Kilimanjaro
Area 1668 km2
Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and fourth highest
of the Seven Summits. It is among the tallest freestanding mountains
in the world, with Uhuru Peak rising to an altitude of 15,100 feet
(4,600 m) from base to summit.
The mountain is composed of three distinct volcanic cones: Kibo
19,340 feet (5895 meters); Mawenzi 16,896 feet (5149 m); and Shira
13,000 feet (3962 m). Uhuru Peak is the highest summit on Kibo's
crater rim.
Kilimanjaro is a giant stratovolcano that began forming a million
years ago, when lava spilled from the Rift Valley zone. Two of its
three peaks, Mawenzi and Shira, are extinct while Kibo (the highest
peak) is dormant and could erupt again. The last major eruption has
been dated to 360,000 years ago, while the most recent activity was
recorded just 200 years ago.
Agriculture forms a big part of life in the region and most of the
lower slopes are used for this purpose. One of Tanzania’s biggest
exports – coffee - is harvested here.