What is the tallest mountain in Africa by elevation above sea level?

Introduction / Context:
Questions about the highest mountains on each continent are very common in world geography examinations. These peaks are not only important landmarks but also key facts that help students remember continental features. In the case of Africa, there are several high mountain ranges and individual peaks, but one volcanic massif in Tanzania stands out as the tallest. This question asks you to identify that highest mountain by name.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question asks for the tallest mountain in Africa measured by elevation above sea level.
- The options list several well known African peaks and ranges: Mount Kenya, Mount Kilimanjaro, Atlas Mountains (Toubkal), Mount Elgon, and Rwenzori Mountains (Mount Stanley).
- We assume that standard reference heights are used, as commonly found in geography textbooks and atlases.

Concept / Approach:
Mount Kilimanjaro, located in northeastern Tanzania near the border with Kenya, is widely recognised as the tallest mountain in Africa. Its highest summit, Uhuru Peak, rises to an elevation of roughly 5,895 metres above sea level. Mount Kenya is slightly lower, and the other peaks listed in the options are also below Kilimanjaro in height. Therefore, the correct answer must be Mount Kilimanjaro. Remembering the phrase highest peak in Africa equals Kilimanjaro is a helpful memory aid for geography exams.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is famous for being the highest mountain in Africa and for its snow capped summit near the equator. Step 2: Compare this with Mount Kenya, which is also high but known to be slightly lower than Kilimanjaro. Step 3: Recognise that Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Mount Elgon, and Mount Stanley in the Rwenzori range are all tall but still lower than Kilimanjaro. Step 4: Confirm that geography references consistently cite Kilimanjaro as the tallest African peak. Step 5: Select Mount Kilimanjaro as the correct option.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, consider typical lists of Seven Summits, which name the highest mountain on each continent. For Africa, these lists always mention Mount Kilimanjaro as the continental summit. Additionally, heights of major African peaks are widely published: Kilimanjaro at around 5,895 metres, Mount Kenya around 5,199 metres, and Mount Stanley near 5,109 metres. Since Kilimanjaro has the greatest elevation among these, it must be the tallest mountain in Africa. This confirms that Mount Kilimanjaro is the correct answer according to standard geographic data.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Mount Kenya: This is incorrect because, although very high and located near the equator in Kenya, it is lower in elevation than Mount Kilimanjaro.
Atlas Mountains (Toubkal): This is incorrect because Toubkal, the highest peak in the Atlas range of North Africa, does not exceed Kilimanjaro in height.
Mount Elgon: This is incorrect because Mount Elgon on the Kenya Uganda border is high but still significantly lower than Kilimanjaro.
Rwenzori Mountains (Mount Stanley): This is incorrect because Mount Stanley is one of the highest peaks in central Africa but does not reach the elevation of Kilimanjaro.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Mount Kenya with Mount Kilimanjaro because both are high peaks near the equator in East Africa. Another pitfall is mixing up the highest points of regions like North Africa, where Toubkal is significant, with the highest point of the entire continent. To avoid these mistakes, remember a simple association: Africa plus highest mountain equals Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Linking the name Kilimanjaro with both Tanzania and the idea of the continental summit will help you recall this fact in examinations.

Final Answer:
The tallest mountain in Africa is Mount Kilimanjaro.