India Himalaya mountains on the map. Himalayas: the highest mountains in the world. Origin and geology

Himalayan mountains- the highest in the world. They are located on the territory of several Asian countries and attract tens of thousands of tourists with their grandeur. The local population reveres every peak, so dozens of ceremonies and magical rituals are held annually.

Travelers are attracted by the opportunity to climb one of the peaks and breathe clean air and admire incredible beauty nature.

Information about the Himalayas

Before you go on a trip, you need to carefully study all the available information about the Himalayan mountains. Thanks to it, you can better prepare for your trip, choose the shortest route, and also take into account the weather conditions.

Geographical location

The Himalayas are a high mountain system located in the Northern Hemisphere. Due to their large length, they cover an area of ​​more than 1 million square meters. km.

Among the others geographical features highlight:

• total length - 2.3 thousand km;
• the width of the mountains is 1.3 thousand km;
• the average height of the ridges is 6 km;
• time of formation - Cretaceous period;
• the age of the Himalayas is approximately 38 million years;
• coordinates on the map are 28 degrees north latitude and 83 degrees east longitude;
• countries on whose territory the Himalayas are located - the People's Republic of China, Nepal, India, the Kingdom of Bhutan, Pakistan, the Tibet Autonomous Region.

The Himalayan mountains are located between the Indo-Gangetic Plain in southern Eurasia and the Tibetan Plateau in the north of the continent. This makes them a natural divider between southern and central Asia.

Climatic conditions and minerals

According to climatic conditions, the Himalayan mountains can be divided into 2 zones. The mountain folds of the southern part are under the constant influence of monsoons. Because of this, a large amount of precipitation falls here in the form of rain or snow. The air temperature on the southern slopes ranges from -15 degrees in winter to +10 in summer. As altitude increases, temperatures drop sharply.

The northern part of the Himalayas has a continental climate characterized by dry and cold weather. The air temperature in these areas rarely exceeds 0 degrees. Adding to the harsh conditions are hurricane-force winds that cause irreparable harm to wildlife and local residents.

Average height The Himalayas are about 6 thousand meters above sea level. Because of this most of The mountains are covered with glaciers, the area of ​​which is 33 thousand square meters. km.

Among the most extensive glaciers are:

• Zema;
• Gangotri;
• Rongbuk.

As the temperature rises, these and other similar formations begin to melt. The water that is formed as a result flows down from the peaks and ends up in the largest rivers of the continent (Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra and others).

The Himalayas are considered one of the youngest mountains on Earth. Their age is only 38 million years. In this indicator, they are inferior even to the Alps, which were formed several million years earlier. Because of this, the Himalayas have relatively few mineral resources. Only copper, gold, gas and oil are mined here.

Flora and fauna

Wildlife researchers who frequently visit the Himalayan mountains have discovered many interesting features and facts. This is explained by the predominant layered distribution of vegetation in the Himalayas. It is characterized by the presence of swampy jungle at the foot and evergreen tropical forest on the slopes. Closer to the peaks you can find coniferous and deciduous trees. Among the most interesting representatives of the flora are:

• dhak tree;
• sal trees;
• tree ferns;
• various types of palm trees;
• magnolias;
• rare varieties of maples;
• chestnuts;
• Himalayan cedars and pines.

Due to the difficult climatic conditions, the Himalayan mountains are home to very few animals. Most of them are concentrated on the southern slope and at its foot. This place has more favorable temperature conditions, so there is an opportunity to see several species of wild animals. The most common are:

• Himalayan bear;
• wild horses;
• snow leopard;
• Mountain goat;
• several species of antelope;
• poisonous reptiles;
• pikas, hamsters and other rodents;
• birds (snowcocks, eagles, vultures).

Main attractions

The Himalayan mountains are visited annually by tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world. Travelers come to these places to see the amazing mountain ranges, as well as get to know the culture of the local people. To spend unforgettable vacation, you should definitely explore the most interesting sights of the Himalayas.

Highest peaks

The Himalayas have become popular among tourists due to their highest peaks. Among them there are 14 peaks, the height of which exceeds 8 thousand meters. This is not the case in any other mountain system, so climbers from all over the planet come here.

