Annapurna, Nepal

Travel Blog  •  Ben Keene  •  11.18.05 | 12:03 PM ET

Elevation: 26,502 feet (8,078 m)
Coordinates: 28 34 N 83 50 E
imageLocation can be a beacon for individuals as well as groups of people for a wide variety of reasons. To mountaineers, Asia is key as the world’s 10 highest peaks can all be found on this continent. And while the geologically young range known as the Himalayas (they’re less than 70 million years old) continues to lure a growing number of intrepid climbers, Annapurna in central Nepal became the first mountain over 8,000 meters to be summited in 1950.

—.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) is the editor of the Oxford Atlas of the World.