On what continent are the Himalayas located? Where are the Himalayas located? On what continent are the Himalayas located?

Globe, in Asia, in China, Pakistan, India, Bhutan and Nepal. They stretch in an arc about 2500 km long and 200-350 km wide. The area is about 650 thousand km 2. Height up to 8848 m (Mount Chomolungma is the highest peak on the globe). 10 peaks exceed 8000 m, more than 100 - 7000 m.

In the north they are limited by the tectonic valleys of the upper reaches of the Indus and Brahmaputra rivers (Matsang, Tsangpo), in the west by the Hinduraj ridge, in the east by the Dihang gorge of the Brahmaputra river, in the south by the Indo-Gangetic plain. The Himalayas are an important orographic, climatic and biotic barrier between the deserts of Central Asia and the monsoon tropics landscapes of South Asia.

Relief. The Himalayas are characterized by a clear trend of orographic elements from northwest to southeast. They include several parallel mountain ranges, rising from south to north in three gigantic steps, dissected by river gorges into separate massifs and blocks. The first stage (above the Indo-Gangetic plain) is formed by the Siwalik ridge (Pre-Himalayas) with a height of up to 3647 m (Mount Chaur). It reaches its greatest width (up to 120 km) in the western and central parts; east of 88° east longitude it narrows to 5-10 km. It is strongly dissected by deeply incised river valleys. The second stage - the Small (Low) Himalayas - is separated from Siwalik by a tectonic fault, along which there is a series of intermountain basins (dunes), formerly occupied by lakes. It consists of a system of massifs and ridges. The ridges are strongly dissected, the southern slopes are steep, the northern ones are flatter. In the west rises the Pir Panjal range (up to 6632 m), in the central part there are the Dhaoladhar (up to 5067 m) and Mahabharat ranges (up to 2891 m) with sharp ridges and deep valleys. A chain of intermountain depressions and ancient glacial basins (Kashmir, Kathmandu, etc.) separates the Lesser Himalayas from the highest level - the Greater (High) Himalayas with the highest massifs and peaks covered with glaciers. This part of the Himalayas forms a powerful alpine ridge 50-90 km wide, with passes lying above 4500 m. The northern slopes have soft outlines, the southern slopes are steep, dissected by deep gorges. Glacial landforms are typical (karas, troughs, gouge forms, terminal moraines). The Greater Himalayas begin in the northwest of the Nanga Parbat massif, where they are widest (over 300 km). There are also highlands (over 5000 m) and the Zaskar mountain range (up to 7756 m). East of the Teesta River valley, the Greater Himalayas decline significantly. This part is characterized by deeply incised river valleys, relatively poorly dissected massifs with dome-shaped peaks. In the Himalayas, the intensity of erosion processes is high, landslides and mudflows are frequent, and avalanches occur in the middle and high mountains. From west to east, the Himalayas are usually divided into Punjab (from the Indus River gorge in the northwest to the Sutlej River valley), Kumaon (between the Sutlej and Kali river valleys), Nepal (in Nepal), Sikkim (within the Indian state of Sikkim) and Assamese (west of Bhutan).

Siwalik Range.

Geological structure and minerals. Tectonically, the Himalayas are a fold-cover mountain system of the same name, which is a link in the Cenozoic Alpine-Himalayan mobile belt. In their structure, three zones are distinguished, corresponding to the steps of the relief; In addition, the High Himalayas are divided into two zones. Northern zone High Himalayas, called the Tethyan Himalayas, or Tethys-Himalayas, is composed of a thickness of marine sediments of the Middle Proterozoic - Eocene of enormous thickness (up to 17 km), accumulated on the gently sloping continental shelf of the Indian subcontinent (on the southern edge of the Tethys paleoocean). In the north, the Tethyan Himalayas are bounded by the Indus-Tsangpo tectonic depression, which marks the tectonic suture of the same name (suture), which is considered as a relic of the surface of the subduction zone, along which the Tethys crust subsided northward under the southern margin of Eurasia with the formation of the Trans-Himalayan volcanoplutonic belt (see article by Gandhisishan ). In the suture zone, ophiolites (their covers are established in the Tethyan Himalayas), metamorphic formations, sedimentary and igneous complexes come to the surface. In the south, the Tethyan Himalayas are separated by a gently sloping fault to the north from the Central Crystalline Zone of the High Himalayas. This zone is composed of repeatedly metamorphosed, mainly Precambrian complexes - mica schists, quartzites, gneisses, migmatites, which are intruded by Miocene leucogranites. The last metamorphic event in the zone corresponds to conditions of very high temperatures and relatively low pressures. Metamorphic formations of the Central Crystalline Zone are thrust (along the Main Central Thrust) and partially overlap the complexes of the Low Himalayas, forming many isolated tectonic remnants. The Low Himalaya zone is formed by sedimentary strata of the Upper Proterozoic - Lower Eocene (sandstones, clays, limestones, tillites), similar to the cover of the Hindustan Platform. The deposits have undergone greenschist metamorphism and have a nappe-thrust structure. In the south, the Low Himalaya zone is thrust (along the Main Boundary Thrust) onto the Pre-Himalayan (or Outer Himalaya) zone, which is tectonically a foredeep that arose in modern times in front of the front of the growing Himalayan orogen and filled with Miocene sandy-clayey and Pliocene coarse molasse with a total thickness of up to 7 km. The folded molasse complexes of the Pre-Himalayas are separated by a system of gentle faults of the Frontal Himalayan thrust from the undeformed molasse of the Indo-Gangetic basin, which was not involved in uplift.

