One of the most famous miraculous wonders of the world are the Himalayan mountains. It's not only the scale of this creation of nature, but also the huge amount of unknown that these gigantic peaks are fraught with.
Where are the Himalayas?
The Himalayan mountain range passes through the territory of five states - this is India, China, Pakistan, Nepal and the Kingdom of Bhutan... The eastern foothills of the ridge touch the northern borders of the Republic of Bangladesh.
Mountain ranges rise in the north, completing the Tibetan Plateau, and separate from it the vast areas of the Indian Peninsula - the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
Even the average height of the entire mountain system reaches 6 thousand meters. It is in the Himalayas that the main number of "eight-thousanders" are located - mountain peaks, the height of which exceeds the mark of 8 kilometers. Of the 14 such peaks on the planet's surface, 10 are located in the Himalayas.
Himalaya mountains on the map
Himalayas on world map
The highest and inaccessible mountains of the planet are the Himalayas. The name comes from the ancient Indian Sanskrit, and literally means "Snow abode"... They settled down in a giant loop on the continent, serving as a kind of border between Central and South Asia. The length of the mountain ranges from west to east is slightly less than 3 thousand km, and the total area of \u200b\u200bthe entire mountain system is about 650 thousand square meters. km.
The entire mountain range of the Himalayas consists of three peculiar steps:
- The first one is Pre-Himalayas (local name - Shivalik Ridge) is the lowest of all, the mountain peaks of which do not rise more than 2000 meters.
- The second stage - the Dhaoladhar, Pir-Panjal and several other, smaller ranges are called Small Himalayas... The name is rather arbitrary, since the peaks are already rising to solid heights - up to 4 kilometers.
- Behind them are several fertile valleys (Kashmir, Kathmandu and others), serving as a transition to the highest points of the planet - Greater Himalayas... Two great South Asian rivers - the Brahmaputra from the east and the Indus from the west, seem to embrace this majestic mountain range, originating on its slopes. In addition, the Himalayas give life to the sacred Indian river - the Ganges.
Mount Chomolungma, also known as Everest
The highest point in the world, located on the border of Nepal and China - chomolungma mountain... However, it has several names and some variation in the assessment of its height. The names of this mountain peak in local dialects have always been associated with the divinity of its origin: Chomolungma in Tibetan, literally - "Divine", in Nepal it is called "Mother of the Gods" - Sagarmatha. There is another beautiful Tibetan name - “Mother - Queen of Snow-White Snows” - Chomo-Kankar. For Europeans, these names were too complicated, and in 1856 they named the mountain an anglicized name. Everest, in honor of the head of the British Colonial Survey, Sir George Everest.
Official today the height of Everest - 8,848 meters, taking into account the ice capand 8844 meters is the top of hard rock. But these indicators changed several times in one direction or another. Thus, the first measurement, taken in the middle of the 19th century, showed 29,000 feet (8,839 meters). However, the scientist surveyors did not like the too round number, and they freely added another 2 feet, which gave a value of 8840 m.The measurements continued a century later, when the height was determined at 8848 m.However, several geographers carried out their own calculations using the most modern radio direction finding and navigation. So two more values \u200b\u200bappeared - 8850 and even 8872 meters. However, these values \u200b\u200bwere not officially recognized.
Himalayan records
The Himalayas are a place of pilgrimage for the world's strongest climbers, for whom the conquest of their peaks is a cherished life goal. Chomolungma did not immediately submit - since the beginning of the last century, many attempts were made to climb the "roof of the world." The first who managed to achieve this goal was in 1953 new Zealand climber Edmund Hillary accompanied by a local guide - Sherpa Norgay Tenzing. The first successful Soviet expedition took place in 1982. In total, Everest has been conquered about 3700 times..
Unfortunately, the Himalayas also set sad records - 572 climbers died while trying to conquer their eight-kilometer heights. But the number of brave athletes is not decreasing, because the “capture” of all 14 “eight-thousanders” and the “Crown of the Earth” is the cherished dream of each of them. The total number of "crowned" winners to date is 30, including 3 women.
Ski resorts in India
The northern mountainous regions of India are a completely unique world, with their own philosophy and spirituality, ancient shrines and historical monuments, colorful population and a variety of natural landscapes. Any traveler will always find a lot of interesting things here.
