hills have similar names, the main differences between the two are their height and limited summit area. Mountains generally rise over 300 meters above the surrounding land. This height and shape make them more recognizable as landmarks and symbols than hills and plateaus. Read on for more information on mountain ranges. And, don’t forget to check out our new website for the complete list of locations in the world.
Although the word mountain may not be a technical term, it is used in common language to describe the highest elevation on the Earth. The United Nations Environment Program defines a mountain as any landmass with an elevation of over 2,000 feet. Other definitions include hills, which have an elevation range of at least 300 meters in a 7-km radius, and plateaus, which have less than 1,000 feet of elevation. This definition is often inaccurate, though.
The definition of a mountain can be a bit subjective, but generally speaking, a mountain is an area of land that rises dramatically from surrounding land. Whether a mountain is a mountain, a hill, or a plateau, it should be challenging enough to warrant a daypack. Mountains are often associated with snowcapped peaks, deep glacier-carved cams, crashing waterfalls, and varying weather conditions.
