Where are the Himalayan mountains located on the map. Himalayas: the highest mountains in the world What is the name of the highest mountain in the Himalayas

The Himalayan mountains extend for approximately 2500 km across several Asian countries. Nine of the ten highest peaks in the world are located here, including Everest. The word "Himalaya" in Sanskrit means "abode of snow". Many of Asia's major rivers originate here. The Himalayas are the third largest deposit of ice and snow. Moreover, this is the habitat large quantity plants, birds and animals.

Description of the Himalayas

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

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

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

Geomorphotectonic characteristics

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

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

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

Geophysical characteristics

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

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

Division into zones

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

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

Peaks

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

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

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

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

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

The largest mountain in the world

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

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

Geography and ecology

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

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

Nature

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

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

Rivers and glaciers

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

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

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

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

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

Here is a detailed map of the Himalayas with names of cities and settlements in Russian. Move the map while holding it with the left mouse button. You can move around the map by clicking on one of the four arrows in the upper left corner. You can change the scale using the scale on the right side of the map or turning the mouse wheel.

In which country is the Himalaya located?

The Himalayas are located in Nepal. This is wonderful a nice place, with its own history and traditions. Coordinates of the Himalayas: north latitude and east longitude (show on large map).

Virtual walk

The “man” figurine above the scale will help you take a virtual walk through the cities of the Himalayas. By clicking and holding the left mouse button, drag it to any place on the map and you will go for a walk, while inscriptions with the approximate address of the area will appear in the upper left corner. Select the direction of movement by clicking on the arrows in the center of the screen. The “Satellite” option at the top left allows you to see a relief image of the surface. In the "Map" mode you will have the opportunity to familiarize yourself in detail with

highways

Himalayas and main attractions. The Himalayan Mountains are the highest mountain system in the world. The Himalayas are located on the territory of several states. , Pakistan, China, India and Bhutan. The length of this mountain system is about 3000 km. Width up to 350 km. The most high point– Mount Everest (Chomolungma), whose height is 8848 m above sea level. All mountains with a height of more than eight thousand meters, the so-called eight thousand meters, are located in the Himalayas. The exception is Mount Chogori (K2), which is located in Karakoram. The total area occupied by the Himalayas is approximately 650,000 km2. Gold, sapphires, copper are the minerals present. Among the attractions are temple complexes, located in the capital of Nepal Kathmandu and in the mountain range itself,

national park Nepal Sagamatha, textile museum in Bhutan, etc. and humidity. For the most part, this is typical for the southern part of the Himalayas. To the southeast of these mountains is the wettest place on the planet - Cherrapunji, an Indian city that receives over 11,000 mm of rainfall per year. On the northern side, the temperature is much lower, since the mountains there are protected from the effects of the monsoons on the southern side. Therefore, in the northern part the climate is cold and dry. Depending on the changes in altitude, the temperature will also change. Therefore, in the summer, on mountain peaks ah, the temperature can drop to -20 degrees Celsius. In winter it can be below -40 degrees. Another characteristic feature is strong winds, reaching hurricane force high in the mountains, up to 200 km/h.

Scientists believe that the Himalayas consist of rocks that were part of the floor of the Tethys proto-ocean several million years ago. These mountains were formed when the Asian continent collided with the Hindustan tectonic plate. It is believed that the growth of the Himalayas was gradual. Therefore, different parts of these mountains are distinguished: Small and Greater Himalayas, Pre-Himalayas. The Greater Himalayas are the oldest. They were formed about 39 million years ago. A few million years later, the growth of the Lesser Himalayas began. The pre-Himalayas, whose second name is the Shivalik Mountains, are the youngest. They are approximately 7 million years old. The Himalayas are part of the seismic belt of the Eurasian continent. One of the main features Himalayan mountains– these are sharp peaks and a large angle on the slopes. Most of the peaks are glacial and total area is about 33 thousand km². One of the largest glaciers in the Himalayas is Gangotri. Length about 29 km. This glacier gives rise to the Ganges River. For followers of Hinduism, the glacier has sacred significance. Various rituals are performed here, including bathing in ice water Gangotri.

The Himalayas have attracted people since ancient times. According to Buddhism and Hinduism, there were many mythological creatures in this mountain range. It is believed that the Himalayas were, and Buddha was born on the southern side of these mountains. In the 7th century, trade routes between China and India opened in the mountain system. In the thirties of the 20th century, a project for opening railway passing through the mountain range. It was not implemented. For many years, starting from the 18th century, scientists from all over the world could not study the Himalayas well. It was impossible to determine the exact height of the peaks; compiling maps turned out to be labor-intensive. In the mid-19th century, attempts were made to conquer Everest.

