Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Mount Vinson
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This world geography question focuses on continental high points, which are often asked in competitive exams. Every continent has a highest mountain peak and knowing these names helps in understanding global topography. Antarctica, the southernmost continent, is covered by ice and is uninhabited by permanent civilian populations, yet it has a clearly defined highest peak that mountaineers and geographers recognise.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The highest peak in Antarctica is Mount Vinson, often called Vinson Massif. It lies in the Ellsworth Mountains near the coast of the continent. Nanda Devi and Kamet are high peaks in the Himalayas of India, and although they are very tall, they are not located in Antarctica. Mount Everest, on the border between Nepal and China, is the worlds highest mountain, but it is in Asia, not in Antarctica. Therefore the correct answer for the highest peak of Antarctica is Mount Vinson.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question is specifically about the Antarctic continent, not about the highest peak of the whole world.
Step 2: Recall that the highest peak in Antarctica is known as Mount Vinson or Vinson Massif.
Step 3: Note that Nanda Devi and Kamet are both located in the Indian Himalayas, thousands of kilometres away from Antarctica.
Step 4: Recognise that Mount Everest, while the highest mountain on Earth, is located in the Himalayan range on the Asia continent, not in Antarctica.
Step 5: Since only Mount Vinson is actually in Antarctica and is its highest peak, select Mount Vinson as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
Mountaineers often refer to the Seven Summits, which are the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. In that list, Mount Vinson represents Antarctica, Everest represents Asia, Aconcagua represents South America, Kilimanjaro represents Africa, and so on. Remembering this standard set helps you quickly identify Vinson as the Antarctic summit. None of the other names in the options are part of the Antarctic landscape.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Nanda Devi, is a major peak in India and once considered the highest in the country, but it is not in Antarctica. Option B, Kamet, is another high mountain in the Indian Himalayas. Option D, Mount Everest, is in Asia and is the highest peak in the world but does not answer a question about Antarctica specifically. These options are geographically incorrect for the Antarctic continent.
Common Pitfalls:
Many students see Mount Everest in any list of mountain related options and choose it automatically, forgetting to read the full question carefully. This leads to incorrect answers when the question is about continents rather than global extremes. Another pitfall is confusing lesser known peaks like Vinson with local mountains. To avoid this, learn the Seven Summits list and always pay attention to which continent is mentioned in the question stem.
Final Answer:
The highest peak of Antarctica is Mount Vinson.
Discussion & Comments