Overview
Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant stratovolcano located in northeastern Tanzania, and is the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 meters. It is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising directly from the surrounding plains rather than being part of a mountain range.
Geography and Physical Features
Kilimanjaro consists of three volcanic cones: Kibo, the highest and still dormant, Mawenzi, and Shira. The mountain features several ecological zones, beginning with cultivated farmland at its base and ascending through rainforest, heath, alpine desert, and finally a glaciated arctic summit zone.
Significance
Kilimanjaro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is contained within Kilimanjaro National Park. The mountain is sacred to the Chagga people who live on its slopes. It is one of the most popular climbs among the Seven Summits because it requires no technical mountaineering skills.
Notable Facts
The summit glaciers of Kilimanjaro have lost more than 80 percent of their ice since 1912 and may disappear entirely within decades. The first recorded ascent was made in 1889 by Hans Meyer, Ludwig Purtscheller, and Yohani Kinyala Lauwo. Roughly 30,000 people attempt the climb each year.