Highest peaks:

1. Chomolungma (8848 m). Another name for the most famous point of the Himalayas is Everest. This Mountain peak located on the border of Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region. It is part of the Sagarmatha National Park and is its main attraction. This place is considered the capital of mountaineering. The most famous and experienced climbers come here, but not every one of them conquers the famous peak.
2. Chogori (8611 m). This mountain is only a few hundred meters lower than Everest. Despite this, climbers often forget about it and give preference to Chomolungma. Chogori is located on the border of Kashmir (a disputed territory) and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, so climbers often have difficulty entering these regions. It was possible to conquer the peak only in the summer. All attempts during the cold season ended in serious health problems or death.
3. Kanchenjunga (8586 m). This one is located mountain range on the border of Nepal and the state of Sikkim (India). It includes 5 high peaks, most of which reach a height of 8 thousand meters. Kanchenjunga is the main natural object the national park of the same name, which is visited annually by several tens of thousands of tourists. Climbing one of the peaks is considered very dangerous and in every fifth case leads to the death of the climber.
4. Lhotse (8516 m). This mountain is located just a few kilometers from Everest. One part of it is located in Nepal, and the other in Tibet. The peak is considered one of the most difficult to climb, therefore it is the absolute leader (among eight-thousanders) in terms of the number of unsuccessful attempts.

Famous natural sites

The Himalayan mountains are popular among tourists. Every traveler has the opportunity to go on an excursion to numerous national parks and to look natural attractions:

1. Lake Prashar. The famous alpine reservoir is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh (India). It got its name in honor of an ancient sage who, after meditation, could perform miracles. There is a small floating island in the center of the lake, and an old temple on the shore. The reservoir is considered holy, so only a few people have access to it. A tourist can take a photograph of the object and wash himself with water specially brought by the clergy.
2. Pangong Tso Lake. This is one of the largest and most beautiful salt water bodies of the Asian continent. Around it there are dense forests in which several species can be found rare plants, and also see a lot of animals (kiangs, marmots, gulls, mountain geese, Brahman ducks). Famous Indian films are often filmed here, so every traveler has the opportunity to meet popular Bollywood actors.
3. Indus River One of the main waterways of Asia originates in the Himalayas. The river delta is considered the largest in the world. Every tourist has the opportunity to go fishing and admire beautiful landscape, and also meet representatives of the local fauna. The river is home to a rare species of dolphins, which is listed in the Red Book. Due to climate change and the lack of large amounts of precipitation, the river is gradually becoming shallower, causing irreparable harm to the entire ecosystem.
4. The Kullu Valley (Himachal-Pralesh state, India) is located at an altitude of 1280 m above sea level, so it has all the conditions for a comfortable life for mammals and reptiles. The Beas River flows through the valley, on the banks of which there are several settlements. Local residents are engaged in agriculture, growing fruits and vegetables. The tourist's attention can be attracted by numerous ancient temples and other architectural structures.
5. Valley of Flowers National Park. This protected area is located in one of the highest regions of the western Himalayas. In a small valley, which is quite difficult to reach, hundreds of species of flowers grow. Some of them cannot be found in any other corner of the world. Since 1988, the national park has been included in the list of objects World Heritage UNESCO.

Architectural monuments

The first people appeared in the Himalayas several thousand years ago. They began to build temples and architectural objects that attract the attention of travelers:

1. Peace Pagoda. This building was built several centuries ago on the top of one of the hills located high in the Himalayas. The religious building serves as a place for prayer and meditation for followers of Buddhism. A beautiful staircase leads to the object, raising people to a fairly large height. Tourists have the opportunity to see the city of Lech from a bird's eye view and admire the surrounding forests.
2. Pemayangze Monastery was built in the 17th century and was intended only for monks of the highest rank. Anyone can visit this building. Despite the not very attractive facade, the interior decoration is striking in luxury. Here you can see unique contour frescoes, columns, as well as figurines of gods and demons.
3. Ghum Monastery was built at the foot of the Himalayas, on the border of India and Nepal. Travelers will love the appearance of the building, which is a multi-colored three-tier structure. Inside there is a statue of Buddha sitting on the ground. This monastery is home to several people who perform their sacred duties every day.
4. The holy city of Manikaran is located in the Parvati Valley, located at an altitude of about 1.7 thousand meters above sea level. The main attraction of the museum under open air is a Sikh temple Gurudwara. Any foreigner can enter it, but to do this they will need to take off their shoes and cover their heads.
5. Dr. Graham's House is a large educational complex that was built in the early years of the 20th century. At that time, its owner was John Graham, who taught children writing, religion and love of nature for free. Main feature This institution was that boys and girls were not divided into groups, but were given the opportunity to study together. In the 21st century, the complex became a museum. Having visited it, you can see the classrooms in which children studied, recreation rooms, as well as a church for worship.

The Himalayas are a special mountain system that attracts the attention of tourists and lovers extreme species sports Here you have the opportunity to get an adrenaline rush, test your strength, and meet one-on-one with wild nature.

The Himalayan mountains extend for approximately 2,500 km across several Asian countries. Nine of the ten highest peaks in the world are located here, including Everest. The word "Himalaya" in Sanskrit means "abode of snow". Many of Asia's major rivers originate here. The Himalayas are the third largest deposit of ice and snow. It is also home to a large number of plants, birds and animals.

