From Peak to Valley: Exploring Earth’s Most Extreme Elevation Points in 2025

The World’s Geographic Extremes

Mount Everest remains Earth’s highest point above sea level, with its peak recently established at 8,848.86 metres (29,031.7 ft) above sea level in 2020 by Nepali and Chinese authorities.

At the other extreme, the Dead Sea, shared by Israel, Jordan, and Palestine, holds the title of the world’s lowest point, sitting 428 meters below sea level. This remarkable depression serves as both a geographical wonder and a major tourist attraction.

Remarkable Geographic Diversity

China boasts the greatest elevation range within any single country, with an impressive span of 9,002 metres (29,534 ft). Other countries with significant elevation ranges include Nepal (8,789 metres), Pakistan (8,611 metres), and India (8,588.7 metres).

In contrast, the Maldives holds the distinction of being the world’s flattest country, with terrain consistently measuring just 1.5 meters above sea level (approximately 5 feet).

Scientific Significance

Interestingly, while Mount Everest is the highest point above sea level, the summit of Chimborazo in Ecuador is actually the point farthest from Earth’s centre, at 6,384.4 km from the planet’s core. This is due to Earth being an oblate spheroid rather than a perfect sphere, making it wider at the equator and narrower toward each pole. Chimborazo’s summit is actually 2,168 m farther from Earth’s centre than Everest’s peak.

Environmental Concerns

Some countries with very low elevations, such as Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands (with high points of just 5 and 10 metres respectively), face particular challenges. These island nations have the smallest range between their lowest and highest points, making them especially vulnerable to changes in sea level.

Each year, hundreds of adventurers attempt to reach Mount Everest’s summit. While more than 4,000 people have succeeded since the first ascent in 1953, approximately 250 have lost their lives in the attempt. Above 26,000 feet, in what’s known as the ‘death zone,’ oxygen levels become insufficient to sustain human life, requiring climbers to carry oxygen tanks.