The formation of the Himalayas as a folded mountain structure is associated with the collision (collision) of the Hindustan block with Eurasia, which began about 55 million years ago (at the end of the Paleocene). Maximum deformations occurred: at the beginning of the Miocene (20-25 million years ago), when the Main Central Thrust was formed; in the late Miocene (15-10 million years ago) - the Main Boundary Thrust; at the end of the Pliocene - the Main Frontal Thrust. The modern uplift of the Himalayas is accompanied by intense seismicity, concentrated mainly along thrust zones.

There are a few known deposits of copper and gold ores; chromites, precious stones (sapphire, etc.) associated with metamorphic and igneous rocks of the Low and High Himalayas. Oil and natural combustible gas deposits have been discovered in the Pre-Himalayas.

Climate. The southern slopes of the Himalayas are heavily influenced by the Indian summer monsoon. The amount of precipitation decreases from the east (4000-5500 mm per year) to the west (1000-2000 mm). Hinterland receive about 400-750 mm of precipitation per year. Everywhere on the southern slope up to an altitude of 3000 m the average annual temperatures are positive, above 4500 m there is an area of negative summer temperatures. The climate of the western part of the Himalayas is characterized by sharp temperature fluctuations and strong winds. Average temperatures in July are about 18 °C, in January from -10 to -18 °C. The influence of the monsoon is manifested in July - August south of the Pir Panjal range. Winter precipitation is associated with cyclones that bring rain and snowfall. The main passes are cleared of snow at the end of May. The climate of the eastern part is hotter, with a clearly defined monsoon moisture regime. Summer temperatures at an altitude of 1500 m reach 35 °C, in the valleys they rise to 45 °C. In winter at an altitude of 1800 m average temperature January 4 °C. Snowfalls occur annually above 2200-2500 m, and there is dense fog in the valleys. Above 5000 m, precipitation falls in the form of snow all year round. The climate of the northern slopes of the Himalayas is cold, high-altitude desert. Daily temperature ranges reach 45 °C, precipitation is about 100 mm per year. In summer, at an altitude of 5000-6000 m, there are positive temperatures only during the day. In winter, snow often evaporates without melting.

Glaciation. On the southern slopes of the Punjab Himalayas, the snow line runs at an altitude of 4400-4600 m, in the Nepal Himalayas (on the slopes of Chomolungma) - 4700-4800 m, in the Assam Himalayas - 4600 m. On the northern, drier slopes of the Himalayas, it rises to 5800-6100 m. The high position of the snow line and the significant steepness of the slopes do not contribute to the formation of large glaciers. Square modern glaciation The Himalayas are small - about 33 thousand km 2. Most glaciers are grouped around the highest massifs. The largest glaciers in the Punjab Himalayas are Gangri (length 21 km), Shaffat (16 km), Milang (16 km), in the Kumaon Himalayas - Milam (20 km) and Gangotri (32 km, the largest in the Himalayas). In the Nepal Himalayas, in the Qomolungma region, there are about 600 glaciers, including the Western Rongbuk and Khumbu glaciers, 22 km long; in the Sikkim Himalayas, in the Kanchenjunga massif region, there are the Zemu (31 km) and Kanchenjunga (24 km) glaciers. Most glaciers are retreating at an average rate of 10-15 m per year. The valley glaciers are predominantly dendritic, of the Himalayan type, descending 1300-1600 m below the snow line. In the western part of the Himalayas, valley glaciers of the Turkestan type predominate, fed mainly by avalanches and collapses of hanging glaciers. On steep slopes there are hanging and cirque glaciers. The northern slopes are characterized by giant curtains of corrugated ice that cover many of the peaks to their summits. The tongues of some glaciers are covered over a considerable distance by a cover of moraine.