Description of the Himalayas

Probably the most popular reason people travel to Tibet and Nepal is to see the tallest and most impressive mountain range in the world. No trip to these countries is complete without visiting the Himalayas, especially Mount Everest.

Over the centuries, a unique culture has developed here, which unites nature and people into one whole. This region is the birthplace of Buddha. It's full of sacred natural places such as secret valleys and high mountain lakes.

The Himalayas, home to various natural areas, face many challenges and governments are under pressure to provide for their people and protect their natural heritage. Protected areas become isolated pockets, and scores of poachers destroy rare wildlife to fill the illegal market. The effects of global climate change are melting glaciers at a rate faster than ever recorded in human history, threatening a vital source fresh water for billions of people in Asia.

Geomorphotectonic characteristics

The Himalayas are a crescent-shaped mountain range extending from the southern Indus Valley beyond Nanga Parbat in the west to Namjagbarw in the east. Its width varies from 350 km in the west to 150 km in the east. The majestic mountain range stands like a wall bordering the entire northern edge of the Indian subcontinent.

Geomorphologically, their most unique feature is their height. The Himalayas are famous for containing 10 of the 14 peaks above 8,000 meters.

An important geomorphotectonic feature is the sharp bend of the Himalayas and their associated mountain ranges, which connect to the Sulaiman and Kirthara ranges in the west. A similar sharp bend is observed at the eastern end, where the mountain range joins the northeastern Indo-Myanmar range represented by the Naga and Arakan Yoma mountains. These two sharp bends on either side are known as the "syntactic bends" of the Himalayan range. The highest peaks are located in different parts of the mountains, but most of them are concentrated in the central part.

Geophysical characteristics

They are as unique as the geomorphotectonic features of the mountain range. Most distinctive feature is the thickness earth's crust, which increases from about 35 to 40 km on the Indus-Ganges-Brahmaputra plains to 65-80 km over the Greater Himalayas. The thickness of the continental crust underlying the mountains is reflected in a pattern of negative gravity anomalies between > -150 and > −350 mGal along the entire length of the mountain belt.

Himalayan geomorphology reflects various aspects of structural geomorphological features that arose in response to orogenic forces (relating to the final stage of development of tectonically mobile zones of the earth's crust) that occurred during the relatively recent history of erosion. The mountain range is axially divided into several units, each of which has a distinct lithotectonic and geomorphological character and evolutionary history.

Division into zones

They are divided axially into the following five units. Each has distinctive lithotectonic characteristics and evolutionary history:

1. Sub-Himalayas, where there is a belt of late Tertiary molasse deposits 10-50 km wide, which form the Siwalik group. This belt also includes the older Murree formations and their equivalent, Dharamshalas.
2. The Lesser Himalayas, where there is a belt 60-80 km wide, which consists mainly of low-grade metamorphic rocks of the Proterozoic period. It is covered with layers of granite and metamorphic rocks.
3. The Greater Himalayas contain a belt of predominantly Precambrian metamorphic rocks. And younger (Cenozoic), 10-15 km thick. This is also the area of ​​greatest uplift.
4. Trans-Himalaya: A belt of predominantly shelf (usually fossiliferous) late Proterozoic and Cretaceous sediments bounded by the Indus-Tsangpo Suture Zone (ITSZ), a relatively narrow belt of ophiolites and associated sediments. It is the junction of the Indian continental block with the Tibetan block. North of the ITSZ is a belt of 40-100 Ma granitoids known as the Trans-Himalayan Batholithic Granites.

Peaks

Mount Shisha Pangma is the fourteenth highest mountain in the world and the most high mountain, which is entirely located in the Himalayas of Tibet. Shisha Pangma is easy to reach. Good view the summit opens from the Tong La pass along the Friendship Highway. Thong La Pass rises to an altitude of up to 5,150 meters and on a clear day offers magnificent views of the mountains.

Cho Oyu is the sixth most high peak on the planet and rises to 8201 meters. It is located along the border of Tibet and Nepal. Beautiful views of Cho Oyu can be seen from Gokyo, a small village in the Nepalese Himalayas that can only be reached by one of the most beautiful trekking routes. It starts and ends in Lukla and takes about 12 days.

The city of Old Tingri in Tibet also offers beautiful views of this giant peak. From Old Tingri, in 3 hours you can drive to the base camp, where expeditions to the mountain begin. Of the 14 peaks on the planet that rise above 8,000 meters, Cho Oyu is considered the least difficult to climb. This peak was first conquered in October 1954.

Makalu is one of the most beautiful of the 14 eight-thousanders. It is located 19 km from Mount Everest along the Tibet-Nepal border at an altitude of 8485 meters. It was first conquered in 1955.

There are other famous peaks. These are Karakoru, Kailash, Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat, Annapurna and Manasklu.