Chomolungma is the highest mountain peak on the planet. Its height is 8848 m. The name Chomolungma comes from the Tibetan language and means “Divine Mother of the Wind.” Other names, Everest and Sagarmatha, are of English and Nepalese origin respectively. The peak is named Everest in honor of the British subject, surveyor George Everest. The mountain consists of two peaks - northern and southern. The height of the Southern peak is 8760 m, and the Northern peak is 8848 m above sea level. There are other mountain peaks not far from Everest. For example, mountains Lhotse, Changtse. Lhotse is the fourth highest eight-thousander in the world. Many more recent measurements of the height of the mountain peak have not been officially recognized. The officially approved height is 8848 m.

The first ascent of Everest was organized in 1953. Until this point, numerous expeditions had only conquered peaks of seven thousand meters. The only exception is Mount Annapurna, which was conquered by French explorers in 1950. Its height reaches 8091 m. The ascent in 1953 was made by Tenzing Norgay, who was from Nepal, and Edmund Hillary from New Zealand. The route was laid through the South Col pass. Later other expeditions were organized. The year 1975 in the history of mountaineering was famous for the fact that the ascent of Chomolungma was accomplished by an expedition consisting of women. In 1976, Japanese climber Junko Tabei conquers the height of this peak. In 1990, the Russian woman Ekaterina Ivanova reached the summit of Everest for the first time. In May 1982, the first night ascent of Everest was made by Soviet climbers Sergei Bershov and Mikhail Turkevich. The route passed along the difficult southwestern slope of the mountain. The history of climbing Everest is very rich, with a considerable number of records. Among them is the record of 2008, when the mountain was conquered by the most old man, Nepalese Min Bahadur Sherkhan 76 years old. Or the ten ascents of Ang Rita Sherpa, completed during 1996, each time without oxygen tanks. There is something very interesting, at its core. unique climb to the mountain of the American climber Eric Weihenmayer, who has no vision. There are many records. And it won’t end there, since Everest will always attract climbers, researchers, and scientists from all over the world. Conquering the peaks of the Himalayan mountains is fraught with many difficulties. These may include hallucinations, weakening of memory, and decreased attention. All this is associated with a decrease in the body's resistance to high altitude, with oxygen starvation.

Mount Everest is located in the Himalayas. This Nepalese park covers an impressive area of ​​1148 km². This park received its status in 1976. In addition to Chomolungma, the park boasts the presence of other impressive peaks, including the eight-thousander Lhotse and Cho Oyu. The peak of Ama Dablam is a particularly beautiful mountain in the park. The word Sagarmatha is of Nepalese origin meaning "mother of gods".
– this includes Hinduism from all over the world. Built in this mountain system. For example, on the southern side of the Himalayas, in Indian territory, is the Shri Kedarnath Mandir Temple. It is built entirely of stone. The architecture is traditional Himalayan.

For many tourists, they are attractive not only, but also South part mountains covered with dense vegetation. Typically, this area has very high humidity levels, reaching 5000 mm of precipitation per year. Both tropical plants and evergreen trees are common there. At the foot of the Himalayan mountains lie the Terai. This is a very swampy jungle. They are represented by various palm trees, bamboo, and tall grass. A little higher are dense forests with even higher rainfall. At an altitude of over 3000 m, forests give way to mixed-grass meadows. The plants there are low-growing and frost-resistant. And only when overcoming more than 4000 m, the mountain meadows are replaced by glaciers and an area of ​​eternal snow. Most of the territory of the Himalayan mountains is protected by the state. Including the Nanda Devi Nature Reserve, which is located in the western part of the mountain system. The reserve has the world-famous Valley of Flowers. The fauna of the Himalayas is represented by rare species. For example, there are snow leopards and Himalayan bears.

In the Himalayas, as already mentioned, climate tourism is well developed. There are many resorts here. You can highlight , Shillong, . There you can fully enjoy the tranquility filled with the purest mountain air and magnificent views of mountain peaks and slopes. Common and ski slopes different levels of difficulty.

Translated from the most ancient language of the planet, Sanskrit, the Himalayas mean “stronghold of snow.” To know where the Himalayas are, just look at the map of the Hindustan Peninsula.