Rivers and lakes. Despite its great altitude, the Himalayas are not a watershed of river basins Indian Ocean and drainage region of Central Asia. Due to the presence of through antecedent gorges, the sources of the Indus, Sutlej, Karnali, and Arun rivers are located in the Karakoram and on the Tibetan Plateau. The largest rivers of South Asia - the Ganges and Brahmaputra - originate on the slopes of the Himalayas. The river network is more developed on the southern slope. In the upper reaches of the river they are fed by snow and glaciers; in the middle and lower areas it is rainy, with maximum water flow in summer. The valleys are narrow and deep. The rivers have enormous hydropower resources that are practically not used. Large hydroelectric power stations and reservoirs have been created on the Sutlej and Beas rivers. Lakes (of tectonic origin and glacial) are located mainly in the western part of the Himalayas below 5000 m (Wular, Tso-Morari, etc.); large alpine lakes - Bangong, Mapam-Yumtso. When glacial lakes break out, glacial mudflows can occur.

Soils, plant and animal world. The landscapes of the Himalayas are very diverse, especially on the southern slopes. The maximum number of altitudinal zones is typical for the most humid slopes of the eastern part of the Himalayas. The foot of the mountains is bordered by a strip of terai - swampy trees and shrubs (jungles) on meadow-swamp tropical soils. Higher up the slope, moist evergreen tropical forests grow on mountain red soils. The predominant species are dipterocarp, palm, pandanus, and tree ferns intertwined with lianas (up to 400 species). At an altitude of 1200-1500 m, mountain evergreen subtropical forests of oaks, laurel, magnolia, and tea trees (castanopsis, phoebe) dominate. Above 2000-2200 m they give way to mixed deciduous forests on brown forest soils, in the forest stand of which species of temperate latitudes appear - maples, alder, hazel, birch and conifers (Himalayan pine, Himalayan spruce, dense fir). From an altitude of 3000 m the mountain belt begins coniferous forests from pine, fir, hemlock, yew, juniper. At an altitude of 3700-3900 m, it gives way to a subalpine belt - a crooked forest of huge rhododendrons and junipers with the participation of ferns; above 4000 m - a belt of alpine meadows, the upper border of which passes at an altitude of about 5000 m, individual plants (arenaria, edelweiss) rise to an altitude of 6100 m. In the central part of the Himalayas, in the spectrum of altitudinal zones there is no belt of wet evergreens tropical forests and up to an altitude of 600-1000 m, deciduous forests of tallow with the participation of terminalia, albizia, etc. dominate.

In the drier western part of the Himalayas, the lower parts of the slopes (up to 600 m) are occupied by sparse xerophytic forests and shrubs with wild olive, an admixture of acacias, pomegranate, and oleander on mountain brown soils. Higher up (up to 1200-1500 m) monsoon deciduous forests grow with the dominance of tall on mountain red soils, which are replaced by mountain subtropical mixed forests of holm oak and mountain pines with evergreen undergrowth. From an altitude of 2000-2500 m, mountain mixed subboreal forests of long-leaved pine (chir), fir, Himalayan cedar (deodar) with the participation of oaks, maples on low-humus brown forest soils dominate. The belt of 3000-3500 m is dominated by mountain coniferous forests of fir with an admixture of birch on podzolized brown soils. Above 3500 m there is a subalpine birch forest, thickets of juniper and rhododendrons, giving way to a belt of alpine meadows and shrubs on mountain meadow soils. The upper limit of distribution of vascular plants is 6300 m. The northern slope is characterized by desert-steppe landscapes with cushion plants and xerophytic grasses on thin rocky mountain-desert soils. Woody vegetation (willows, poplars) is found along river valleys.

The Himalayas are home to about 300 species of mammals, more than 10 of them are endemic (golden langur, Himalayan tahr, pygmy pig, etc.), 175 species of reptiles (about 50 species are endemic), 105 species of amphibians. The avifauna numbers about 1000 species (15 species are endemic). The fauna of the Terai and low-mountain Himalayas belongs to the Indo-Malayan faunal region. Large mammals live here - elephants, rhinoceroses, gaurs, wild boars, several species of deer (muntjac, sambar), among predators - tigers and leopards, red wolf; of birds - peacocks, pheasants, parrots. In the eastern part of the Himalayas, the binturong (the civet family) is found. The fauna of the middle and high mountains belongs to the Chinese-Himalayan subregion of the Holarctic region. The forest and alpine zones are inhabited by wild yak, musk deer, red deer (hangul), mountain sheep (argali, blue sheep), marking goat, goral, takin, and black Himalayan bear. The clouded leopard and snow leopard (irbis) are endangered. The most common birds are the Himalayan snowcock, Himalayan crested pheasant, and tragopans.

