The Pyramid - the highest research station in the world

Abstract

The Himalayas have always focused the interest of scientists and the fascination of travellers. Up until the 20th century the political and logistic context presented obstacles to doing research in the Himalayas. Even the mapping of that vast mountain range was carried out remotely. The measurement of the highest peak in the world, known at that time as Peak XV, during the Great Trigonometric Survey of India took almost two years. The measurement carried out from a distance of 240 km was surprisingly precise (8840 m a.s.l.). The highest peak in the Himalayas was named in honour of the Welsh geographer and cartographer Sir George Everest who was one of the first surveyors working in the subcontinent of India in the first half of the 19th century.