Comparative Length in Miles of the Principal Rivers of the World [and] Comparative Height in Feet of the Principal Mountains of the World

The longest river and the tallest mountain in the world – the Missouri and Mt. Hercules!

This lovely duo of comparative charts was published in the late 19th century, originally as part of an atlas by George Cram. The left side of the sheet shows the longest rivers of the world. In first place, questionably, is the dual river system of the Missouri and the Mississippi (no other rivers are combined), clocking in at over 4,300 miles.

Adjacent is a similar visual comparison of the tallest mountains. Incredulously, Mt. Hercules tops Mt. Everest as the tallest peak on the planet! Captain John Lawson claimed to have climbed the 32,000-foot mountain in New Guinea over the course of a single day in 1872. The hoax was thoroughly discredited by the end of the century.