In the northeast of Tanzania, which belongs to the territory of Africa, the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro is located. It is considered to be the highest on the African continent.
Highest point
The height of Kilimanjaro reaches 5895 m, and its area is 97 km. Among experts there is a statement that the mountain seems to be the highest among the detached mountains on the whole earth. The mountain consists of three potentially active volcanoes. We are talking about the Shira, Mawenzi and Kibo volcanoes, which can come to life at any time.
The volcanoes of Kilimanjaro are united by a long history of eruptions that have been quite violent. The formation of the mountain began with the appearance of the Shira volcano, which reaches a height of 3962 m. According to scientists, the volcano was previously much higher, but as a result of the impact of the enormous power of the eruption, the height acquired the value that has been recorded today. The volcano is located just west of the highest point of the mountain. On the east side is the Mavenzi volcano. The youngest volcano is considered to be Kibo.
Majestic blue-gray mountain
It is no coincidence that the mountain got its name Kilimanjaro. Translated from the Swahili language, it means "sparkling mountain". The top of the mountain has a characteristic shape and can be seen from many kilometers away. In extreme heat, observers can only contemplate the snow-capped peak, since the base of the mountain merges against the background of the savannahs surrounding the mountain.
Kilimanjaro is so big that it forms its own special climate around itself. This is characteristic of all large mountains, the width of which is of great importance. The vegetation at the base of the mountain and its slopes is different from the semi-desert areas that are around it. This is due to the peculiarities of the unique climate. Thanks to the humid winds that blow from the Indian Ocean, enough rainfall or snow falls on Kilimanjaro, which contributes to the active spread of vegetation along the slopes.
The top of the mountain is covered with eternal snow and glaciers. But after a series of careful studies, scientists have come to the conclusion that glaciers recede over the years and get smaller. This is because there is not enough rainfall at the summit to compensate. Another group of scientists put forward a different version. They believe that over time, one of the active volcanoes warms up. If the situation does not fundamentally change, there will be no snow cap on the top of Kilimanjaro by 2200.
