Himalaya mountains - photo of the Himalayas. Where are the Himalayas located? About the most inaccessible mountains on the planet

The Himalayas are considered to be the highest and mysterious mountains planet Earth. The name of this massif can be translated from Sanskrit as “land of snow.” The Himalayas serve as a conditional divider between South and Central Asia. Hindus consider their location to be sacred land. Numerous legends claim that the peaks of the Himalayan mountains were the habitat of the god Shiva, his wife Devi and their daughter Himavata. According to ancient beliefs, the dwelling of the gods gave rise to three great Asian rivers - the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra.

Origin of the Himalayas

For origin and development Himalayan mountains it took several stages, taking a total of about 50,000,000 years. Many researchers believe that the origin of the Himalayas was given by two colliding tectonic plates.

Interestingly, even now mountain system continues its development, the formation of folding. The Indian plate is moving towards the northeast at a speed of 5 cm per year, while compressing by 4 mm. Scientists argue that such progress will lead to further rapprochement between India and Tibet.

The speed of this process is comparable to the growth of human nails. In addition, intense geological activity in the form of earthquakes is periodically observed in the mountains.

An impressive fact - the Himalayas occupy a considerable part of the entire surface of the Earth (0.4%). This territory is incomparably large in comparison with other mountain objects.

On what continent are the Himalayas located: geographical information

Tourists preparing for a trip should find out where the Himalayas are. Their location is the continent of Eurasia (its Asian part). In the north the neighbor of the massif is Tibetan plateau. To the south, this role went to the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

The Himalayan mountain system stretches over 2,500 km and is at least 350 km wide. total area massif – 650,000 m².

Many Himalayan ridges boast heights of up to 6 km. The highest point is represented, also called Chomolungma. Its absolute height is 8848 m, which is a record among other mountain peaks on the planet. Geographical coordinates– 27°59′17″ north latitude, 86°55′31″ east longitude.

The Himalayas are spread over several countries. Not only the Chinese and Indians, but also the peoples of Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan can be proud of their proximity to majestic mountains. Parts of this mountain range are also present in the territories of some post-Soviet countries: Tajikistan includes the northern mountain range (Pamir).

Characteristics of natural conditions

The natural conditions of the Himalayan mountains cannot be called soft and stable. The weather in this area is prone to frequent changes. Many areas have dangerous terrain and cold temperatures at high altitudes. Even in summer, frost remains here down to -25 °C, and in winter it intensifies to -40 °C. In the mountains, hurricane winds are not uncommon, gusts reaching 150 km/h. Summer and spring average temperature air increases to +30 °C.

In the Himalayas, it is customary to distinguish between 4 climate options. From April to June, the mountains are covered with wild herbs and flowers, and the air is cool and fresh. From July to August, the mountains are dominated by rain and the highest amount of precipitation falls. During these summer months, the slopes of the mountain ranges are covered with lush vegetation and fog often appears. Until the arrival of November, warm and comfortable weather conditions persist, after which a sunny, frosty winter with heavy snowfalls sets in.

Description of the flora

The Himalayan vegetation surprises with its diversity. In areas subject to frequent precipitation southern slope The altitude zones are clearly visible, and real jungles (terai) grow at the foot of the mountains. Large thickets of trees and shrubs are found in abundance in these places. In some places, dense vines, bamboo, numerous bananas, and low-growing palm trees are found. Sometimes you can get to areas intended for growing certain plant crops. These places are usually cleared and drained by humans.

Climbing a little higher up the slopes, you can alternately take refuge in tropical, coniferous, mixed forests, behind which, in turn, lie picturesque alpine meadows. In the north of the mountain range and in drier areas, the territory is represented by steppe and semi-deserts.

In the Himalayas there are trees that provide people with expensive wood and resin. Here you can get to the places where dhaka and sal trees grow. At an altitude of 4 km, tundra vegetation in the form of rhododendrons and mosses is found in abundance.

Local fauna

The Himalayan mountains have become a safe haven for many endangered animals. Here you can meet rare representatives of the local fauna - snow leopard, black bear, Tibetan fox. In the southern region mountain range There are all the necessary conditions for living leopards, tigers and rhinoceroses. Representatives of the northern Himalayas include yaks, antelopes, mountain goats, and wild horses.

