Aconcagua is a mountain in the Principal Cordillera of the Andes Mountain range, in Mendoza Province, Argentina. It is the highest mountain in the Americas. It is also the highest outside Asia. It is the highest in both the Western Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. It has a summit elevation of 6,961 metres (22,838 ft). Despite its impressive size and stature, it is only the 189th highest mountain in the world.
At nearly 7,000 m (23,000 ft), Aconcagua is the highest peak outside of Asia. This mountain is thought to have the highest death rate in South America. Around three people die each year. This has earned it the nickname “Mountain of Death”. More than 100 people have died on Aconcagua since records began. Human waste is improperly disposed of in the mountain environment. This causes significant health hazards. These hazards pose a threat to both animals and human beings. Only boiled or chemically treated water is accepted for drinking.