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Image Credit: http://www.thetravelingginger.com/

Like many of the archaeological sites in Mexico, Teotihuacán guards secrets we have yet to unravel. The origins of Teotihuacán are uncertain, although it is thought some of the inhabitants arrived from the Valley of Mexico to the south as refugees from an eruption of the Xitle volcano. The eruption could have caused major devastation and forced the survivors in the region to seek a new place to settle. Construction of the city probably started in the first two centuries BC, and the civilization reached its high point between 350 and 650 AD. Teotihuacan was mysteriously abandoned in 700 A.D.

Here are just some of the mysterious facts about Teotihuacan:

1. One of the greatest mysteries of Teotihuacán is that no one knows where the huge population that lived here eventually ended up. It is as if they vanished without a trace.

2. Teotihuacan was one of the largest cities in the ancient world, with over 150,000 inhabitants at its peak.

3. At Teotihuacan, we can find some of the largest buildings ever erected in the New World.

4. Teotihuacan's city layout strangely resembles a computer circuit board with two large processor chips- the Sun Pyramid and the Moon Pyramid.

5. Archaeologists have found large quantities of Mica at Teotihuacan, yet this mineral is found 3,000 miles away in Brazil. Mica is present almost in every single building at Teotihuacan.

6. Archaeologists have discovered hundreds of mysterious, once-metallic spheres buried deep beneath an ancient pyramid in Mexico City. And we have absolutely no idea what they're for.

7. Teotihuacan means City of the Gods but can also be interpreted as "the place where men become gods"

8. Along the "Avenue of the Dead" the pyramids align in perfect distance of each other and reflect the exact orbit of the planets.

Teotihuacan is the perfect place to marvel at the work, thoughts and ideas of ancient civilations. For more mysterious facts about the pyramids, enjoy the Turitour Pirámides which is included in your iVenture card!

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The elevation of Mount Everest is 8848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level. It was recently measured in 2020 with the authority of Nepal and the China governments. The mountain was named after George Everest, a former Surveyor General of India. Its Nepali name is 'Sagarmatha' meaning "The head of the great blue sky". Likewise, the Tibetan name of Everest is 'Chomolungpa' meaning "Holy Mother"

According to the chairperson of Pasang Lhamu rural municipality, Mr. Mingma Sherpa has a conference on 11th February -2024; People climbing Mount Everest must have to clear up their own poo and bring it back to the base camp for disposal. This will help to reduce the garbage on Mt. Everest, likewise, this rule must apply to all other expeditions also. Some Expedition has already begun bringing back stools and biodegradable things at the base camp, the rubbish won't decompose due to extreme temperatures, so the mountains start to stink from garbage.

We've given our best to present 30 interesting and amazing facts about Mount Everest and climbing it for your information and entertainment. Hope you enjoy it and maybe you'll consider coming to see it yourself...

1. Sherpa Guide Kami Rita Sherpa Has Climbed Mount Everest The Most Times -30th-Times, Extending his Record Again

This morning at 7:49 am, Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024, Kami Rita Sherpa broke his world record with the 30th time summit of Mount Everest nine days ago. The Chief Officer of the Everest Expedition Khimlal Gautam has confirmed the 30th successful ascend to Mt. Everest. The Everest Expedition started to ascend on May 10th, 2024, where 414 mountaineering(75 females and 339 Males) participated in the 41 different expedition groups. Almost 75 percent of climbers have successfully climbed to the Everest. 54 age Kamirita Sherpa was born at Thame village of Solu Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality. He submitted to Mt Everest first time in 1994 on May 13 and extended his journey till today.

One of the Greatest climbing Sherpa Guides Mr. Kami Rita Sherpa has scaled the world's highest peak for the 29th time, today (at 7:25 a.m. local time Sunday, May 12, 2024), extending his world record.

Kamirita had successfully climbed twice last year, morning at 9:20 am, 23rd May 2023, Kami Rita Sherpa- Aged 53, successfully summited Mt Everest for the 28th time breaking his records. Hence, Pasang Dawa Sherpa has made an equal ascend to Mount Everest-27th time, Kami Rita submitted within six days to reserve his record in the World.

This morning ( 8:30, on 17 May 2023) Kami Rita Sherpa, from Thame Village, Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality successfully submitted 27th- Times on the Top of the World, he has broken his own most climbed record. A few days ago, on 14 May 2023, Pasang Dawa Sherpa scaled the summit of the world's highest peak Mt. Everest (8,848.86m) for the 26th time, equal to Kami Rita.

Likewise, Kami Rita Sherpa, age 52, climbed Mount Everest (8,848.86m) for the 26th time to wear out his own record for the most climbs of the world's highest peak. The Sherpa reached the top at 18:55 local time, Saturday, May 7th-2022 along with the other 10 Sherpas through the southeast ridge route.

Kami Rita Sherpa is a Sherpa guide who reached the summit for the 25th time on May 7, 2021, making the record for climbing Mount Everest the most times. He breaks his own record which he held in May 2018.

Not only himself, but Rita's father was also a professional Sherpa climbing guide. Likewise, his brother is also a climbing guide and has already scaled Mount Everest 17 times. He was born in 1970 AD, at Thame village, Solukhumbu, Nepal.

Similarly, Appa Sherpa and Phurba Tashi Sherpa have retired from climbing professions after summited 21st time at the top of the World.

2. The Name Everest Was Originally Proposed By Andrew Waugh

The most renowned mountain was named after George Everest who was the British Surveyor General of India. But, the original idea of naming Everest was by Andrew (Scott) Waugh.

Andrew Waugh was a British Army Officer and Surveyor General of India who served under Sir George Everest. He was willing to give a different name to the mountain because he wanted to preserve the local name. On the other side, every mountain has its local name (e.g. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri). So, he decided to name it after his superior.

After Sir Waugh's decision, there was an argument going on about the name. Everest himself and the Royal Geographical Society deny the name cause it was hard to pronounce for Indian natives and could not be written in Hindi.

Sir Waugh even proposed a name after the refusal. In 1865, The Royal Geographical Society officially accepted the name of the highest peak in the world as 'Mount Everest'.

3. China And Nepal Are The Owners Of Mount Everest.

Are you wondering where is Mt Everest Located? The summit of Mt Everest is on the border of Nepal and China. The southern side is owned by Nepal and the Northern side by China. It might be interesting cause it is one of the coolest borders in the world. Above all, Nepal and China are the owners of Mount Everest.

Since Mt Everest belongs to Nepal and China, both countries have access to the top of the world. Both countries share eye-catching views of Everest. It does not matter where you observe the mountain it is equally beautiful. Nepal has Kalapatthar; which will climb during Everest Base Camp Trek and Gokyo Ri & 5th Lake for the best view and Tibet has the Tibetan Plateau to admire Everest.

Mount Everest has two main climbing routes, the South Col route, and the North Col route. There are other alternative routes but these are frequently used routes. Among the two routes, the South Col route is easier whereas North Col is comparatively longer and more technical. Similarly, the North Col route is a summit from Tibet and the South Col route from Nepal.

4. Mount Everest Is Technically NOT The Tallest!

Yes, technically Mount Everest is not the tallest mountain. Everest has a height of 8848 meters above sea level. Hawaii's Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain base-to-peak at a height of 10,210 meters but only 4,205 meters above sea level.

Mauna Kea is the dormant volcano island of Hawaii. It is the highest point in the state of Hawaii as well as the second tallest peak on the Island in the world. Some authorities have leveled Mauna Kea as the tallest in the world, from its base beneath sea level. Moreover, it is the only Hawaiian Volcano with evidence of glaciers.

As mentioned above, Mauna Kea is 4,205 meters above sea level. If the altitude is measured from base to peak then, Mount Everest won't be standing as the tallest mountain in the world.

5. Mount Everest Is Now 8,848.86 Meters High.

We have already discussed the altitude of Mount Everest. The Foreign Ministers of Nepal and China have confirmed the new height of Mout Everest at 8848.86 meters above sea level. The mountain has increased by 86 centimeters. Before it was 8848 meters.

The height of Everest was measured by the Survey of India in 1954. Since then, the height was globally accepted as 8848 meters above sea level. Whereas, China claimed the height of Everest as 8844 meters. In 1999, the US team even measured the height higher at the elevation of 8850 meters which was sponsored by the National Geographic Society, US.

After the earthquake in 2015, the new height of Everest was the topic of curiosity for scientists around the world. With the joint authority of China and Nepal, the process to measure new heights was forwarded. In 2020, the official height was confirmed at an altitude of 8848.86 meters above sea level.

6. Mount Everest Rises 40 cm Per Century!

The peak of Mount Everest is gradually increasing by approximately 40 centimeters per century. This phenomenon is caused by the uplifting of the Eurasian Plate by the Indian Plate sliding underneath which results in an uplift of the Himalayas. The process can be broken by natural calamities like earthquakes.

About 50 million years ago, the Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate which formed The Himalayas and The Tibetan Plateau. The process continues today, which means the mountains are growing eventually every year.

In 1954, the Survey of India measured the height of Everest at 8848 meters. Recently, in 2020 the new height of Everest was confirmed at 8848.86 meters. Compared to the past century, the mountain has gained 86 centimeters now. Some experts have claimed that the earthquake in 2015 played a vital role in the increment of the height.

7. Mount Everest Has Two Heights.

With the latest survey in 2020, the authorities have presented two different heights of Everest. It might sound weird that a single mountain with two different heights. However, both heights are logically correct. The heights of Everest are described below:

8,848.86 meters: The height is also called snow height. The height is measured along with the surface covered with snow or ice. The height was officially recognized by the China and Nepal governments in 2020.