The largest mountain in the world

Everest is the highest point of the Himalayas ( 8848 meters). This is the highest peak on the planet. It can be viewed from both the Nepal and Tibet sides. The Himalayas on both sides look stunning. The small mountain Kala Patthar in Nepal offers stunning views of Everest. To get to Kala Patthara, you need to start from the small village of Lukla. From Lukla, it takes about 7 or 8 days to trek to Gorak Shep, the closest base camp to Kala Patthar on the Everest side on the Nepal side. From Gorak Shep it will take 90 minutes to 2 hours of steep climb to reach Kala Patthar, which is 5545 meters high. However, Everest itself cannot be seen from the base camp on the Nepal side, although nearby Kala Patthara offers magnificent views.

The Nepalese and Sherpas call this mountain Sagarmatha, and the Tibetans call it Chomolungma (Chomolungma). Since the 1920s, many of the world's best climbers have attempted to scale Mount Everest, and May 29, 1953 marked the first successful ascent of Tenzing Norgay (Nepal) and Sir Edmund Hillary ( New Zealand).

Geography and ecology

They extend across the northeastern part of India. There is no clear answer to the question of which country the Himalayas are in: they pass through India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal. They stretch for about 2400 km. The Himalayan range consists of three parallel ranges, often called the Greater, Lesser and Outer Himalayas.

The two peaks, Everest and 2K (Chogori, designated as the second peak of the Karakoram), tend to dominate the perception of the region. The Himalayas are rich in biodiversity. The climate ranges from tropical at the foot of the mountains to perennial snow and glaciers at the highest altitudes.

Nature

Here you can find several natural areas. They are discussed below.

1. Mountain meadows and shrubs: they can be found at an altitude of three to five thousand meters. These areas typically have cold winters and mild summers, which encourage plant growth. Rhododendrons tower above the bushes, while alpine meadows, located directly above them, are distinguished by a variety of flora in the warm months. The snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, and musk deer live here.
2. Temperate coniferous forests: In the northeast, temperate subalpine coniferous forests are found at altitudes ranging from two and a half to 4,200 meters. Situated in an inland valley, these forests are protected from harsh monsoon conditions by the surrounding mountain ranges. Mostly pine, hemlock, spruce and fir grow here. Animal world represented by red pandas, takins and musk deers.
3. Moderate deciduous and mixed forests. At medium altitudes, from two to three thousand meters, the eastern region contains broadleaf and coniferous forests. These forests receive almost 200 cm of annual rainfall, mostly during the monsoon season. In addition to oaks and maples, orchids, lichens and ferns grow here. During the cold season, you can find more than 500 species of birds that stop here during the migration period. Golden monkeys, langurs, also live here.
4. Tropical and subtropical deciduous forests. They are located at a Himalayan altitude of 500 to 1000 meters along a narrow strip of the Main Himalayan Range. Due to the varied topography, soil types and rainfall levels, a wide variety of plants grow here. Subtropical dry evergreen forests, northern dry mixed deciduous forests, moist mixed deciduous forests, subtropical broadleaf forests, northern tropical semi-evergreen forests and northern tropical moist evergreen forests can be found here. Wildlife includes many critically endangered species, including tigers and Asian elephants. More than 340 different bird species can be found in this region.

Rivers and glaciers

The Indus, Yangtze, Ganges and Brahmaputra originate in the Himalayas. All of them are major river systems in Asia. The main ones in the Himalayas are the Ganges, Indus, Yarlung, Yangtze, Mekong and Nujiang.

The Himalayas are the third largest deposit of ice and snow in the world after Antarctica and the Arctic. There are about 15,000 glaciers throughout the territory. The length of the Himalayan Siachen is 72 km. It is the largest glacier outside the poles. Other famous glaciers located in the Himalayas are Baltoro, Biafo, Nubru and Hispur.

What can you add to the description of the mountains? Please note a few interesting facts.

1. The Himalayas were created by the movement of tectonic plates that pushed India into Tibet.
2. Due to the large number of tectonic movements still occurring here, the mountains experience a lot of earthquakes and tremors.
3. This is one of the youngest mountain ranges on the planet.
4. Mountains influence air and water circulation systems and, accordingly, weather in the region.
5. They cover approximately 75% of Nepal's territory.
6. Serving as a natural barrier for tens of thousands of years, they prevented early interaction between the inhabitants of India and the peoples of China and Mongolia.
7. Everest was named after Colonel Sir George Everest, a British surveyor who lived in India in the early to mid-nineteenth century.
8. The Nepali name for Everest "Samgarmatha" translates to "Goddess of the Universe" or "Forehead of the Sky".

So, this article looked at the highest and most impressive mountain range in the world. This is the Himalayan range.

