North America owns some of the highest mountains in the world. Here’s a list of the 5 tallest mountains in North America:
5. Mount Popocatepetl, Mexico
Located on the southeast of Mexico City, Mexico this active volcano has a height of 17,802 ft. It derives it name from the Nahuatl words popoka ‘it smokes’ and tepetl, which mean ‘mountain‘, thus Smoking Mountain and is also called “Pop” or “El Popo” by locals. It has on its slopes monasteries from 16th century and classified as a World Heritage Site.
4. Mount St. Elias, United States
Located on Alaska/Yukon border, part of Mount St. Elias falls in the biggest national park of the US, the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Its height of 18,008 feet makes it the second-highest peak in the United States, following Mount Logan.
3. The Pico de Orizaba, Mexico
El Pico de Orizaba is popularly known as Citlaltepetl, meaning Star Mountain. It’s a striking volcano. It is the world’s second most famous volcanic peak, the first one being Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa. It is ranked as the tallest mountain in Mexico.
Though there are varying claims about its height, one scientific survey undertaken by Stephen Brown, a professor at the University of Texas estimated its height to be 18, 490.5 feet with a +/- of 50 feet.
2. Mount Logan, Canada
This is the highest mountain of Canada and the second highest of North America. It derives its name from Sir William Edmond Logan, a Canadian geologist-founder of the Geological Survey of Canada. The circumference of it base is the largest of all mountains on our planet.
It has an elevation of 19,551 feet and was first reached by A. Taylor, H. F. Lambart More and H. S. Hall plus Jr., A. Carpe on 23rd June, 1925. The temperature is extremely low here. On 26th May, 1991, it recorded a temperature of -77.5 °C (-106.6 °F). For records that is the lowest temperature outside Antarctica.
Related: 10 Tallest Mountains In The World
1. Mount McKinley, United States
Located in Alaska, Mount McKinley also named as Denali and referred as ‘The High One” is the tallest mountain of North America. Its summit elevation is 20,322 feet above sea level. It was named after William McKinley, who was a republican contender for president.
Though the State of Alaska formally altered the name to Denali, the federal government continues to name it Mount McKinley. On 7th June 1913, Harry Karstens, Walter Harper, Robert Tatum, and Hudson Stuck were the first to reach it ascent.
These are the top 5 highest mountains in North America so far. Hope you have enjoyed the post and give us your opinion in the comments.