Gulmarg (Valley of Flowers)
This resort is located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The height of the slopes is 1400-4138 m. Gulmarg was built in 1927 by the British, when they were "staying" in India, so it practically corresponds to European standards. The season here starts at the end of December and ends at the end of March.... They give out the appropriate equipment, so beginners should be comfortable enough, if, of course, they are not afraid of steep descents.
Narkanda
A small ski tourist center located not far from shimla city at an altitude of about 2400 meters, surrounded by a relict pine forest. Its snowy slopes are perfect for both beginners and experienced skiers.
Solang
A fairly well-known place for extreme recreation in ski circles. It is famous for its well-developed infrastructure, both sports and tourism. All who have visited these places always leave excellent reviews about the level of training of the coaching and service personnel of the resort.
Kufri
One of the most famous Indian ski resorts. It is located just two dozen kilometers from shimla city, which for many years was the seat of the English Viceroy of India. Kufri is also remarkable for the fact that in the immediate vicinity there is a huge natural Himalayan Nature National Park, where the wide variety of wild flora and fauna of these places is carefully preserved. Climbing up the slopes of the mountains, tourists manage to visit several climatic zones - from the thriving tropics to the harsh conditions of the northern latitudes.
Historical and cultural sights of the Himalayas
For those who prefer to devote their time to acquaintance with historical sites and cultural values, the Indian region of the Himalayas will provide these opportunities.
First of all, in these places, as already mentioned, there was the summer residence of the English governor in India - the viceroy. That is why the little village Shimla turned into a city - the state capital of Himchal Pradesh... The famous museum, housed in the Royal Palace, is replete with exhibits showing the cultural diversity of the region. Shimla is famous for its bazaar with traditional woolen products for these places, national Indian clothes, handmade jewelry made according to ancient technology. As a rule, a horse excursion through the surrounding picturesque mountains does not leave anyone indifferent.
Dharamsala for Buddhists, probably the same as Mecca for Muslims. Travelers here encounter hospitality of the local population unseen anywhere else in the world. In this small town is the residence of the Dalai Lama himself, who brought his Tibetan people here after long years of exile.
Visit the Indian Himalayas, and not visit the estate of Nicholas Roerich - unforgivable for a Russian! It is located in the town of Naggar, near the city of Manali. In addition to the environment in which the painter's family lived, visitors will see a large collection of original works by this great artist.
State capital of Jammu and Kashmir, shinagan city - another center of tourist pilgrimage. According to some theories, it was here that Jesus Christ found his last refuge. Travelers will certainly be shown the tomb of Yuz Asuf - a person identified with the Son of God. In the same city, you can see unique floating houses - houseboats... Probably, no one left here without purchasing products from the famous Kashmir wool as a keepsake.
Spiritual and health tourism
Spiritual principles and the cult of a healthy body are so closely intertwined in various directions of Indian philosophical schools that it is impossible to draw any visible division between them. Every year thousands of tourists come to the Indian Himalayas just to get acquainted with vedic sciences, ancient postulates yoga teachings, improving your body by ayurvedic canons Panchakarma.
The pilgrims' program necessarily includes visiting caves for deep meditation, waterfalls, ancient temples, bathing in the Ganges - a sacred river for Hindus. Suffering can hold conversations with spiritual mentors, receive parting words and recommendations from them for spiritual and physical cleansing. However, this topic is so vast and versatile that it requires a separate detailed presentation.
The natural grandeur and highly spiritual atmosphere of the Himalayas fascinates the human imagination. Anyone who has at least once touched the splendor of these places will always be obsessed with the dream of returning here at least once more.
Enchanting time-lapse video of the unshakable Himalayas
This video was shot frame by frame with a Nikon D800 camera for 50 days over 5000 km. Places in India: Spiti Valley, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Leh, Zanskar, Kashmir.
Ever since school days, we all know that the highest mountain on the planet is Everest, and it is located in the Himalayas. But not everyone has a clear idea of \u200b\u200bwhere, in fact, are the mountains of the Himalayas? In recent years, mountain tourism has become very popular, and if you are fond of it, then this miracle of nature - the Himalayas, is definitely worth a visit!
And these mountains are located on the territory of five states: India, China, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan. The total length of the largest mountain system on our planet is 2,400 kilometers, and its width is 350 kilometers. In terms of height, many peaks of the Himalayas are record holders. There are ten of the highest peaks on the planet, more than eight thousand meters high.
