Where is Mount Everest Located? Exploring the Geography and Significance

Where is Mount Everest located? It is a million-dollar question that every aspiring expediter searches for on the internet before planning an ascent of the world’s highest peak.

While some claim it is located in Nepal, the rest claim it is in the Tibetan province of China. However, the truth is that it’s actually spread across both countries, with its different faces turning towards different countries. This is why you can ascend to the peak from both sides.

Let’s dive deeper into the location of Mount Everest and its geographical significance.

Where is Mount Everest? Geographical Location

The mighty Mount Everest is located in the Mahalangur Range of the Himalayas. It spreads across the international border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

While the south side of Everest is located in the Nepalese side, the north side is situated in the Chinese side, making it a shared peak across the international border.

Nepal Side vs. China Side of Mount Everest

To be precise, Nepal has three different faces each with their own specification and challenges of climbing. While the South face sides towards Nepal, the North face and East face (also called Kangshung face) is both on the Tibetan side.

Whilst the legendary mountaineers have tried climbing on all three faces of Everest, the south face through Nepal is primarily preferred. And the reason behind it is the ease of climbing and also the better logistic, more hospitable accommodation, and comparatively more better weather conditions.

Besides, the terrains are comparably more difficult in China side despite the ease of transport to the base camp. The wind is more stronger and temperature can get extremely colder in the northern side of the peak. This is the reason why the summiteers prefer to climb the South face via Nepal.

Not just the ascend of peak, even the base camp trek to Everest is more common in Nepal side. It is because the Tibetan side of base camp has road access and hence takes away the thrill of trekking to touch the foothills of mighty Everest.

Height and Structure of Everest

Fact About Everest

Height: 8848.86 meters (29031.7 feet) from sea level

Latitude: 27.9881°N

Longitude: 86.9250 °E

Mountain Range: Mahalangur Himal, Himalayas

North Base Camp: Located at 5150 meters (16,900 feet) in Tibet

South Base Camp: Located at 5364 meters (17, 598 feet) in Nepal

Structure of Mount Everest

Everest’s geological formation is equally fascinating as the peak ad its surrounding itself. The topmost soil of the peak is primarily composed of rocks that are made up of marine limestone and finely-grained sedimentary rock that is formed of mud, clay, and silt.

There marine sedimentary rocks are supposed to be a part of the ancient seas once upon a time. Thus, it is believed that these rocks that build up the geology of Everest was formed millions of years ago under the ancient ocean.

Coming to the middle sections, it primarily consists of marble and limestone layers. And the basement rocks primarily composes of metamorphic schist and gneiss.

Since the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates that form the base of Himalayas are constantly on the move, the height of Everest keeps increasing continuously. It is believed to be rising 4 mm per year.

Significance of Everest

Besides being the highest peak of the world, Everest has a lot more significance than goes way beyond just its height. From being a political border to playing a role in climatic systems of the Himalayas, Everest carries a lot of importance.

Geographical Significance

The Everest serves as a natural boundary separating Nepal from the Tibet Autonomous region of China. In fact, the Himalayan ranges act as the Norther border that separates out the landlocked Nepal from the southern border of China. This boundary formed by Everest also serves as a common point where the Eurasian and Asian tectonic plates meet and often collide changing the structure of landmasses.

Besides, the geography of Everest also impacts the hydrological systems and controls the climatic conditions. Majority of rivers that flow through Nepal and India like Indus, Ganges, Dudh Koshi, Brahmaputra, Arun etc. originate from the glaciers and snowfields of Everest, supporting the life below on lower elevations.

Cultural Significance

Everest often is synonymously known as the home to Sherpas, the brave warriors of high mountains. Since most of these Everest residents follow Tibetan Buddhism, they worship Everest as the goddess mother of the world, “Chomolungma”.

Global Significance

For all the residents around the globe, Everest symbolizes as a testament of determination, endurance, and human resilience. Every year adventurers around the world visit the Everest region just to witness the grandeur of the peak. While it symbolizes a sense of achievement to trek just to the base camp, some seek to conquer the summit testing out their capability.

Besides, the mountain also serves as natural laboratory for studying the change in climate due to human intervention. The accelerated glacial melting, change in biological specimens of the region and more such changes clearly indicate how climate change is risking lives of people.

A Borderline Legend

Mount Everest isn’t just a mere peak that stands out being the tallest in the Himalayan range. It is a legendary borderline between two unique nations who serve the visitors coming to witness the majestic mountain serving as the roof of the world.

Whether you climb to summit to enjoy the view of world below or adore the peak itself from high-altitude valleys or plateaus of Tibet, the mountain appears the same.

Indifferent to the location, Everest always remains the most wanted destination for adventurers all around the globe. So next time someone asks you where Mount Everest is located, simply say in the hearts of adventurers.

Love adventuring!