The Himalayas in India and China are the most high mountains on the ground.

Where is it located and how to get there

Geographical coordinates:Latitude:29°14′11″N (29.236449), Longitude:85°14′59″E (85.249851)
Directions from Moscow-You come to China or India and it’s just a stone’s throw away. Don't forget your mountain gear
Travel from St. Petersburg: You come to Moscow and then come to China or India and it’s just a stone’s throw away. Don't forget your mountain gear
Distance from Moscow - 7874 km, from St. Petersburg - 8558 km.

Description in the encyclopedic dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron (published at the border of the 19th-20th centuries)

Himalayan mountains
(Himalaja, in Sanskrit - winter or snowy dwelling, among the Greeks and Romans Imans and Hemodus) - the highest mountains on Earth; separate Hindustan and the western part of Indochina from the Tibetan Plateau and extend from the place where the Indus emerges from them (at 73°23′E Greenwich) to southeast direction to the Brahmaputra (at 95°23′ E) for 2375 km with a width of 220-300 km. West Side Himalayas (hereinafter G.) at 36° N. w. so closely connected into one mountain node (the greatest on Earth) with the almost parallel beginning of the Karakoram ridge (see), which stretches at a short distance from it, with the Kuen-Lun ridge, limiting Tibet from the north, and with the Hindu Ku, that all these four mountain ranges are part of one hill. The G. Mountains make up the southernmost and highest of these ranges. The eastern end of the G. mountains passes approximately to the 28th parallel to the northern. parts of the British province of Assam and Burma into the Yun Ling Mountains already belonging to China. Both mountain masses are separated from each other by the Brahmaputra, which cuts the mountains here and makes a bend from N to SW. If we imagine a line running south from Lake Mansarovar, which lies between the sources of the Settlej and the Brahmaputra, then it will divide the G. mountains into the west. and east half and at the same time will serve as an ethnographic border between the Aryan population of the Indus basin and the population of Tibet. The average height of the city is 6941 m; numerous peaks are well above this line. Some of them are higher than all the peaks of the Andes and represent the highest points earth's surface. Up to 225 of these peaks have been measured; of which 18 rise above 7600 m, 40 above 7000, 120 above 6100. The highest of all are Gaurizankar, or Mount Everest, at 8840 m, Kantschinjinga at 8581 m and Dhawalagiri at 8177 m. All of them lie in the eastern half of the G. mountains. The average height of the snow line on the G. mountains is approximately 4940 m in the south. slope and 5300 m to the north. Of the huge glaciers, some descend to 3400 and even 3100 m. The average height of the passages (Ghâts) leading through the mountains, of which 21 are known, is 5500 m; the height of the highest of them, the Ibi-Gamin pass, between Tibet and Garhwal, is 6240 m; the height of the lowest, Bara-Latscha, is 4900 m. The mountains do not form one completely continuous and continuous chain, but consist of a system of more or less long ridges; partly parallel, partly intersecting, wide and narrow valleys lie between them. There are no real plateaus in the Georgian mountains. Generally southern. the G. side of the mountains is more fragmented than the northern side; there are more spurs and side ridges, between which lie the states of Kashmir, Gariwal, Kamaon, Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan, more or less dependent on the Indo-British government. To the south On the G. side of the mountains, tributaries of the Indus originate: Jhelum, Shenab and Ravi, the Ganges with its left tributaries and the Jamuni.
G. mountains, more than all other mountains on the globe, are rich in the majestic beauties of nature; They present a particularly picturesque view from the south. Concerning geological structure G. g., then at the base predominantly sandstones and clastic rocks are visible. Higher up, to approximately 3000-3500 m altitude, gneiss, mica, chlorite and talc schist predominate, cut through often by thick veins of granite. The higher peaks consist mainly of gneiss and granite. Volcanic rocks are not found on the G. mountains and in general there are no signs of volcanic activity here, although there are various hot springs (up to 30 in number), the most famous of which are located in Badrinath (see). The vegetation is extremely diverse. At the southern base of the east. Half of the swampland, called Tarai, is unhealthy and unsuitable for settlement, 15-50 km wide, overgrown impenetrable jungle and giant grass. It is followed, up to an altitude of approximately 1000 m, by extremely rich tropical and especially Indian vegetation, followed up to an altitude of 2500 m by forests of oaks, chestnuts, laurel trees, etc. Between 2500 and 3500 m the flora corresponds to the flora of southern and central Europe ; conifers predominate, namely Pinus Deodora, P. excelsa, P. longifolia, Aties Webbiana, Picea Morinda, etc. The border of tree vegetation runs higher to the north. side (the last tree species here is birch) than on the south. (one species of oak, Quercus semicarpifolia, rises highest here). The next area of ​​bushes reaches the snow line and to the north. side ends with one species of Genista, on the south. - several species of Rhododendron, Salix and Ribes. Cultivation on the Tibetan side rises to 4600 m, on the Indian side only to 3700; the grasses on the first grow up to 5290 m, on the second - up to 4600 m. The fauna of the mountains is also extremely interesting and very rich. To the south on the side up to 1200 m it is specially Indian; its representatives are the tiger, elephant, monkeys, parrots, pheasants and beautiful views chickens In the middle region of the mountains there are bears, musk deer and various species of antelope, and in the north. on the side adjacent to Tibet - wild horses, wild bulls (yaks), wild sheep and mountain goats, as well as some other mammals belonging to the fauna of Central Asia and especially Tibet. The G. mountains not only constitute the political border between the Anglo-Indian possessions and Tibet, but in general also the ethnographic border between the Hindu Aryans living south of the G. mountains and the inhabitants of Tibet belonging to the Mongolian tribe. Both tribes spread through the valleys deep into the mountains and mixed with each other in various ways. The population is densest in extremely fertile valleys, at an altitude of 1500 to 2500 m. At an altitude of 3000 it becomes rare.
History of the name (toponym)
Himalayas, from Nepalese himal - “snowy mountain”.

