Last week, a team of scientists and explorers named Volcán Chimborazo – Ecuador’s inactive volcano – the official farthest point from the center of Earth. Though Mount Everest is still the highest point when measured from sea level, France’s Institute for Research and Development (IRD) said Chimborazo is 6,000 feet higher from the center of the Earth than Everest. From sea level, Chimborazo is 20,564-feet high, compared to Mt. Everest’s 29,029 feet, according to Telesur.
“The Earth is flatter at the poles and fatter in Ecuador,” Olivier Dangles, an IRD representative said. “The radio difference between the poles and Ecuador is 21 kilometers (68,897 feet).” According to the IRD’s findings, Chimborazo is also No. 1 when it comes to the place that is closest on Earth to the Sun.
Men’s Journal adds that Chimborazo is also more accessible. “The climbing in Ecuador is much more doable for people who want to reach such heights without the months of prep and huge costs,” said Eran Hayoun, owner of Gulliver Expeditions, to Men’s Journal. “It’s more accessible than Everest, and you still get to challenge yourself.”