- Everest or Chomolungma 8848 meters above sea level. The highest mountain in the Himalayas was subdued to man only in 1953. All the ascents that were before that were not crowned with success, because the slopes of the mountain are very steep and dangerous. Strong winds blow at the summit, which, combined with very low night temperatures, are difficult tests for those who dared to conquer this inaccessible peak. Everest itself is located on the border of two states - China and Nepal.
In India, the Himalayas, thanks to their gentler slopes, which are not so dangerous, have become a refuge for monks who preach Buddhism and Hinduism. Their monasteries are located in large numbers in the Himalayas in India and Nepal. Pilgrims, followers of these religions and just tourists from all over the world flock here. Thanks to this, the Himalayas in these regions are very visited.
But ski tourism in the Himalayas is not popular, since there are no suitable gentle slopes for skiing, which could attract tourists en masse. All states where the Himalayas are located are popular mainly among climbers and pilgrims.
Traveling through the Himalayas is not such an easy adventure, it can only be done by a hardy and strong spirit. And if you have these forces in stock, then you should definitely go to India or Nepal. Here you can visit the most beautiful temples and monasteries, spread out on the picturesque slopes, take part in the evening prayer of Buddhist monks, and indulge in relaxing meditation and hatha yoga classes conducted by Indian gurus at dawn. Traveling through the mountains, you will personally see where such great rivers as the Ganges, Indus and Brahmaputra originate.
.general information
The Himalayan mountain system at the junction of Central and South Asia is over 2900 km long and about 350 km wide. The area is about 650 thousand km². The average height of the ridges is about 6 km, the maximum is 8848 m - Mount Chomolungma (Everest). There are 10 eight-thousanders - peaks over 8000 m above sea level. In the northwest of the western chain of the Himalayas, there is another highest mountain system - the Karakorum.
The population is mainly engaged in agriculture, although the climate allows the cultivation of only a few types of cereals, potatoes and some other vegetables. The fields are located on sloping terraces.
Name
The name of the mountains comes from the ancient Indian Sanskrit. "Himalaya" means "Snow abode" or "Kingdom of snows".
Geography
The entire mountain range of the Himalayas consists of three peculiar steps:
- The first one is the Pre-Himalayas (local name is the Shivalik ridge) - the lowest of all, the mountain peaks of which do not rise more than 2000 meters.
- The second stage is the Dhaoladhar, Pir-Panjal and several other, smaller ranges, called the Small Himalayas. The name is rather arbitrary, since the peaks are already rising to solid heights - up to 4 kilometers.
- Behind them are several fertile valleys (Kashmir, Kathmandu and others), serving as a transition to the highest points of the planet - the Great Himalayas. Two great South Asian rivers - the Brahmaputra from the east and the Indus from the west, seem to embrace this majestic mountain range, originating on its slopes. In addition, the Himalayas give life to the sacred Indian river - the Ganges.
Himalayan records
The Himalayas are a place of pilgrimage for the world's strongest climbers, for whom the conquest of their peaks is a cherished life goal. Chomolungma did not immediately submit - since the beginning of the last century, many attempts were made to climb the "roof of the world". The first to achieve this goal was in 1953 New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary, accompanied by a local guide, Sherpa Norgay Tenzing. The first successful Soviet expedition took place in 1982. In total, Everest has already been conquered about 3700 times.
Unfortunately, the Himalayas also set sad records - 572 climbers died while trying to conquer their eight-kilometer heights. But the number of brave athletes is not decreasing, because the “capture” of all 14 “eight-thousanders” and the “Crown of the Earth” is the cherished dream of each of them. The total number of "crowned" winners to date is 30, including 3 women.
Minerals
The Himalayas are rich in minerals. The axial crystalline zone contains deposits of copper ore, placer gold, arsenic and chromium ores. The foothills and intermontane basins contain oil, combustible gases, brown coal, potash and rock salts.
Climatic conditions
The Himalayas are the largest climatic division in Asia. To the north of them, continental air of temperate latitudes prevails, to the south - tropical air masses. Up to the southern slope of the Himalayas, the summer equatorial monsoon penetrates. The winds reach such a force there that they make it difficult to climb the highest peaks, so you can climb Chomolungma only in spring, in a short period of calm before the summer monsoon. On the northern slope, the winds of northern or western points blow throughout the year, coming from a continent that is supercooled in winter or strongly warmed up in summer, but always dry. From the north-west to the south-east, the Himalayas extend approximately between 35 and 28 ° N, and the summer monsoon hardly penetrates into the north-western sector of the mountain system. All this creates great climatic differences within the Himalayas.
