The uniqueness of the Indian Himalayas. Where are the Himalayan mountains on the map

Himalayas - in the world, the name of which, translated from Sanskrit, literally means "a place where snow lives." Located in South Asia, this mountain range divides the Indo-Gangetic Plain and is home to most of the closest points to the sky on planet Earth, including Mount Everest, the highest point (the Himalayas are called the "roof of the world" for a reason). It is also known under another name - Chomolungma.

mountain ecology

The Himalayan mountains are characterized by a wide variety of landscape forms. The Himalayas lie on the territory of as many as five states: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Pakistan. Three large and powerful rivers originate in the mountains - the Indus, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra. The flora and fauna of the Himalayas is directly dependent on climate, precipitation, mountain heights and soil conditions.

The surroundings of the foot of the mountains are characterized by a tropical climate, while on the peaks there is eternal ice and snow. Annual rainfall increases from west to east. Unique natural heritage and the height of the Himalayan mountains are subject to modification due to various climatic processes.

Geological features

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

Like 70 million years ago, the Indian plate is still moving and moving up to 67 millimeters per year, and over the next 10 million years it will move 1.5 km in the Asian direction. What also makes the peaks active in terms of geology is that the height of the Himalayan mountains is increasing, gradually rising by about 5 mm per year. Such insignificant, at first glance, processes over time have a powerful effect in geological terms, in addition, the region is unstable from a seismic point of view, earthquakes sometimes occur.

The river system of the Himalayas

The Himalayas are the third largest ice and snow deposits in the world after Antarctica and the Arctic. There are approximately 15 thousand glaciers in the mountains, which contain about 12 thousand cubic kilometers of fresh water. Most high areas covered in snow all year round. The Indus, which originates in Tibet, is the largest and full-flowing river, into which many small ones flow. It flows in a southwestern direction through India, Pakistan and flows into the Arabian Sea.

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

mountain lakes

The highest Himalayan lake, Gurudongmar in Sikkim (India), is located at an altitude of about 5 kilometers. In the vicinity of the Himalayas there are a huge number of picturesque lakes, most of which are located at an altitude of less than 5 kilometers above sea level. Some lakes are considered sacred in India. The Nepalese lake Tilicho in the vicinity of the Annapurna mountain landscapes is one of the highest mountains on the planet.

The great Himalayan mountain ranges contain hundreds of beautiful lakes in India and neighboring Tibet and Nepal. The Himalayan lakes give a special attraction to the magnificent mountain landscapes, many of which are covered with ancient legends and interesting stories.

Climate impact

Himalaya render big influence on the formation of the climate. They prevent the flow of cold dry winds in southbound, which allows a warm climate to reign in South Asia. A natural barrier is formed for the monsoons (which cause heavy rainfall) to prevent their northward movement. The mountain range plays its definite role in the formation of the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts.

The main part of the Himalayan mountains falls under the influence of subequatorial factors. In the summer and spring season it is quite hot here: average temperature air reaches 35 °C. At this time of the year, the monsoons bring with them a large number of rainfall since indian ocean, which then fall out on the southern mountain slopes.

People and culture of the Himalayas

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

Some tribes are based in the Himalayan mountain range, namely in Northeast India, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, parts of West Bengal and others. More than 80 tribes live in Arunachal Pradesh alone. The Himalayan mountains are one of the largest places in the world with a large number of endangered animal species, as hunting is a very popular activity in the Himalayas. The main religions are Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism. The famous Himalayan myth is the story of Bigfoot, who lives somewhere in the mountains.

Height of the Himalayan mountains

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

On average, the height of the Himalayan mountains in meters, together with glaciers, reaches 3.2 thousand. Mountain climbing, which gained popularity at the end of the 19th century, became the main activity of extreme tourists. In 1953, from New Zealand and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were the first to conquer Everest (the highest point).

Everest: mountain height (Himalayas)

Everest, also known as Chomolungma, is the highest point on the planet. What is the height of the mountain? The Himalayas, famous for their hard-to-reach peaks, attract thousands of travelers, but their main goal is Chomolungma, 8.848 kilometers high. This place is just a paradise for tourists who cannot imagine their life without risk and extreme sports.

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

Scientists have precisely established the height of each mountain system on Earth. This was made possible through the use of NASA's satellite surveillance system. By measuring the height of each mountain, they came to the conclusion that 10 of the 14 most on the planet are in the Himalayas. Each of these mountains belongs to a special list of "eight-thousanders". The conquest of all these peaks is considered the peak of the climber's skill.

Natural features of the Himalayas at different levels

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

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

Starting from 4.5 km above sea level, the Himalayas are a zone of perpetual glaciers and snow cover. The animal world is also diverse. In different parts of the mountainous surroundings, you can encounter bears, elephants, antelopes, rhinos, monkeys, goats and many other mammals. There are many snakes and reptiles that pose a great danger to people.

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

One of the most famous miraculous wonders of the world are the Himalayan mountains. The point is not only in the scale of this creation of nature, but also in the huge amount of the unknown that these gigantic peaks conceal.

