Whose expedition first scientifically surveyed the summit of Mount Everest?
Quick Answer
George Everest’s survey teams in the Great Trigonometrical Survey measured the mountain that was later named after him; the summit itself was first scientifically surveyed by British Indian surveyors in the 19th century.
The Full Story
The Great Trigonometrical Survey of India played the central role in measuring the Himalayas, including the peak now called Mount Everest. In 1856, surveyors led by Andrew Waugh announced that Peak XV was the world’s highest mountain, based on measurements from the survey network. The mountain was later named after Sir George Everest, the Surveyor General of India. This work transformed mountain geography by showing that the highest peak in the world was in the Himalayas, not the Andes as many had assumed.
Key Facts
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"How did surveyors discover the world’s tallest mountain from far away?"