Most of the precipitation falls in the eastern part of the southern slope (from 2000 to 3000 mm). In the west, their annual amounts do not exceed 1000 mm. Less than 1000 mm falls in the strip of internal tectonic depressions and in the internal river valleys. On the northern slope, especially in the valleys, the amount of precipitation drops sharply. In some places, the annual amounts are less than 100 mm. Above 1800 m, winter precipitation falls as snow, and above 4500 m, it snows throughout the year.
On the southern slopes up to an altitude of 2000 m, the average January temperature is 6 ... 7 ° С, July 18 ... 19 ° С; up to an altitude of 3000 m, the average temperature of the winter months does not fall below 0 ° С, and only above 4500 m the average temperature in July becomes negative. The snow boundary in the eastern part of the Himalayas runs at an altitude of 4500 m, in the western, less humid, - 5100-5300 m. On the northern slopes, the height of the nival belt is 700-1000 m higher than on the southern ones.
Natural waters
High altitude and abundant rainfall contribute to the formation of powerful glaciers and a dense river network. Glaciers and snow cover all the high peaks of the Himalayas, but the ends of the glacial tongues have significant absolute heights. Most of the Himalayan glaciers belong to the valley type and reach no more than 5 km in length. But the further east and more precipitation, the longer and lower glaciers descend along the slopes. On Chomolungma and Kanchenjunga the most powerful glaciation, the largest glaciers of the Himalayas are formed. These are glaciers of dendritic type with several feeding areas and one main trunk. The Zemu glacier on Kanchenjung reaches 25 km in length and ends at an altitude of about 4000 m. The 19 km long Rongbuk glacier slides from Chomolungma, which ends at an altitude of 5000 m. The Gangotri glacier in the Kumaon Himalayas reaches 26 km; one of the sources of the Ganges originates from it.
Especially many rivers flow down from the southern slope of the mountains. They begin in the glaciers of the Greater Himalayas and, crossing the Lesser Himalayas and the foothill zone, go out onto the plain. Some large rivers originate from the northern slope and, heading towards the Indo-Gangetic Plain, cut through the Himalayas with deep through valleys. This is the Indus, its tributary Sutlej and Brahmaputra (Tsangpo).
The Himalayan rivers are fed by rain, glaciers and snow, so the main maximum discharge occurs in summer. In the eastern part, the role of monsoon rains is great in nutrition, in the west - snow and ice of the alpine zone. The narrow gorges or canyon-like valleys of the Himalayas abound with waterfalls and rapids. From May, when the most violent melting of snow begins, and until October, when the summer monsoon ends, rivers rush down the mountains in stormy streams, carrying away masses of debris that they deposit when they leave the Himalayan foothills. Monsoon rains are often the cause of severe flooding on mountain rivers, during which bridges are washed away, roads are destroyed and landslides occur.
There are many lakes in the Himalayas, but among them there are none that can be compared in size and beauty with the Alpine ones. Some lakes, for example in the Kashmir Basin, occupy only a part of those tectonic depressions that were previously filled entirely. The Pir-Panjal ridge is known for numerous glacial lakes formed in ancient crust sinkholes or in river valleys as a result of moraine damming them.
Vegetation
On the abundantly moistened southern slope of the Himalayas, high-altitude zones from tropical forests to alpine tundras are exceptionally pronounced. At the same time, the southern slope is characterized by significant differences in the vegetation cover of the wet and hot eastern and drier and cold western parts. Along the foothills of the mountains, from their eastern end to the course of the Jamna River, there is a kind of swampy strip with black muddy soils, called terai. The terai are characterized by the jungle - dense tree and shrub thickets, in places almost impassable because of the lianas and consisting of a soap tree, mimosas, bananas, undersized palms, bamboos. Among the Terai there are cleared and drained areas that are used for the cultivation of various tropical crops.
Evergreen tropical forests of tall palms, laurels, tree ferns and gigantic bamboos, with many lianas (including rattan palm) and epiphytes, grow above the Terai along the humid slopes of mountains and along river valleys up to an altitude of 1000-1200 m. Drier areas are dominated by less dense fatwood forests that lose their foliage during the dry season, with rich undergrowth and grass cover.
