Geographical features that border the Himalaya mountains. The predominant mountain heights are the Himalayas

During the day, their snow-white caps sparkle in the rays bright sun. At sunset, the peaks are painted a delicate red color and on the pink ridges of the mountains you can observe a bizarre play of light and shadow. When night comes, pointed black peaks stand out against the blue-black starry sky. The Himalayas are not only one of the most beautiful places created by nature. This is a sacred land, a place where, according to legend, Buddhist and Hindu deities live. Once these mountains were an insurmountable barrier between the states located to the south of them and the fabulously rich cities lying to the north, on the Great Silk Road - Samarkand, Bukhara, Kashgar and Kotan.

Not on Earth more mountains, similar to Central Asian ones. Six mountain systems meet here, forming an arc 160-240 km wide along the northern border of the Indian subcontinent. The largest mountain system of the six is ​​the Himalayas (which translates from Sanskrit as “abode of snow”). From the cold white pyramid of Namcha Barwa in the forests of northern Assam in the east, they stretch west along the border Tibetan plateau via Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal and Ladakh. Finally they end in Pakistan with the powerful western bastion of Nanga Parbat. Their total length is approximately 2400 km. The peaks of the southern Siwalik Mountains (Pre-Himalayas) rise above sea level to a maximum of 1520 m. In the north they border the Lesser Himalayas, the average height of which is 4570 m.

The Greater Himalayas are the basis of the entire system. They reach their maximum height in Nepal. There, in a small space, there are 9 of the 14 highest peaks, including Everest (8846 m), Kanchenjunga (8598 m) and Annapurna (8078 m). North of the Greater Himalayas is a mountain range called the Tethys or Tibetan Himalayas, which is bordered to the north by the vast Tibetan Plateau.

Fossilized skeletons of fish and other marine animals discovered in the Himalayas indicate that these giant mountains were once marine sediments. Between 570 and 65 million years ago they were the bottom of the ancient Tethys Ocean. When the Indian tectonic plate, drifting north, collided with the Asian continent, the Himalayan mountain range shot up.

Geologists have found that the formation of the Himalayan mountains took place in at least three stages. The Great Himalayas were formed first, about 38 million years ago. Then, between 26 and 7 million years ago, the Lesser Himalayas arose. In the third stage, about 7 million years ago, the Siwalik Mountains appeared. Movement at the junction of two tectonic plates is a continuous process. Over the past one and a half million years, the mountains have grown by 1370 m.

In Hindu mythology, this region is called Devyabhuni - the land of the gods. At the top of Gaurishankar lived the great god Shiva with his wife Devi, daughter of Himavat, who himself is the personification of the Himalayas. Shiva is one of the supreme gods included in the divine triad, the “master of animals.” Therefore, it is quite logical that from his home, located among the eternal snows of the Himalayas, the life-giving waters of the three great rivers of Asia - the Indus, Brahmaputra and Ganges - flow.

Shiva and his wife are not the only deities who inhabit the Himalayas. Both Hindu and Buddhist legends tell that Mount Meru stands at the center of the Earth, around which the Sun, Moon and stars revolve. Hindus identify Mount Kailash in the Tibetan Himalayas with Meru. Kubera lives here - the god of wealth, the owner of earthly treasures and the lord of supernatural beings called yakshas. Indra, the most important of the early Hindu gods, also lives on Meru - the thunderer who gives rain and fertilizes the earth.

The first traveler to the Himalayas mentioned in the chronicles was also guided by religious associations. The Chinese monk Fa Xian came here in 400 AD. e. in search of religious truth. The oldest accurate map of these places was compiled in the 30s of the 18th century by the French geographer Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d'Arville, who, however, was unable to correctly determine the height of many mountain peaks. At the beginning of the 19th century, the British, hunters of large animals, went here from India in search of tigers and bears. Returning from the Himalayas, they retold local legends about strange footprints in the snow. This was the first hint of the existence of Bigfoot.

