Everest is the highest mountain in the world its summit reaching the skies at an elevation of 8848metres. The mountain, which is part of the Himalaya range in High Asia, is located on the border between Nepal, and Tibet, China.

In 1865, Everest was given its official English name by the Royal Geographical Society upon recommendation of Andrew Waugh, the British Surveyor General of India at the time.

Mountaineers climbing Everest establish a camp at the base of the mountain, and four higher camps before reaching the summit. For the next 30 days or so, they will move up, then down again, allowing their bodies to get used to the reduced oxygen content of the air. At the summit of Everest, there is only one-third the oxygen available at sea level. This acclimatisation process is essential to ascend safely.

Everest has claimed over 210 lives. Conditions are so harsh in the Death Zone that most bodies have been left where they fell, some of which are visible from standard climbing routes.

Quick facts

• Known to Nepalese as Sagarmatha and to Tibetans as Chomolungma, the ‘Goddess of the Sky’
• Highest mountain on Earth 8848m (29,035 feet) high;
• Named after: Sir George Everest in 1865, the British surveyor-general of India;
• Location: Latitude 27° 59' N, Longitude 86° 56' E;
• Located on the border of Nepal in the South and Tibet (China) in the North First ascent on May 29, 1953;
• Mt. Everest has claimed over 210 lives

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