8,844.43 meters: It is the geological height of Everest. Also, recognized as the 'rock height'. The rock height is measured without any snow or ice. It was measured by China. Later, it was confirmed by Nepal too.

8. Everest's Summit is Not The Farthest Point From The Earth Center.

Mount Everest is without any doubt the highest mountain in the world. Although standing as the tallest peak, it is not the farthest point from the earth's center. Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador, South America has the farthest point from the earth's center.

Earth is not a perfect sphere. The shape of the earth is particularly oval having thicker at the equator. And that is where Mount Chimborazo is located making it the radically farthest point. However, the mountain is just 6,263 meters above sea level. It is 2,585 meters below the summit of Mt Everest.

If you want to stand on top of the world Mount Everest is a perfect choice. But, if you want to stand closer to the Moon then, Mount Chimborazo is what you should choose. Let's not forget, that the distance between the summit of both mountains from the earth's center is around 2.5 kilometers.

9. Mount Everest Is About 60 Million Years Old.

"What is the age of Mount Everest?" is always a hot topic to discuss. No one knows the actual age. However, according to some research and experts, it is estimated that the age of Everest is around 60 million years ago the time when the Himalayas was formed due to the collision of the Eurasian Plate and Indian Plate.

In 1924, Noel Odell became the first person to discover marine fossils on Mount Everest. The statement proves that the mountain was under the ocean before the Eurasian and Indian plate collision. More than that, the limestone and sandstone on the summit were considered to be submarine sedimentary rocks. Also, it is estimated that it can be approximately 450 million years old.

However, geologists have considered that Mount Everest is 60 million years old the time when the Himalayas was formed.

10. Everest's Climate Is One Of The Harshest In The World.

Everest has one of the harshest climates in the world. How wouldn't it be, with unimaginable altitude and all you see is glaciers and snowy mountains? Above 5,300 meters the mountains are capped with snow and ice all year round. Violent storms with strong winds are common. If you ever dream of Everest Base Camp and Everest Expedition you should always wear protective gear as required.

The warmest temperature ever recorded on the summit of Everest is -20°C. People who head for Everest Expedition must wear specially-designed warm clothes to prevent exposure and frostbite as well as goggles to prevent snow blindness. Sometimes the weather can be challenging and deadly.

Everest's climate is one of the extremes. The temperature can d rop up to -60°C. Cold is still acceptable with the essential equipment and gears. Another harsh challenge of Everest is hurricane-force wind. The highest wind force recorded is 285 km/h. Somehow, the wind stays calm in May and that is the month every climber tries to summit Everest.

11. Nothing Lives On The Top Of Mount Everest.

There is no sign of life on the top of Mount Everest. Also, nothing lives on the summit. How could it support life when the temperature is always below -20°C? Also, there is no source of food to survive. Harsh weather and lack of oxygen are other reasons for not supporting life on the top of the world.

Surprisingly, there is life below 6,700 meters. The Himalayan Jumping Spider is a small and toxic jumping spider that can live up to 6,700 meters above sea level. It is the only highest known permanent resident on earth. Below the altitude of 6,000 meters, you can spot other animals such as Snow Leopard, Himalayan Tahr, and Himalayan Yak.

At an altitude of 5,167 meters, Gorakshep is located where hotels and lodges are available. Plus, it is the highest point you can find a human settlement on Everest. However, there is no life on the top of Mout Everest.

12. Dead Bodies Are A Common Scene On Mount Everest.

When climbers die climbing Everest, their bodies are left on the mountain. It is almost impossible to bury a dead body due to ice-hard ground. Dragging or carrying dead bodies requires more physical effort and causes shortness of oxygen. So, dead bodies are a common scene on Mount Everest.

It is believed that there are over 200 dead bodies on Mount Everest. No one is sure about the exact number yet. Two-thirds of the people who died while climbing are still resting in peace on Mount Everest. The rescue of a corpse can cost $40,000 to $80,000.

If you ever tried to summit Everest, for sure you can encounter some corpses en route. Likewise, there are some famous bodies. 'Green boots' is one of the famous images. He was identified later as he was Tsewang Paljor from India.

(Green Boots. Picture credit to Wikipedia)

13. About 310 People Have Died On Mount Everest.

While climbing Mount Everest, climbers face life-threatening obstacles and every step is a risk. As of July 2022, the study has stated that 310 people have died while attempting the summit of Everest. Also, the majority of corpses are still there.

The major causes of death are avalanches, hypoxia, exhaustion, and hypothermia. Some of the rare events like falls and other absurd accidents are also the reason for some deaths. Khumbu Icefall is one of the deadliest zones on the way to the summit. It is said that the glacier has claimed most of the lives.

Our deepest sympathy to all of the beautiful souls who rested on Mount Everest.

14. The Average Death Rate Is About 1% On Mount Everest.

As we have talked about before over 310 people have died while summiting Mount Everest. According to July 2022 data, 6098 people have already submitted to the top of the world. Although the number of deaths is increasing, relatively the death rate has decreased below 1%.

According to the database of BBC, between the years 1970-1990, the death rate ever recorded. BBC has stated that most of the deaths occurred by the avalanche and then by altitude sickness. After 1990 the success rate increased vastly and hence, the death rate decreased.

15. The Death Zone Is Above 8,000 Meters.

The death zone is defined as the region above 8,000 meters on Mount Everest. At such a high altitude, the oxygen concentration is very low. Normally, at residential altitudes, the air consists of 20% oxygen due to air pressure. Above 6,000 meters, there is still 10% oxygen. But when you cross 8,000 meters the oxygen level drops to 8%.

When you reach above 8,000 meters you are breathing 12% less oxygen than usual. Supplemental oxygen is very important. Without supplemental oxygen, one can just survive for a few minutes. Also, consequences can turn out for the worst.

At an altitude of 8,000 meters, your body cannot acclimatize or sustain itself. Your body will slowly die because of hypoxia and Hypothermia. That's why it is called Death Zone.

16. There Is A "2 O'clock Rule" When Climbing Mount Everest.

Furthermore, there is a tragic story about Mount Everest. In 1996, Rob Hall and Scott Fischer along with their team attempted the summit. But they miscalculated and made poor decisions. They successfully summited Mount Everest however they ignored the consequences of descending. The tragedy happens on the way back to their camp.

17. Jon Krakauer Reached Everest's Peak But His Team Was Lost "Into Thin Air".

Jon Krakauer is an American writer and was a reporter for Outside magazine. In 1996, Krakauer followed a mountaineering team to climb Mount Everest. He and his team successfully reached the summit. However, he did come back safely but his 8 members died while descending. They were all caught in blizzard weather on their way back.

In 1997, Krakauer published the book 'Into Thin Air' in which he wrote the truth of the disaster. It is also recorded as one of the deadliest Everest disasters in history. After that in 2014, 16 Sherpas were killed by an avalanche. In the following year 2015, the earthquake killed 22 climbers who successfully summited and returned to base camp making it the deadliest Everest disaster.

18. The Movie "Everest" Was Partially Filmed On Mount Everest.

We have just talked about the Everest disaster 'I nto Thin Air' in 1996. The book was later presented in the movie titled 'Everest'. The movie shows the true story of the mountain disaster in a realistic version. Talking about the movie, only some parts of the action were filmed on Everest. Most of the scenes were filmed in studios.

The movie ' Everest' was released in 2015. Although the movie is based on the true story of Everest, the movie was filmed partially in Everest Region. Pinewood Studios from England is in charge of making the movie. The scene of Lukla Airport, Namche Bazaar, and Everest Base Camp was filmed in Nepal.

In 2014, when the second unit shooting crew went for shooting to Camp II, an avalanche struck killing 16 Sherpas. However, the filming crew remained unharmed because they were not there where the disaster took place. Later, the movie was completely filmed on greenscreen with CG imagery from studios.

19. Francys Arsentiev Is Known As "Sleeping Beauty On Mount Everest".

Francis Arsentiev is the first woman from America to reach the summit of Mount Everest without any oxygen supply. Sadly, she died on the way back due to Hypothermia and Cerebral Edema. Since then, she has been sleeping on Everest. And then she is recognized as 'Sleeping Beauty on Mount Everest'.

In 1998, Francys Arsentiev along with her husband Sergei Arsentiev set off for Everest Expedition. They were climbing without oxygen so they slowly ascended to the summit which forced them to stay a night above 8,000 meters. At the time of descending, she was not in good condition. On the way down some Uzbek Expedition Team found her body lying on snow still attached to a guide rope.

At that time, Arsentiev was 40 years old and she had a son. She was such a bold and brave woman. Her corpse is nicknamed "Sleeping Beauty".

20. Everest Has Been Summited Over 9,000 Times.

Isn't it an interesting fact that the world's highest mountain has been summited over 9,000 times? The first record of the summit of Everest was in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. Since then, more than 5,000 people have stood on top of the world over 9,000 times. Among them, some of the Sherpas have climbed more than once.

In 2018, around 800 people summited Everest breaking the record for the most people summited in a single year. The previous record was in 2013 when 667 people summited Everest. Interestingly, there were not any expeditions recorded in 1974.

Two routes are frequently practiced by the climbers. One is from Nepal and another from Tibet. Up to date, 66% have been summited from Nepal which is South Col, and the remaining 34% from the Tibet side known as North Col.

21. Mount Everest Has Many Firsts And Climbing Records.

With all those interesting facts, we try to present some records created by legendary people on Mount Everest.