In the 50s XIX century the world's highest peak was known in the West simply as Peak XV. The Indians called it Sagarmatha - “heavenly peak”, and for the Tibetans it was Chomolungma - “mother goddess of the earth”. The British named it Everest in 1862 in honor of Sir George Everest, the Governor-General of India, who six years earlier led an expedition to map the Himalayan mountains.

TO end of the 19th century century, Tibet and Nepal closed their borders to Europeans. And although the Dalai Lama allowed one expedition to visit the country in 1921, it only had enough time to reach the base of Everest and map its lower slopes. A member of this expedition was George Mallory, who three years later made a desperate attempt to climb the world's highest peak.

Mallory, who led the 1924 expedition, and his companion Andrew Irvine may have been the first people to stand on the summit of Everest. In any case, they were in close proximity to the peak when a cloud covered them. After that, they disappeared from the sight of their colleagues watching them from below, and were never seen again. The first reliable conquest of Everest was carried out by a British expedition led by John Hunt 30 years later. The final assault was launched by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Norgay Tenzing. Hillary later wrote what he was thinking as he stood where no one was known to have stood before: “My first feeling was relief - no more ridges to cross, no more torment, climbing mountains and hoping for success. I looked at Tenzing... and he was unable to hide his infectious, enthusiastic smile.”

The attractiveness of Everest for climbers is undeniable, and the climbing season is short; unless, of course, they want to avoid low temperatures, hurricane winds and deep snow. Many attempts to reach the top ended in failure and sometimes in the death of expedition members, but nothing stops the climbers. Behind last years climbers from all over the world managed to make successful ascents.

Climbers continue to storm the highest peak, but so far only about four hundred of them have managed to stand on the “roof of the world.” The Himalayas in general, and Everest in particular, carefully guard their secrets. Even today they remain the only snow kingdom of its kind - the abode of the gods. Over time, it may become clear that this is also the home of the Bigfoot.

general information

The Himalaya 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 8848 m is 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 Karakoram.

The population is mainly engaged in agriculture, although the climate allows for 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 ancient Indian Sanskrit. "Himalaya" means "Abode of Snow" or "Kingdom of Snows".

Geography

All mountain range The Himalayas consists of three distinctive steps:

  • The first - the Pre-Himalayas (locally called the Shivalik Range) - 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 - is called the Lesser Himalayas. The name is quite arbitrary, since the peaks already rise to respectable 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. The 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.

Records of the Himalayas

The Himalayas are a place of pilgrimage for the strongest climbers in the world, for whom conquering their peaks is a cherished goal in life. Chomolungma did not conquer immediately - since the beginning of the last century, many attempts have been made to climb to the “roof of the world.” The first person to achieve this goal was New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary in 1953, accompanied by a local guide, Sherpa Norgay Tenzing. The first successful Soviet expedition took place in 1982. In total, Everest has been conquered about 3,700 times.

Unfortunately, the Himalayas also set sad records - 572 climbers died trying to conquer their eight-kilometer heights. But the number of brave athletes does not decrease, because “taking” all 14 “eight-thousanders” and receiving the “Crown of the Earth” is the cherished dream of each of them. The total number of “crowned” winners to date is 30 people, including 3 women.

Minerals

The Himalayas are rich in mineral resources. In the axial crystalline zone there are deposits of copper ore, placer gold, arsenic and chromium ores. The foothills and intermountain basins contain oil, flammable gases, brown coal, potassium and rock salts.

Climatic conditions

The Himalayas are the largest climate division in Asia. To the north of them, continental air of temperate latitudes predominates, to the south - tropical air masses. The summer equatorial monsoon penetrates all the way to the southern slope of the Himalayas. The winds reach such strength there that they make it difficult to climb the highest peaks, so Chomolungma can only be climbed in the spring, during the short period of calm before the onset of the summer monsoon. On the northern slope, winds from the northern or western directions blow throughout the year, coming from the continent, which is supercooled in winter or very warm in summer, but is always dry. From northwest to southeast, the Himalayas extend approximately between 35 and 28° N, and the summer monsoon almost does not penetrate into the northwestern sector of the mountain system. All this creates great climatic differences within the Himalayas.