In addition to the richest flora and fauna, the Himalayas abound in a variety of minerals. In these places, placer gold, copper and chrome ore, oil, rock salt, and brown coal are actively mined.

Parks and valleys

In the Himalayas you can visit parks and valleys, many of which are included in the fund World Heritage UNESCO:

Sagarmatha.
Flower Valley.

National Park Sagarmatha belongs to the territory of Nepal. Its special asset is the world's highest peak, Everest, and other high mountains.

Nanda Devi Park is a natural treasure of India, located in the heart of the Himalayan mountains. This picturesque place lies at the foot of the hill with the same name, and has an area of more than 60,000 hectares. The height of the park above sea level is at least 3500 m.

The most scenic spots Nanda Devi is represented by grandiose glaciers, the Rishi Ganga River, the mystical Lake of Skeletons, around which, according to legend, numerous human and animal remains were discovered. It is generally accepted that the mass deaths were caused by the sudden fall of unusually large hail.

Not far from Nanda Devi Park is the Flower Valley. Here, on an area of about 9,000 hectares, several hundred colorful plants grow. More than 30 species of flora that adorn the Indian valley are considered endangered, and about 50 species are used for medicinal purposes. These places are also home to a variety of birds. Most of them can be seen in the Red Book.

Buddhist temples

The Himalayas are famous for their Buddhist monasteries, many of which are located in inaccessible places, and are buildings carved out of rock. Most temples have a long history of existence, up to 1000 years old, and lead a rather “closed” lifestyle. Some of the monasteries are open to everyone who wants to get acquainted with the way of life of monks and the interior decoration of holy places. You can do it in them beautiful photos. Entry into the territory of other shrines is strictly prohibited for visitors.

The largest and most revered monasteries include:

Drepung, located in China.
Temple complexes of Nepal – Boudhanath, Budanilkantha, Swayambhunath.
Jokhang, which is the pride of Tibet.

Buddhist stupas are a carefully protected religious shrine found throughout the Himalayas. These religious monuments were built by monks of the past in honor of some important event in Buddhism, as well as for the sake of prosperity and harmony throughout the world.

Tourists visiting the Himalayas

The most suitable time to travel to the Himalayas is considered to be from May to July and September to October. During these months, vacationers can count on sunny and warm weather, the absence of heavy rainfall and strong winds. For lovers of adrenaline sports, there are few but modern ski resorts.

In the Himalayan mountains you can find hotels and inns of various price categories. In religious quarters there are special houses for pilgrims and admirers of the local religion - ashrams with ascetic living conditions. Accommodation in such premises is quite cheap, and sometimes can be completely free. Instead of a fixed amount, the guest can offer a voluntary donation or help with housework.

Since our school days, we all know that the highest mountain on the planet is Everest, and it is located in the Himalayas. But not everyone clearly understands where the Himalayas actually are? IN last years Mountain tourism has become very popular, and if you are into it, then this miracle of nature - the Himalayas - is definitely worth a visit!

And these mountains are located on the territory of five countries: India, China, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan. Total length The largest mountain system on our planet is 2,400 kilometers long, and its width is 350 kilometers. In terms of height, many peaks of the Himalayas are record holders. Here are the ten highest peaks on the planet, more than eight thousand meters high.

– Everest or Chomolungma, 8848 meters above sea level. highest mountain in the Himalayas it was conquered by man only in 1953. All the ascents that had taken place before were unsuccessful, because the slopes of the mountain are very steep and dangerous. Strong winds blow at the summit, which, combined with very low night temperatures, present a difficult challenge for those who dare 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 preaching 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 flock here from all over the world. Due to this, the Himalayas in these regions are highly visited.

But ski tourism in the Himalayas is not popular, since there are no suitable flat slopes for skiing that 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 is only possible with endurance and a strong spirit. And if you have these powers in reserve, then you should definitely go to India or Nepal. Here you can visit the most beautiful temples and monasteries located on picturesque slopes, take part in the evening prayer of Buddhist monks, and at dawn indulge in relaxing meditation and hatha yoga classes conducted by Indian gurus. Traveling through the mountains, you will see with your own eyes where such great rivers as the Ganges, Indus and Brahmaputra originate

Almost the entire northeast of India is occupied by the vast mountain system of the Himalayas and Hindu Kush. There are many Buddhist monasteries and communities, many of which settled here thousands of years ago. The Himalayas are India's most famous natural landmark, and Qomolungma Peak, or Everest, the highest peak, claims to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Not only climbers and other amateurs come here extreme recreation, but also pilgrims - followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, and esotericism.