A Chinese mountaineering group of Wang Fuzhou, Gong Bu, and Qu Yinhua became the first Chinese to summit Mount Everest in 1960. It was also the first summit of the South Col Route from Tibet.

Junko Tabei, a Japanese woman, became the first woman to climb Mount Everest in 1975. Also, she became the first woman to ascend to all Seven summits in 1992.

On May 1, 1963, Jim Whittaker became the first American to summit Mount Everest alongside his Sherpa guide Nawang Gombu.

Erik Weihenmayer was the first blind person to reach the summit in 2001.

22. An Average Everest Climber Needs 35 Hours Of Bottled Oxygen.

According to the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association, they have stated that on average a climber uses 7 bottles of supplemental oxygen for both up and down. Each bottle can last up to 5 hours. So, it means that a climber needs 35 hours of bottled oxygen.

Without oxygen, we cannot even survive for a minute. Oxygen is very important to the function of your body properly. It oxidizes the food and releases energy to work. When oxygen levels drop in the human body, it can cause heavy breathing and headaches. In other cases, it can malfunction the brain and heart too.

Above 5,000 meters, the oxygen level drops half of the sea level. As altitude increases, the oxygen level decreases. When a person reaches above 7,000 meters and 8,000 meters (Death Zone), supplemental oxygen is mandatory.

Make sure to check 15 important tips before trekking to Everest Base Camp. Hope it might make you stress-free for your next trip.

23. Tons Of Human Poop Are Frozen On Mount Everest.

The campaign to Cleaner Everest has estimated that about 8,000 kilograms of human feces have been left on Mount Everest. It is making a serious issue of health and environmental problems. Feces do not decompose at the frozen higher altitude.

Now, mountaineers have to carry human waste from the mountain. The rule has been implemented but still, the system is problematic. Some of the porters and Sherpas have mentioned that they were not able to carry the extra weight of waste due to harsh weather, altitude, and slippery slopes.

Experts have said that the excrement has threatened the water resource of the mountain. The drinking water that climbers are using is contaminated with human feces. Aftermath, they suffer from a stomach illness. Some experts have said that it can even affect drinking water resources where humans are inhabitants.

24. Everest Climbers Pee And Poop In Their Tents If They Can...

Just now, we discussed the topic of waste and human feces on Mount Everest. Using a toilet on the mountain is a matter of curiosity. Some climbers build tent toilets whereas some of them pee and poop in their tents. Climbers carry disposable bags for bodily waste and bottles for pee which they have to bring back. Also, some of the climbers wear diapers.

It takes more time than you expected to build a tent on the mountain. Then, digging latrines on the frozen ground is out of the question because it takes more effort. Also, exposing skin in the frozen zone can cause frostbite and hypothermia in other scenarios. So, it is reasonable to use the tent for excrement.

As we talked about before, human waste has been an issue of complication. The waste carried from Mount Everest is dumped at Gorakshep, a frozen lake bed. It is at a high risk of contaminating drinking water streams. In 2003, a mountaineer, Garry Porter, proposed a solution to the problem as the waste can be turned into fertilizer and methane gas for cooking.

25. It Takes 10 Weeks To Climb Mount Everest.

Climbing Mount Everest? Well, it is not just a normal adventure. It can take 10 weeks or more than 2 months to reach the summit and descend successfully. All those times are utilized for acclimatization to adapt your body to higher altitudes. Also, waiting for good weather can consume some extra time too.

Everest Base Camp is at a height of 5,364 meters which only takes some days to reach, not even 2 weeks. The majority of days are spent on the climbing route. It does not require much time to reach the summit but what goes up must come down. So, jointly (ascending and descending) can take up to 2 months. In some cases, it can take more than that.

Here is one of the interesting facts. On 21 May 2004, Pemba Dorje Sherpa ascended the summit of Mount Everest at the time of 8 hours and 10 minutes, creating a world record for the fastest ascent on the top of the world.

Mount Everest Base Camp Trek: Essential Tips and Information for Your Successful Trip on the Base of Top of the World "Mt. Everest 8,848.86m"

Here is a list of some tips that help to make your trip successful. Kindly go through it.

Experience the Ultimate Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour: A Comprehensive Guide

Daily Bus and Jeep Service from Kathmandu to Lukla: Private and Shared Options Available

7 Money-Saving Tips to Enhance Your Everest Base Camp Trek Experience

Experience the Adventure of a Lifetime: The Ultimate Guide to Everest Base Camp Trek in 2023-2024

14-Day Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary: A Step-by-Step Guide for a Memorable Journey

Unlocking the Secrets of Everest Base Camp Trek: Top 7 Insider Tips You Need to Know

15 Essential Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trek to Mount Everest Base Camp

Lukla Airport: Your Gateway to the Top of the World Adventure

Where is Mount Everest Located? Exploring the Geographic Wonder of the World

The Best Time to Trek to Everest Base Camp: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Season

Everest Base Camp Elevation: What You Need to Know Before You Go

How Much Does an Everest Base Camp Trek Cost? A Breakdown of Expenses and Savings Tips

Getting to Everest Base Camp: A Comprehensive Guide to Transportation and Routes

Your Ultimate Everest Base Camp Trek Packing List: Essentials and Recommendations

Kalapatthar: Experience the Best Views of Mount Everest on Your Trek

Understanding Flights from Kathmandu to Lukla: Why Departure from Ramechhap is Recommended

26. It Takes At Least 30,000 USD To Climb Mount Everest.

It is a common question among hodophiles and nature enthusiasts "How much does it cost to climb Mount Everest?". It takes at least 30,000 USD to climb Mount Everest. The cost can be higher or even can cost less. The cost can depend upon the standard, days, Sherpas, and other expenses.

The normal cost range can be from $30,000 to $85,000. The fully custom expedition can cost up to $115,000 or even more. A climber must pay $11,000 to the Nepal Government for a permit to climb Mount Everest. Normally, the cost includes transportation, camps/tents, Sherpas, food, and supplemental oxygen.

Other expenses of the Everest Expedition are personal equipment and gear. You need to spend from $6,000 to $8,000, according to the quality of your equipment.

27. Sherpas Are The Best Guides On Mount Everest.

Whenever it comes to scaling mighty mountains, one thing that strikes our mind is 'Sherpas'. From the first person to climb Mount Everest (Tenzing Norgay Sherpa) to date, Sherpas have been assisting to climb your favorite mountains. Without question, Sherpas are the best guide in the world.

Sherpas are the ethnic group of Nepal native to the mountain region of Nepal. Not only Nepal, but some of them are also scattered around Tibet, India, and Bhutan. They are renowned for climbing mountains and endurance at higher altitudes. Sherpas are the people who can climb Everest without supplemental oxygen.

For past centuries, Sherpas have been providing guide services for mountaineering teams. Also, it has been the main source of income for them. Apart from guiding, Sherpas also provide porter service for an expedition.

28. Sherpa Guides Get Paid US $5,000 Upwards For An Expedition.

A moment ago, we just talked about the legacy of the Sherpa guide. They are the best climbing guide to choose from. Ever wonder how much a Sherpa guide costs? Well, Sherpa guides get paid $5,000 for two month's expedition.

As mentioned before, the climbing guide is the main source of income for Sherpas. Sherpas who lead the expedition team earn around $2,000 to $5,000. The price differs depending on the time interval of the expedition. Whereas Western guides make $50,000 at the same time.

Sherpas have good skills in climbing mountains. Moreover, they are life-saving while climbing to the summit. They are pretty much strong and help to carry your supplies along with other equipment too. Trust me, Sherpas are not ordinary people.

29. Helicopters Can't Fly To The Top Of Mount Everest.

Helicopters need a certain density of air to lift and fly. Generally, helicopters can fly up to 5,000 meters. But on Mount Everest, the air density is very thin. Therefore, the helicopter can not fly to the top of Mount Everest.

Typically, helicopters are designed to fly a short distance and at relatively lower altitudes than planes. In addition, helicopters fly with rotating blades. Some high-performance helicopters can fly to Gorekshep as well as to Everest Base Camp too.

The interesting fact is there is only one gentleman, Didier Delsalle landed a helicopter on the summit of Everest in 2005.

If you want to admire Everest, then Everest Base Camp Trek with Heli can be ideal for you. We, Nepal Mother House, provide all the services you want with undeniable offers.

30. Planes Can Fly Over Mount Everest.

Yes! The plane can fly over Mount Everest. Today's aircraft can take flight at an altitude of 8,000 to 10,000 meters. Most commercial airplanes have a certified maximum elevation of 12,000 meters to 13,000 meters.

Flying over Mount Everest is not a big deal, however, flight routes don't travel through Everest. The unpredictable weather increases the risk of turbulence. Hurricane-force wind and snowstorms are the main reason for making Everest a no-fly zone.

The closest airport to Everest is Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla which is at a height of 2,860 meters. It is situated 60 km away from the summit. It is one of the most dangerous airports in the world.

We just present you with 30 interesting facts about Mount Everest. Hope you like our presentation. If you or your friends/family ever consider visiting Everest Base Camp to witness Everest, Nepal Mother House is always at your service.

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50 interesting facts about mount everest

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Nepal Mother House Treks & Expedition Pvt. Ltd.

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30 Mind-Blowing Facts About Mount Everest, Height, Location, Climbers

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Mount Everest Has Some Interesting Facts That Can Blow Your Mind. How Does The Mountain Get Its Name? All Questions Answered Here. Kami Rita scales Mount Everest for the 29th time extending his own World Record.

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Mind-blowing facts about Mount Everest

Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, is located in Nepal and marks the border of Nepal and Tibet. Over the past 70 years thousands of adventurers have been attempting to, and have successfully reached the roof of the world.