The most 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 zone of internal tectonic basins and in internal river valleys. On the northern slope, especially in the valleys, the amount of precipitation decreases sharply. In some places, annual amounts are less than 100 mm. Above 1800 m, winter precipitation falls in the form of snow, and above 4500 m snow occurs throughout the year.

On southern slopes up to an altitude of 2000 m average temperature January is 6...7 °C, July 18...19 °C; up to an altitude of 3000 m, the average temperature of the winter months does not fall below 0 ° C, and only above 4500 m the average July temperature becomes negative. The snow line in the eastern part of the Himalayas passes at an altitude of 4500 m, in the western, less humidified part - 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 heavy precipitation 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 a significant absolute height. Most of the Himalayan glaciers belong to the valley type and reach no more than 5 km in length. But the further east you go and the more precipitation there is, the longer and lower the glaciers go down the slopes. The most powerful glaciation is on Chomolungma and Kanchenjunga, and the largest glaciers of the Himalayas are formed. These are dendritic type glaciers with several feeding areas and one main trunk. The Zemu glacier on Kanchenjunga reaches 25 km in length and ends at an altitude of about 4000 m. The Rongbuk glacier, 19 km long, slides down from Qomolungma and 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 from the southern slope of the mountains. They begin in the glaciers of the Greater Himalayas and, crossing the Lesser Himalayas and the foothills, reach 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. These are the Indus, its tributary the Sutlej and the Brahmaputra (Tsangpo).

The Himalayan rivers are fed by rain, glaciers and snow, so the main maximum flow occurs in the summer. In the eastern part, the role of monsoon rains in nutrition is great, in the west - snow and ice of the high mountain zone. The narrow gorges or canyon-like valleys of the Himalayas are replete with waterfalls and rapids. From May, when the most rapid melting of snow begins, until October, when the summer monsoon ends, rivers rush down from the mountains in rapid streams, carrying away masses of debris that they deposit when leaving the Himalayan foothills. Monsoon rains often cause severe flooding in 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 part of those tectonic depressions that were previously filled entirely. The Pir Panjal range is known for numerous glacial lakes formed in ancient cirques or in river valleys as a result of their damming by moraine.

Vegetation

On the abundantly moistened southern slope of the Himalayas, altitudinal zones from tropical forests to the high mountain tundra. At the same time, the southern slope is characterized by significant differences in the vegetation cover of the humid and hot eastern part and the drier and colder western part. Along the foot of the mountains from their eastern extremity to the course of the Jamna River stretches a peculiar swampy strip with black silty soils, called the Terai. The Terai are characterized by jungles - dense thickets of trees and shrubs, almost impenetrable in places due to vines and consisting of soap trees, mimosa, bananas, low-growing palm trees, and bamboos. Among the terai there are cleared and drained areas that are used for the cultivation of various tropical crops.

Above the terai, on the damp slopes of the mountains and along river valleys up to an altitude of 1000-1200 m, evergreen tropical forests grow of tall palms, laurels, tree ferns and gigantic bamboos, with many vines (including the rattan palm) and epiphytes. Drier areas are dominated by thinner forests of salwood, which loses its leaves during the dry season, with rich undergrowth and grass cover.

At altitudes above 1000 m, subtropical species of evergreen and deciduous trees begin to mix with the heat-loving 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 only occasionally are representatives of subtropical flora, for example, magnificently flowering magnolias found. The upper border of the forest is dominated by conifers, including silver fir, larch, and juniper. The undergrowth is formed by dense thickets of tree-like rhododendrons. There are many mosses and lichens covering the soil and tree trunks. The subalpine belt replacing forests consists of tall grass meadows and thickets of shrubs, the vegetation of which gradually becomes lower and sparse as it moves to the alpine belt.