The most famous protected areas of the Himalayas are the Corbett, Greater Himalaya, Namdapha, Kanchenjunga national parks (India); to the list World Heritage included the Manas Nature Reserve, Nandadevi and Valley of Flowers national parks (India), Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan and Sagarmatha national parks (Nepal). Mountaineering is widely developed in the Himalayas, mainly in Nepal. Climatic resorts - Shimla, Macypi, Darjeeling, etc. (India).

The main occupation of the population is Agriculture. On the northern slope of the Greater Himalayas (the vicinity of Lake Tangra-Yumtso) are the upper limits of agriculture in the world. Excessive grazing of livestock in alpine meadows and forests has led to increased erosion and mudflow processes.

Lit.: Singh G. Geography of India. M., 1980; Senkovskaya N. F. Land resources of the Himalayas and problems of their use // Bulletin of Moscow State University. Ser. 5. Geography. 1982. No. 6; she is the same. Features of the distribution of mudflow phenomena in the Himalayas // Ibid. 1984. No. 6; Kononov Yu. V. Country of subtropics and snow-capped mountains. M., 1985; Bedi R. Fauna of India. M., 1987; Dolgushin L. D., Osinova G. B. Glaciers. M., 1989; Golubchikov Yu. N. Geography of mountain and polar countries. M., 1996; State of Nepal's environment. Kathmandu, 2000; Khain V. E. Tectonics of continents and oceans (year 2000). M., 2001; Inventory of glaciers, glacial lakes and glacial lake outburst floods monitoring and early warning systems in Hindu Kush - Himalayan region. Kathmandu, 2002.

N. N. Alekseeva; Arc. V. Tevelev ( geological structure and minerals).

Throughout Asia, the Himalayas are the largest mountain range. All the most big mountains, including Everest, are here. This is a certain group

Throughout Asia, the Himalayas are the largest mountain range. All the largest mountains, including Everest, are located here. This is a certain group consisting of a certain number mountainous areas. They are located in countries such as Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, India and Tibet. The Himalayas contain 9 of the highest mountain peaks in the world and they consist of 30 mountains. The Himalayas stretch over a distance of 2,400 kilometers. In mythology, the Himalayas occupy far last place. And it’s impossible to count how many times they are mentioned in the religions of the peoples of all South Asia. Mountaineers from all over the world consider the Himalayas to be their center. This article invites you to familiarize yourself with the most interesting facts about the Himalayas.

The total area of the Himalayas is 153,295,000 square kilometers, and they occupy 0.4 of the entire globe.

The Himalayas include not only the green valleys that all artists strive to capture, but also winter peaks.

It is believed that the Himalayas are the most inaccessible region in the whole world.

Every year people die trying to conquer Everest.

Oddly enough, the Himalayas are the source of three major river systems in the world.

The word “Himalaya” itself has a literal translation, which sounds like “Abode of Snow.”

The higher you go to the peaks of the Himalayas, the colder it gets. This is the climate in this area.

Hindu mythology says that the Himalayas are the abode of the god Shiva.

The Himalayan region has the third highest amount of snow in the world. The first two places fall on Antarctica and the Arctic.

The purest medicinal herbs grow in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Such large rivers as the Mekong, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Yangtze and Ing originate in the Himalayas or from the Tibetan Plateau. It is worth noting that the age of these rivers is much greater than the age of the mountains themselves.

About 70 million years ago, the Eurasian and Indo-American plates collided. As a result of this collision, the Himalayan range was formed.

On the tops Himalayan mountains plants don't grow. This is due to the fact that the climate there is very harsh: cold, lack of oxygen, and strong winds.

The highest peak was first conquered on May 29, 1953. The first to reach the top were Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary.

Between the ridges of the Himalayas there are several settlements consisting of the local population. It is worth noting that it is very minor.

It's sad, but all the animals that live in the Himalayas are under constant threat. This happens because people are constantly cutting down forests, thereby inexorably reducing their habitat areas.

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 became very popular mountain tourism, and if you are interested in 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 biggest mountain system on our planet is 2400 kilometers, 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.

The highest point of the Himalayas is 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.

Where are the Himalayas located? Coordinates, map and photo.

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

Movement of continents: 2. Age of the Himalayas

Location, climate, attractions of the Himalayas

Of all the mountain systems on Earth, the Himalayas are the highest and grandest: many people note that the first impression of meeting this royal mountain range was stunning and even shocking - at the sight of endless mountain ranges under the blue sky, all “worldly” thoughts disappear somewhere.

