Mount Mikeno Explained

Mount Mikeno
Elevation M:4,437
Elevation Ref:[1]
Prominence M:1,193
Map:Democratic Republic of the Congo
Map Size:300
Label Position:bottom
Location:Democratic Republic of the Congo
Range:Virunga Mountains
Coordinates:-1.4639°N 29.4183°W
Type:Stratovolcano
Last Eruption:Pleistocene

Mount Mikeno is an extinct volcanic mountain located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo section of the Virunga Mountains along with Mount Nyiragongo, Mount Nyamuragira, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke and Mount Sabyinyo. At 4437m (14,557feet) Mount Mikeno is the second highest peak in the Virunga Mountains after Karisimbi, and the 13th highest in Africa. Mikeno means "poor" and is so named for its harsh slopes which preclude human habitation.

Mount Mikeno lies completely within Virunga National Park and is known for the critically endangered mountain gorillas that live on its slopes.[2] Expeditions to observe Mikeno's gorillas typically leave from the nearby Bukima Patrol Post. [3]

Mount Mikeno is the type locality of the yellow-crested helmetshrike Prionops alberti.[4]

Featured in the movie 'Congo' as where the city of Solomon diamond mine is located.

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/381973/Mount-Mikeno "Mount Mikeno"
  2. http://virunga.org/the-park/ "About Virunga National Park"
  3. http://visitvirunga.org/treks/#gorillas "Mountain Gorilla Treks"
  4. Schouteden . Henri . Un oiseau nouveau trouvi. au sommet du Mikeno . Revue de Zoologie et de Botanique Africaines . 1933 . 24 . 211.