The high-altitude meadow vegetation of the Himalayas is unusually rich in species, including primroses, anemones, poppies and other brightly flowering perennial herbs. 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 discovered at an altitude of 6218 m.

In the western part of the southern slope of the Himalayas, due to lower humidity, there is no such richness and diversity of vegetation; the flora is much poorer than in the east. There is a complete absence of the Terai strip, the lower parts of the mountain slopes are covered with sparse xerophytic forests and thickets of shrubs, higher up there are some subtropical Mediterranean species like evergreen holm oak and golden-leaved olive, and even higher up coniferous forests of pine trees and magnificent Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara) predominate. 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 ranges of the Himalayas, facing Tibet, are approaching 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 up to the snow-covered peaks, sparse 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 of the Himalayas are also reflected in the composition of the wild fauna. Diverse and rich animal world the southern slopes have a pronounced tropical character. Many large mammals, reptiles, and insects are common in the forests of the lower slopes and in the terai. Elephants, rhinoceroses, buffalos, wild boars, and antelopes are still found there. The jungle is literally teeming with various monkeys. Particularly characteristic are macaques and thin-bodied animals. Of the predators, the most dangerous to the population are tigers and leopards - spotted and black (black panthers). Among the birds, peacocks, pheasants, parrots, and wild chickens stand out for their beauty and brightness of plumage.

In the upper mountain belt and on the northern slopes, the fauna is close in composition to that of Tibet. The black Himalayan bear, wild goats and sheep, and yaks live there. Especially a lot of rodents.

Population and environmental issues

Most of the population is concentrated in the middle zone of the southern slope and in intramountain tectonic basins. There is a lot of cultivated land there. Rice is sown on the irrigated flat bottoms of the basins; tea bushes, citrus fruits, and grapevines are grown on the terraced slopes. Alpine pastures are used for grazing sheep, yaks and other livestock.

Because of high altitude Passes in the Himalayas significantly complicate communication between the countries of the northern and southern slopes. Some passes are crossed by dirt roads or caravan trails; there are very few highways in the Himalayas. Passes are only available in summer time. In winter they are covered with snow and completely impassable.

The inaccessibility of the territory has played a favorable role in preserving the unique mountain landscapes of the Himalayas. Despite the significant agricultural development of low mountains and basins, intensive grazing of livestock on mountain slopes and the ever-increasing influx of climbers from different countries world, the Himalayas remain a refuge for valuable plant and animal species. The real “treasures” are those included in the List of World Cultural and natural heritage national parks of India and Nepal - Nandadevi, Sagarmatha and Chitwan.

Attractions

  • Kathmandu: temple complexes Budanilkantha, Boudhanath 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 reliquary structures);
  • Sagarmatha National Park (Everest);
  • National parks Nanda Devi and 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 to improve the health of their body according to the Ayurvedic canons of Panchakarma.

The pilgrims' program necessarily includes visiting caves for deep meditation, waterfalls, ancient temples, and bathing in the Ganges, a river sacred to Hindus. Those suffering can have conversations with spiritual mentors, receive from them parting words and recommendations for spiritual and physical cleansing. However, this topic is so broad and versatile that it requires a separate detailed presentation.

The natural grandeur and highly spiritual atmosphere of the Himalayas captivate the human imagination. Anyone who has at least once come into contact with 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 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...

The Himalayas in art, literature and cinema

  • Kim is a novel written by Joseph Kipling. It tells the story of a boy who admires British imperialism while surviving 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 Hergé. 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 German writer Cornelia Funke about Brownie and a dragon traveling to the "Edge of Heaven" - a place in the Himalayas where dragons live.
  • Expedition Everest is a themed roller coaster at Walt Disney World Resort.
  • Seven Years in Tibet is a film based on the autobiographical book of the same name by Heinrich Harrer, which describes the story of the adventures of an Austrian mountaineer 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, which survived the Ice Age in the Himalayas.
  • Far Cry 4 is a first-person shooter story that tells about the fictional region of the Himalayas, dominated by a self-proclaimed king.

