A mountain is a landblock that stands conspicuously wove the surrounding areas is called a mountain. In this definition there is no limit to the height or the nature of landforms associated with the mountains. For example, any area standing many hundreds of meters above the surroundings is called a mountain but in the Rocky Mountains, many districts, which are above 600 meters, are called only hills.
According to Salisbury, a mountain is a highland whose erect area is narrow. For example, there is an escarpment, which is 120 meters high above the Grand Canyon in North America. Ordinarily it should be called a mountain but its crest area is not narrow, rather it is extensive. That is why it is called the edge of the plateau.
Maybe we should rather say that a mountain is that landblock whose height is at least 900 meters above sea level and its slope makes an angle of 25 to 350 with the horizontal plane. The lower mountains are called hills. In fact mountain and hill are relative terms.
Some definitions - It is necessary to know about some definitions in connection with mountains so that the study of mountains becomes easier:
(1) Ridge - It is a high and narrow continuation of hills. It has many passes.
(2) Mountain Range - It is a big and complex ridge. It is a series of ridges, which are mutually related, form a compact unit and stand over an extensive area.
(3) Mountain System - It is a group of mountain ranges which are similar in their form, structure and extension. Besides, they should owe their origin to the same cause. For example, the Basin Range of Nevada is a good example of a mountain system. Its ranges extend towards north and northwest and are similar in form and structure. The Rocky Mountain System is also a good example.
(4) Mountain Chain - It is an elongated unit of these mountain ranges or chains whose size and age need not necessarily be similar or the same.
(5) Cordillera - It is a Spanish word and it is the highest unit of mountains. In North America, the mountain complex extending from the eastern boundary of the Rocky Mountains to the coast of the Pacific Ocean is called a Cordillera of North America.
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