Search Geography Explorer

Search countries, cities, rivers, lakes, deserts, oceans, islands and more

Fun facts about Matterhorn

5 facts - tap any card to flip it and learn more.

Discover more facts
Matterhorn from Domhütte - 2
mountain

The name Matterhorn derives from the German words Matte ('meadow') and Horn ('horn').

Matterhorn
Switzerland/Italy
Tap to learn more
mountain

Matterhorn

Switzerland/Italy

Elevation
4,478 m
Countries
Switzerland/Italy
33rd tallest mountain in the world

The Matterhorn is a mountain of the Alps, straddling the main watershed and border between Switzerland and Italy.

From the “Names” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Photo: chil, on Camptocamp.org Derivative work:Zacharie Grossen · CC BY-SA 3.0

Fact 1 permalink
Matterhorn from Domhütte - 2
mountain

The Matterhorn has two distinct summits, which form the Italian/Swiss border.

Matterhorn
Switzerland/Italy
Tap to learn more
mountain

Matterhorn

Switzerland/Italy

Elevation
4,478 m
Countries
Switzerland/Italy
33rd tallest mountain in the world

The Matterhorn is a mountain of the Alps, straddling the main watershed and border between Switzerland and Italy.

From the “Height” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Photo: chil, on Camptocamp.org Derivative work:Zacharie Grossen · CC BY-SA 3.0

Fact 2 permalink
Matterhorn from Domhütte - 2
mountain

The Matterhorn's north face is one of the most dangerous north faces in the Alps due to its risk of rockfall and storms.

Matterhorn
Switzerland/Italy
Tap to learn more
mountain

Matterhorn

Switzerland/Italy

Elevation
4,478 m
Countries
Switzerland/Italy
33rd tallest mountain in the world

The Matterhorn is a mountain of the Alps, straddling the main watershed and border between Switzerland and Italy.

From the “Geography” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Photo: chil, on Camptocamp.org Derivative work:Zacharie Grossen · CC BY-SA 3.0

Fact 3 permalink
Matterhorn from Domhütte - 2
mountain

The Matterhorn is composed of Paleozoic rocks that were thrust over its Mesozoic base during the Cenozoic.

Matterhorn
Switzerland/Italy
Tap to learn more
mountain

Matterhorn

Switzerland/Italy

Elevation
4,478 m
Countries
Switzerland/Italy
33rd tallest mountain in the world

The Matterhorn is a mountain of the Alps, straddling the main watershed and border between Switzerland and Italy.

From the “Geology” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Photo: chil, on Camptocamp.org Derivative work:Zacharie Grossen · CC BY-SA 3.0

Fact 4 permalink
Matterhorn from Domhütte - 2
mountain

The first successful ascent of the Matterhorn occurred on 14 July 1865, led by Edward Whymper.

Matterhorn
Switzerland/Italy
Tap to learn more
mountain

Matterhorn

Switzerland/Italy

Elevation
4,478 m
Countries
Switzerland/Italy
33rd tallest mountain in the world

The Matterhorn is a mountain of the Alps, straddling the main watershed and border between Switzerland and Italy.

From the “Climbing history” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Photo: chil, on Camptocamp.org Derivative work:Zacharie Grossen · CC BY-SA 3.0

Fact 5 permalink