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 Ghuma, 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

The weather in the Himalayas depends on the height of the mountain ranges - the higher, the colder. 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 is 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 are 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 chowman (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 the Cathedral of Christ and the main shopping street where you can buy scarves and shawls made of fine wool, saris and other national clothes and glitter 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 studies (mostly dubious), the body of Jesus lies there, and many locals sincerely believe this. In addition, the city is famous for docks - boats on Lake Dal, the proximity ski resort Gulmarg 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 have 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, Nikolai Konstantinovich’s personal car and some of his paintings were preserved there.

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.

The Himalayas are a mountain system considered to be the highest in the world.

“Only mountains can be better than mountains.” Ever since school, everyone knows that the highest mountains in the world, as well as the most picturesque and mysterious, are the Himalayas.

The mythical Shambhala, the mysterious and formidable snowman - this is only a small part of the myths and legends, hidden from us by the eternal white ice of the mountain peaks.

Geographical location and characteristics

The vast area of ​​Central Asia is home to the highest mountain system on the planet - the Himalayas, which translated from Sanskrit means “abode of snow.” They are located on the territory of the following states:

  • Chinese People's Republic(Tibet region);
  • Nepal;
  • India;
  • Pakistan;
  • Bangladesh (a small part of it).

The mountain range, stretching almost 2,400 km in length, was formed approximately 50-70 million years ago as a result of the movement and collision of the Eurasian and Indo-American tectonic plates. But, despite being so ancient in earthly years, by geological standards these mountains are still young. The process of growth of the Himalayas continues to this day, for example, the highest point on the planet - Mount Qomolungma (Everest) is growing by about 6 cm per year.

The peaks of the Himalayas, sharp as peaks, rise above the Indo-Gangetic valley and consist of three steps:

The Great Himalayas are the highest part of the mountain range, rising 4 km or more above sea level. By the way, in the Himalayas there are 10 of the 14 “eight-thousanders” - mountain peaks whose height exceeds 8 km, as well as the highest point in the world - Mount Qomolungma, as the locals call it Everest, after the name of the surveyor George Everest, who in the mid-19th century determined the exact height of the peak. It was as much as 8848 m.

A little lower, at an altitude of 2-4 km above sea level, there are fertile valleys, for example, Kathmandu and Kashmir, alternating with mountain ranges. These are the so-called Lesser Himalayas. Pre-Himalayas, second name - Siwalik. These are the youngest and shortest in mountain system hills, their height does not exceed 2 km.

The area of ​​the ice sheet, located mainly on the slopes of high mountains, is 33 thousand square kilometers. The largest glacier is Gangotri (26 km long), it gives rise to the Ganges, the sacred river of the Hindus. There are also many picturesque alpine lakes in the Himalayas, for example, Lake Tilicho is located at an altitude of 4919 meters!

Himalayas on the map

Rivers

From the Himalayas they originate and carry their stormy waters such largest rivers planets like Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra.

Climate

Monsoons carrying warm air from Indian Ocean, supply most of the year southern slopes mountains with life-giving moisture. The same cannot be said about the northern slopes of the Himalayas. The warm southern air is unable to overcome the mountain heights, so there is an arid continental climate.

The air temperature in the mountains reaches -40 degrees Celsius in winter, and wind speeds sometimes reach as much as 150 km/h. The Himalayas rank third on the planet for the amount of snow and ice after the Arctic and Antarctic.

