Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. It stands in the country of Tanzania, near the border with Kenya. The mountain rises alone from the surrounding land, which makes it easy to see from far away. Kilimanjaro is about 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) high. It is known for its great height and for having snow and ice near its top, even though it is close to the equator, an imaginary line around the middle of Earth.

Mount Kilimanjaro is a volcano. A volcano is a mountain formed by melted rock, called magma, coming from inside Earth. Kilimanjaro is not active today, which means it does not erupt. The mountain is made of three main volcanic cones. These are called Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Kibo is the highest and youngest cone. Mawenzi is sharp and rocky, and Shira is older and mostly worn down.

The top of Mount Kilimanjaro is named Uhuru Peak. This is the highest point on Kibo. Near the summit, the air is very thin, which means there is less oxygen to breathe. The temperature is also very cold. Ice fields and small glaciers are found near the top. A glacier is a slow-moving mass of ice. Over many years, these glaciers have become smaller.

Mount Kilimanjaro has different natural zones as height increases. At the base, there are farmlands where people grow crops. Above this is a forest zone with tall trees and many animals. Higher up, the land becomes open and grassy. Near the top, plants are rare because it is cold and dry. This change with height is called altitude, which means how high a place is above sea level.

People have lived near Mount Kilimanjaro for a long time. Several groups, including the Chagga people, live on the mountain’s lower slopes. They have used the rich soil for farming. The mountain was first recorded by European explorers in the 19th century. One early explorer was Johann Ludwig Krapf, who wrote about seeing snow on the mountain in 1848.

Today, Mount Kilimanjaro is protected as 'Kilimanjaro National Park. The park helps keep the land, plants, and animals safe. Many people travel to see the mountain or climb part of it, but climbing is not discussed here. Mount Kilimanjaro remains an important natural feature of East Africa and a clear example of how volcanoes can shape the land.