Himalayas - location and climate

Geographically, the Himalayas “capture” the territory of five states at once: Pakistan - in the west, India, Nepal and China, as well as Bhutan - in the southeast. Between India and China, the Himalayas create a natural border; Nepal and Bhutan are located on the same border - we can say that this mountainous countries. The Himalayas stretch for more than 2,400 kilometers, and the widest places reach 350 km - the climate throughout their territory is completely different and even contrasting. On the southern slopes there is a lot of rain in the summer - the flora and fauna are rich and diverse, while on the northern slopes the climate is cold and dry. In the highest mountainous regions, frosts in winter are not mild - about -40°C, and even in summer in some places real winter– up to -25°C. To this we can add strong winds - hurricanes, and sudden temperature changes.

Brief history of the Himalayas

Geologists believe that tens of millions of years ago the Himalayas were the bottom of the ocean. Of course, then these rocks were not high mountains - the growth of the peaks began due to the collision of tectonic plates, and lasted for millions of years, but the mountains turned out “to glory”: in no mountain system in the world there are so many seven and eight thousand meters high as here.

People have been striving to reach the peaks of the Himalayas since ancient times.. Then they were driven by other desires: if most modern climbers, first of all, want to become winners, then earlier those who hoped to join the greatest secrets Universe and come into contact with amazing beings - however, there are enough such people today, and gradually there are more of them.

The development of the Himalayas began in the 7th century AD.– then trade routes passed here, but the first explorers reached here only in the 18th-19th centuries. It was extremely difficult to draw maps of the area, but this only increased the interest of European scientists: many of them lived in the Himalayas for years, and sincerely fell in love with these places and their inhabitants, despite the difference in worldview.

There were many expeditions to Everest - the highest peak of the world haunted people, attracting them with its grandeur and inaccessibility, but for the first time it was conquered only in the middle of the 20th century. Two climbers in a team managed to do this - Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Norgay Tenzing from Nepal.

Some attractions of the Himalayas

Sights - cultural, historical and natural, in the Himalayas great amount, and many are considered "important" and "essential". In Tibet alone there are about 3,200 Buddhist monasteries that coexist well with Hindu and Muslim shrines.

In Northern India there is a region called Ladakh - it is called the country of Buddha Maitreya - the Future. For Buddhists, and especially Tibetans, this place is extremely important, and tourists flock here from all over the world because here you can see life as it was many centuries ago. Local residents are still engaged in agriculture and crafts, using the methods of their distant ancestors; they observe ancient traditions and customs and even wear national costumes - in Russia, for example, few people know exactly what the Russian national costume even looks like. The monasteries operate in the same way as 1000 years ago, and remain the most important centers of culture - they say that this does not exist even in classical Tibet.

In the north-west of India, in Punjab, there is a city called Amritsar: it is holy city Sikhs are followers of an amazing religion that preaches simple and eternal values. This is a brotherly attitude towards all people of the Earth, respect and love, free will and good deeds. With all this, Sikhs are an independent people, and they are ready to defend their rights and freedoms very seriously: according to the rules, every Sikh must carry a dagger or short sword under their clothes, which is never used as a weapon of violence.

The main attraction of Amritsar is the Golden Temple, or Harimandir Sahib, built in the 16th century: its lining is actually made of real gold, and it presents a mesmerizing spectacle, reflected in the waters of the lake in the center of which it is located.

Photo: sights of the Himalayas

Of course, the lake is also sacred: it is called the Lake of Immortality, and local residents They bathe in its waters, wanting to improve their health or be cured of illnesses. Any tourist who knows how to treat local religious traditions with respect can enter this temple: you must take off your shoes and cover your head with a scarf - they are given out at the entrance.

Of course, in the Himalayas now you can not only visit the sights and shrines, but also have a great rest - leisure in the mountains is becoming very popular among tourists from different countries. One of the types of such recreation is trekking, or hiking– a hike along the trails in the mountains, allowing you to get good physical activity and at the same time admire the surrounding nature. Those who do not want to strain their muscles can ride small horses - they are rented by drivers, and they lead them by the reins, so everything is quite safe. Those who like more intense sensations will enjoy rafting on mountain rivers: Even those who have never rafted on fast water can afford this - there are levels for beginners and for professionals.

By historical places are being organized most interesting excursions, and for a short time tourists have time to visit different climatic zones: There are several of them in the Himalayas - from swampy jungles and subequatorial rain forests at the foot of the mountains to eternal snow and ice at their peaks.

Valley of Flowers in the Himalayas

Photo: sights of the Himalayas

There are plenty of natural wonders in the Himalayas, but not all of them are in immediate access: perhaps this is even for the better - this way they remain “safe and sound”. Fortunately, in the Himalayas many areas are protected by the state.