At altitudes of more than 1000 m, subtropical species of evergreen and deciduous trees begin to mix with the thermophilic forms of the tropical forest: pines, evergreen oaks, magnolias, maples, chestnuts. At an altitude of 2000 m, subtropical forests give way to temperate forests of deciduous and coniferous trees, among which representatives of the subtropical flora, for example, magnificently flowering magnolias, are rarely found. Conifers, including silver fir, larch, and juniper dominate the upper border of the forest. The undergrowth is formed by dense thickets of treelike rhododendrons. Many mosses and lichens cover the soil and tree trunks. The subalpine belt replacing forests is represented by tall-grass meadows and thickets of shrubs, the vegetation of which gradually becomes lower and thinner in the transition to the alpine belt.
The high meadow vegetation of the Himalayas is unusually rich in species, including primroses, anemones, poppies and other brightly blooming perennial grasses. The upper limit of the alpine belt in the east reaches an altitude of about 5000 m, but individual plants are found much higher. When climbing Chomolungma, plants were found at an altitude of 6218 m.
In the western part of the southern slope of the Himalayas, due to the lower humidity, there is no such richness and diversity of vegetation, the flora is much poorer than in the east. There is absolutely no terai strip, the lower parts of the mountain slopes are covered with sparse xerophytic forests and thickets of shrubs, some subtropical Mediterranean species such as evergreen stone oak and golden-leafed olive are found higher up, coniferous forests of pines and the magnificent Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara) prevail even higher. The shrub undergrowth in these forests is poorer than in the east, but the meadow alpine vegetation is more diverse.
The landscapes of the northern ridges of the Himalayas, facing towards Tibet, approach the desert mountain landscapes of Central Asia. The change in vegetation with height is less pronounced than on the southern slopes. From the bottoms of large river valleys to the snow-covered peaks, rare thickets of dry grasses and xerophytic shrubs spread. Woody vegetation is found only in some river valleys in the form of thickets of low-growing poplars.
Animal world
The landscape differences in the Himalayas are reflected in the composition of the wild fauna. The diverse and rich fauna of the southern slopes has a distinctly tropical character. In the forests of the lower parts of the slopes and in the terai, many large mammals, reptiles, and insects are widespread. Elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, wild boars, antelopes are still found there. The jungle is literally teeming with various monkeys. Macaques and fine beetles are especially characteristic. Of the predators, the most dangerous for the population are tigers and leopards - spotted and black (black panthers). Peacocks, pheasants, parrots, wild chickens stand out among the birds for the beauty and brightness of plumage.
In the upper belt of the mountains and on the northern slopes, the fauna approaches the Tibetan in composition. The black Himalayan bear, wild goats and rams, yaks live there. There are especially many rodents.
Population and environmental problems
Most of the population is concentrated in the middle zone of the southern slope and in intramontane tectonic basins. There is a lot of cultivated land. Rice is sown on the irrigated flat bottoms of the hollows; tea bush, citrus fruits, and grapevines are grown on terraced slopes. Alpine pastures are used for grazing sheep, yaks and other livestock.
Due to the high altitude of the passes in the Himalayas, communication between the countries of the northern and southern slopes is significantly complicated. Some of the passes are covered by dirt roads or caravan trails, and there are very few highways in the Himalayas. The passes are only accessible in summer. In winter they are covered with snow and are completely impassable.
The inaccessibility of the territory played a favorable role in the preservation of the unique mountain landscapes of the Himalayas. Despite the significant agricultural development of low mountains and depressions, intensive grazing on mountain slopes and an ever-increasing influx of climbers from different countries of the world, the Himalayas remain a refuge for valuable species of plants and animals. The real "treasures" are the national parks of India and Nepal - Nan-Dadevi, Sagarmatha and Chitwan, included in the List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
sights
- Kathmandu: temple complexes of Budanilkantha, Bodnath and Swayambhunath, National Museum of Nepal;
- Lhasa: Potala Palace, Barkor Square, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery;
- Thimphu: Bhutan Textile Museum, Thimphu-chorten, Tashicho Dzong;
- Temple complexes of the Himalayas (including Sri Kedarnath Mandir, Yamunotri);
- Buddhist stupas (memorial or relic structures);
- Sagarmatha National Park (Everest);
- National Parks Nanda Devi and the Valley of Flowers.