The Himalayas are part of five countries. The mountain system is located on the territory of India, Pakistan, Nepal, China and Bhutan, and the Asian rivers Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra, around which the world's most important cultures were created, are fed from the Himalayan glaciers.

Despite the abundance mountain slopes, there are very few ski resorts in the Himalayas, and those that exist are not very developed. This is due not so much to the reluctance of Indians to invest in sports tourism, but to the lack good places for riding. Of the available ones, the most popular are Gulmarg in the Indian part of Kashmir, Auli in the state of Uttarakhand and Manali in Himachal Pradesh.

How to get to the Himalayas

The closest airport to the Indian Himalayas is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. First you need to fly here, and then domestic flights, by train or rented car you can already reach your destination.

There is no railway network in the mountains, but you can take a train to the foot. The only one Railway in the Himalayas is more about entertainment than convenient transportation The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is called the "toy train" here. It departs from Siligiri station and goes up to Ghum, located at an altitude of 2257 m, passing tea plantations, valleys and other picturesque landscapes.

The easiest way to get to the Gulmarg ski resort is by plane: the city of Srinagore, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has its own airport. Auli is close to several airports, the nearest being Dehradun.

The main means of transportation between cities and towns in the Himalayas are jeep minibuses (shared jeeps), they run between all settlements. Indians are accustomed to taking up minimal space on the road, so in order to travel comfortably, it makes sense to buy 1-2 additional seats.

Search for air tickets to Delhi (the nearest airport to the Himalayas)

Weather in the Himalayas

Weather in the Himalayas depends on altitude mountain ranges- the higher you go, the colder it is. At an altitude of 2000-2300 m above sea level in winter the air temperature ranges from −4 to +8 °C, in summer - on average +18...+24 °C, sometimes it can be hot, up to +23...+30 °C .

The best time to travel is from May to July and September to October. At this time, the weather is dry, sunny, warm and comfortable enough for walking. In July and August it is also warm, but at this time there are rains and fogs, high clouds, so it is unlikely that you will be able to admire the mountain landscapes. In winter, the Himalayas are cold and windy, all roads are covered with snow, and travel becomes problematic.

Himalaya Hotels

There are hotels in different price categories in the Himalayas. There is a large selection of hotels from 2* to 5* in Darjeeling and at popular ski resorts. A small house without amenities, with a fan instead of an air conditioner, will cost from 1100 INR per day for two. “Treshka” will cost about 3500-4200 INR per day for a double room, and 5* hotels - from 7000 INR per day. Prices on the page are as of March 2019.

Ashrams are popular in the Himalayas, especially in its religious districts. These are shelters for pilgrims, similar to very ascetic hostels. The conditions there are quite spartan, often in a room for several people there are only beds and one shower for everyone (if you're lucky, there will be a fan). Accommodation is very cheap, and sometimes you can live in the ashram for free for help with housework or a voluntary donation.

Skiing

There are several ski resorts in the Himalayas. In terms of service level they cannot be compared with European ones, but the most important thing is minimum required services and luxury mountain landscapes- there is one here. Equipment rental points are available almost everywhere; a full set will cost approximately 1400-1750 INR per day.

The most popular ski resort in the Himalayas - Gulmarg. It corresponds more than any other to European standards, and looks like a Swiss village from the middle of the last century. There are equipment rental points, several ski lifts, about 15 km of pistes and excellent forest freeride.

Auli is another popular Himalayan ski resort. Local trails are considered the best in the region (about 10 km in total). There are snow cannons ski schools for beginners and gentle slopes for them. The resort as a whole is more focused on beginner athletes; experienced athletes will find it quite boring here.

Solang- a ski resort 22 km from the city of Manali. There are trails for both beginners and extreme sports enthusiasts (one “black trail”), tourists note the high professionalism of the instructors.

Narkanda- a very picturesque resort surrounded by pine forest, located near Shimla, the only drawback is very little space.

Kufri- the oldest ski resort in India. In winter it is a center for skiing, in summer it is a center for trekking and hiking, as two national parks are located not far from Kufri: the Himalayan Nature Park and the Indira Tourist Park.