Where are the Himalayas located?

The Himalayan mountain range passes through the territory of five states - this is India, China, Pakistan, Nepal and Kingdom of Bhutan. The eastern foothills of the range touch northern borders Republic of Bangladesh.

Mountain ranges rise in the north, completing the Tibetan Plateau, and separate from it vast areas of the Hindustan Peninsula - the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

Even average height the entire mountain system reaches 6 thousand meters. It is in the Himalayas that the main number of "eight-thousanders" is located - mountain peaks, the height of which exceeds the mark of 8 kilometers. Of the 14 such peaks on the surface of the planet, 10 are located in the Himalayas.

Himalaya mountains on the map

Himalayas on the world map

The highest and most inaccessible mountains on the planet are the Himalayas. The name comes from ancient Indian Sanskrit, and literally means "Snow House". They are located on the continent in a giant loop, serving as a kind of border between Central and South Asia. The length of the mountain ranges from west to east is slightly less than 3 thousand km, and the total area of ​​the entire mountain system is about 650 thousand square meters. km.

The entire mountain range of the Himalayas consists of three peculiar steps:

• First - Himalayas(locally called the Shivalik Ridge) is the lowest of all, the mountain peaks of which do not rise more than 2000 meters.
• The second step - the ridges Dhaoladhar, Pir-Panjal and several others, smaller, is called Small Himalayas. The name is rather conditional, since the peaks are already rising to solid heights - up to 4 kilometers.
• Behind them are several fertile valleys (Kashmir, Kathmandu and others), serving as a transition to the highest points of the planet - Greater Himalayas. Two great South Asian rivers - the Brahmaputra from the east and the Indus from the west - seem to cover this majestic mountain range, originating on its slopes. In addition, the Himalayas give life to the sacred Indian river - the Ganges.

Mount Chomolungma, she is Everest

The highest point in the world, located on the border of Nepal and China - Mount Chomolungma. However, it has several names and some variation in the assessment of its height. The names of this mountain peak in local dialects have always been associated with the divinity of its origin: Chomolungma in Tibetan, literally - "Divine", in Nepal it is called the "Mother of the Gods" - Sagarmatha. There is another beautiful Tibetan name - "Mother - the queen of snow-white snows" - Chomo-Kankar. For Europeans, these names were too complicated, and in 1856 they called the mountain an Anglicized name. Everest, in honor of Sir George Everest, head of the British Colonial Geodetic Survey.

Official today Everest height - 8848 meters, taking into account the ice cap, and 8844 meters - the top of solid rock. But these indicators have changed several times in one direction or another. So, the first measurement, carried out in the middle of the 19th century, showed 29,000 feet (8839 meters). However, scientific surveyors did not like the fact that the number was too round, and they freely added another 2 feet, which gave a value of 8840 m. Measurements continued a century later, when the height was determined at 8848 m. However, several geographers made their own calculations using the most modern radio direction finding and navigation. So two more values ​​\u200b\u200bappeared - 8850 and even 8872 meters. However, these values ​​have not been officially recognized.

Himalaya records

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

Unfortunately, they set the Himalayas and sad records - 572 climbers died when trying to conquer their eight-kilometer heights. But the number of brave athletes does not decrease, because "taking" all 14 "eight-thousanders" and getting 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.

Ski resorts in India

The northern mountainous regions of India are a completely unique world, with its own philosophy and spirituality, ancient shrines and historical monuments, colorful population and diversity of natural landscapes. Any traveler will always find a lot of interesting things here.

Gulmarg (Valley of Flowers)

This resort is located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The height of the slopes is 1400-4138 m. Gulmarg was built in 1927 by the British when they "visited" India, so it practically meets European standards. The season here starts at the end of December and ends at the end of March.. Here they give out the appropriate equipment, so beginners should be comfortable enough, if, of course, they are not afraid of steep descents.

Narkanda

A small ski tourist center, located near Shimla city at an altitude of about 2400 meters, surrounded by a relic pine forest. Its snowy slopes are quite suitable for both beginner skiers and experienced masters.

Solang

A fairly well-known place in ski circles extreme recreation. It is famous for its well-developed infrastructure, both sports and tourism. All those who have visited these places always leave excellent reviews about the level of training of the coaching and service personnel of the resort.

Kufri

One of the most famous Indian ski resorts tourist centers. It is located just two dozen kilometers from Shimla city, which for many years was the residence of the English Viceroy of India. Kufri is also remarkable for the fact that in the immediate vicinity of it there is a huge natural Himalayan Nature National Park, where all the wide variety of wild flora and fauna of these places is carefully preserved. Climbing up the slopes of the mountains, tourists manage to visit several climatic zones - from the rapidly flowering tropics to the harsh conditions of the northern latitudes.

Historical and cultural attractions of the Himalayas

For those who prefer to devote their time to getting to know historical places and cultural values, the Indian region of the Himalayas will provide these opportunities.

