Mountains are a truly essential part of the environment. Not only do they cover 27 percent of the Earth's land territory, they're also the home of 15 percent of the human population as well a large number of unique animal and plant species.
This year's International Mountain Day is titled "The mountains and the youth" and is set to attract attention to the problems that face young people living in mountainous areas, as well as their prospects for education, advanced training and high quality social services.
Check out this gallery to catch up on some of the most magnificent mountainous views!
© AP Photo / Matthias SchraderHikers enjoy the view over the mist in the valleys of the Alps mountains from the top of Wendelstein mountain (1,838 metres) near Bayrischzell, southern Germany, on 25 October 2012.
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© AP Photo / Matthias Schrader
Hikers enjoy the view over the mist in the valleys of the Alps mountains from the top of Wendelstein mountain (1,838 metres) near Bayrischzell, southern Germany, on 25 October 2012.
© AFP 2023 / Daniel SlimGeneral view of Downtown Montreal, Quebec, taken on 4 November 2018 from Mount Royal, which overlooks the city.
General view of Downtown Montreal, Quebec, taken on 4 November 2018 from Mount Royal, which overlooks the city.
© Sputnik / Mikhail Mokrushin / Go to the mediabankA view of Krasnaya Polyana from the elevation of 2,200 metres on top of a mountain at the Gorky Gorod Resort in Krasnaya Polyana.
A view of Krasnaya Polyana from the elevation of 2,200 metres on top of a mountain at the Gorky Gorod Resort in Krasnaya Polyana.
© AFP 2023 / Philippe DesmazesTourists take in a view of the 'Vallee Blanche' (White valley) from 'Aguille du Midi peak on 20 July 2019, in the Mont Blanc range near Chamonix, in the French Alps, eastern France.
Tourists take in a view of the 'Vallee Blanche' (White valley) from 'Aguille du Midi peak on 20 July 2019, in the Mont Blanc range near Chamonix, in the French Alps, eastern France.
CC BY 2.0 / Chris Hoare / Mt OtemanuA view of Bora Bora island from Mount Otemanu.
A view of Bora Bora island from Mount Otemanu.
© AFP 2023 / Christof StacheHikers enjoy the view from the peak Hoher Fricken (1,940 metres) in front of Germany's highest mountain Zugspitze (2,962 metres, R) in the Alps mountains near the village Garmisch-Partenkirchen, southern Germany, during nice 20 f(celsius) degree weather 14 August 2010
Hikers enjoy the view from the peak Hoher Fricken (1,940 metres) in front of Germany's highest mountain Zugspitze (2,962 metres, R) in the Alps mountains near the village Garmisch-Partenkirchen, southern Germany, during nice 20 f(celsius) degree weather 14 August 2010
© AFP 2023 / Mustafa OzerThe Saudi holy city of Mecca, as seen from the top of Noor mountain, late on 13 November 2010, as some 2.5 million Muslim pilgrims descend on the city for the annual hajj or pilgrimage.
The Saudi holy city of Mecca, as seen from the top of Noor mountain, late on 13 November 2010, as some 2.5 million Muslim pilgrims descend on the city for the annual hajj or pilgrimage.
© AFP 2023 / Yasuyoshi ChibaTourists enjoy the view of Rio's landmark Sugarloaf mountain from Corcovado mountain, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on October 10, 2011.
Tourists enjoy the view of Rio's landmark Sugarloaf mountain from Corcovado mountain, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on October 10, 2011.
© AFP 2023 / Philippe DesmazesView of Val Thorens ski resort (L), in the French Alps, from "Cоme Caron 3195 m" the high panorama view point on 10 August 2018, during the summer holidays.
View of Val Thorens ski resort (L), in the French Alps, from "Cоme Caron 3195 m" the high panorama view point on 10 August 2018, during the summer holidays.
© AFP 2023 / Fabrice CoffriniThis photograph, taken on 11 August 2018, from the French mountain of Saleve shows a night view of the city of Geneva at the end of Lake Geneva with its landmark Fountain which is known as "Jet d'Eau".
This photograph, taken on 11 August 2018, from the French mountain of Saleve shows a night view of the city of Geneva at the end of Lake Geneva with its landmark Fountain which is known as "Jet d'Eau".
© AP Photo / Shuji KajiyamaA climber views a landscape from Mount Fuji in Fujiyoshida city, Yamanashi prefecture, Japan, 4 July 2013. Japan's most iconic landmark, Mount Fuji, the 3,776-metre-tall mountain, was selected as a World Heritage site in June.
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© AP Photo / Shuji Kajiyama
A climber views a landscape from Mount Fuji in Fujiyoshida city, Yamanashi prefecture, Japan, 4 July 2013. Japan's most iconic landmark, Mount Fuji, the 3,776-metre-tall mountain, was selected as a World Heritage site in June.
© Sputnik / Sergei Malgavko / Go to the mediabankView of the Black Sea shore and Miskhor village from Ai-Petri Mountain in Crimea.
View of the Black Sea shore and Miskhor village from Ai-Petri Mountain in Crimea.
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Rick Shu / Morning Cloud - panoramioView of the Great Smoky Mountains in the US.
View of the Great Smoky Mountains in the US.
© AFP 2023 / Joe KlamarA man looks at the view from the peak of the Lomnicky Stit, the home of an observatory, in the High Tatras mountains on July 2, 2009. The coronal station at Lomnicky Stit observatory, built at 2 632 meters between 1957 and 1962, ranks among four existing stations worldwide which systematically observe emission spectral lines of the corona.
A man takes in the view from the peak of Lomnicky Stit, the home of an observatory, in the High Tatras mountains on 2 July 2009
CC BY 2.5 / _大面 / A church on DolomitesView of a church in the Dolomites, Italy.
View of a church in the Dolomites, Italy.