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List of mountain ranges facts for kids

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Physical World Map 2004-04-01
Physiographic world map with mountain ranges and highland areas in brown, pink, and gray

Imagine giant wrinkles on Earth's surface – that's what mountain ranges are! They are long chains of mountains that stretch for many kilometers. These amazing natural features are formed when huge pieces of Earth's crust, called tectonic plates, crash into each other. This article will explore some of the highest and longest mountain ranges on our planet, including those found under the ocean and even on other planets and moons!

Earth's Amazing Mountain Ranges

Tallest Mountain Ranges on Earth

Some mountain ranges reach incredibly high into the sky. Here are some of the tallest, with their highest points:

Name Continent(s) Country/ies Highest point Altitude
(metres above
sea level)
Himalayas Asia India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Pakistan Everest 8848.86
Karakoram Asia Pakistan, China, India K2 8611
Hindu Kush Asia Afghanistan, Pakistan Tirich Mir 7708
Pamirs Asia Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan Kongur Tagh 7649
Hengduan Mountains Asia China, Myanmar Mount Gongga 7556
Tian Shan Asia China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Jengish Chokusu 7439
Kunlun Asia China Liushi Shan 7167
Transhimalaya Asia China Mount Nyenchen Tanglha 7162
Andes South America Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela Aconcagua 6961
Hindu Raj Asia Pakistan Koyo Zom 6873
Alaska Range North America United States Denali 6194
Saint Elias Mountains North America United States, Canada Mount Logan 5959
Caucasus Mountains Europe and Asia Georgia, Russia, Azerbaijan Mount Elbrus 5642

Many of the tall Asian ranges, like the Himalayas, were formed over millions of years. This happened when the Indian Plate (a huge piece of Earth's crust) slowly crashed into the Eurasian Plate. These mountains are still growing taller every year!

Longest Mountain Chains on Earth

Some mountain ranges stretch for thousands of kilometers across continents and even under the oceans.

  • The longest mountain chain on Earth is the underwater Mid-ocean ridge. It stretches for an incredible 65,000 kilometers (about 40,000 miles) around the globe!
  • The Ring of Fire is another massive chain, about 40,000 kilometers (25,000 miles) long. It's famous for its many volcanoes and earthquakes.
  • The American Cordillera is a huge system of mountain ranges that runs along the western side of North and South America. It's about 13,400 kilometers (8,300 miles) long.
    • The Andes in South America are a major part of this system, stretching for 7,000 kilometers (4,300 miles).
    • The North American Cordillera covers about 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles).
  • The Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt is a long mountain system in Europe and Asia, over 15,000 kilometers (9,300 miles) long.
    • The Hindu Kush-Himalayas region is a big part of this, about 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles) long.
  • The Great Escarpment, Southern Africa is a long chain in Southern Africa, about 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) long.
  • The Rocky Mountains in North America are about 4,830 kilometers (3,000 miles) long.
  • Australia's Great Dividing Range is about 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles) long.
  • The Transantarctic Mountains in Antarctica are also about 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles) long.
  • The Kunlun Mountains in China are about 3,000 kilometers (1,900 miles) long.
  • The Atlas Mountains in Africa are about 2,500 kilometers (1,600 miles) long.
  • The Ural Mountains in Russia are about 2,500 kilometers (1,600 miles) long.
  • The Appalachian Mountains in eastern North America are about 2,414 kilometers (1,500 miles) long.

Mountain Ranges by Continent

Mountains are found all over the world! Here's a look at some famous ranges on each continent.

Africa's Mountain Ranges

Africa has many impressive mountain ranges, from the tall peaks of the Atlas Mountains to the unique Drakensberg.

Asia's Mountain Ranges

Asia is home to the world's highest mountains, including the mighty Himalayas.

Europe's Mountain Ranges

Europe has diverse mountain landscapes, from the famous Alps to the rugged Carpathians.

North America's Mountain Ranges

North America boasts long chains like the Rockies and the Appalachians.

Canada
United States
Mexico
Central America
Caribbean

South America's Mountain Ranges

The Andes are the longest mountain range on land, dominating South America's western side.

Oceania's Mountain Ranges

Oceania features ranges from Australia's Great Dividing Range to New Zealand's Southern Alps.

Australia
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
  • Owen Stanley Range

Antarctica's Mountain Ranges

Even the icy continent of Antarctica has its own impressive mountain ranges.

Oceanic Mountain Ranges

Did you know there are huge mountain ranges hidden under the ocean?

Mountains Beyond Earth

Mountains aren't just on Earth! Other planets and moons in our solar system have them too.

The Moon

Our Moon has several mountain ranges, often named with Latin words.

Iapetus

This moon of Saturn has a unique feature: an Equatorial ridge that looks like a seam running around its middle.

Mercury

  • Caloris Montes

Titan

  • Mithrim Montes

Pluto

  • Tenzing Montes

See also

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List of mountain ranges Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.