International Mountain Day (December 11, 2025)
Mountains: Treasures of the Planet
ℹ️ What? It's a World Mountain Day to talk about mountains and their importance.
👤 Who? The UN (United Nations), which established this day, and everyone who loves the mountains!
🌍 Where? All over the world, especially in regions where mountains play a major role.
🕰️ When? This day takes place every year on December 11th.
❓ Why is it important? Because mountains provide water, are home to unique animals, and are threatened by climate change. This day is dedicated to protecting them.
🎯 For this activity, your goal will be to learn a little more about mountains, including some well-known ones!
Your goal today!
Every year, International Mountain Day invites us to look up at the awe-inspiring landscapes that shape our planet.
Mountains are not only beautiful: they influence the climate, provide fresh water, and are home to a vast array of life.
This day is an opportunity to better understand their role and to reflect on how to protect them.
🎯 For this activity, your goal will be to learn a little more about mountains, including some well-known ones!
The activity has three steps:
STEP 1 — Why a Mountain Day? You'll learn a little more about why such a day exists.
STEP 2 — The Roof of the Seven Continents. You'll discover the highest mountains on each continent.
STEP 3 — Exceptional Mountains. Mountains can take all sorts of forms. What's your favorite mountain?
Here's what the final result of your activity will look like. →
Let's go! →
STEP 1 — Why an International Mountain Day?
Today, you begin your exploration of the world of mountains!
To better understand why they are so important to our planet, you will first read a text that explains why mountains are important today.
You will better understand why this day exists, and what mountains provide to humans, animals, and the environment.
Visit the page dedicated to this special day on the website of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Read the "Key Messages 2025," then answer the questions about the importance of mountains.
Step 2 is waiting for you! →
STEP 2 — The Roof of the Seven Continents
The Seven Summits represent a major achievement in mountaineering: they are the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. Reaching these summits is an immense physical and mental challenge for mountaineers worldwide.
For this step, you will conduct a guided research to complete a table presenting the seven highest peaks in the world.
For each summit, you must find three essential pieces of information:
• the name of the continent on which it is located;
• its elevation (in meters);
• the year this summit was first reached.
Search for each mountain on Wikipedia! You will find your information in the right-hand side panel, as in the example with K2. ☝️
The Seven Summits
| Continent | Elevation in meters | Year of first ascent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aconcagua | |||
| Denali | |||
| Elbrus | |||
| Everest | |||
| Kilimanjaro | |||
| Puncak Jaya | |||
| Vinson Massif |
Let's climb to Step 3! →
STEP 3 — Exceptional Mountains
Mountains can come in all sorts of shapes and colors! Take a close look at the five mountains shown in the picture. They are very unique and all very different!
👉 Which mountain would you most like to climb?
Write a short text (5 to 8 sentences) to explain your choice. To help you write, think about:
• the height and shape of the mountain;
• its location (country, climate, landscape);
• the challenge it would represent;
• how you would feel upon reaching the summit.
Feel free to use Wikipedia or Google to help you find information about your chosen mountain. 👉
You have reached the summit! →
