Difference Between Mountain and Hill

Mountain vs Hill

The surface of the earth is covered with different terrains. Different bodies of water and different landforms. The earth’s landforms are classified according to elevation, stratification, slope, rock exposure and soil type.

One major reason why soil types vary is due to the climate and humidity in the region. Elevation and slope classifies those landforms which are high. Stratification classifies the stone layers of a specific portion of land. Under the classification of elevation, we commonly have the, cliff, valleys, volcanoes, hills and mountains. By definition, a cliff is a landform that has a very steep edge, more likely perpendicular to the ground already. Valleys are land plains which are surrounded by hills and mountains. Volcanoes are landforms that have a crater and irregularly emit the heat of the earth’s interior in a form of eruption, these landforms are commonly found on tectonic plates.

A hill is an elevated portion of a plain that does not generally have a summit. The role of a hill dates back to prehistoric times that the original human settlements were built on hills to increase protection against predators and to keep them elevated from floods. More likely, a hill is less steep than a mountain. Geographers differentiate a hill from a mountain by height. It has a height limit of 2000ft and above this; it will be considered a mountain. The tallest hill in the world is Cavanal Hill in Poteau, Oklahoma having a height of 1,999 ft. Other hills are made for tourist spots like the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Philippines that looks like huge piles of chocolates in daylight.

The highest of all landforms is the mountain. Steeper than a hill, it has a distinct summit and it’s height starts from 2001 ft. and above sea level. Mountains are preferred over hills by hikers because it is more challenging to hike on a more elevated terrain. Most mountains are arranged in mountain ranges like the Himalayas which houses Mt. Everest, having a height of 29,029 ft.

Summary:

1.  Hills and mountains are landforms classified by elevation.
2. Hills do not have a distinct summit.
3.Mountains usually sit along with other mountains and hills in a form of ranges or mountain ranges.
4. Mountains are steeper and higher than hills.
5. Hills have a height range of 2000 ft. below and mountains have a height range of 2001 ft. and above.

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