8 controversial mountain names from all over the world
8 controversial mountain names from all over the world
naming mountains is a delicate matter. We take a look at some of the most controversial mountain names from all over the world and examine why they triggered so many debates
as an enthusiastic hiker, climber and prospective mountaineer, I have long been fascinated by the mountains of this world and the story behind their names.
The first real mountain I've ever climbed was Ben Nevis in beautiful Scotland. It was forgiven when you wonder who was Ben and why a mountain was named after him. In fact, "Ben Nevis" is the adjoining form of the Scottish leg nibheis, which means "mountain on the water".
Unfortunately, not all mountain names have such a precise origin. Some have triggered controversy with various parties for years that contest correct names, correct pronunciation and political correctness.
We were reminded of this debate by the recently published publication of Peakvisor, an apparently magical app that immediately recognizes the name of each mountain summit with the help of the camera of your phone, location tracking and a high-precision 3D mountain panorama. It also has a 3D compass and a altimeter that also measures the height.
Clearly, the mountain nomenclature is no longer nerdy. (Well, okay, that's it, but at least it's a common interest.) Against this background we take a look at some of the most controversial mountain names from all over the world and examine why they have triggered so many debates.
1. Denali
Location: Alaska, USA: Mount McKinleyhöhe: 6.190 m (20,310 feet)
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The highest mountain of North America has long been known as Mount McKinley, named by a gold seeker in 1896 after hearing that William McKinley had been nominated for the US presidency.
1917 officially recognized Mount McKinley as the name of the mountain-although McKinley Alaska never entered!
For centuries, the Koyukon, who inhabit the area around the mountain, describe the summit as "Denali". After the renaming of 1917, the Koyukon campaigned for decades to restore the original name of Alaska's indigenous names.
Finally, President Obama restored the name Denali in 2015, which means "High One" or "Great One".
2. Avatar Berg Hallelujah
Location: Province Hunan, Chinaaka: Southern Sky Columnhöhe: 1,080 m (3,540 ft)
After the publication of James Cameron's blockbuster Avatar from 2009, tourists in droves flocked to Southern Sky Column in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China. Since the boom in tourism, the pillar has been officially renamed Avatar Hallelujah Mountain.
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The high -towering tower from quartz sandstone was the inspiration for some of the best known digitally rendered scenes in the film. The “floating summit” found in the film were modeled on the holiday photos of a member of the production team.
The renaming has caused great dismay on social media, and the enormous end of visitors alerted environmentalists who believe that the area and its ecosystems cannot cope with such a high number of visitors. The concern was reinforced by the construction of the longest and highest glass pedestrian bridge in the world nearby.
3. ULURU/AYYERS-FEECHEN
Location: Northern Territory, Australiaaka: Ayers Rock, Ayers Rock/Ulurhöh: 863m (2,831ft)
The huge rock formation in Central Australia is actually an Inselberg, which literally means "Inselberg" and refers to isolated rock hills, burrs or small mountains that rise abruptly from a flatter environment.
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From 1873 this special island mountain was widely known as Ayers Rock, a name that was shaped by the European explorer William Gosse, who was named the landmark and in honor of the then Chief Secretary of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers.
The native Aborigines called Uluru for centuries. In 1993 a double naming policy was introduced and it was renamed Ayers Rock/Uluru before it was changed in Uluru/Ayers Rock in 2002.
4. Negerberg
Location: Maryland and Pennsylvania, USAaka: Kein height: 979m (3.213ft)
The Negro Mountain is actually a 48 km long mountain that extends along the Allegheny Mountains in Maryland and Pennsylvania, with Mount Davis as the highest point. It is not surprising that his racist nickname is one of the most controversial mountain names in the USA.
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There are several stories about the naming of the mountain. The most noteworthy is a skirmish during the French and Indian war in 1756. It is assumed that border residents collected with American indigenous people on the mountain. A black slave called Nemesis, who fought for the border residents, was killed in the battle. In honor of him, the ridge was called Negro Mountain.
