The boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid turns into a gas. At this temperature, the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the atmospheric pressure surrounding it. For example, the boiling point of water at sea level is 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit). Factors such as altitude can affect the boiling point. At higher elevations, the atmospheric pressure is lower, which means that water will boil at a temperature lower than 100 degrees Celsius. This is why cooking times may vary in mountainous regions compared to sea level.