The ten longest above-water mountain ranges on Earth, ranked by approximate length from end to end.
Quick answer: 1. Andes, 2. Southern Great Escarpment, 3. Rocky Mountains, 4. Transantarctic Mountains, 5. Great Dividing Range, 6. Appalachian Mountains, 7. Chilean Coast Range, 8. Himalayas, 9. Ural Mountains, 10. Altai Mountains.
Mountain ranges form along tectonic plate boundaries over millions of years, and the longest among them trace the edges of entire continents. The Andes, for example, run the full length of South America, while the Rockies and the Appalachians mark the ancient and modern edges of the North American plate. This list ranks the ten longest above-water mountain ranges on Earth by approximate length in kilometers, using the standard geographic definition that excludes submarine mountain chains (the global mid-ocean ridge system, which extends for about 65,000 km, is the longest if underwater ranges are included). It's for anyone curious how the great mountain chains of the world compare by sheer linear extent.
The longest above-water mountain range in the world, running 7,000 km along the western edge of South America through seven countries. Its highest peak, Aconcagua at 6,962 m, is also the tallest mountain outside Asia.
A massive highland feature that rings the edge of southern Africa, extending roughly 5,000 km from Angola through Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe. Its highest point is Mafadi at 3,482 m on the border of South Africa and Lesotho.
The major mountain range of western North America, stretching 4,800 km from British Columbia in Canada down to New Mexico in the United States. Its highest peak is Mount Elbert in Colorado at 4,401 m.
A major mountain range in Antarctica that divides the continent into East and West Antarctica, stretching approximately 3,500 km. Its highest peak is Mount Kirkpatrick at 4,528 m.
Australia's most substantial mountain system, running 3,500 km along the eastern coast from Queensland to Victoria. Its highest point is Mount Kosciuszko at 2,228 m, the tallest peak on the Australian mainland.
One of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth, the Appalachians run 3,200 km through eastern North America from Newfoundland to Alabama. Long eroded by time, their highest peak is Mount Mitchell in North Carolina at 2,037 m.
A coastal mountain range running parallel to the Andes along the Pacific coast of Chile for 3,100 km. Its highest point is Cerro Vicuña Mackenna at 3,114 m.
The highest mountain range in the world, home to all 14 peaks above 8,000 m including Mount Everest at 8,848 m. The Himalayas stretch 2,600 km across five countries and were formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
The traditional boundary between Europe and Asia, the Urals run 2,500 km north-south through Russia and Kazakhstan. Their highest peak is Mount Narodnaya at 1,895 m.
A mountain system in Central Asia where Russia, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan meet, extending approximately 2,000 km. Its highest peak is Mount Belukha at 4,506 m, and the region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its biodiversity.
| # | Name | continent | countries | highestPeak | width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andes | South America | Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela | Aconcagua (6,962 m) | 500 km |
| 2 | Southern Great Escarpment | Africa | Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe | Mafadi (3,482 m) | 300 km |
| 3 | Rocky Mountains | North America | Canada, United States | Mount Elbert (4,401 m) | 300 km |
| 4 | Transantarctic Mountains | Antarctica | Antarctica | Mount Kirkpatrick (4,528 m) | 400 km |
| 5 | Great Dividing Range | Australia | Australia | Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m) | 300 km |
| 6 | Appalachian Mountains | North America | Canada, United States | Mount Mitchell (2,037 m) | 70 km |
| 7 | Chilean Coast Range | South America | Chile | Cerro Vicuña Mackenna (3,114 m) | 70 km |
| 8 | Himalayas | Asia | India, Pakistan, China, Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Myanmar | Mount Everest (8,848 m) | 350 km |
| 9 | Ural Mountains | Europe / Asia | Russia, Kazakhstan | Mount Narodnaya (1,895 m) | 150 km |
| 10 | Altai Mountains | Asia | Russia, China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan | Mount Belukha (4,506 m) | 150 km |
Mountain ranges are ranked by approximate total length in kilometers, taken from the Wikipedia list of longest mountain chains on Earth, which compiles figures from national geographic surveys, geological records, and topographic data. Lengths represent the continuous above-water chain, not the sum of disconnected subranges. Rank 1 is the longest. The Andes measurement of 7,000 km follows the standard figure from the USGS and Britannica. The Southern Great Escarpment is included as a continuous highland feature spanning southern Africa (5,000 km). The Transantarctic Mountains and Great Dividing Range are both listed at 3,500 km and are separated by the convention that the Transantarctic range is slightly longer when measured through its full extent. Where ranges share similar lengths, the order follows the Wikipedia compilation. Submarine ranges and the global mid-ocean ridge system are excluded.
The longest above-water mountain range in the world is the Andes, at approximately 7,000 km (4,300 miles). If underwater ranges are included, the global mid-ocean ridge system is the longest at about 65,000 km.
No. The Himalayas are the highest mountain range — home to the world's tallest peaks — but at 2,600 km they rank only 8th by length. The Andes, Rocky Mountains, and several others are all significantly longer.
Mountain range length depends on where you define the start and end of a continuous chain. Some sources measure the entire geologic system, while others break ranges into subranges. The widths of ranges can also vary, and some ranges (like the Great Escarpment) are more of a continuous highland edge than a classic mountain chain.
The Rocky Mountains, which stretch 4,800 km from Canada through the United States, with about 1,600 km lying within the U.S. The Appalachian Mountains are the longest range entirely within the eastern United States.