Cuisine and restaurants of the Himalayas

Tibetan cuisine is widespread in the Himalayas. It is much less spicy than in southern India, and there is more meat in it, although vegetarian dishes are also present. The most popular dishes that can be found in almost every cafe and restaurant are chouman (pasta with vegetables and meat), momo (steamed dumplings with various meat and vegetable fillings) and tuhpa (lamb broth soup with pasta, vegetables and meat). Here, a lot of cooking is done in a tandoor - an earthen oven without a lid. Basically, this is simple peasant food: meat or poultry is roasted on a spit, and then finished in a tandoor in special bread cakes, which are used to cover the inside of the tandoor.

The season is important. In the Himalayas, this seasonality is special and is associated with religion and other ancient traditions. During the rainy season, you won’t find dishes with nuts here; after a hearty lunch you need to eat mango, and in the summer they don’t eat meat or fish here. However, the latter is easily explained: not every home still has refrigerators, and meat spoils very quickly in the heat.

In the Himalayas there is a cult of healthy food. For example, it is believed that mango soup not only improves blood circulation, but also increases sexual desire, halva is almost a blessing from the gods, and a drink made from rhodo flowers (Himalayan rhododendrons) brings harmony to the body and soul.

The best photos of the Himalayas

Entertainment and attractions

The Himalayas are primarily interesting for their ancient temples and natural attractions. The most famous are Ladakh, the city of ashrams Rishikesh and Haridwar, one of the seven sacred cities. The high-mountain temples of Shiva and Vishnu in Kedarnath and Badrinath, the Kashmir Valley and, of course, Shambhala with Tibetan monasteries are worth visiting.

Also popular are excursions to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, surrounded by a “reservoir of immortality,” and trips to the state of Sikkim to the foot of the sacred Annapurna and other Buddhist shrines.

Acquaintance with the Himalayas often begins from the capital of Himchal Pradesh - the town of Shimla. It is called “the most fashionable village in the Himalayas”: here it is worth visiting the palace of the Viceroy of Britain (today there is a museum), the central square with Christ Cathedral and the main shopping street, where you can buy scarves and shawls made of fine wool, saris and other national clothes and sparkles to decorate the forehead.

One of the most mysterious places in the Himalayas - Srinagar. All its secrets are connected with the Rozbal tomb - according to historical research (mostly dubious), the body of Jesus lies there, and many locals sincerely believe this. In addition, the city is famous for milk boats on Dal Lake, the proximity of the Gulmarg ski resort and very high-quality woolen products in local shops and markets.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is one of the most interesting attractions in the Himalayas. It is better known here as the Toy Train. The road was built in 1881, and since then a small train has been running along a narrow 60-centimeter track to an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. The final station is Ghum (height 2257 m), the path runs past tea plantations and other local beauties. From the railway ring of the terminal station there is a magnificent view of the surrounding area.

Road to the Himalayas

Natural attractions

The Himalayas are very interesting National parks- Nanda Devi and the Valley of Flowers in the Western Himalayas, which are protected by UNESCO. These two parks are located nearby and are considered one of the most picturesque in the Himalayas. The landscapes here are truly impressive: glaciers on mountain peaks, alpine meadows, the source of the Ganges River, which flows through the entire Nanda Devi Nature Reserve, and a diverse flora and fauna. Rare animals live here, such as the snow leopard and blue sheep.

The most famous attraction of the national park is Lake Rooklund, also known as Skeleton Lake. It received its ominous name after many human skeletons were discovered at the bottom of the lake. It is believed that these people were killed by hail while climbing to the top.

Himalayas and Roerich

The Himalayas have inspired and continue to inspire artists, directors, musicians and simply creative people. The great Russian artist and mystic Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerich on his expedition in the 30s of the 20th century. not only visited the Indian Himalayas and depicted what he saw in paintings, but even founded the Institute of Himalayan Studies in America. Moreover, the last years of the artist's life were spent in the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Now there, in Nagar (a suburb of the city of Manali) there is a house-museum of the painter. The environment in which the Roerich family lived for 20 years has been preserved. Personal car Nikolai Konstantinovich and some of his paintings.

The Kullu Valley is famous not only for the Roerich estate. This region is called Indian Switzerland: coniferous forests grow here, and in Manali there is a Center for Tibetan Medicine, where you can get diagnosed by the best local doctors and improve your health.

