Africa - exotic for many residents of Eurasia continent.There are vast deserts and savannahs are found unusual animals and grow amazing plants.And do you know what the highest mountains in Africa?The names of some of them we still remember the school curriculum, while others completely unknown.
General Description The main feature of the continent is that high mountains are not folded structures.For example, the highest mountain in Africa, located in the East African highlands.In the north-west and south of the continent tower folded mountains - Atlas and the Cape.Ethiopian (Abyssinian) Plateau is located in the north-east ridge Aberdarsky - in the heart of the continent, Drakensberg Mountains are in the south, and the Ahaggar - in the north-west.In addition, Africa is famous for its active and extinct volcanoes (Mount Kilimanjaro and Cameroon).
highest mountain in Africa - Kilimanjaro
This huge mountain is composed of three extinct volcanoes now - Mawenzi (5129 m), Shira (3962 m), and Kibo (5895 m).Accordingly, the height of the highest mountain in Africa, is considered to be 5895 meters.The array is located on the plateau of the Masai.Scientists do not have documentary evidence that in ancient times there was volcanic activity, talking about it only a legend.In the area of Kilimanjaro today volcanism remind only periodic gas emissions.However, in the past there were shifts and collapses.
Africa's highest mountain is famous for its ice cap since the peak covered with glaciers for many millennia.Today, many scientists have expressed concern that this huge snow cap may disappear in the coming decades.Perhaps their fear is not unfounded - in the last 100 years the cap has decreased in volume by almost 80%.This is not a consequence of increased temperature and depends on reducing the amount of snow falling in the region.
highest mountain in Africa was opened in 1848, pastor of Germany Johannes Rebmann.For the first time tried to conquer the summit of the Hungarian Count SamuelTeleki, but she resigned in 1889 only German traveler Hans Meyer and his companion - Austrian mountaineer Ludwig Purtscheller.
Mount Kenya
It is not the highest mountain in Africa, however, it reaches a height of 5199 meters.Mount Kenya - is an extinct stratovolcano and one of the most popular among mountaineers peaks of the African continent.It is located in a national park Mount Kenya, founded in 1949 to protect the surrounding area.
Most often climb this mountain made it to the three peaks - Batiani, Nelionu and Point Lenanu.From a technical point of view, the most affordable and easy-Point Lenana is considered to be located in the southeast of the array.
Scientists believe that about two million years ago - Mount Kenya is an active volcano.There is a version that in those days it was up Kilimanjaro.
In 1849 it opened a German missionary Johann Krapf and after 34, confirmed her discovery explorer George. Thompson, come down to the foot of the west.
Cameroon
This mountain is considered to be the highest in Central Africa.Its height is 4070 meters.She is currently still shows volcanic activity.The last eruption of Cameroon recorded in 2000.The top of the mountain is not always covered with snow, but sometimes there is a cap on it.Vulcan also has other names - Phaco and Mongo ma Ndemi - so it calls the local people.
open this volcano Portuguese sailors - members of the expedition, which was looking for a way across Africa to India.To reach the summit in 1861, Richard Francis Burton.
Ethiopian highlands
It is situated on the north-east of the continent, in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and partly in the north of Somalia.The highest point of the mountain is considered to be Ras Dashen.Its height is 4550 meters.In eastern and southern highlands steep ledges.They descend into the deep valley.Western ledges stupenchatoe different form, are cut by deep canyons of the Blue Nile.Highland Valley is divided on freestanding arrays (Amba).Compose Ethiopian highlands gneisses, schists, located above the volcanic rocks.
The Highlands marked monsoon climate, which allows here to grow a coffee tree, rye and wheat.In addition, there are a lot of minerals - gold, platinum, sulfur, copper and iron ore.Obtained here lignite, limestone and gypsum.
Atlas Mountains This mountain range is located in the northwest of the continent.For a long time it was thought that it extends from the Atlantic coast in Morocco up to the coast of Tunisia.Today, I found that it stretches for 2,300 kilometers from Cape Sirte to Kotey.
Atlas Mountains separated from the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast of the Sahara Desert.They comprise multiple ranges.The highest point of the array - Mount Toubkal (4167 m).