The Himalayas are the highest and most powerful mountain system on the entire globe. It is assumed that tens of millions of years ago, the rocks that make up the Himalayan mountains formed the bottom of the ancient Tethys proto-ocean. The peaks began to gradually rise above the water as a result of the collision of the Indian tectonic plate with the Asian continent. The process of growth of the Himalayas took many millions of years, and not a single mountain system in the world can compare with them in the number of peaks - “seven thousand meters” and “eight thousand meters”.

Story

Researchers who studied the history of the origin of this in many respects unusual mountain system came to the conclusion that the formation of the Himalayas occurred in several stages, according to which the regions of the Shivalik Mountains (Pre-Himalayas), Lesser Himalayas and Greater Himalayas are distinguished. The first to break through the water surface were the Great Himalayas, whose hypothetical age is approximately 38 million years. After about 12 million years, the gradual formation of the Lesser Himalayas began. Finally, relatively recently, “only” seven million years ago, the “younger” Shivalik mountains saw the seeds.

Interestingly, people have been climbing the Himalayas since ancient times. First of all, because these mountains have long been endowed with magical properties. According to ancient Buddhist and Hindu legends, many mythological creatures lived here. In classical Hinduism, it is generally accepted that Shiva and his wife once lived in the Himalayas. Shiva is the god of creative destruction, one of the three most revered gods in Hinduism. If Shiva is a kind of reformer, in modern terms, then Buddha - who achieved enlightenment (bodhi) - was born, according to legend, at the southern foothills of the Himalayas.
Already in the 7th century, the first trade routes connecting China and India appeared in the rugged Himalayas. Some of these routes still play an important role in trade between the two countries (of course, these days we are not talking about multi-day treks on foot, but about road transport). In the 30s of the XX century. there was an idea to do transport connection more convenient, for which you need to lay railway through the Himalayas, but the project was never brought to life.
However, serious exploration of the Himalayan mountains began only in the period of the 18th-19th centuries. The work was extremely difficult, and the results left much to be desired: for a long time, topographers were unable to determine the height of the main peaks or draw up accurate topographic maps. But difficult trials only fueled the interest and enthusiasm of European scientists and researchers.
In the mid-19th century, attempts were made to conquer the highest peak in the world - (Chomolungma). But the great mountain, towering 8848 m above the ground, could give victory only to the strongest. After countless unsuccessful expeditions, on May 29, 1953, man finally managed to reach the top of Everest: the first to overcome the most difficult route was New Zealander Edmund Hillary, accompanied by Sherpa Norgay Tenzing.

The Himalayas are one of the centers of pilgrimage in the world, especially for adherents of Buddhism and Hinduism. In most cases, temples are located in holy Himalayan places in honor of the deities with whose deeds this or that place is associated. Thus, the temple of Sri Kedarnath Mandir is dedicated to the god Shiva, and in the south of the Himalayas, at the source of the Jamuna River, in the 19th century. A temple was built in honor of the goddess Yamuna (Jamuna).

Nature

Many people are attracted to the Himalayas by their diversity and uniqueness. natural features. With the exception of the gloomy and cold northern slopes, the Himalayan mountains are covered with dense forests. The vegetation of the southern part of the Himalayas is especially rich, where the humidity level is extremely high and the average rainfall can reach 5500 mm per year. Here, like layers of a pie, zones of swampy jungle (the so-called terai), tropical thickets, and stripes of evergreen and coniferous plants replace each other.
Many areas in the Himalayan Mountains are under state protection. One of the most important and at the same time the most difficult to pass is Sagarmatha National Park. Everest is located on its territory. In the western region of the Himalayas lies the domain of the Nanda Devi Nature Reserve, which since 2005 has included the Valley of Flowers, which enchants with its natural palette of colors and shades. It is preserved by vast meadows full of delicate alpine flowers. Among this splendor, far from human eyes, live rare species predators, including snow leopards (no more than 7,500 of these animals remain in the wild), Himalayan and brown bears.