If you'd like to experience the thrill of an Everest adventure without the dangers of climbing to the summit, then our Everest Base Camp Trek is the perfect challenge for you. We'll spend 12 days trekking to the foot of the world's highest mountain, whilst exploring the wonderful Himalayas and even summit Kala Patthar - for incredible views of Everest itself.

Here are our top ten mind-blowing facts about Mount Everest;

The mighty Mount Everest was first measured in 1856 at 8840m tall. The height was then adjusted to 8848m in 1955, which is still the official height stated by the Nepalese government. However, there is a discrepancy as the Chinese declare the height of Mount Everest as 8844m.

Scientists are currently in the process of remeasuring the world's tallest mountain, especially as it is thought the height might have changed following the 2015 earthquake. This work should be completed by 2020.

The mountain was formed when India's continental plate crashed into Asia. India's plate pushed under Asia and raised a huge mass of land upwards, creating the world's highest mountain rage; the spectacular Himalayas.

This occurs because of the continuous shift of tectonic plates, pushing the Himalayas upwards.

This title is owned by Mauna Kea, which is a massive 10,200 meters tall. However, the majority of Mauna Kea resides below sea level. Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world, above sea level.

Everest was first recognised by the western world in 1841 by Sir George Everest and was called Peak 15. The name Mount Everest was then introduced in 1865, in honour of Sir George Everest, and therefore should be pronounced 'Eve-rest' not 'Ever-est' - as per the pronunciation of the British surveyor's surname.

Everest was originally named Sagarmatha by the Nepalese, meaning ' Goddess of the Sky'. Whilst the Tibetans call it Chomolungma, meaning ' Goddess Mother of Mountains'. The peak is a sacred place, and requires all mountaineers to ask for permission and safe passage before attempting to summit. This is called the puja ceremony, taking place at Everest Base Camp prior to setting foot on the mountain.

The first successful summit of Mount Everest was recorded on May 29, 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand. He was accompanied by Tenzing Norgay - a Sherpa from Nepal. However, some believe that the summit of Mount Everest was conquered much earlier.

Climbers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine attempted to summit Mount Everest back in 1924, however were last seen on July 8 of that year, just below the summit, making their way upwards. The pair were then never seen again - It is unknown as to whether the pair made it to the summit or not. For a full history of Everest summit attempts, click here.

The average cost of climbing this famous peak is around £50,000, depending on the level of support required.

Kami Sherpa's most recent ascent was in May 2019. Mountain guide Lhakpa Sherpa currently holds the record for the greatest number of successful summits by a woman at a very impressive 9.

A total of 5294 different adventurers have summited Mount Everest whilst 1211 of these (mostly Sherpas) have summited the mountain multiple times. 2018 was a record year for Mount Everest summits, with an immense 802 recorded.

This does not include the time spent trekking to Everest Base Camp, which can take 10-14 days. The reason it takes so long to summit Everest is so that the body can adjust to the extreme altitude - on the summit there is only a third of the amount of oxygen available compared to at sea level. Climbers normally use bottled oxygen to help them withstand the effects of extreme altitude.

Lakpa Gelu Sherpa climbed the South Side of the mountain in Nepal, from Base Camp to the top of Everest in a record time of 10 hours and 56 minutes in 2003.

Mount Everest is an awe-inspiring giant, attracting adventurers from all over the globe. So, if you'd like to witness this formidable mountain for yourself, then join us on our Everest Base Camp Trek and take on an adventure of a lifetime! #BelieveYouCan

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Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, is located in Nepal and marks the border of Nepal and Tibet. Over the past 70 years thousands of adventurers have been attempting to, and have successfully reached the roof of the world.

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The Romans flooded the Colosseum for sea battles - Janelle Peters

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The Great Pyramid of Giza, Al Giza Desert | The Great Pyramid of Giza Facts For Kids

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History for kids - Free history network for kids

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Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the Seven Wonders of the world because it is the largest pyramid in Egypt. The Great Pyramid of Giza is located 5 miles west of the Nile River and is close to the City of Cairo. This pyramid is part of other pyramids called the Giza Necropolis.
Giza Necropolis
The Giza Necropolis has two other pyramids besides the Great Pyramid of Giza including the Pyramid of Menkaure and the Pyramid of Khafre. The Giza Necropolis also has the famous Great Sphinx and many different cemeteries along the way.
Who Was the Great Pyramid of Giza Built For?
The Great Pyramid of Giza was built for the great pharaoh, Khufu. Pharaoh Khufu was a very rich and famous pharaoh and his pyramid held many different treasures of gold, jewels and more. The tomb held these treasures because the Egyptians believed that when people died, they took with them whatever was in their tomb.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Giza is called great because it is huge. It was once over 481 feet tall. Even though the pyramid is tall, it is not as tall as it used to be. Because it eroded so much, the top of the pyramid is gone. Now, the pyramid is only 455 feet tall. The base of the pyramid is over 700 feet wide and it sits on over 10 acres of land.
What is Inside the Great Pyramid of Giza?
The Great Pyramid of Giza has over three rooms. These rooms include a Grand Gallery, the King's Chamber and the Queen's Chamber. The King's Chamber is the most important room and it is located in the highest part of the pyramid. Not only is this room important and bigger than the other rooms, it also has a granite sarcophagus. A sarcophagus is a coffin.

The Grand Gallery has a huge hallway which is over 150 feet long, over 5 feet wide and almost 30 feet high. There are also other areas such as tunnels that lead all through the pyramid to the outside.
Mystery Behind the Great Pyramid of Giza
It is a mystery as to how the pyramids were built. No one is really sure how the Egyptians were able to build such massive structures. Some believe that the Egyptians were able to move the stone blocks to the top of the pyramids, but we know that they would have had to have some type of machines or tools to do this.

Some historians think that they might have used things like sleds or water to boost the blocks to the top of the pyramid and to help the blocks slide easier. We may never really know how the pyramids really got to where they are.
What Did the Great Pyramid of Giza Look Like Before?
The Great Pyramid of Giza used to look white because it was covered in limestone that was white and polished. This made the pyramid look smooth and shiny.

Later though, the stones were removed so that more buildings could be built. The pyramid also looked like it was jagged because the layers were stacked and sloped. There was a stairway that looked like it was so tall that it went into the clouds.
More Facts About the Great Pyramid of Giza:

It took over 20 years to build the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Over 20,000 people worked together to build the pyramid.

The pyramid was started around 2580 B.C.

The Great Pyramid of Giza was finished around 2560 B.C.

The blocks of the Great Pyramid are thought to weigh around 2000 pounds.

There are more than two million stones in the pyramid.

The Pyramid of Khafre was built by Khufu's son.

The Pyramid of Menkaure was built for Khufu's grandson.

Some believe that the Pyramid of Khufu was designed by Hemiunu which was the pharaohs second in charge.

Historians believe that the pyramids were built by workers that were paid and not by slaves that were forced to work.

No one is really sure why there is a Queen's Chamber.

Some historians believe that it costs 1,6000 silver talents to build the pyramid.

Some of the workers on the pyramid were paid by radishes, garlic and onions because these foods were hard to get.

What Did You Learn?

What is the Great Pyramid of Giza? The Great Pyramid of Giza was a very large pyramid that is located close to the city of Cairo in Egypt.

What is special about the Great Pyramid of Giza? The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the Seven Wonders of the world because it is so large.

Is the Great Pyramid of Giza the only pyramid there? This area is actually called the Giza Necropolis because it has many pyramids located there.

How many rooms was in the Great Pyramid of Giza? There were three chambers in the Great Pyramid of Giza including the King's Chamber, the Queen's Chamber and the Grand Gallery.

What were the other two major pyramids called? Two of the other major pyramids are the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure.

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Great Pyramid of Giza - History for kids

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The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the Seven Wonders of the world because it is the largest pyramid in Egypt. The Great Pyramid of Giza is located 5 miles west of the Nile River and is close to the City of Cairo. This pyramid is part of other pyramids called the Giza Necropolis.

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Introduction
The Pyramids of Giza (also spelled Gizeh) are three enormous pyramids in northern Egypt. They were built in the 4th dynasty, which lasted roughly from 2575 to 2465 bc, during the period in ancient Egypt known as the Old Kingdom. Paid laborers erected the pyramids on a rocky plateau on the west bank of the Nile River near Giza. The ancient Greeks named the Pyramids of Giza one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Those pyramids, as well as others in the vicinity, were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

Background
Three Egyptian kings- Khufu (Cheops), his son Khafre (Chephren), and his grandson Menkaure (Mykerinus)-ordered the construction of three huge pyramids that would serve as their tombs. The northernmost and oldest pyramid of the group was built for Khufu, the second king of the 4th dynasty. Called the Great Pyramid, it is the largest of the three. The pyramid rests on a base that covers 13 acres (5.3 hectares), and each side of the base is about 755 feet (230 meters) long. Its original height was some 481 feet (147 meters).

The middle pyramid was built for Khafre, the fourth of the eight kings of the 4th dynasty. The structure measures about 707 feet (216 meters) on each side. It was originally 471 feet (143 meters) high.

The southernmost and last pyramid to be built was that of Menkaure, the fifth king of the 4th dynasty. Each side measures just over 356 feet (109 meters). The structure's completed height was 218 feet (66 meters).

In ancient and medieval times, people plundered both the inside and outside of the pyramids. Thus, the grave goods-the items that the kings were thought to need in the afterworld-originally placed in the burial chambers are missing. In addition, the pyramids no longer reach their original heights because they have been almost entirely stripped of their outer layer of smooth white limestone. The Great Pyramid, for example, is now only about 451 feet (138 meters) high.

