description Chimborazo Overview
Chimborazo is a currently inactive stratovolcano in central Ecuador with an elevation of 6,263 m (20,548 ft). Due to Earth's equatorial bulge, its summit is the point farthest from the planet's center, even exceeding the distance from Earth's center to the summit of Mount Everest. The mountain was first summited in 1880 by English mountaineer Edward Whymper, and today it is protected within the Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve, which provides habitat for wild vicuñas and llamas.
insights Ranking position
Chimborazo ranks #32 of 187 in the Mountain ranking, behind Mount Logan, ahead of Namcha Barwa.
help Chimborazo FAQ
Is the summit of Chimborazo farther from the Earth's center than Mount Everest?
Yes, due to the Earth's equatorial bulge, the summit of Chimborazo is the point farthest from the planet's center. This means it exceeds the distance from Earth's center to the summit of Mount Everest by roughly two kilometers.
What is the elevation of Chimborazo?
Chimborazo is a currently inactive stratovolcano in central Ecuador with a stated elevation of 6,263 meters above sea level. While not nearly as tall as Everest above sea level, it is the highest peak in Ecuador.
When was Chimborazo first climbed?
The mountain was first successfully summited in 1880 by the renowned British mountaineer Edward Whymper, who had previously conquered the Matterhorn. He and his brothers climbed with guides using alpenstocks and leather boots, disproving theories that humans couldn't survive at such high altitudes.
What mountain range is Chimborazo located in?
It is the highest peak in the Cordillera Occidental of the Andes Mountains. The volcano is so massive that it dominates the skyline of the surrounding highland provinces of central Ecuador.
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