Spiritual and health tourism
Spiritual principles and the cult of a healthy body are so closely intertwined in various directions of Indian philosophical schools that it is impossible to draw any visible division between them. Every year, thousands of tourists come to the Indian Himalayas precisely to get acquainted with the Vedic sciences, the ancient postulates of the teachings of Yoga, and the healing of their body according to the Ayurvedic canons of Panchakarma.
The pilgrims' program necessarily includes visiting caves for deep meditation, waterfalls, ancient temples, bathing in the Ganges, a river sacred to Hindus. Suffering can hold conversations with spiritual mentors, receive parting words and recommendations from them for spiritual and physical cleansing. However, this topic is so vast and versatile that it requires a separate detailed presentation.
The natural grandeur and highly spiritual atmosphere of the Himalayas fascinates the human imagination. Anyone who has at least once touched the splendor of these places will always be obsessed with the dream of returning here at least once more.
- About five or six centuries ago, a people called Sherpas migrated to the Himalayas. They know how to provide themselves with everything necessary for life in the highlands, but, in addition, they are practically monopolists in the profession of guides. Because they are really the best; the most knowledgeable and the most resilient.
- 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 at that time was 76 years old, covered the path to the top. There were cases when very young travelers took part in the expeditions.The last record was broken by Jordan Romero from California, who climbed in May 2010 at the age of thirteen (before him, the youngest guest of Chomolungma was considered the fifteen-year-old Sherpa Tembu Tsheri).
- 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, severe pollution of the rivers originating here is possible. 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. The followers of the Buddha believe in its existence unconditionally. It fascinates the minds of not only lovers of all kinds of secret knowledge, but also serious scientists and philosophers. In the reality of Shambala, in particular, the most prominent Russian ethnologist L.N. Gumilyov. However, there is still no conclusive evidence of its existence. Or they are irretrievably lost. For objectivity's sake, it should be said: many believe that Shambhala is not in the Himalayas at all. But in the very interest of people in the legends about her, there is evidence that we all really need the belief that somewhere there is a key to the evolution of mankind, which is possessed by the forces of light and wise. Even if this key is not a guide on how to be happy, but just an idea. Not yet open ...
The Himalayas in art, literature and cinema
- Kim is a novel written by Joseph Kipling. It tells the story of a boy who gazes with delight at British imperialism as he survived the Great Game.
- Shangri-La is a fictional country located in the Himalayas, described in the novel "Lost Horizon" by James Hilton.
- Tintin in Tibet is one of the albums of the Belgian writer and illustrator Ergé. Journalist Tintin investigates a plane crash in the Himalayas.
- The film "Vertical Limit" describes the events taking place on Mount Chogori.
- Several levels in Tomb Raider II and one level in Tomb Raider: Legend are located in the Himalayas.
- The film "Black Narcissus" tells the story of an order of nuns who founded a monastery in the Himalayas.
- The Kingdom of the Golden Dragons is a novel by Isabel Allenda. Most of the events take place in the Forbidden Kingdom - a fictional state in the Himalayas.
- Drachenreiter is a book by the German writer Cornelia Funke about brownies and a dragon traveling to the "Edge of Paradise" - the place where dragons live in the Himalayas.
- Expedition Everest is a themed roller coaster at Walt Disney Worldwide Recreation Center.
- Seven Years in Tibet is a film based on the autobiographical book of the same name by Heinrich Harrer, which describes the history of the adventures of an Austrian climber in Tibet during the Second World War.
- G.I. Joe: The Movie is an animated film that tells the story of the Cobra-La civilization that survived in the Himalayas after the Ice Age.
- Far Cry 4 - First-person shooter story that tells about the fictional region of the Himalayas, dominated by a self-proclaimed king.
The Himalayan mountains stretch for about 2,500 km across several Asian countries. It is home to nine of the ten highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest. The word "Himalayas" in Sanskrit means "abode of snow". Many major rivers of Asia originate here. The Himalayas are the third largest deposits of ice and snow. In addition, it is 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 has to do with the desire 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.
For centuries, a unique culture has developed here that unites nature and people into one whole. This region is the birthplace of Buddha. It is full of sacred natural sites such as secret valleys and alpine lakes.
The Himalayas, home to various natural areas, face many challenges, and governments are forced to provide for their people and protect their natural heritage. Protected areas are becoming isolated hotspots, and many poachers are destroying rare wildlife, filling the illegal market. The effects of global climate change are melting glaciers at a rate faster than ever recorded in human history, endangering a vital source of fresh water for billions of people in Asia.
