Mount Chimborazo Is the Farthest Point from Earth's Center

The reason for Mount Chimborazo's unique distinction lies in the planet's actual shape. Earth is not a perfect sphere but an oblate spheroid, a fact confirmed by a French Geodesic Mission in the 18th century. Due to its rotation, the Earth bulges at the equator and is flattened at the poles. This equatorial bulge means that locations near the equator are naturally farther from the Earth's center. Chimborazo, located just one degree south of the equator, benefits significantly from this bulge. In contrast, Mount Everest lies nearly 28 degrees north of the equator, where the Earth's radius is smaller.

This geographical curiosity makes Chimborazo's summit approximately 2.1 kilometers farther from the center of the Earth than Everest's peak. Historically, Chimborazo was considered the tallest mountain in the world until the 19th century. It attracted numerous explorers, including the renowned Prussian naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, who attempted to summit in 1802. While he did not reach the top, his expedition set a new altitude record for Europeans at the time. The first successful ascent was later achieved by English climber Edward Whymper in 1880.

Beyond its scientific and historical significance, Chimborazo is a dormant stratovolcano and the highest peak in Ecuador. The mountain holds deep cultural importance for the indigenous communities of the Andes, who have revered it for centuries. Its glaciers are also a vital source of water for the surrounding regions. Therefore, while Everest may hold the title for height above sea level, Chimborazo's position on the equatorial bulge gives it the unique distinction of being the true highest point on Earth when measured from its core.