Tourism

The Western Himalayas are famous for their high-class Indian mountain resorts (Shimla, Darjeeling, Shillong). Here, in an atmosphere of complete peace and detachment from the bustle, you can not only enjoy breathtaking mountain views and air, but also play golf or ride a alpine skiing(although most Himalayan routes are classified as “expert”, but western slopes There are also trails for beginners).
Not only lovers of outdoor recreation and exotic things come to the Himalayas, but also seekers of real, unprogrammed adventures. Since the world became aware of the first ever successful ascent of the slopes of Everest, thousands of climbers of all ages and levels of training began to come to the Himalayas every year to test their strength and skills. Of course, not everyone achieves their cherished goal; some travelers pay for their courage with their lives. Even with an experienced guide and good equipment, traveling to the top of Chomolungma can be a difficult ordeal: in some areas the temperature drops to -60ºС, and the icy wind speed can reach 200 m/s. Those who dare to make such a difficult trek have to endure the vagaries of mountain weather and hardships for more than one week: guests of Chomolungma have every chance to spend about two months in the mountains.

general information

The highest mountain system in the world. Located between the Tibetan Plateau and the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

Countries: India, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan.
Largest cities:, Patan (Nepal), (Tibet), Thimphu, Punakha (Bhutan), Srinagar (India).
Largest rivers: Indus, Brahmaputra, Ganges.

Largest airport: international Airport Kathmandu.

Numbers

Length: more than 2400 km.
Width: 180-350 km.

Area: about 650,000 km2.

Average altitude: 6000 m.

Highest point: Mount Everest (Chomolungma), 8848 m.

Economy

Agriculture: tea and rice plantations, growing corn, grains; livestock farming

Service sector: tourism (mountaineering, climatic resorts).
Minerals: gold, copper, chromite, sapphires.

Climate and weather

Varies greatly.

Average summer temperature: in the east (in the valleys) +35ºС, in the west +18ºС.

Average winter temperature: down to -28ºС (above 5000-6000 m temperatures are negative all year round, they can reach -60ºС).
Average precipitation: 1000-5500 mm.

Attractions

Kathmandu

Temple complexes of Budanilkantha, Boudhanath and Swayambhunath

National Museum of Nepal

Lhasa

Potala Palace

Among the conquerors of Everest there are also “originals”. On May 25, 2008, the oldest climber in the history of climbing, a native of Nepal, Min Bahadur Shirchan, who was 76 years old at that time, overcame the path to the summit. There have been cases when very young travelers took part in expeditions. The latest record was broken by Jordan Romero from California, who climbed in May 2010 at the age of thirteen (before him, fifteen-year-old Tembu Tsheri Sherpa was considered the youngest guest of Chomolungma).

The development of tourism does not benefit the nature of the Himalayas: even here there is no escape from the garbage left by people. Moreover, in the future there may be severe pollution of the rivers that originate here. The main problem is that these rivers provide millions of people with drinking water.

Shambhala is a mythical country in Tibet, about which many ancient texts tell. Buddha's followers believe in its existence unconditionally. It captivates the minds of not only lovers of all kinds of secret knowledge, but also serious scientists and philosophers. In particular, the most prominent Russian ethnologist L.N. had no doubt about the reality of Shambhala. Gumilev. However, there is still no irrefutable evidence of its existence. Or they are irretrievably lost. For the sake of objectivity, it should be said: many believe that Shambhala is not located in the Himalayas at all. But in the very interest of people in the legends about her lies proof that we all really need the belief that somewhere there is a key to the evolution of humanity, which is owned by bright and wise forces. Even if this key is not a guide on how to become happy, but just an idea. Not yet open...

The majestic Himalayas... A harsh land of pristine beauty, where a person can be alone with the whole world. Thousands of square kilometers of mountains and amazing wildlife, evoking thoughts about the eternal mysteries of existence - all this can be found by a wanderer in the Himalayas. The top of the world is here and we invite you to learn more about it.

Where are the Himalayas located?

About 70 million years ago, two giant tectonic plates collided - the Indo-American and Eurasian plates. A powerful shock laid the foundation for the largest mountain system on our planet. Just imagine: it takes up 0.4% of total area planet, which is incredibly large in relation to other geographical objects.