The Himalayas are the highest mountain system on our planet; there are 10 peaks with a height of more than 8 km (there are 14 in total in the world) and 96 mountains with a height of 7.3 km (there are 109 in total on Earth!). Unlike the South American Andes, they do not form the longest mountain range (almost 7550 km), but are rightfully considered the “top of the planet.”

It is important to know that the Himalayas are located between the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the Tibetan Plateau. This mountain range passes through the territory of several states at once: China, India, Nepal, Pakistan and the Kingdom of Bhutan, and in the east the mountain range touches the northern borders of Bangladesh. The highest mountain system in the world attracts not only professional climbers, but also many fans of extreme tourism.

It is worth noting that the Himalayas began to be explored not by the indigenous inhabitants, but by Europeans in the 19th century, at the peak of the popularity of mountaineering.

When did the development of the highest mountain range begin?

Since 1849, the Indian colonial government, represented by the Department of Land Management, has carried out enormous work to develop detailed maps region. Thus, a huge amount of work involving theodolite and leveling surveys produced a lot of data, the processing of which was completed only by 1856. Based on the results of the topographical information obtained, it became known that Peak XV, located on the Tibetan-Nepalese border, has a height of 8840 m, which meant the highest mountain on the planet!

The peak was named after the English colonel Sir George Everest, who served as the chief topographer to the Queen of Great Britain in India. After the publication of the results of the survey, climbers around the world have a new task - the highest mountain in the world must be conquered!

Those who don’t even know where the Himalayas are will probably be interested to know that only after World War II did a person climb to the top of Everest. Before this, starting from the 20s of the last century, climbers tried to conquer this peak only from the Tibetan slopes. The reason was the stubbornness of the Nepalese government, which did not allow access to expeditions on its territory. Only after World War II were researchers allowed to work on the southern slopes of the mountain.

New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay conquered Everest (Nepali name - Chomolungma) on May 29, 1953.

Where is the best place to experience the Himalayas?

Having looked at where the Himalayas are on the map and what they look like, you understand that what amazes and attracts is not the peak itself or the fact that the highest mountains are here, but the scale, the grandeur of nature, because this mountain range occupies vast territories. You can see all the beauty of the top of the world, as the Himalayas are also called, only with your own eyes, and not sitting near a computer screen or old topographic maps.

No country in the world can offer such service and convenience in exploring the Himalayas as India. Only through this country can you see the highest mountains on the planet, see strange animals, and experience the healing properties of the mountain climate.

Tourists often go to see Shimla - best resort foothills of the Himalayas (altitude 2 km above sea level). This city was once the summer residence of the British colonial government, which moved here from the summer, hot Delhi. After India gained independence, this city became tourist center countries. It is here that representatives of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhs make pilgrimages. On the banks of this reservoir are several of the most famous Tibetan temples. In addition, along the mountain slopes you can find a lot of beautiful waterfalls. This is where the amazing is located Mountain Lake Revalsar.

By visiting this area, you can not only admire the mountain scenery, but also climb mountains, go skiing, swimming, and fishing.

When is it nice to be in the Himalayas?

Extraordinarily worth mentioning beautiful nature given mountain range, which simply cannot be accurately described in words - it needs to be seen. So, in the summer months (from April to June) all the slopes are dotted with wild flowers, the air is filled with their smell, mixed with the aromas of pine needles, it is clean and cool.

If you wanted to find a mountainous region with lush greenery and a temperate climate, then you should visit the Himalayas during the monsoon season. From June to August, an amazing picture awaits you: slopes full of greenery in a light fog, sunsets with stunning colors that are difficult to even describe.

During all the autumn months it is very comfortable and pleasant to stay here; from September to November it is warm here, but in winter, with bright, snowy and frosty weather, there are the least number of tourists in the Himalayas. Unless they're amateurs winter species sports people will come to ski or snowboard.

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 (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 Chomolungma (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 Chomolungma, as it is called local residents Everest, named after the surveyor George Everest, who determined the exact height of the peak in the mid-19th century. 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 lowest elevations in the mountain system, 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 the southern slopes of the mountains with life-giving moisture most of the year. 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 rainforests, 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, for example, dhak, sal tree. 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.

On the territory of Nepal there is the Sigarmatha National Park, which is an 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 (irbis), Tibetan fox, Himalayan black bear 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 formations 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. Cereals are grown on the damp southern slopes, and transhumance is practiced in drier and less fertile areas.

Development and interesting facts

Among all the eight-thousanders, Chomolungma has always been of particular interest. Local tribes for a long time did not climb to its peaks, 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.