Elevation: 5,893 meters (19,334 feet)
Mt. Kilimanjaro, composed of three dormant volcanic cones, is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. Located between Tanzania and Kenya, it is technically an easy mountain to climb but the risk of high altitude sickness is still very present. The mountain is home to many forms of wildlife and vegetation, several of which are uniquely adapted to the rainforest, heath and moorland conditions on the mountain. At higher elevations, the alpine desert environment is characterized by drastic temperature changes from day to night and harsh conditions. At the summit, Kilimanjaro is capped by glaciers. The origin of the mountain’s name is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of words in several languages that together mean “white mountain.”
