EXTREME AND MEAN ALTITUDES OF U.S. TERRITORY AND THE CONTINENTS The following altitudes (table 8), which give the height of the land above sea level, unless otherwise stated, were determined by the Geological Survey. Inasmuch as the United States is not entirely mapped, the locations of the highest and lowest points, as well as the values given for some of the points, are doubtful and are subject to change as the areas are mapped. The highest point within the conterminous 48 States is Mount Whitney-14,494 feet above sea level. The lowest point of dry land is in Death Valley-282 feet below sea level. These two points, both in California, are only 86 miles apart. (See figs. 50, 51.) The following list (table 9) is given to permit a comparison between altitudes in the United States and those in other parts of the world. These figures are subject to change as better maps become available. However, the information on North America is accurate. The altitude of Mount Everest was reported to the National Geographic Society by Brigadier I. H. R. Wilson, Surveyor General of India, as 29,028 feet. This determination was made by the Survey of India from observations and calculations in 1952-54. An accurate altitude for the summit of a mountain as high and as Highest and Lowest Points in the Conterminous United States, Both in California and Only 86 Miles Apart FIGURE 50 (above).-Mount Whitney, 14,494 feet above sea level. View is from Owens Valley. (Photograph by Bruce Barnbaum, Los Angeles, Calif.) FIGURE 51 (opposite).-Two views of Death Valley: Above, Badwater, the lowest area in the valley at 282 feet below sea level, and Telescope Peak in the Panamint Range in the background. (Photograph by Josef Muench, Santa Barbara, Calif.) Below, View across sand dunes toward the Armagosa Range. (Photograph by Bruce Barnbaum, Los Angeles, Calif.) |