Flora and fauna of the Himalayas

Diversity flora The Himalayas are directly proportional to altitude. At the southern foot of the mountains there are real jungles, which here are called “terai”, a little higher they are replaced by tropical forests, then mixed, coniferous, and finally alpine meadows.

meadows in the Himalayas photo

On the drier and more deserted northern slopes, semi-deserts, steppes and mixed forests replace each other. Very valuable tree species grow in the Himalayas, such as dhak and sal trees. The boundaries of the ice sheet are approximately 6 km on the north side and 4.5 km on the south. Above 4 km, tundra-type vegetation is already found - mosses, dwarf shrubs, rhododendrons.

In Nepal there is national park"Sigarmatha" which is the object cultural heritage UNESCO. Here is the highest peak in the world, everyone famous mountain Everest, and two eight-thousander peaks, as well as endemic species (rare and endangered species of animals and plants) such as the snow leopard, Tibetan fox, black fox and others.

Himalayan sheep photo

On the southern side, rhinoceroses, tigers, and leopards live and feel very comfortable. The north is home to bears, antelopes, yaks, wild horses and mountain goats.

Population

It is worth saying a little about the population of this mountainous region, because it is quite diverse. Already 8000 BC these mountains were inhabited by tribes. Ancient Aryans lived in the south, Persian and Turkic peoples lived in the west, and Tibetan tribes lived in the east. They lived in isolated valleys, where they created their own state entities and closed ethnic groups.

In the 19th century, the Himalayas were a possession of the British Empire, and in 1947, they became a zone of military conflict due to the division of India and Pakistan. The population is still engaged in subsistence farming. On the southern wet slopes, grain crops are grown, and in drier and less fertile areas, transhumance is practiced.

Development and interesting facts

Among all the eight-thousanders, Chomolungma has always been of particular interest. Local tribes did not climb its peaks for a long time, considering the mountain sacred. Everest was first conquered in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa (Sherpas are a people living in Eastern Nepal) Tenzing Norgay.

The first Soviet expedition took place in 1982. Since 1953, Everest has been conquered more than 3,700 times, however, there are other, sadder statistics - about 570 people died during the ascent. Besides Everest, the Annapurna mountain range is considered the most dangerous “eight-thousander”; the mortality rate among climbers for the entire time since the first ascent is as much as 41%! True, according to statistics for 1990-2008, the most dangerous peak Kanchenjunga (8586 meters above sea level) began to be considered, the mortality rate over these years was 22%.

flora of the Himalayas photo

The Himalayas are becoming more and more “inhabited” areas of the planet every year. The flow of tourists increases from season to season, which entails the development of infrastructure and the entire tourism system as a whole. Not long ago, the authorities of China and Nepal agreed on the development transport communication between their countries through the construction of a railway tunnel. It is expected that it will pass under the very high peak planets - Everest! Preparatory work on this project is already underway.

In 2011, a dinner party was held in the Himalayas at an altitude of 6805 meters! Seven climbers climbed to a record height, taking with them a table, chairs, equipment and food. Lunch still took place, despite the cold and strong wind. Initially, the climbing group wanted to have lunch at an altitude of 7045 meters, but hurricane winds did not allow this.

The Himalayas are undoubtedly the highest mountain structure in the world. It stretches over a distance of 2,400 meters from the northwest towards the southeast. Its western part is 400 kilometers wide, and its eastern part is approximately 150 kilometers wide.

In the article we will look at where the Himalayas are located, in which states the mountain range is located and who lives in this territory.

Kingdom of the Snows

The pictures of the Himalayan peaks are mesmerizing. Many can easily answer the question of where on our planet these giants are located.

The map shows that they are located over a vast territory: starting from the northern hemisphere and ending they cross along the way South Asia and the Indo-Gangetic plain. Then they gradually develop into other mountain systems.

The unusual location of the mountains lies in the fact that they are located on the territory of 5 countries. The Himalayas can be boasted by the Indians, the Nepalese, the Chinese, the residents of Bhutan, and Pakistan, and the northern side of Bangladesh.

