Altitude
is
the
elevation
of
an
object
from
a
known
level
or
datum,
called
zero
level.
Most
often
this
level
is
defined
as
the
absolute
sea
level,
but
it
can
vary.
In
aviation,
the
term
altitude
is
used
to
describe
elevation
above
mean
sea
level,
as
opposed
to
height
(which
refers
to
elevation
above
a
ground
reference
point)
or
flight
level
(the
elevation
according
to
a
standard
pressure
altimeter
setting).
In
North
America
and
the
UK
altitude
is
usually
measured
in
feet.
In
continental
Europe
and
other
parts
of
the
world
altitude
is
measured
in
metres.