Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, standing at 8,849 meters (29,032 feet) above sea level. Located in the Himalayas, it lies on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Chomolungma in Tibet, it is revered by local cultures and climbers worldwide. First summited by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953, Everest remains a symbol of human ambition and resilience. Despite its allure, the mountain poses extreme challenges due to harsh weather, thin air, and the perilous “death zone” above 8,000 meters. Below are 10 amazing facts about Everest:

1. Height and Location:
   Mount Everest stands at 8,849 meters (29,032 feet) above sea level, making it the highest point on Earth. It is located in the Himalayas, straddling the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

1. Names and Meaning:
   In Nepal, it is called Sagarmatha, which means “Forehead of the Sky.” In Tibet, it is known as Chomolungma, meaning “Goddess Mother of the World.” The English name honors Sir George Everest, a British surveyor-general of India.
2. Age and Formation:
   Everest is part of the Himalayan range, formed about 60 million years ago when the Indian tectonic plate collided with the Eurasian plate.
3. First Successful Ascent:
   Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal, became the first climbers to successfully summit Everest on May 29, 1953.
4. Extreme Conditions:
   The summit temperature can plummet to -60°C (-76°F) in winter. Wind speeds often exceed 100 mph (160 km/h), and the air has only about one-third the oxygen found at sea level.
5. The “Death Zone”:
   The area above 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) is known as the “death zone” due to its extreme altitude, where the body starts deteriorating due to lack of oxygen, making prolonged stays extremely dangerous.
6. Climbing Seasons:
   The most popular times to climb Everest are during the pre-monsoon (April-May) and post-monsoon (September-November) windows when the weather is more stable.
7. Traffic Jams on the Summit:
   In recent years, overcrowding near the summit during peak climbing seasons has led to “traffic jams,” with climbers waiting for hours in dangerous conditions.
8. Environmental Concerns:
   Everest faces significant environmental challenges due to tourism. Climbers leave behind tons of trash, prompting cleanup campaigns. Melting glaciers caused by climate change are also altering the landscape.
9. World Records:
   • Kami Rita Sherpa holds the record for the most successful ascents, with 28 climbs as of 2023.
   • Junko Tabei of Japan was the first woman to summit Everest in 1975.
   • The youngest climber to reach the top is Jordan Romero, aged 13, in 2010.

Mount Everest remains a symbol of human endurance and adventure, attracting thousands of climbers each year despite its challenges.