How the Himalayas appeared and developed

This mountain system, from a geological point of view, is quite young. It was assigned to the Himalaya coordinates: 27°59′17″ N latitude and 86°55′31″ E longitude

There are two phenomena that influenced the appearance of mountains:

  1. The system was formed mainly from sediments and rocks interacting in the earth's crust. At first they folded into peculiar folds, and then rose to a certain height.
  2. The formation of the Himalayas was influenced by the merger of two lithospheric plates, which began about 50 million years ago. Because of this, the ancient Tethys ocean disappeared.

Dimensions of the Himalayan peaks

This mountain system includes 10 of the 14 highest mountains on Earth, which have exceeded the 8 km mark. The highest of them is Mount Chomolungma (Everest) - 8,848 meters up. On average everything Himalayan mountains exceed 6 km.

In the table you can see which peaks the mountain system includes, their height and the location of the Himalayas by country.

Three main steps

The Himalaya mountains have formed 3 main levels, each of which is higher than the previous one.

Description of the Himalayan steps, starting with the lowest height:

  1. The Siwalik Range is the southernmost, lowest and youngest level. Its length is 1 km 700 meters between the lowlands of the Indus and Brahmaputra, and its width is from 10 to 50 km. The height of the Siwalik hill does not exceed 2 km. This mountain range is located mainly on the soil of Nepal, capturing the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
  2. The Lesser Himalayas are the second stage, going in the same direction as the Siwalik, only closer to the north. On average, their height is approximately 2.5 km and only in the west they reach 4 km. These two Himalayan steps have many river valleys that divide the massif into isolated areas.
  3. The Greater Himalayas are the third level, which is much further north and higher than the previous two. Some peaks here are much more than 8 km in height. And the depressions in the mountain ridges are more than 4 km. Multiple glacial accumulations are located over an area of ​​more than 33 thousand km 2. They contain fresh water in a volume of about 12 thousand km 3. The largest and most famous glacier is Gangotri - the beginning of the Indian Ganges River.

Himalayan water system

The three largest South Asian rivers - the Indus, Brahmaputra and Ganges - begin their journey in the Himalayas. The western Himalayan rivers are part of the Indus River catchment, while all others are adjacent to the Brahmaputra-Gangetic basin. The easternmost side of the Himalayas belongs to the system Also in this mountain structure there are many naturally occurring reservoirs that do not have connections with other rivers, seas and oceans. For example, lakes Bangong Tso and Yamjoyum Tso (700 and 621 km 2, respectively). And then there is Lake Tilicho, which is located very high in the mountains - at 1919 m, and is considered one of the highest in the world.

Extensive glaciers are another feature of the mountain system. They cover an area of ​​33 thousand km 2 and store about 7 km 3 of snow. The largest and longest glaciers are Zema, Gangotri and Rongbuk.

Weather

The weather in the mountains is changeable and is affected by geographical position The Himalayas, their vast territory.

  • On the southern side, under the influence of the monsoon, a lot of precipitation falls in summer - up to 4 meters in the east, up to 1 meter per year in the west, and almost none in winter.
  • In the north, on the contrary, there is almost no rain at all; a continental climate, cold and dry, prevails here. High in the mountains there are severe frosts and strong winds. The air temperature is below -40 o C.

Temperatures in summer reach -25 °C, and in winter - up to -40 °C. In mountainous areas, wind speeds of up to 150 km/h are often encountered. In the Himalayas, the weather changes quite often.

The Himalayan mountain structure also influences the weather of the entire region. The mountains act as protection from the freezing dry gusts of wind that blow from the north, so the climate in India is warmer than in Asian countries, which, by the way, are located in the same latitudes.

The weather in Tibet is very dry because all the monsoon winds that blow from the south and bring a lot of rain cannot cross high mountains. All moisture-containing air volumes settle in them.

There is an assumption that the Himalayas also took part in the formation of the deserts of Asia, since they prevented the passage of rainfall.

Flora and fauna

Flora directly depends on the height of the Himalayas.