Built near each pyramid is a mortuary temple. A stone causeway links it to a valley temple (pavilion) on the edge of the Nile floodplain. Also nearby are lesser pyramids used for the burials of the other members of the royal family. Surrounding the pyramids are extensive fields of mastabas. Mastabas are flat-topped burial structures. Relatives or officials of the kings were buried in them.

Great Pyramid
Khufu's pyramid is perhaps the most colossal single building ever constructed on the planet. Laborers cut approximately 2.3 million blocks of stone, each weighing about 2.5 tons. They then had to transport the stones a few miles to the location of the pyramid. In the early 21st century historians discovered an ancient papyrus in an Egyptian port city. They learned from the document that the laborers used boats to move the stone. The completed Great Pyramid weighs about 5.75 million tons.

The entrance to the Great Pyramid is on the north side, about 59 feet (18 meters) above ground level. A sloping corridor descends from it through the pyramid's interior and ends in an unfinished underground chamber. An ascending passageway branches from the descending corridor. It leads to a room known as the Queen's Chamber and to a great slanting gallery that is 151 feet (46 meters) long. At the upper end of this gallery, a long and narrow passage gives access to the burial room, usually called the King's Chamber. This room is entirely lined with granite.

Building the Pyramids
The question of how the pyramids were built has not been satisfactorily answered. One theory is that the Egyptians built a sloping embankment of brick, earth, and sand around the pyramid. They increased the height and length of the embankment as the pyramid rose. The laborers then hauled stone blocks up the ramp by means of sledges, rollers, and levers. They probably wet the earth to make it easier to move the stone.

According to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, it took 100,000 workers 20 years to build the Great Pyramid. The men were probably agricultural laborers. They worked on the pyramids only (or primarily) during the Nile's annual flooding, when they were unable to work in the fields. By the late 20th century, however, archaeologists found evidence that as few as 20,000 workers may have occupied the site. They probably worked on the pyramids year-round rather than for just a season. Support personnel, such as bakers, physicians, and priests, accompanied them.

Great Sphinx
To the south of the Great Pyramid near Khafre's valley temple lies the Great Sphinx. The sphinx is carved out of a single block of limestone. It has the facial features of a man wearing a royal headdress but the body of a resting lion. It is approximately 240 feet (73 meters) long and 66 feet (20 meters) high.

Most scholars date the Great Sphinx to the 4th dynasty and believe that Khafre commissioned it. However, some believe that Khafre's older brother built it to commemorate their father, Khufu. These theorists claim that the face of the Great Sphinx bears more resemblance to Khufu than Khafre. That observation also led to speculation that Khufu himself built the statue.

The Great Sphinx has greatly deteriorated over the years. Beginning in ancient times, various people have tried to preserve the statue. The body has suffered the most erosion. The face has also been damaged, and its nose is missing. According to some, Napoleon's troops shot off the nose with a cannon. However, illustrations that date before Napoleon reveal a noseless sphinx. Another theory states that a religious fanatic mutilated the statue in the 14th century to protest idolatry.

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Introduction The Pyramids of Giza (also spelled Gizeh) are three enormous pyramids in northern Egypt. They were built in the 4th dynasty, which lasted roughly from 2575 to 2465 bc, during the period in ancient Egypt known as the Old Kingdom.

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The Lost City of Machu Picchu - Educational Facts for Kids

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The History of the Great Wall of China for Kids - FreeSchool

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7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD: Hanging Gardens of Babylon

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Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan (UNESCO/NHK)

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Teotihuacán is a ruined ancient city in central Mexico. In 500 ce it was one of the largest cities in the world. Portions of its grand pyramids, temples, and palaces are still standing. Yet little is known about the people who built Teotihuacán. They lived in the region centuries before the Aztec arrived.

The ruins of Teotihuacán are about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Mexico City. The Street of the Dead runs through the ancient city. On the east side of the street is the Pyramid of the Sun. Stairs go up the side of the pyramid, which is 216 feet (66 meters) tall. The Pyramid of the Moon and other smaller pyramids stand at the north end of the street. The Pyramid of the Moon rises 140 feet (43 meters). Along the southern part of the Street of the Dead is a large square courtyard called the Citadel. Inside the Citadel is the Temple of Quetzalcóatl. Other ancient structures include apartment buildings, canals, and tunnels.

The people who built Teotihuacán came to central Mexico by about 400 bce. About 300 years later they started to build the pyramids and other large structures. By about 500 ce between 125,000 and 200,000 people lived in the city. Most of them worked as farmers on the surrounding land. Others were traders or craftspeople. Religious leaders governed the city.

In the 700s Teotihuacán suffered a large fire, and most of the inhabitants left. Other peoples later arrived in the region. The Aztec appeared in about 1200. They treated Teotihuacán as a holy place.

Today the ancient city is a popular tourist destination. In 1987 UNESCO named Teotihuacán a World Heritage site.

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Teotihuacán is a ruined ancient city in central Mexico. In 500 ce it was one of the largest cities in the world. Portions of its grand pyramids, temples, and palaces are...

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From 7 natural wonders of the world /  Harbour of Rio de Janeiro

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Wonders of the Natural World - Rio De Janeiro Harbour

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Auroras are dazzling displays of colored light that sometimes appear in the night sky. They occur in Earth's far northern and far southern regions. In the Northern Hemisphere such a display is known as aurora borealis, or the northern lights. In the Southern Hemisphere it is called aurora australis, or the southern lights. Auroras are named after Aurora, the ancient Roman goddess of the dawn.

Auroras take many shapes and forms, with arcs and rays of colored light being the most common. The light may also look like shimmering curtains, bands, waves, or clouds. An aurora constantly changes shape as the light moves across the sky. The light also may brighten and fade.

Auroras are caused by the Sun. The Sun sends out a stream of electrically charged particles called the solar wind. The solar wind travels from the Sun toward the Earth at great speed.

The Earth is a huge magnet surrounded by a magnetic field. The Earth's magnetic field forces the charged particles in the solar wind toward the planet's northern and southern polar regions. The particles move downward through the Earth's upper atmosphere. As they do, they crash into atoms and molecules of gases such as oxygen and nitrogen. These collisions cause the atoms and molecules to give off light. This light is an aurora. An aurora's colors are determined by the different gases that give off the light.

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Auroras are dazzling displays of colored light that sometimes appear in the night sky. They occur in Earth's far northern and far southern regions. In the Northern Hemisphere...

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All About Auroras: Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and Aurora Australis for Kids - FreeSchool

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Since the beginning of time, people have told stories and legends to explain natural, but mysterious, occurrences. The Northern Lights is one example. The Vikings thought the Northern Lights were caused by the shining weaponry of immortal warriors. The Alaskan Inuit people believed the lights were the souls of salmon, deer and other animals. The Menominee Indians thought the lights were the torches of giants living in the North.

The Northern Lights are actually caused by electrons from solar winds. They are attracted to the poles by the magnetic fields found there. They mix with gases in the atmosphere, causing the gases to glow. Solar flares can also cause the Northern Lights to appear.

Fun Facts about the Northern Lights for Kids

The name Aurora Borealis, another title for the Northern Lights, come from two ancient names. Aurora is the Roman god of the dawn; Boreas is the Greek name for the north wind.

The Northern Lights are most visible to people living in the far north. They are sometimes visible as far south as Florida.

The Northern Lights are typically green, purple, red or blue.

Near the South Pole, people may see the Southern Lights or Aurora Australis. These lights are not as easily visible.

The Northern Lights Vocabulary

Legend: a story passed down from generation to generation; may contain some truth

Mysterious: difficult to understand or explain

Occurrences: happenings

Torch: a fiery light placed on a stick

Learn More All About the Northern Lights

This is the best video we found for kids to learn about the Northern Lights:

This is a video about how the Northern Lights are created.

The Northern Lights Q&A

Question: Do the Northern Lights appear only in winter?

Answer: The Northern Lights can appear any time, but you're most likely to see them between March and April and September and October- chilly months in the far north.

Enjoyed the Earth Science for Kids all about the Northern Lights info? Take the FREE & fun Northern Lights quiz and download the FREE Northern Lights worksheet for kids. For lengthy info click here.

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Since the beginning of time, people have told stories and legends to explain natural, but mysterious, occurrences. The Northern Lights is one example. The Vikings thought the Northern Lights were caused by the shining weaponry of immortal warriors. The Alaskan Inuit people believed the lights were the souls of salmon, deer and other animals.

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All About Mount Everest Fun Geography Facts for Kids. Learn more all about Mount Everest with our fun facts on earth science. Fun Kids Science Facts.

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Geography for Kids: Top of the World - Mount Everest

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Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian 15th-century Inca site in Peru, in South America.

The Incas built the city on a mountain ridge, 2430m above sea level. They lived there between 1200 and 1450 AD. Other people lived there before about 650 AD.

The Incas built houses, fields and temples by cutting the rock on the mountain so it was flat. They built an Observatory to look at the stars.

When the Spanish invaded Peru, the Incas left Machu Picchu. Nobody knows for sure why they did that, but some think it was because of diseases from Europe. The city was left unfinished, most likely due to the Spanish invasion and/or a civil war between the ruling rival Inca brothers named Huascar and Atahualpa. The Spanish never found Machu Picchu or the lost city during their occupation.

