Eight Miles High Trivia Quiz

Answer: Himalayas

The Himalayas are the youngest and highest mountain range on Earth, formed about 50 million years ago from the collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This process continues to raise them by roughly 20 millimetres (0.79) inches each year.

Stretching approximately 2,500 kilometres (1,550 miles) east to west across India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan, the range covers about 595,000 square kilometres (229,772 square miles) and contains more than 100 peaks above 7,200 metres (23,622 feet)

Among them is Mount Everest, at 8,848.86 metres (29,031.7 feet), the tallest point on the planet.

Answer: Karakoram

The Karakoram mountain range is one of the most rugged and spectacular in the world. It lies mainly in northern Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region and also extends into China's Xinjiang and India's Ladakh, and connects to the Hindu Kush and Pamir mountain ranges. This remote region is home to many of the planet's tallest mountains and vast glaciers that shape its icy landscape.

K2, also known as Mount Godwin-Austen, stands at 8,611 metres (28,251 feet) and is the second-highest mountain in the world, after Mount Everest. Other famous peaks in the Karakoram include Gasherbrum I, Broad Peak, and Gasherbrum II. The range has more very high peaks packed together than anywhere else on Earth.

Answer: Hindu Kush

The Hindu Kush is a vast mountain range in Central and South Asia, stretching approximately 800 kilometres (500 miles) from central Afghanistan into northern Pakistan. It forms a natural barrier between the regions of Central Asia and South Asia. It's part of the larger Alpine mountain system and divides the valleys of the Amu Darya River in the north from the Indus River valley to the south.

One of the highest peaks in the Hindu Kush is Tirich Mir, in Pakistan's Chitral District and standing as the tallest mountain outside the Himalayas and Karakoram ranges. Other peaks include Noshaq, the highest point in Afghanistan, located on the border with Pakistan and Istor-o-Nal, also in the Chitral region.

Answer: Tian Shan

The Tian Shan, literally 'Mountains of Heaven' in Chinese, is a majestic mountain range sprawling across western China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. It is an essential part of Central Asia's geography and cultural history, featuring ancient Silk Road passes.

The highest peak of the Tian Shan is Jengish Chokusu (Victory Peak), standing at 7,439 meters (24,406 feet) on the Kyrgyzstan-China border. Some other summits include Khan Tengri, known for its pyramid shape and pink marble and Pik Pobedy West.

Answer: Andes

The Andes are the longest continental mountain range in the world, stretching like a rugged backbone along the western edge of South America. They span seven countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. The Andes are a geological marvel and a cradle of ancient civilisations.

The tallest peak in the Andes is Aconcagua, located in Argentina, which rises to 6,961 meters (22,838 feet) above sea level. It is the highest mountain outside of Asia. Among the others are Ojos del Salado, the world's highest active volcano, and Huascarán, the highest point in Peru.

Answer: Caucasus Mountains

The Caucasus Mountains form a dramatic natural divide between Europe and Asia, stretching from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea across southern Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Rich in biodiversity and cultural history, this range has long been a frontier of empires and a cradle of myth.

The tallest mountain in the Caucasus, and all of Europe, is Mount Elbrus, which towers at 5,642 metres (18,510 feet). Located in Russia's Kabardino-Balkaria region, Elbrus is a dormant volcano and a popular mountaineering destination. Other peaks include Dykh-Tau and Shkhara. Both are part of the Greater Caucasus range.

Answer: Alps

The Alps are the most legendary mountain range in Europe, curving across eight countries: France, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia. Renowned for their dramatic peaks, alpine meadows, and cultural richness, the Alps have long inspired explorers, artists, and adventurers.

The highest mountain in the Alps is Mont Blanc, straddling the border of France and Italy, with an elevation of 4,808 metres (15,774 feet). Other tall peaks include Dufourspitze in Switzerland's Monte Rosa massif, and Dom, the highest mountain entirely within Switzerland.

Answer: Zagros Mountains

The Zagros Mountains form a sweeping arc across western Iran and into northeastern Iraq, serving as a dramatic geological and cultural boundary. Known for their folded sedimentary layers and rich biodiversity, the Zagros have shaped the history, climate, and settlement patterns of the region for thousands of years.

Qash Mastan, the tallest peak in the range, is located in the Dena sub-range of Iran's Zagros Mountains, which rises to 4,409 meters (14,465 feet). The Dena range includes nearly fifty peaks above 4,000 meters (2.49 miles), making it the highest and one of the most rugged parts of the Zagros. Another prominent mountain, Zard Kuh in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province. These peaks are snow-capped for much of the year.

Answer: Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountains, often simply called 'the Rockies', stretch majestically from northern British Columbia in Canada to New Mexico in the United States. This vast range is a symbol of rugged wilderness, dramatic elevation, and geological grandeur, shaping the landscape and culture of western North America.

In the Rockies, the highest peak is Mount Elbert, located in Colorado, which rises to 4,401 metres (14,440 feet) above sea level. The range includes Mount Robson, in British Columbia, the highest in the Canadian Rockies, and Granite Peak in Montana. Many peaks exceed 4,000 metres (13,123 feet), especially in Colorado's Sawatch and Front Ranges.

Answer: Atlas Mountains

The Atlas Mountains stretch across Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, forming a dramatic barrier between the Mediterranean coast and the Sahara Desert. Rich in geological history and cultural diversity, they have long shaped the climate, ecosystems, and civilisations of North Africa.

The tallest peak in the Atlas Mountains is Mount Toubkal, located in Morocco's High Atlas range, which rises to 4,167 metres (13,671 feet) above sea level. Other peaks include Ighil M'Goun and Djebel Chélia in Algeria.