I cannot boast that I have climbed one of the peaks of this great mountain system. But I was able to visit its foot. The feeling is simply indescribable.

The Himalayas are located in five countries at once

I was able to see the Himalayas in India, but in addition to this country, this mountain system “found its home” in Pakistan, Bhutan, China and Nepal. These greatest rivers are fed by Himalayan glaciers:

Ganges;
Brahmaputra.

Not only curious tourists, but also professional climbers come here in droves, most of whom want to conquer the peaks of Chomolungma or Everest (they belong to this mountain system). But with ski resorts Everything is bad here, or rather there are very few of them. The most famous one is called Gulmarg.

Just think, the area of this mountain system is 650,000 kilometers. This is more than anyone European country.

There are a lot of interesting parks here, some of them are under UNESCO protection. If possible, visit the Nanda Devi National Park. I also had the opportunity to spend one day in the Ladakh region. It was opened to tourists quite recently. Simply amazing people live here who honor Tibetan traditions and wear national clothes.

A little about tours to these places

So-called high season in the Himalayas lasts from the beginning of May to the end of October. The rest of the time it’s cold here and tourists don’t really want to come here. If we talk about classic tours, which include visits to all iconic attractions, then the price tag starts from $1,200. Air tickets 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 on the planet, thousands of extreme sports enthusiasts and daredevils flock here every year like moths.

This peak was first conquered more than half a century ago. Of course, not all climbers manage to climb here safely; many people die here every year. But recently, one climber even skied down from here.

The Himalayas are a world whose name, translated from Sanskrit, literally means “the place where snow lives.” Located in South Asia, this mountain range divides the Indo-Gangetic Plain and is home to most of the closest points to the sky on planet Earth, including Everest, the highest point (the Himalayas are not called the “roof of the world” for nothing). It is also known under another name - Chomolungma.

Mountain ecology

The Himalayan mountains have a wide variety of landscape shapes. The Himalayas lie on the territory of five countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Pakistan. Three large and powerful rivers- Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra. The flora and fauna of the Himalayas is directly dependent on climate, rainfall, mountain height and soil conditions.

The area around the base of the mountains is characterized by a tropical climate, while the tops are covered with perpetual ice and snow. Annual precipitation increases from west to east. Unique natural heritage and the height of the Himalayan mountains are subject to modification due to various climatic processes.

Geological features

The Himalayas are mountains consisting predominantly of sedimentary and mixed rocks. A distinctive feature of mountain slopes is their steepness and peaks in the form of a peak or ridge, covered eternal ice and snow and occupy an area of about 33 thousand km². The Himalayas, whose height in some places reaches almost nine kilometers, are relatively young compared to other, more ancient mountain systems on Earth.

As it did 70 million years ago, the Indian plate is still moving and moving up to 67 millimeters per year, and over the next 10 million years it will advance 1.5 km in an Asian direction. What also makes the peaks active from a geological point of view is that the height of the Himalayan mountains is increasing, gradually rising by about 5 mm per year. Such seemingly insignificant processes over time have a powerful influence geologically; in addition, the area is unstable from a seismic point of view, and earthquakes sometimes occur.

Himalayan river system

The Himalayas have the third largest deposits of ice and snow in the world after Antarctica and the Arctic. There are approximately 15 thousand glaciers in the mountains, which contain about 12 thousand cubic kilometers of fresh water. The highest areas are covered with snow all year round. The Indus, which has its origins in Tibet, is the largest and deepest river, into which many smaller ones flow. It flows into southwest direction through India, Pakistan and flows into the Arabian Sea.

The Himalayas, whose height reaches almost 9 kilometers at its highest point, are characterized by great river diversity. The main water sources of the Ganges-Brahmaputra basin are the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Yamuna rivers. The Brahmaputra joins the Ganges in Bangladesh and together they flow into the Bay of Bengal.

Mountain lakes

The highest Himalayan lake, Gurudongmar in Sikkim (India), is at an altitude of about 5 kilometers. In the vicinity of the Himalayas there is great amount picturesque lakes, most of which are located at an altitude of less than 5 kilometers above sea level. Some lakes are considered sacred in India. Nepal's Lake Tilicho, in the vicinity of the Annapurna mountain landscape, is one of the highest on the planet.

The great Himalayan mountain ranges contain hundreds of beautiful lakes in India and neighboring Tibet and Nepal. The Himalayan lakes add special appeal to the magnificent mountain landscapes, many of which are steeped in ancient legends and interesting stories.