There were several demands for a renaming of the mountain. Interestingly, Christopher Bracey, a law professor and extraordinary professor of African and African -American studies at the legal faculty of George Washington University, said: "I have a somewhat different view of it ... Here we have a mountain whose name A should be testimony of the bravery. strong. "
The debate continues.
5. Burgberg
Location: Alberta, Canadaaka: Mount Eisenhowerhöhe: 2,766m (9.075ft)
The Castle Mountain is located in the Banff National Park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and is one of the most famous peaks in the region. It is easy to understand why the Scottish geologist James Hector called him Castle Mountain in 1858. The unmistakable castle -like appearance can be clearly seen.
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1946, one day before US General D. Eisenhower, then attended by the Allied armed forces in Europe, Canada, Prime Minister Mackenzie King suddenly changed its name in Mount Eisenhower. The move came without warning and immediately caused turmoil.
from 1946 to 1979 he was known as Mount Eisenhower in honor of the general of the Second World War. Decades of protests followed until 1979 when the mountain in Castle Mountain was renamed. In honor of the Eisenhower, who has since died, a striking summit was mentioned on the Southeast side of the Eisenhower Tower Berges.
6. K2
Location: Pakistan/Chinaaka: Mount Godwin-Austenhöhe: 8.611 m (28.251 ft)
Although it is due to the controversial Chinese-Pakistani border, the name of the second highest mountain in the world, K2, is more fascinating than controversial.
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K2 is derived from the notation used by the Great Trigonometric Survey of British India. The British land vermeter Thomas Montgomerie first mapped the Karakorum chain, the home of the K2 in the Himalaya in 1856. He did this from the Haramukh mountain, which is actually 210 km (130 miles) south. He outlined the two most distinctive peaks and described them with K1 and K2.
K1 was immediately renamed his local name Masherbrum, but no equivalent for K2 could be found. The mountain was so remote that the local population could hardly see it, so no local name was used. The name Mount Godwin-Austen (according to Henry Godwin-Austen, an early explorer in the area) was proposed and sporadically used on several cards, although it was rejected by the Royal Geographical Society.
The label of Montgomerie, K2, is therefore still the name under which the mountain is officially known.
7. Mount Rainier
location: Washington, USA: Tacoma, Tahomahöh: 4,392 m (14.411 foot)
Similar to Denali, Indians have made several applications over the years to rename the highest point in the state of Washington. Alternative names are Tacoma or Tahoma, which means "snow -covered mountain peaks".alt = “controversial mountain names-rainy”> dream time
In contrast to McKinley, Rainier was not an American president or an American at all. Peter Rainier Jr. was a British naval officer who fought against the United States during the American Revolution.The US Board on Geographic Names has repeatedly refused to change the name.
Executive Secretary Lou Yost says: "The task of the board is not to restore historical names, but to adapt to the current use and to reflect local use and preference." The chamber argues that there is no sufficient evidence that alternative names are widespread.
Last year the Harney Peak was renamed South Dakota in Black Elk Peak. There were also applications to rename Devil’s Tower in Wyoming and Mount St. Helens in Washington into Indian alternatives.
8. Everest
Location: Nepal/Chinaaka: (pronounced) EVE-Wristhöhe: 8,848 m (29.029 ft)
The Mount Everest was known among so many local names in several different languages that the Great Trigonometric Survey of British India claimed that it would be unfair to take it out. Despite objections, the Royal Geographical Society allowed the mountain to name the mountain according to the Welsh land vermeter Sir George Everest. The name has been widespread and used since then.
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The last name by Sir George, however, is pronounced ˈiːvrᵻst (Eva-Wand with 'Eve' as on Christmas Eve), while the mountain has been called an Everest as in Everlasting for a long time.
The wrong pronunciation is unfortunate, since Sir George himself was to call the mountain "Everest" because he could not be written in Hindi or "the natives of India".
Other names are deodungha (Heiliger Berg) in Darjeeling, Chomolungma (Holy Mother) on Tibetan and the youngest of all, Sagarmāthā (forehead in heaven), which was shaped by the Nepalese government in the 1960s, since they were of the opinion that the Tibetan name "Inacceptable".
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The Peakvisor smartphone app can be downloaded from iTunes. The Android version is available here.
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