The Himalayas are located on the Eurasian continent, in the Asian part. They border on the Tibetan Plateau in the north and the Indo-Gangetic Plain in the south. The length of the system is more than 2400 km, the width reaches 350 km. Adjacent to the southern part of the Himalayas are the so-called Pre-Himalayas - the smaller Siwalik Mountains. This mountain system contains many of the highest peaks in the world. The average height of the mountain ridges of the Himalayas is 6000 meters. The highest is the famous Mount Everest (otherwise known as Chomolungma, 8848 meters). And this, as we probably remember, - highest point of our planet.

The Himalayan ranges give rise to the most big rivers in southern Asia: Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra.

We already have the first data, namely, where the Himalayas are located. More specifically about countries with mountainous landscapes below.

Countries whose territories cover the Himalayas

Since the borders of countries are divided almost regardless of relief features, the Himalayan mountain ranges are located in several. These countries are India, Nepal, China (the area known as Tibet), Bhutan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar, Tajikistan. Each of them got a piece of beautiful natural formation.

The area of ​​the entire mountain system is about 650 thousand square kilometers. At a distance from one another, many peoples live here. Natural conditions The conditions here are extremely harsh: cold at high altitudes, dangerous terrain. However local residents happy about our magnificent home.

The first secrets have already been revealed to us by the Himalayas: where they are, a country (even several) that has mountainous areas on its territory. More about climatic conditions in the territories of the Himalayas.

Climate Features

The Himalayas are a particularly large landform. The mountains themselves on their southern side are swampy jungles, lush tropical forests, coniferous and deciduous, as well as a variety of shrubby plants and meadows. The northern slopes are not so rich and diverse. Their surfaces are semi-deserts and mountain steppes. The ridges of the Himalayan ranges are of the Alpine type - sharp, steep. Huge glaciers lie on them in immeasurable quantities.

It is noteworthy that the coordinates where the Himalayas are located are such that the mountain system serves as a natural climatic boundary between the tropics of the south and the desert lands north of the Himalayas. The colossal areas and high altitudes of the mountains greatly influenced the climate of the surrounding countries. So, south of the Himalayas, at their very foot, there is a city with the most rainfall on the planet. This happens because the mountains trap precipitation moving with air masses from the Indian Ocean, and it falls at their feet. At an altitude of 4500 meters above sea level in the Himalayas there is a zone of eternal snow.

The Himalayas, where there are huge glaciers, impressed us. What about the inhabitants of the mountain system?

Residents of the mountain system

Surprisingly, many people live in such harsh conditions as in the Himalayas. According to scientists, records of the first settlements of the mountain system date back to 8000 BC. e. People came from the south (peoples from the Hindustan Peninsula) and from northeast direction(Tibetans), and from the west (Turkic peoples).
People built their settlements in the valleys. Their remoteness from one another contributed to the separate development of these ethnic groups.

Readers must have wondered: how can one survive in such inhospitable places? Those communities that led a sedentary lifestyle engaged in subsistence farming where there were all the conditions for this: horizontal surface, water, more or less fertile soil, suitable climate. Modern inhabitants of the Himalayan valleys also provide for themselves with their own labor. Here is another phenomenon that amazed us in the Himalayas, where some of the oldest natural farming is located.

In higher territories, the key occupation of the local population is transhumance. There is an opportunity to practice it almost everywhere up to the edge of the snow.

And we will look at some more facts that will be interesting to know about the Himalayas.

Apart from knowing where the Himalayas are, several other features of this corner of the planet will also be interesting. We know about the Himalayas that this is the most inaccessible, highest (on average) mountain system in the world. But what does their name mean?

The word "Himalaya" means "Abode of Snow". And indeed: after all, already at an altitude of 4.5 kilometers, the snow here never melts. In terms of the amount of snow, this natural form is in third place on the planet. Only the Arctic and Antarctic have overtaken the Himalayas.
It is also interesting to know that with such a cold climate in most mountain areas, Hindus are sure that they are the refuge of their god Shiva.

Mount Everest (Qomolungma) is the highest in the world (above sea level). She is associated with triumph. Extreme sports enthusiasts from all over the world are literally trying to climb Everest. This first happened in 1953, when Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit. Mountaineering in the Himalayas is very popular. The mountain system contains ten of the fourteen eight-thousander mountains (in fact, their height is even slightly higher). Conquering them all is the dream of professional mountaineers.

This concludes our article about where the Himalayas are and what this mountain system is.

Conclusion

“The Abode of Snows”, the Himalayas are the mountains to which the prefix “most” is firmly attached. The highest, the most inaccessible... And people strive to get here in order to experience the power of nature, which created such a miracle. But the Himalayas do not invite guests. They are unshakable and stern. However, brave travelers should try to become friends with the “heavenly Empire”. Yes, truly “under heaven”, because the sky is so close here!