Major Mountain Ranges and Traversed Countries

Mountain ranges shape physical geography by acting as barriers, climate regulators, and biodiversity zones. For Prelims revision, it is useful to remember their transboundary spread, tectonic setting, and highest peaks.

Mountain Ranges of the Americas

• The Andes: Stretching about 7,000 kilometers along South America’s western coast, the Andes is the world’s longest continental mountain range. It traverses Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Mount Aconcagua in Argentina is the highest peak at 6,961 meters.
• The Rocky Mountains: This range extends over 4,800 kilometers across North America through Canada and the United States. Its highest peak is Mount Elbert in Colorado, USA, at 4,401 meters.
• The Appalachian Mountains: Spanning the eastern United States and Canada, this ancient mountain range has Mount Mitchell in North Carolina, USA, as its highest peak at 2,037 meters.

Key Ranges of Asia and the Middle East

• The Himalayas: Spanning India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan, the Himalayas are the highest mountain range on Earth. Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, has an officially agreed height of 8,848.86 meters.
• The Altai Mountains: Located where China, Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan meet, the Altai range has Belukha Mountain as its highest peak at 4,506 meters.
• The Zagros Mountains: Stretching across western Iran, northern Iraq, and southeastern Turkey, the highest peak is Mount Dena in Iran at 4,409 meters.

European and Transcontinental Ranges

• The Alps: Extending across Monaco, France, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria, and Slovenia, the Alps have Mont Blanc as their highest peak. Its ice-cap summit was measured at 4,805.59 meters in late 2023.
• The Caucasus Mountains: Serving as a natural barrier between Europe and Asia, this system spans Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Mount Elbrus in the Russian Caucasus is the highest peak in Europe at 5,642 meters.
• The Ural Mountains: Extending mainly through western Russia to Kazakhstan, the Urals are traditionally treated as the boundary between Europe and Asia. Mount Narodnaya is the highest peak at 1,894 meters.
• The Pyrenees: Forming a natural border between France and Spain, the Pyrenees have Aneto in Spain as the highest peak at 3,404 meters. Andorra is completely enclosed within this range.

Major Ranges of Africa and Oceania

• The Atlas Mountains: Spanning Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, the Atlas range has Mount Toubkal in Morocco as its highest peak at 4,167 meters.
• The Drakensberg: Forming the eastern portion of the Great Escarpment, this range spans South Africa and Lesotho. Thabana Ntlenyana in Lesotho is the highest peak at 3,482 meters.
• The Great Dividing Range: Stretching over 3,500 kilometers entirely within eastern Australia, its highest peak is Mount Kosciuszko in New South Wales at 2,228 meters.

Summary of Mountain Ranges and Peaks

Key Prelims Takeaways

• Andes: The longest continental mountain range on Earth, spanning seven countries in South America.
• Highest peak in the world: Mount Everest, in the Himalayas, stands at 8,848.86 meters.
• Highest peak in Europe: Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus is higher than Mont Blanc and is the continent’s highest summit.
• Europe-Asia divide: The Ural Mountains and the Caucasus are commonly treated as physical boundaries between Europe and Asia.
• Country overlaps: The Pyrenees include Andorra entirely, while the Drakensberg includes Lesotho, a high-altitude landlocked state.
• Important range-country mapping: The Alps cross eight countries, and the Altai meets four countries at a central Asian junction.
• Peak revision point: In late 2023, Mont Blanc’s ice-cap summit was measured at 4,805.59 meters.