  • The base of the Siwalik range is covered with swampy forests and terai (a kind of undergrowth).
  • A little higher up, green, dense forests with tall stands begin; there are deciduous and coniferous plants. Further on there are mountain meadows covered with thick grass.
  • Forests, which consist of deciduous trees and small shrubs, predominate at altitudes greater than 2 km. And coniferous forests are more than 2 km 600 meters.
  • Above 3 km 500 meters the kingdom of bushes begins.
  • On the northern slopes the weather is drier, so there is much less vegetation. Mostly mountainous deserts and steppes predominate.

The fauna is very diverse and depends on where the Himalayas are located and their position above sea level.

  • They live in the southern tropics wild elephants, antelopes, tigers, rhinoceroses and leopards, a very large number of monkeys.
  • A little higher up live the famous Himalayan bears, mountain sheep and goats, and yaks.
  • And even higher up, snow leopards are sometimes found.

There are many nature reserves in the Himalayas. For example, Sagarmatha National Park.

Population

A significant part of people live in the southern Himalayas, whose height does not reach 5 km. For example, in the Kashirskaya and Kathmandu basins. These areas are quite densely populated, land almost all are cultivated

In the Himalayas, the population is divided into ethnic groups. It so happened that it was difficult to get to these places; people lived for a long time in isolated tribes with little contact with their neighbors. Often in winter period the inhabitants of any basin found themselves completely isolated from others, because it was impossible to get to their neighbors due to snowfall in the mountains.

It is known where the Himalayas are located - on the territory of five countries. Residents of the region communicate in two languages: Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Burman.

Religious views also vary: some extol Buddha, while others worship Hinduism.

The Himalayan Sherpas live high in the mountains of Eastern Nepal, including the Everest region. They often work as assistants on expeditions: they show the way and carry things. They have adapted perfectly to altitude, so even at the most high points This mountain system does not suffer from a lack of oxygen. Apparently, this is inherited at the genetic level.

The inhabitants of the Himalayas are mainly engaged in agricultural work. If the land is relatively flat and there is a sufficient amount of water in reserve, then peasants successfully grow potatoes, rice, peas, oats and barley. Where the climate is warmer, for example in depressions, lemons, oranges, apricots, tea and grapes grow. High in the mountains, residents keep yaks, sheep and goats. Yaks carry cargo, but they are also kept for meat, wool and milk.

Special values ​​of the Himalayas

There are many attractions in the Himalayas: Buddhist and Hindu monasteries, temples, relics. At the foot of the mountains is the city of Rishikesh - sacred place for Hindus. It was in this city that yoga was born; this city is considered the capital of harmony of body and soul.

The city of Hardwar or "Gateway to God" is another sacred place for local residents. It is located on the descent from the mountain of the Ganges River, which flows out onto the plain.

You can walk around national park"Valley of Flowers", which is located on the western side of the Himalayas. This area strewn with beautiful flowers is national heritage UNESCO.

Tourist travel

In the Himalaya mountain system, sports such as climbing and hiking along mountain trails are very popular.

The most popular tracks include:

  1. The famous route near Annapurna passes by the slopes of the same name mountain range in northern Nepal. The length of the journey is about 211 km. In height it varies from 800 m to 5 km 416 meters. Along the way, tourists can admire the high-mountain Lake Tilicho.
  2. You can see the area near Manaslu, which is located around the Mansiri Himal mountains. It partially coincides with the first route.

The travel time of these routes is influenced by the tourist’s preparation, time of year and weather. It is dangerous for an unprepared person to immediately climb to a height, as “mountain sickness” may begin. Besides, it's not safe. You need to be well prepared and purchase special equipment for mountaineering.

Almost every person knows where the Himalayas are and dreams of visiting there. Traveling to the mountains attracts tourists from different countries, including Russia. Remember that it is better to climb in the warm season, preferably in autumn or spring. In the Himalayas it rains in summer, and in winter it is very cold and impassable.

 

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