Mount Vancouver (New Zealand) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Vancouver |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,309 m (10,856 ft) |
| Prominence | 20 m (66 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Vancouver
Location in New Zealand
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| Parent range | Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana |
Mount Vancouver is a really tall mountain peak in New Zealand. It's part of the amazing Southern Alps mountain range. Standing at 3,309 metres (about 10,856 feet) high, it's one of the highest named mountains in the country! Imagine looking up at something so huge!
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Mount Vancouver: A Giant Peak
Mount Vancouver is a very important peak in the Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. This mountain range runs like a spine down the South Island of New Zealand. Mount Vancouver is the fourth highest named summit in the whole country.
Where is Mount Vancouver?
This impressive mountain is located on a ridge that stretches north from Aoraki / Mount Cook. Aoraki / Mount Cook is New Zealand's tallest mountain, reaching 3,724 metres high. Mount Vancouver sits between another tall peak called Mount Dampier (3,440 m) and a lower point known as the Clarke Saddle (2,978 m). It's surrounded by other giant mountains!
Who Was Captain Vancouver?
Mount Vancouver was named after Captain George Vancouver. He was a famous explorer and officer in the British Royal Navy. Captain Vancouver was part of Captain James Cook's second big journey around the world in 1773. Cook was a very well-known explorer who mapped many parts of the Pacific Ocean.
Later, in 1791, Captain Vancouver led his own important trip. This was called the Vancouver Expedition. During this expedition, he explored and mapped the Pacific Northwest coast of North America. Many places there, like Vancouver Island and the city of Vancouver in Canada, are also named after him!
Naming the Mountain
The official name, Mount Vancouver, was adopted by the New Zealand Geographic Board in November 1953. This board is responsible for naming places in New Zealand. They chose to honor Captain George Vancouver for his contributions to exploration and mapping.