In the western part of the Himalayas, in the high mountain region, is the Valley of Flowers, now declared a National Park and included in its List by UNESCO. These are not those alpine meadows, of which there are many in the mountains of different countries - this is really a valley, completely covered with flower carpets, and the most unexpected colors are found here - for example, fields of bright blue Himalayan poppies. There are many hundreds of species of flowers here, and there are some that are not found anywhere else on the planet. Anyone who manages to get here during the flowering season - from June to September - will be very lucky, but for a European tourist it is not so easy. First you need to drive for a long time, then climb about 14 km on foot along a beautiful but narrow gorge to a special camp, and from there, using a specially organized route, you can get to the Valley of Flowers.

When is the best time to go to the Himalayas? It depends on what you are going to do there and what kind of weather you need. From April to June there is fog and rain, but the sunsets are very beautiful; then the air becomes cleaner and fresher, and from September to November it is warm and sunny. In winter it is frosty in the mountains, but the sun is also usually bright, and the snow is fluffy and soft - an excellent combination for lovers of ski holidays.

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Himalayas - "abode of snow", Hindi.

Geography

Himalayas - the highest mountain system on earth, located in Asia (India, Nepal, China, Pakistan, Bhutan), between Tibetan plateau(in the north) and the Indo-Gangetic Plain (in the south). The Himalayas extend from 73°E in the northwest to 95°E in the southeast. The total length is more than 2400 km, the maximum width is 350 km. The average height is about 6000 m. The height is up to 8848 m (Everest), 11 peaks are more than 8 thousand meters.

The Himalayas are divided into three stages from south to north.

Southern, lower stage (Pre-Himalayas). The Siwalik Mountains consist of the Dundva, Chowriaghati (average height 900 m), Solya Singi, Potwar Plateau, Kala Chitta and Margala ranges. The width of the step ranges from 10 to 50 km, the height does not exceed 1000 m.

Small Himalayas, second stage. A vast highland 80 - 100 km wide, average height - 3500 - 4000 m. Maximum height - 6500 m.

Includes part of the Kashmir Himalayas - Pir Panjal (Haramush - 5142 m).

Between the outlying ridge of the second stage, called Dauladar "White Mountains"(average altitude - 3000 m) and the Main Himalayas at an altitude of 1350 - 1650 m lie the valleys of Srinagar (Kashmir Valley) and Kathmandu.

Third stage - Greater Himalayas. This step is strongly dissected and forms a large chain of ridges. The maximum width is 90 km, height is 8848 m. The average height of the passes reaches 4500 m, some exceed 6000 m. The Greater Himalayas are divided into Assam, Nepal, Kumaon and Punjab Himalayas.

- Main Himalayan range. The average height is 5500 - 6000 m. Here, in the area between the Sutlej and Arun rivers, there are eight of the ten Himalayan eight-thousanders.

In the southern spur - Dhualagiri (8221 m); in the east, between the Miristi and Marsengdi rivers, there is the Annapurna massif (8091 m); further in the eastern spur - Manaslu (8128 m) and Himalchuli (7864 m); even further north - Shisha Pangma (8013 m); between the Kosi and Arun rivers in the Khumbu Himal range rises Cho Oyu (8153 m), Kyanchung Kang (7922 m) and the highest peak of the Himalayas - Everest (8848 m), surrounded by Lhotse (8501 m), Nuptse (7879 m) and Changtse (7537 m); east of Lhotse - Makalu (8470 m) and Chomolonzo (7804 m).

Beyond the Arun River Gorge Main Ridge decreases slightly - Jonsang Peak (7459 m), a branched spur with the Kanchenjunga massif extends from it to the south, the four peaks of which exceed a height of 8000 m (maximum height - 8585 m).

In the section between the Indus and the Sutlej, the Main Range is divided into the Western Himalayas and the Northern Range.

- Northern ridge. In the northwestern part it is called Deosai, and in the southeastern part it is called Zanskar (“white copper”) (the highest point is Kamet Peak, 7756 m). To the north is the Indus Valley, beyond which to the north is the Karakoram mountain system.

- Western Himalayas(Nanga Parbat, 8126 m). Between This Range and Deosai lies the Deosai Valley. To the southeast is the Rupshu valley.

Unlike southern slopes The northern Himalayas do not have sharp outlines and are relatively little dissected.

On what continent and in what part of it are the Himalayan mountains located?

The Himalayas are characterized by powerful glaciation (an area of over 33 thousand square km), the main form of glaciers is dendritic, when glaciation from small formations in the upper part gradually merges into one large glacier at the bottom (Rongbuk glacier (Everest)). Most major centers glaciations are the areas of Kanchenjunga (Zemu glacier (26 km)), the upper reaches of the Ganges - Gangotri (26 km), Drung Drung glacier (24 km), Rongbuk glacier (19 km) and Nanga Parbata - Rakhiot glacier (15 km).