Geomorphotectonic characteristics
The Himalayan Mountains are a crescent-shaped mountain range stretching from the southern Indus Valley beyond Nanga Parbat in the west to Namjagbarwa 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 that bounds the entire northern edge of the Indian subcontinent.
Geomorphologically, the most unique feature is their height. The Himalayas are famous for having 10 out of 14 peaks above 8000 meters.
An important geomorphotectonic characteristic is the sharp bend of the Himalayas and associated mountain ranges, which in the west are connected to the Suleiman and Kirtara ranges. A similar sharp bend is observed at the eastern end, where the mountain range joins the northeastern Indo-Myanmar ridge, 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. The most distinctive feature is the thickness of the earth's crust, which increases from about 35 to 40 km in the Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra plains to 65-80 km above the Greater Himalayas. The thickness of the continental crust underlying the mountains is reflected in the pattern of negative gravity anomalies between\u003e -150 and\u003e -350 mGal along the entire length of the mountain belt.
Himalayan geomorphology reflects various aspects of structural and geomorphological features that arose in response to the action of orogenic forces (related to the final stage of development of tectonically mobile zones of the earth's crust), which occurred during a relatively recent history of erosion. The mountain range is divided axially 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 next five units. Each of them has distinctive lithotectonic characteristics and evolutionary history:
- Sub-Himalayas, where a belt of late Tertiary molasse deposits is 10-50 km wide, which form the Sivalik group. This belt also includes the older Murri formations and their equivalent, Dharamshalas.
- Small Himalayas, where there is a belt 60-80 km wide, which consists mainly of low-grade metamorphic rocks of the Proterozoic period. It is overlain by layers of granite and metamorphic rocks.
- The Greater Himalayas, where there is a belt of pre-Cambrian metamorphic rocks. And younger (Cenozoic), 10-15 km thick. This is also the area of \u200b\u200bthe greatest uplift.
- Trans-Himalayas: belt of predominantly shelf (usually fossil) deposits of the Late Proterozoic and Cretaceous, bounded by the Ind Tsangpo suture zone (ITSZ), a relatively narrow belt of ophiolites and associated deposits. This is the junction of the Indian continental block with the Tibetan block. To the north of the ITSZ lies a 40-100 million year old granitoids belt known as trans-Himalayan batholith granites.
Peaks
Mount Shisha Pangma is the fourteenth highest mountain in the world and the tallest mountain, which is located entirely in the Himalayas of Tibet. Shisha Pangma is easy to get to. A good view of the top opens from the Tong La pass along the Friendship Highway. The Tong La Pass rises to an altitude of 5150 meters, and on a clear day, there is a magnificent view of the mountains.
Cho Oyu is the sixth highest peak on the planet and rises to 8201 meters. It is located along the Tibet-Nepal border. Beautiful views of Cho Oyu can be seen from Gokyo, a small village in the Nepalese Himalayas that can only be reached via 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 a beautiful view of this giant peak. From Old Tingri in 3 hours you can reach the base camp, from where expeditions to the mountain begin. Of the 14 peaks on the planet that rise above 8000 meters, Cho Oyu is considered the least difficult to climb. For the first time this peak was 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. He was first conquered in 1955.
There are also other famous peaks. These are Karakoru, Kailash, Kanchenjungu, Nanga Parbat, Annapurnu 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 Nepal and Tibet. The Himalayas look stunning on both sides. The small Kala Patthar mountain in Nepal offers stunning views of Everest. To get to Kala Patthara, you need to hit the road from the small village of Lukla. From Lukla, it takes about 7 or 8 days to walk to Gorak Shep, which is the closest to the Kala Pattar Base Camp on Everest on the Nepal side. From Gorak Shepa, the steep climb will take from 90 minutes to 2 hours to Kala Patthar, which is 5545 meters high. Everest itself cannot be seen from the base camp on the Nepal side, although there are great views from nearby Kala Patthara.
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 climb Mount Everest, and on May 29, 1953, Tenzing Norgay (Nepal) and Sir Edmund Hillary (New Zealand) had their first successful ascent.
Geography and ecology
They stretch across the northeastern part of India. The question of which country the Himalayas are located in cannot be answered unequivocally: they pass through India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal. They stretch for about 2,400 km. The Himalayan Range consists of three parallel ridges, often referred to as the Greater, Lesser and Outer Himalayas.