Machu Picchu is very difficult to get to because it is so high in the mountains. It has only one way in and a stone wall to protect it. Most people on Earth did not know it was there until a Yale graduate named Hiram Bingham rediscovered it in 1911. He heard rumours of a hidden city which was already known to the native Peruvians, who guided him there. He led a restoration project that was partly funded by the National Geographic Society. Bingham made a deal with the government to take artifacts to the Peabody Museum for study. Peru is still trying to have those artifacts returned to them.

Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its three primary structures are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. Most of the outlying buildings have been reconstructed in order to give tourists a better idea of how they originally appeared. By 1976, 30% of Machu Picchu had been restored and restoration continues.

Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide Internet poll.

Today, there is a new road so that tourists can visit. People can also walk along the Inca Trail, or take a train from Cusco.

Images for kids

Photograph of Machu Picchu taken by Hiram Bingham III in 1912 after major clearing and before reconstruction work began

Intihuatana is believed to have been designed as an astronomic clock or calendar by the Incas

In Spanish: Machu Picchu para niños

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What is Machu Picchu? Why is it so famous? With so many mysteries surrounding this ancient wonder of the world, we've compiled a few fun facts about Machu Picchu for kids of all ages. Travel back in time with us as we learn about the history of Machu Picchu, and why it was so important to the Inca civilization in Peru.

#1: Hiram Bingham III " discovered" Machu Picchu in 1911

Hiram Bingham III was an American who traveled to Peru in search of the Lost City of the Incas. During his travels, local Peruvian farmers brought him to ancient ruins on a high mountain that the locals called Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain." Bingham excavated the site and brought his findings back to Yale University where they began to study it. It was because of this visit that Hiram Bingham believed Machu Picchu was the Lost City of the Incas; however, he was mistaken and the Lost City (Vilcabamba) was discovered much later. Though he did not discover Machu Picchu (the locals already knew it was there), Hiram Bingham made Machu Picchu famous by sharing it with the world.

#2: Pachacuti built Machu Picchu

Pachacuti, the 9th Inca emperor, ruled over many cities and towns that made up a massive empire during the 1400s. He ordered the construction of various large royal retreats including Machu Picchu, which he wanted as his own private property. For this reason , the Incas who made Machu Picchu carefully planned out its construction w ith clay models and intricate engineering that have kept it standing to this day.

#3: Machu Picchu may have been a holiday home

Why was Machu Picchu built? Pachacuti may have wanted a place to house his family and descendants, or a place to commemorate his conquests, but the most recent research suggests that Machu Picchu may have been a holiday home. This meant that Pachacuti wanted a place away from the empire where he and his closest family and friends could go to relax, eat delicious food, and be close to their gods.

Machu Picchu Tours:

#4: How the Incas cut the stones is still a mystery

The Incas constructed Machu Picchu city with large stones brought up from the river below. T hey fit these perfectly cut stones together to create the walls of the city. In fact, they fit so well that you can't even put a piece of paper between them. The Machu Picchu stonework is one of the most fascinating things to see in-person. Since the Inca lacked tools that were used in other parts of the world, how they cut them remains a mystery.

#5: Machu Picchu was important because of its location

One of the most interesting facts about Machu Picchu is its location. Situated just four hours from the Inca capital of Cusco, Machu Picchu's location was significant because of safety, water, and food. Pachacuti built Machu Picchu high in the mountains between the Amazon jungle and the Andes, so it was safe from any invaders. This is why Machu Picchu was built so high up - nearly 7,972 feet ( 2,500 meters) above sea level! Equally important was the fact that it faces east toward the sunrise, which helped with crop production and provided plentiful food. Lastly, Machu Picchu had access to mountain springs, which brought fresh water to inhabitants.

#6: Historians are unsure why it was abandoned

In the late 1900s, archaeologists excavated bones that showed the inhabitants of Machu Picchu may have died from smallpox and syphilis. The Spanish conquistadors brought these diseases over when they arrived from Spain in the early 1500s and spread them without even knowing. Even though the Spanish never discovered Machu Picchu, the diseases eventually spread all the way to the Incas who lived there. Another reason could be that the Inca were fleeing the Spanish and abandoned Machu Picchu. Either way, why Machu Picchu was abandoned remains a mystery.

#7: A rchaeologists found over 40,000 artifacts in Machu Picchu

And so many more are yet to be discovered! When Hiram Bingham first discovered Machu Picchu, he and his team of archaeologists excavated over 40,000 artifacts including mummies, bones, and ceramics. You can see many of these artifacts, including the mummies, in museums in Cusco and Lima. Since the government is still excavating parts of Machu Picchu, they are still finding artifacts today.

#8: No one can live in Machu Picchu today

Some people wonder, can you live in Machu Picchu today? Though it would be nice to live in Pachacuti's holiday home, Machu Picchu citadel is a living museum, and no one can live in a museum. Archaeologists are still working to excavate some areas of the site, so it is inhabitable. Also, it is one of the new seven wonders of the world, so it needs to be preserved. Thankfully, you can visit Machu Picchu any time of the year.

#9: Llamas live in Machu Picchu

We may not be able to live in Machu Picchu, but something else can... llamas! Some interesting facts about the Incas are that they considered llamas to be sacred animals, and they would sacrifice them to their gods. Today you can see these furry friends living peacefully in the ruins eating the grass and taking selfies with tourists.

#10: Nobody can drive to Machu Picchu

Peru does have roads and cars, but no one can drive to Machu Picchu because of its location. The only way to get to Machu Picchu is by walking or taking a train. From Cusco, it takes about four hours to get there by train. If you walk, you can hike the famous Inca Trail, which starts in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and takes 2-4 days.

#11: Machu Picchu is famous because of its perfect condition

Some people may wonder, why is Machu Picchu famous? What makes M achu Picchu a wonder of the world? We already learned about the impressive stonework, its location, and that you can't live there. As a matter of fact, many sites across Peru have these same qualities, but what makes Machu Picchu even more spectacular is its perfect condition. Since the Spanish never found it, it remained nearly perfectly preserved. Today you can visit Machu Picchu and see what it may have looked like centuries ago when the Incas still lived there.

Machu Picchu Q&A

Check out this Q&A video with one of our top guides, Fabricio Ortiz, that answers questions sent from students in Rome, Italy.

Visit with your family!

Now that you know all these fun Machu Picchu facts, you can plan your Machu Picchu tour! Travel to Peru to see the ancient wonder and experience all the things to do near Machu Picchu. Add a side trip to Cusco or a short stay in the Sacred Valley. Contact us to customize your trip. Regardless of what you decide to do, remember your fun facts about Machu Picchu, for kids of all ages, are here to help you learn!

Daniella was born in the sunny beach town of Santa Cruz, California. She spent her youth there before moving to Washington state to pursue a degree in journalism, photography and Spanish. She has worked professionally as a photojournalist in Seattle photographing everything from protests and political rallies to music festivals and Machu Picchu. After moving to Peru in 2018, she fell in love with the people and culture and decided to stay in Cusco where she now works with Peru For Less.

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What is Machu Picchu? Why is it so famous? With so many mysteries surrounding this ancient wonder of the world, we've compiled a few fun facts about Machu Picchu for kids of all ages. Travel back in time with us as we learn about the history of Machu Picchu, and why it was so important to the Inca civilization in Peru.

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Imagine you are walking along a path in the forest. Around you are beautiful mountains covered with lush green trees. You see tall bamboo trees and birds in the sky. Nearby is a small mountain village where families are cooking dinner and playing in common areas. As you walk further along the path towards the mountain range, you suddenly look up and see a gigantic stone wall cutting through the forest. You place your hands on it and look up. It is incredibly high. When you look left and right you see that it stretches in both directions as far as your eye can see. You are at one of the most famous structures in the world: the Great Wall of China!

The Great Wall of China was built over 2,000 years ago and runs more than 13,000 miles across northern China. But why was this wall built? And how has it lasted so long?

The Great Wall of China was constructed by Emperor Chin Shi Huang in the 3rd century B.C. Well actually, parts of the wall were built earlier than that and it is doubtful that Emperor Chin did any of the actual construction work himself.

Emperor Chin united a number of different independent states in China and was the first emperor to unite all of these different communities together as one Chinese country. This happened around 220 B.C. Before that, there were many different kingdoms throughout China and different groups of people lived on their own. The land that the Chinese people lived on was very fertile. Fertile means the land is good for growing lots of food. Over time, the people that lived in the area started to farm and grow crops. As more people farmed the land, they needed to create systems of order and government to help manage the land and how it was used.

At this time, Chinese people developed and irrigated fields and grew crops near the Yellow River valley. Farming large areas of land required people to work together and form a government to work the land peacefully. That is why the Chinese formed one empire and also built walls around them to protect their communities against attacks by the nomads. Nomads means someone who doesn't live in one place but moves from place to place. The nomads didn't farm, but instead moved around and herded animals. They used the food from these animals to survive. They also hunted instead of staying in one place and farming.

Since the nomads needed to move with the animals, they had a completely different type of society and order. They needed to hunt animals or trade for them. This led to the nomads trading with the Chinese or in many cases attacking them.

The nomadic tribes often came into contact with the Chinese farmers. Sometimes it was friendly and they would trade with each other. But often, they did not get along. The nomadic people wanted to use the farmland to hunt and move around, but the farm people wanted more land to farm. This led to battles between the farmers and the nomads. The farming kingdoms also often fought each other for control of different territories. This is why this period of history in China is known as the "Warring States Period."

To help avoid attacks, many of the kingdoms built walls to defend themselves. The walls were made out of rocks and compacted dirt that was tamped very tightly to form the structure. These walls were shorter versions of the Great Wall of China that was later built. They stretched between the border of different regions and often included towers, block houses for soldiers and beacons to send smoke signals.