Geology

The Himalayas formed during the Alpine Orogeny. The central crystalline core (gneisses, crystalline schists, granites, phyllites) of the mountain system is surrounded by sedimentary rocks of various ages (composed mainly of sandstones and conglomerates). These rocks were formed at the bottom of prehistoric seas that once covered large areas of the modern territory of Asia. In later times, layers of the earth's crust were crushed into huge folds by the colossal force of movement of continental blocks.

These folds, often overlapped and ruptured, form powerful thrust systems. In such formations, layers of earlier origin often appear to lie on layers that formed much later. The resulting mountain system separated the Hindustan Peninsula from the central regions of Asia with a giant mountain barrier.

Climate

Literature

1. Rototaev P. S. R79 Conquered giants. Ed. 2nd, revised and additional M., “Thought”, 1975. 283 p. from maps; 16 l. silt

2. Scientific-geographical encyclopedia.

Links

Himalayas. View from space Kathmandu Valley Everest Rongbuk Glacier

Gissar fat-tailed sheep is the largest meat-fat sheep in the world. The breed is classified as coarse-haired, the weight of an adult uterus is approximately 90 kilograms, the weight of a ram reaches 120 kilograms. The best individuals weigh up to 190 kilograms, with a total weight of the tail part containing fat and lard from 10 to 20, and sometimes even 30 kilograms.

The uniqueness of the Indian Himalayas

Sheep are characterized by early maturity and rapid growth, and also have a number of undeniable advantages, which manifest themselves to varying degrees during industrial and domestic breeding of the breed:

Animals are able to withstand any harsh conditions without much damage to their weight and appearance. weather, therefore suitable for breeding in the most unfavorable regions of the world;
Gissar sheep feed almost exclusively on pasture, finding it even in semi-deserts and sun-scorched steppes;
The breed does not require any performance improvements, since it was not bred artificially, but during many years of untargeted crossings of sheep of a wide variety of steppe and rocks. The birthplace of the breed is considered to be Tajikistan, where it is still one of the most popular among local livestock breeders;
Sheep can easily graze both in the steppe and on steep mountain slopes, thanks to which they find food almost all year round;
Keeping sheep does not require large expenses; if lambing time is properly organized, sheep do not even require a sheepfold, their skin and wool are so warm and dense.

External signs of the Gissar breed

The Gissar sheep is not distinguished by its beautiful appearance; its long body, high and straight legs, strongly built torso and short hair give the impression that the animal is poorly nourished and does not have a sufficient degree of fat. The height of an adult sheep at the withers can reach 1 meter or more. Sheep are distinguished by a small head; at the base of the nasal part of the skull there is a clearly visible hump. The head is decorated with hanging and very long ears. The neck of sheep is short, but very wide. The chest protrudes forward for some distance, which is also clearly visible and allows an experienced specialist to determine the purity of the breed.

Sheep do not wear horns; even rams do not have horns. Sheep have a raised and clearly visible fat tail, its weight reaches 40 kilograms with good fattening in fat-type sheep, while in other sheep the weight of the fat tail is on average 25 kilograms. The color of sheep's wool is dark brown or black, the animal's hair is weak, the annual wool shearing with two shearings is no more than 2 kilograms per ram and 1 kilogram per uterus. Short, coarse wool contains a large admixture of dead hair and awns, so these sheep are unsuitable for obtaining and selling wool for the production of expensive products.

General characteristics

In terms of lard and meat production, Gissar sheep are among the best in the world. In addition, sheep have good milk qualities, the milk production of sheep is so high that it allows the farmer to get up to 120 liters of milk in two months from one sheep, that is, the animal can produce up to 2.5 liters of milk per day, provided that the lambs are switched to artificial fattening

Young animals grow very quickly, they can be grazed from the second day of life; with properly organized grazing, additional feed and succulent nutritious grasses, a lamb can gain up to 600 grams in weight per day.

Sheep are very hardy, they can move day and night, when moving over long distances, for example, from summer pastures to winter ones and vice versa, the Gissar sheep is able to cover a distance of 500 kilometers, which in no case will affect its physical condition, because the breed is for This is what was brought out.

Using wool

Another disadvantage of the breed, in addition to its unsuitability for wool production, is its insufficiently high fertility, amounting to only 110-115%, that is, the birth of three or more lambs in a flock is rare.

Types of sheep

The Gissar breed of sheep comes in three types, which differ in areas of productivity:

A greasy type of sheep with a large tail. The total amount of fat during the slaughter of a sheep is much higher than that of the other two types of animals; the fat tail, in which almost the entire fat reserve of sheep is concentrated, occupies more than a third of the total length of the animal’s body.
Meat-fat type of sheep. Sheep belonging to this type have a fairly large tail, pulled up to the level of the back.
Meat type of Gissar sheep. The fat tail of this type of sheep practically does not stand out and is not noticeable in any way due to the fact that it is pulled high towards the back.