Impact on climate

The Himalayas provide big influence on climate formation. They prevent the flow of cold, dry winds in a southerly direction, which allows a warm climate to reign in South Asia. A natural barrier is formed for the monsoons (causing heavy rainfall), preventing their movement in a northerly direction. The mountain range plays a certain role in the formation of the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts.

The main part of the Himalayan mountains is influenced by subequatorial factors. In the summer and spring season it is quite hot here: the average air temperature reaches 35 °C. At this time of year, the monsoons bring with them large amounts of rainfall Indian Ocean, which then fall on the southern mountain slopes.

People and culture of the Himalayas

Because of climatic features The Himalayas (mountains in Asia) are a fairly sparsely populated region. Most people live in the lowlands. Some of them earn their living as guides for tourists and escorts for climbers who come to conquer some Mountain peaks. The mountains have been a natural barrier for many thousands of years. They stopped the assimilation of the interior of Asia with the Indian peoples.

Some tribes are based in mountain range The Himalayas, namely in North-East India, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, parts of West Bengal and others. Arunachal Pradesh itself is home to more than 80 tribes. The Himalayan mountains are one of the largest places at peace with big amount endangered species of animals, since hunting is very popular view activities in the vicinity of the Himalayas. The main religions are Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism. A famous Himalayan myth is the story of Bigfoot, who lives somewhere in the mountains.

Height of the Himalayan mountains

The Himalayas rise almost 9 kilometers above sea level. They extend over a distance of about 2.4 thousand kilometers from the Indus Valley in the west to the Brahmaputra Valley in the east. Some mountain peaks are considered sacred among the local population, and many Hindus and Buddhists make pilgrimages to these places.

On average, the height of the Himalayan mountains in meters together with glaciers reaches 3.2 thousand. Mountain climbing, which has gained popularity in late XIX century, has become the main activity of extreme tourists. In 1953, New Zealander and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were the first to conquer Everest (the highest point).

Everest: mountain height (Himalayas)

Everest, also known as Chomolungma, is highest point planets. What is the height of the mountain? Known for its inaccessible peaks, the Himalayas attract thousands of travelers, but their main destination is the 8,848-kilometer-high Qomolangma. This place is simply a paradise for tourists who cannot imagine their life without risk and extreme sports.

The height of the Himalayan mountains attracts a large number of climbers from all over globe. As a rule, there are no significant technical difficulties with climbing certain routes, but Everest is fraught with many other dangerous factors, such as fear of heights, sudden changes weather conditions, lack of oxygen and very strong gusty winds.

Scientists have accurately determined the height of every mountain system on Earth. This was made possible through the use of NASA's satellite observation system. Having measured the height of each mountain, we came to the conclusion that 10 of the 14 highest on the planet are in the Himalayas. Each of these mountains belongs to a special list of “eight-thousanders”. Conquering all these peaks is considered the peak of a mountaineer's skill.

Natural features of the Himalayas at different levels

The Himalayan swampy jungles located at the foot of the mountains are called "Terai" and are characterized by a wide variety of vegetation. Here you can find 5-meter thickets of grass, palm trees with coconuts, ferns and bamboo thickets. At an altitude of 400 meters to 1.5 kilometers there is a strip of rainforest. In addition to numerous species of trees, magnolias, citrus fruits and camphor laurel grow here.

At a higher level (up to 2.5 km), the mountain space is filled with evergreen subtropical and deciduous forests; here you can find mimosa, maple, bird cherry, chestnut, oak, wild cherry, and alpine mosses. Coniferous forests extend up to a height of 4 km. At this altitude, there are fewer and fewer trees, they are replaced by field vegetation in the form of grass and shrubs.

Starting 4.5 km above sea level, the Himalayas are a zone of eternal glaciers and snow cover. Animal world also varied. In different parts of the mountainous surroundings you can encounter bears, elephants, antelopes, rhinoceroses, monkeys, goats and many other mammals. There are many snakes and reptiles here, which pose a great danger to people.

The Himalayas are the highest mountain system on Earth. To date, the peak of Chomolungma (Everest) has been conquered about 1200 times. Among them, a 60-year-old man and a thirteen-year-old teenager managed to climb to the very peak, and in 1998 the first person with disabilities reached the peak.

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