When Emperor Chin became emperor, he wanted to put a stop to the fighting between different farming kingdoms. He declared that all of these kingdoms were now part of one country called China. But the nomadic people that lived outside the area didn't care about this. They continued to attack the farming areas.

To help stop these attacks and to continue to unite the new country, the Emperor ordered that the walls between different states be removed and that the shorter walls that existed along the northern border of China be joined together to form one long wall. Emperor Qin thought that this would also help protect them against attacks from the north where China's biggest enemy lived - Mongolia. The Mongolians were fierce fighters and very dangerous to the Chinese.

The project of building the Great Wall was a huge task requiring a lot of work. Emperor Qin ordered his army to work on the wall, so much of it was constructed by soldiers. But they needed even more workers to get the job done. So Emperor Qin ordered that prisoners work on the wall as well. This is called "forced labour," which is when someone is forced to do a job without getting paid. It was hard work and estimated that around 400,000 workers died while building the wall.

Conditions were probably very difficult due to the long stretches of mountains and desert where the Wall was built. Today, there are some areas of the Great Wall where no one lives because the conditions are so difficult and there are some parts where the winters are so cold that no one goes there in the winter. Can you imagine having to work on building a large wall in those conditions?

Because much of the wall is built with rammed earth, most of the materials that they used to build the wall could be found right where they were building. However, some additional supplies and workers had to travel a far way to get to the wall. This made construction even more difficult. Sometimes the young men that were forced to build the wall had to haul boats loaded with baggage upstream in rivers in order to bring food to the workers. The work was so hard that many people tried to escape and sneak away back to the city or to their hometowns. Many individuals died in the wilderness trying to escape because the conditions were hard to survive and the journey home was so long.

Eventually, people living in the newly united China started to revolt against the Qin dynasty. To revolt means to fight against and overthrow. Emperor Qin was a strict ruler and not everyone agreed with his rules. As Emperor Qin lost the support of the Chinese people over time, there were less and less soldiers that were willing to go out to work on the wall. They stopped listening to his orders and as a result, the construction of the wall slowed down.

Later Chinese rulers carried on the construction and eventually the wall was finished. This included the Han, Sui, Northern, Jin and Ming Dynasties. Each repaired, rebuilt or expanded the wall. During the Ming Dynasty, major rebuilding work took place and sections of the wall that were originally built with dirt were replaced with bricks and stone instead. These new materials helped the wall to last longer in good shape.

One of the first mentions of a wall built against northern invaders is found in a poem, dated seventh century BC. It is recorded in the ancient Chinese book of Classic Poetry.

In 221 BC, when Qin Shi Huang united the Chinese states, the walls were known as "Changcheng" which literally means "long walls". The walls were mostly constructed of tamped earth, which some parts built with stones. Where natural barriers, like ravines and rivers worked enough for defence, the walls were erected sparingly. Often in addition to the wall, defensive systems like garrisons and beacon towers were built inside the wall and watchtowers on the outside at regular intervals.

Unfortunately the Great Wall never totally prevented invaders from coming into China. It was a useful way to stop raids. But at several points throughout its history the Great Wall failed to stop enemies. This included in 1644 when the Manchu Qing marched through the gates of Shanhai Pass and replaced the Ming dynasty as the new rulers of China. But the Great Wall came to be seen as a symbol of the ongoing power and strength of the Chinese civilization.

Eventually the Chinese were forced to move back from the northern part of China when the Mongolian people attacked in the north and conquered and took control of China. The Mongols were led by Genghis Khan, a famous, violent leader. The Mongols didn't need the Great Wall as much as the Chinese had in the past, but they assigned soldiers to man the wall in order to protect merchants and travelers travelling along the Silk Road trade routes.

Eventually the Ming Dynasty took control of the area again. During the Ming Dynasty, the Ming rules were very strong leaders and Chinese culture grew stronger. They built a lot of additional parts of the Great Wall including bridgets, temples and pagodas. Pagodas are like western gazebos, or covered areas that people can sit under.

Between the 18th and 20th centuries, the Great Wall became the most common symbol of China for the Western world. Today, the Great Wall is generally recognized as one of the most impressive building feats in human history. In 1987, UNESCO, an international heritage organization, designated the Great Wall a World Heritage site. At the time, it was the only man-made structure that could be visible from space!

In modern times, thousands of tourists visit the Great Wall of China. The most popular part of the wall and the most famous is called Badaling. It runs 43 miles northwest of Beijing. Would you like to see the Great Wall of China one day? If you do, think of all of the people that worked to build and maintain the wall throughout time. Walking along the Great Wall of China, you will surely be walking along part of history!
Quiz

When was the Great Wall of China built? Over 2,000 years ago.

How long does the wall run? More than 13,000 miles across northern China

Why was this wall built? To unify the new Chinese state and keep out northern invaders.

Which emperor ordered the unified construction of the northern wall? Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the 3rd century B.C.

What is the difference between farmers and nomadic people? Farmers stay largely in one place and grow their food; Nomadic people hunt animals and move with them as they move.

Who was the biggest threat to the new Chinese kingdom when it was unified? The Mongolian people to the north.

What was the Great Wall originally made of? Rammed earth and stones.

Who was the leader of the Mongolian people when they attacked and conquered China? Genghis Khan

Can the Great Wall be seen from space? Yes!

What is the most famous stretch of the Great Wall that runs northwest of Beijing called? Badaling

Activities

Print a map of Asia and color the area of China in red. Color the area of Mongolia north of China purple.

On your map, draw a line where you think the Great Wall of China runs. Now look up a picture on the internet. See how close you were with your guess.

Draw a picture of the Great Wall close up. Include a watch tower or a pagoda. What else could you add to help fortify, or strengthen, your defence of the wall?

Tea - Legend has it that around 2737 B.C., a Chinese ruler was sitting in his garden. He had a pot of drinking water at his elbow. A leaf fell from a nearby tree and drifted into the pot of water. This inspired the creation of tea! Tea is a very popular drink in China. Together with an adult, make a pot of tea for your family. You will need boiling water, tea leaves, a teapot and strainer. Try some different flavors of tea. What is your favorite? Why do you think tea helped keep Chinese people and other tea drinkers healthy throughout history? [answer: boiling water is good for hygiene, killing bacteria]

Food - In ancient China, people ate rice, soybeans, cucumbers, pork and chicken. Look up a recipe for a stir-fry using some of these ingredients. Together with a parent, try cooking a traditional Chinese meal for your family.

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The History of the Great Wall of China for Kids - Bedtime History Podcast

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Imagine you are walking along a path in the forest. Around you are beautiful mountains covered with lush green trees. You see tall bamboo trees and birds in the sky. Nearby is a small mountain village where families are cooking dinner and playing in common areas. As you walk further along the pat…

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The Great Wall of China is an ancient wall in China. The wall is made of cement, rocks, bricks, and powdered dirt. It was finished in 1878, and it was built to protect the northern part of the empire of China from enemy attacks. It is the longest structure humans have ever built. It is about 13,171 mi (21,197 km) long, 30 ft (0.0091 km) wide and 50 ft (15 m) high. The earlier sections of the wall are made of compacted (squished closely and tightly together) dirt and stone. Later in the Ming Dynasty, they used bricks. There are 7,000 watchtowers, blockhouses for soldiers, and beacons to send smoke signals.

Nineteen walls have been built that were called the Great Wall of China. The first was built in the 7th century BC. The most famous wall was built between 226-200 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang (Qin is pronounced as Chin.), during the Qin Dynasty. Not much of this wall remains because people have been stealing from it. It was much farther north than the current wall. The current wall was built during the Ming Dynasty.

The First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, also called Shihuangdi, started the Qin Dynasty. The Xiongnu tribes in the north of China were his enemies. The land in some parts of China was easy to cross, so Qin Shi Huang started building the Great Wall to make it more difficult for the Xiongnu to invade China.

Other dynasties in China worked more on the wall and made it longer. The Han, Sui, Northern, and Jin Dynasties all repaired, rebuilt, or expanded the Great Wall. During the Ming Dynasty, major rebuilding work took place. Sections of the wall were built with bricks and stone instead of earth. It took more than 2,000 years to complete the Great Wall.

Construction and rebuilding of the Great Wall

Builders used materials that were nearby. Some parts of the wall were made of mud, straw, and twigs. Thousands of workers died from giant falling stones, exhaustion, disease, animal attacks, and starvation. Workers dying and being buried in and under the Great Wall is a myth.

Visibility from space

Rumors about astronauts being able to see the Great Wall from the Moon are not scientifically proven. The Great Wall has shown up in radar images taken from space, but scientists are not sure that astronauts can see the wall with the naked eye. One astronaut who talked about being able to see the Great Wall from space was Neil Armstrong. He said that on the Moon, it was very clear that the wall was not visible. However, astronaut William R. Pogue said he was able to see the wall from a 185 to 330-mile height, but only with binoculars and with lots of practice.

Interesting facts about the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall covers 15 regions in northern China.

It attracts 50 million visitors per year.

The most visited section of the wall is known as Badaling and is near Beijing.

The altitudes of sections of the Great Wall vary from just above sea level to 4,722 feet.

Sticky rice was used as mortar in the Great Wall.

The builders of the Great Wall included soldiers, forcibly-recruited peasants, convicts, and prisoners of war.

Arsenic was used to prevent insects from eating parts of the wall.

Part of the Great Wall protected the route of the ancient Silk Road.

One of the many legends surrounding the wall tells of a helpful dragon who drew out the tracks for the wall, which the workers then followed.

Each May, the Great Wall Marathon is run on the Great Wall.

