By John Lindell
About Mount Kilimanjaro
The highest point in
Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro is also the tallest free-standing mountain on the planet. Mount Kilimanjaro sits close to the northeast border of the African nation of Tanzania and is 205 miles south of the equator. The mountain is actually an inactive volcano composed of two different volcanic peaks that are seven miles apart, connected by a long ridge.
Height
The highest point of Kilimanjaro is the extinct volcanic crater called Kibo, which is 19,340 feet high. The Kilimanjaro National Park is that area of the mountain above the 8,850 foot mark.
Temperatures
At the very base of Kilimanjaro the temperature averages 85 degrees Fahrenheit year round. But at the top the temperatures are below freezing and there is a permanent snowcap present.
Rainy Season
The rainiest periods on Kilimanjaro are from March through June and from October through December. It typically will snow on the summit from March to May and rain at the mountain's base.
Dry Season
June and July are normally dry on Kilimanjaro. The months of August and September provide a typically clear view of the summit but a belt of clouds surrounds the lower regions of the mountain.
First Climbed
Kilimanjaro was climbed for the first time by the German Hans Meyer and an Austrian named Ludwig Purtscheller. The pair made it to the summit on October 6, 1889.
Resources
About the Author:
John Lindell has written articles for "The Greyhound Review" and various other online publications. A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. Lindell worked in greyhound racing for 25 years.
Photo Credits:
open.salon.com