The two peaks, Everest and 2K (Chogori, designated as the second peak of the Karakorum) 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 snows and glaciers at the highest altitudes.
Nature
Several natural areas can be found here. These are discussed below.
- Mountain meadows and shrubs: they can be found at an altitude of three to five thousand meters. These areas usually experience cold winters and mild summers, which encourages plant growth. Rhododendrons rise above the shrubbery, while the alpine meadows directly above them offer a variety of flora during the warmer months. The snow leopard, the Himalayan tar, and the musk deer live here.
- Temperate coniferous forests: In the northeast, temperate subalpine coniferous forests are found at elevations from two and a half to 4200 meters. Located in an inner valley, these forests are protected from the harsh monsoon conditions by the surrounding mountain ranges. Mainly pine, hemlock, spruce and fir grow here. The fauna is represented by red pandas, takins and musk deer.
- Moderate deciduous and mixed forests. At medium heights, from two to three thousand meters, in the eastern region there are deciduous and coniferous forests. These forests receive almost 200 cm of annual rainfall, mainly during the monsoon season. Besides oaks and maples, orchids, lichens and ferns grow here. During the cold season, more than 500 bird species can be found, which stop here during the migration period. It is also home to golden monkeys - langurs.
- Tropical and subtropical deciduous forests. They are located at an altitude of the Himalayas from 500 to 1000 meters along a narrow strip of the Main Himalayan Range. Due to the varied topography, soil types and rainfall levels, a large number of plants grow here. Subtropical dry evergreens, 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. The wildlife includes many critically endangered species including tigers and Asian elephants. Over 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 the main 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 ice and snow deposit in the world after Antarctica and the Arctic. There are about 15,000 glaciers throughout the territory. The length of the Himalayan Siahen 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 be added to the description of the mountains? Pay attention to some interesting facts.
- The Himalayan mountains were created by the movement of tectonic plates that pushed India into Tibet.
- Due to the large number of tectonic movements still occurring here, there are a lot of earthquakes and tremors in the mountains.
- This is one of the youngest mountain ranges on the planet.
- Mountains have an impact on air and water circulation systems and, accordingly, on the weather conditions in the region.
- They cover approximately 75% of the territory of Nepal.
- Serving as a natural barrier for tens of thousands of years, they hindered early interaction between the people of India and the people of China and Mongolia.
- Everest was named after Colonel Sir George Everest, a British surveyor who lived in India in the early to mid-nineteenth century.
- The Nepalese name of Everest "Samgarmatha" is translated as "Goddess of the Universe" or "The Forehead of the Sky".
So, this article looked at the highest and most impressive mountain range in the world. This is the Himalayan Range.
I cannot boast that I have climbed one of the peaks of this great mountain system. But at its foot, I was able to visit. Feelings are simply indescribable.
The Himalayas are located in five countries at once
I was able to contemplate the Himalayas in India, but apart from this country, this mountain system "found its home" in Pakistan, Bhutan, China and Nepal. These great rivers feed from the Himalayan glaciers:
- Ganges;
- Brahmaputra.
Not only curious tourists come here in droves, but also professional climbers, most of whom want to conquer the peaks of Chomolungma or Everest (they belong to this mountain system). But with the ski resorts everything is bad here, or rather, there are very few of them. The most famous is called Gulmarg.
Just think, the area of \u200b\u200bthis mountain system is 650,000 kilometers. This is bigger than any European country.
There are many interesting parks here, some of them are under the protection of UNESCO. If possible, visit the National Park at Nanda Devi. I also happened to spend one day in the Ladakh region. It was recently opened for tourists. There are simply amazing people who respect Tibetan traditions and wear national clothes.
A little about tours to these places
The so-called high season in the Himalayas lasts from early May to late October. The rest of the time it is cold here and tourists do not really want to go here. If we talk about classic tours, which include visits to all iconic attractions, then the price tag for them starts at $ 1200. Flights are not included in this price.
Nepal
This state is called the heart of the Himalayas. It is in this Federal Republic that the snow-capped peak of Chomolungma is located. To "climb" to the highest point of the planet, thousands of extreme lovers and daredevils flock here every year like moths.
For the first time this peak was conquered more than half a century ago. Of course, not all climbers manage to climb here safely, every year a lot of people die here. But recently, one climber even went downhill skiing.