Regardless of the type of productive orientation, sheep of the Hissar breed are kept the same everywhere. In winter, they drive them higher into the mountains, to places where there is no snow; in summer, they take them down to summer pastures, closer to home. Heat, cold, strong wind and rain can only frighten a shepherd, but they are practically not scary for sheep. Short hair dries quickly in the sun; regular haircuts protect against increased amounts of hair. The only thing that sheep cannot tolerate is moisture, like most fat-tailed sheep, they prefer dry spaces, fields and pastures in non-wetlands. Sheep can withstand frosts, naturally, the construction of a shed will not hurt, but if there is insufficient funds and materials, you can get by with a simple shed, where the sheep could hide in very severe cold, as well as during the lambing period.

The Gissar breed of sheep is nomadic, they are used to covering long distances in a day, so raising them in areas where there is no possibility of long-term grazing in the fresh air is not profitable. The Tatars, who have the most common Gissar breed of sheep, roam with animals throughout the year, milk, shear, receive offspring and carry out mating, also in a nomadic state.

Mating, mating period, caring for offspring

Mating is the same as for all sheep, with one exception - it is almost always free; in the steppe, shepherds do not particularly monitor the appearance of heat in the queens, but simply graze the rams and queens in the herd together, which allows them to receive offspring from sheep throughout the year . Lambs reach great weight very quickly; the meat type of Gissar sheep can be submitted for slaughter as early as 4-5 months.

During free mating, the ram covers the queens randomly and as much as he can cover in a day, usually no more than 10-15, and he also independently detects heat.

Sheep of the Gissar breed bear offspring for no more than 145 days, which is typical for any breed of sheep. During the mating period, sheep are transferred to the most fertile pastures and kept there until the offspring appear. As soon as the lambs begin to get stronger and gain weight, they are either sold for meat or driven to poorer pastures; in principle, young animals and adult animals can find food for themselves in any place where there is at least some vegetation. Just like all other sheep, animals of the Gissar breed bear offspring once a year.

Sheep are resistant to colds, practically do not get sick, but, as a rule, they still need some vaccinations, so you should not expect that after purchasing the sheep they will find their own food, gain weight and require absolutely no supervision and care. Caring for lambs, shearing, milking, slaughtering - all these are types of work that a sheep farmer who plans to breed Gissar sheep will have to do.

Slaughter

Obtaining good lamb meat is only possible by slaughtering young rams and lambs, so sheep of the Gissark breed are sent to slaughter as early as 3-4 months, or even earlier, and they do this en masse. Usually, by this time, several hundred lambs are born in flocks, ready to be slaughtered for meat, the yield of which is very good; farmers in the steppe and mountainous regions feed and live by selling meat, lard and milk from sheep. But there is no need to move to the steppe regions to breed the breed; the sheep feels great in any place where there are large pastures and a lot of free space. Mass slaughter takes place in specially equipped slaughterhouses; slaughtering a sheep at home is quite simple; all you need to do is hang it upside down, cut the cervical arteries and let the blood drain. The process takes no more than 5 minutes, after which you can start cutting the carcass.

So, the Gissar breed of sheep is the most unpretentious to any conditions of keeping, feeding and care; a large sheep quickly reaches a large weight, the amount of pure meat and fat, which tempts most livestock breeders.

Video: Gissar breed of sheep

The Himalayas are the highest and most powerful mountain system in all 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 most high peak peace - (Qomolungmu). But the great mountain, towering 8848 m above the ground, could give victory only to the strongest. After countless failed expeditions, on May 29, 1953, man finally managed to reach the summit of Everest: the first to climb the most difficult route New Zealander Edmund Hillary was lucky enough to be 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 most difficult to pass - National Park Sagarmatha. 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 of predators, including snow leopards (no more than 7,500 individuals 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 “for experts”, there are routes for beginners on the western slopes as well).
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.

The most high 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 Budanilkantha, Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, National Museum Nepal;

Lhasa

Potala Palace, Barkor Square, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery

Thimphu

Bhutan Textile Museum, Thimphu Chorten, Tashicho Dzong;

■ Temple complexes of the Himalayas(including Shri Kedarnath Mandir, Yamunotri);
■ Buddhist stupas(memorial or reliquary structures);
■ Sagarmatha National Park(Everest);
■ National parks Nanda Devi and the Valley of Flowers.

Curious facts

About five or six centuries ago, a people called the Sherpas moved to the Himalayas. They know how to provide themselves with everything necessary for life in the highlands, but, in addition, they are practically a monopoly in the profession of guides. Because they are truly 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 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...

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? Mountain tourism has become very popular in recent years, 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. 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. Here are the ten 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 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.

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.

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