The Great Wall is wide enough in some places to drive a car over it.

Images for kids

Huayi tu, a 1136 map of China with the Great Wall depicted on the northern edge of the country

In Spanish: Gran Muralla China para niños

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Learn Great Wall of China facts for kids

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Mount Everest Lesson for Kids: History & Facts - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com

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Learn about Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth. Discover exactly how tall it is, where to find Mount Everest, and the mountain range it...

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Mystery of the missing Hanging Gardens of Babylon solved? Expert claims to have found the elusive wonder of the world

Hanging Gardens of Babylon are one of the Seven Wonders of the World

They were 80ft high and featured elaborate terraces and floating plants

Ancient texts claim they were built in the Iraqi city of Babylon in 600BC

This lead many to believe Babylonian Emperor Nebuchadnezzar built them

Yet closer analysis suggests they were built 350 miles in the Assyrian capital of Nineveh by King Sennacherib

According to ancient texts, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon boasted elaborate terraces, magnificent water features and floating plants.

The decadent grounds are reputed to have been built in the Babylon province of Iraq - yet for centuries no-one has been able to find any physical evidence they existed.

However, according to one expert, closer analysis of these texts - along with clues on display at the British Museum - suggest that this may be because archaeologists have been searching in the wrong place.

According to Dr Stephanie Dalley from Oxford University, the gardens are actually buried in the ancient city of Nineveh, near modern-day Mosul, 350 miles away in northern Iraq.

Dr Dalley from the university's Oriental Institute has spent the past 20 years researching the location of the gardens, referred to by some as a myth due to the lack of physical evidence.

They were believed to have been built around 600 BC, although this date was taken from ancient texts written hundreds of years after they were said to have been created.

One text specifically claimed the gardens were built by Babylonian Emperor Nebuchadnezzar in the Babylon province of Iraq for his wife Amyitis.

Yet there was no mention of them in any text written by the Emperor or his wife.

This led Dr Dalley to study these texts more closely and during her research she discovered a prism at the British Museum in London covered in cuneiform writing.

THE HANGING GARDENS OF BABYLON: MYTH AND MYSTERY

Cuneiform is an ancient language dating back to the Babylonian era, that was also used by the Assyrian empires.

The prism contains details of a king called Sennacherib who was leader of the Assyrian empire and lived a century before Nebuchadnezzar.

The writing included references to a palace built near the Assyrian capital of Nineveh as well as a garden he called 'wonder for all people.'

Sennacherib's grandson Assurbanipal was also said to have drawn an image of the garden on a panel in this palace.

During a Channel 4 documentary called Finding Babylon's Hanging Garden, Dr Dalley was able to combine ancient maps with modern-day versions to locate what she believes to be the ruins of the palace.

Nearby she found a large mound of dirt sloping to a stretch of greenery which she claims is the 'best place' for the ancient site.

She believes her claims are substantiated by a bas-relief, taken from Nineveh, that detailed the location of the palace alongside a garden with trees hanging from terraces.

Furthermore, Dr Dalley claimed in the documentary that Nineveh was also known as New Babylon and added this may be where the confusion came from.

A Greek historian named Diordorus Siculus described the gardens as being 400ft wide by 400ft long, with walls as high as 80ft.

Due to this height, water was said to have been transported from a lake at the bottom using a similar principle as Archimedes' screw - a pump that scoops up water in a spiral tube and carries it to the top.

The pump was said to have been invented by Archimedes in the 3rd Century BC yet if a similar system was used in the gardens, this would predate it by around 350 years.

Given the size, historians have estimated the gardens would have used 8,200 gallons of water a day to water the plants.

Some historians and archaeologists believe the gardens were destroyed by war and erosion, while others believe an earthquake destroyed them.

Dr Dalley believes more research will need to be carried out before archaeologists can confirm the location fo the gardens.

She said: 'More research is now required at the site, but sadly I don't think that will be possible in my lifetime.

'My conviction that the gardens were in Ninevah remains unshaken.'

THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD

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Has the mystery of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon been solved?

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For centuries, historians believed the garden was located in the Babylon province in Iraq, yet closer analysis of ancient texts pinpoints it 350 miles away in Nineveh.

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Hanging Gardens of Babylon Facts for Kids

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The Hanging Gardens of Babylon , and the walls of Babylon (near present-day Al Hillah in Iraq) were one of the Seven Wonders of the World. They were built by Nebuchadnezzar II around 600 BC. He is told to have built the gardens to please his wife, Amytis of Media.

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The Harbor of Rio de Janeiro is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is also known as the Bay of Rio de Janeiro or Guanabara Bay. It is located in Brazil. It was formed naturally by erosion from the Atlantic Ocean. Rio de Janeiro means 'River of January'.

The bay is named after a river that actually does not exist. Explorers in 16 th century thought that they were in a wide-mouthed river. From 1763 to 1960, Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brazil. Then the capital was changed to Brasilia. The harbor is surrounded by tall mountains that are made of hard granite rocks and a softer rock called Genesis.
Fast Facts: -

The harbor was discovered by a group of Portuguese explorers led by Goncalo Coelho on January 1, 1502.

It took this group of explorers almost three months to sail from Lisbon, Portugal to the new world.

Corcovado is the highest mountain of the harbor. It is 2,300 feet high. The term 'Corcovado' means 'hunchback'.

The world famous 98 feet tall statue of Jesus Christ the Redeemer sits on the top of the Corcovado peak.

It is naturally set in a balloon shaped bay. The bay is 31 km long.

The harbor is the main source of transporting goods and products from different places.

The famous naturalist Charles Darwin visited the place in 1932 and he wrote 'It seemed almost unreal'.

The French once held the city of Rio for ransom. The Portuguese governor negotiated it back for 612,000 gold crusades and 100 sugar chests.

Street art is completely legal in the city. It is to make the already colorful city an outdoor art gallery.

The harbor of Rio de Janeiro has 130 islands and some great beaches like Copacabana, Ipanema etc.

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All Facts for Kids about Harbor of Rio de Janeiro

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The Harbor of Rio de Janeiro is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is also known as the Bay of Rio de Janeiro or Guanabara Bay. It is located in Brazil. It was formed naturally by erosion from the Atlantic Ocean. Rio de Janeiro means 'River of January'.

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Fun Kids - the UK's children's radio station

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What are the northern lights?

If you're one of the lucky Brits who gets to see the spectacular Aurora Borealis tonight, you'll want to know exactly what it is you're looking at - so find out on How It Works Daily

What would the North Pole tourist bureau do without the northern lights? Ten-month winters don't make for good travel brochures. But only here, in this most inhospitable open-air theatre, can you witness the most hauntingly beautiful light show ever conceived. Curtains of shimmering, chameleon-hued light as unpredictable as an artist's temper.

The scientific explanation behind the aurora borealis ('northern dawn' in Latin) is almost as improbable and magical as the lights themselves. The Earth, it turns out, is constantly bombarded by highly charged particles blown around by solar winds. Few of these particles ever reach the atmosphere because they are deflected by the Earth's magnetic field.

But every so often, the gentle solar winds turn into geomagnetic storms. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CME) - explosions of solar material into interplanetary space - can send powerful waves of charged particles toward the Earth. As these cosmic electrons collide with the Earth's magnetic field, they generate millions of amps of electric current that arc along the magnetic field toward the poles.

If the force of a geomagnetic storm is severe enough, particles will breach the magnetic field at the poles, creating what is essentially the world's biggest neon sign. As the supercharged electrons pass through the atmosphere, they excite gas atoms like oxygen and nitrogen.

The excited gasses emit different coloured lights depending on their altitude and the power of the surge. Low-altitude oxygen is responsible for the fluorescent green hues and high-altitude oxygen produces those brilliant crimson reds. Nitrogen flares up as shades of blue and purple.

The celestial light show is visible at the South Pole as well (there, it's called the aurora australis), but the Antarctica tourist board is woefully understaffed.

The Northern Lights (which are also called the 'Aurora Borealis' are one of the most amazing natural light shows that you'll see - well at least on Planet Earth!

The scientific explanation behind the Aurora Borealis is almost as improbable and magical as the lights themselves. The Earth, it turns out, is constantly bombarded by highly charged particles blown around by solar winds. Few of these particles ever reach the atmosphere because they are deflected by the Earth's magnetic field.

But every so often, the gentle solar winds turn into geomagnetic storms. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections - explosions of solar material into interplanetary space - can send powerful waves of charged particles toward the Earth. When these cosmic electrons collide with the Earth's magnetic field, they generate millions of amps of electric current that arc along the magnetic field toward the poles.

If the force of a geomagnetic storm is severe enough, particles will breach the magnetic field at the poles, creating what is essentially the world's biggest neon sign. As the supercharged electrons pass through the atmosphere, they excite gas atoms like oxygen and nitrogen.

The excited gasses emit different coloured lights depending on their altitude and the power of the surge. Low-altitude oxygen is responsible for the fluorescent green hues and high-altitude oxygen produces those brilliant crimson reds. Nitrogen flares up as shades of blue and purple.

The Aurora Borealis are visible around the North and South Poles.
Click here to go to Deep Space High HQ!

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What are the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) - Fun Kids - the UK's children's radio station

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What are the northern lights? If you're one of the lucky Brits who gets to see the spectacular Aurora Borealis tonight, you'll want to know exactly what it is you're looking at - so find out on How It Works Daily What would the North Pole tourist bureau do without the northern lights?

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Awesome Great Barrier Reef facts for kids

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Learn how old the Great Barrier Reef is, how many people visit it each year, and more interesting facts for kids!