Overview
Annapurna is a massif in the Himalayas of north-central Nepal that includes one peak over 8,000 meters, thirteen peaks over 7,000 meters, and sixteen more over 6,000 meters. Its highest summit, Annapurna I Main, reaches 8,091 meters, making it the tenth-highest mountain in the world.
Geography and Physical Features
The massif stretches 55 kilometers and is bounded by the Kali Gandaki Gorge to the west, the Marshyangdi River to the north and east, and the Pokhara Valley to the south. The Kali Gandaki Gorge is one of the deepest gorges on Earth, lying between Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri.
Significance
Annapurna I was the first 8,000-meter peak to be successfully climbed, summited in 1950 by a French expedition led by Maurice Herzog. The Annapurna Conservation Area, surrounding the massif, is Nepal's largest protected area and one of the most popular trekking destinations in the world.
Notable Facts
Annapurna has the highest fatality rate of any of the world's 8,000-meter peaks, with roughly one death per three successful summits. The name "Annapurna" comes from Sanskrit, meaning "full of food" or "goddess of the harvests." The Annapurna Circuit trek covers about 160 to 230 kilometers around the massif.