First of all, in these places, as already mentioned, there was a summer residence of the English viceroy in India - the Viceroy. That is why the small village shimla turned into a city the state capital of Himchal Pradesh. Famous museum located in Royal Palace, replete with exhibits showing the cultural diversity of the region. Shimla is famous for its bazaar with woolen products traditional for these places, national Indian clothes, handmade jewelry made according to ancient technology. As a rule, no one is left indifferent to a horse riding tour of the surrounding picturesque mountains.

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Dharamsala for Buddhists, probably the same as Mecca for Muslims. Travelers here encounter the hospitality of the local population, unprecedented anywhere else in the world. In that small town the residence of the Dalai Lama himself is located, who brought his Tibetan people here after many years of exile.

To visit the Indian Himalayas, and not to visit the estate of Nicholas Roerich- unforgivable for a Russian! It is located in the town of Naggar, near the city of Manali. In addition to the environment in which the painter's family lived, visitors will see a large collection of genuine works by this great author.

Capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir city ​​of Shinagan- Another center of tourist pilgrimage. According to some theories, it was here that Jesus Christ found his last refuge. Travelers will definitely be shown the tomb of Yuz Asuf, a man identified with the Son of God. In the same city you can see unique floating houses - houseboats. No one, probably, left here without acquiring products from the famous Kashmir wool as a keepsake.

Spiritual and health tourism

The spiritual principles and the cult of a healthy body are so closely intertwined in various directions of Indian philosophical schools that it is impossible to draw any visible division between them. Every year, thousands of tourists come to the Indian Himalayas just to get acquainted with Vedic sciences, ancient postulates yoga teachings healing your body Ayurvedic canons Panchakarma.

The pilgrimage program must include visit caves for deep meditation, waterfalls, ancient temples, bathing in the Ganges- a sacred river for Hindus. Those who suffer can have conversations with spiritual mentors, get parting words and recommendations from them on spiritual and bodily cleansing. However, this topic is so extensive and versatile that it requires a separate detailed presentation.

The natural grandiosity and highly spiritual atmosphere of the Himalayas fascinates the human imagination. Anyone who has ever come into contact with the splendor of these places will always be obsessed with the dream of returning here at least once.

Captivating video timelapse of the unshakable Himalayas

This video was shot frame by frame on a Nikon D800 camera for 50 days over 5000 km. Places in India: Spiti Valley, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Leh, Zanskar, Kashmir.

Himalayas - it is here, on the third pole of cold, that almost all the highest mountains in the world are located, which are those whose height exceeds 8000 meters.

There are not so many such mountains on earth, only fourteen. Moreover, they are all located in that place on the globe where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates collide. This place is called "Roofs of the World".

Ever since people were infected with mountaineering, the dream of each of them has been to visit the Himalayas and conquer all these eight-thousanders.

Routes to M... Valley before...

The Himalayas are replete with a huge number of rocky, almost vertical slopes that are very difficult to climb, you have to use all sorts of technical devices in the form of hammered hooks, ropes, special ladders and other climbing equipment. Often, rocky ledges alternate with deep cracks, and so much snow settles on the slopes of the mountains that it eventually compresses and turns into glaciers that close these cracks, which makes passing through these places deadly. There are not rare cases of convergence of snow and ice, which, rushing down, turn into huge avalanches that demolish everything in their path and can crush climbers in seconds.

The air temperature in the Himalayas, when climbing to a height, decreases by about 6 degrees for every 1000 meters. So if at the foot of the summer the temperature is +25, then at an altitude of 5000 meters it will be about -5.

At altitude, the movement of air masses is usually intensified, often turning into a hurricane wind, which makes movement very difficult, and sometimes makes it impossible, especially on narrow crests of mountain ranges.

Starting from 5000 meters, the atmosphere contains about half the oxygen at sea level that the human body is accustomed to. The lack of oxygen has a detrimental effect on the human body, sharply reduces its physical capabilities and leads to the development of the so-called mountain sickness - shortness of breath, dizziness, chills and interruptions in the work of the heart. Therefore, usually at this altitude, the human body needs time to acclimatize.

At an altitude of 6000 meters the atmosphere is so rarefied and poor in oxygen that complete acclimatization is no longer possible. No matter how much physical stress a person experiences, he slowly begins to suffocate. Climbing to a height of 7000 meters is already deadly for many, at such a height consciousness begins to get confused and it even becomes difficult to think. An altitude of 8000 meters is called the "death zone". Here even the strongest climbers can survive for only a few days at best. Therefore, all high-altitude ascents are carried out using breathing oxygen apparatus.

But the representatives of the Nepalese tribe of Sherpas, who permanently live in the Himalayas, feel quite comfortable at the height, and therefore, as soon as the Europeans began to "explore" the mountain peaks of the Himalayas, the men of this tribe began to work on expeditions as guides and porters, receiving payment for this. Over time, this became their main profession. By the way, Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, paired with Edmund Hillary, were the first to climb the Himalayas - Everest, the highest mountain in the world.

But all these sometimes deadly dangers did not stop mountaineering enthusiasts. It took more than one decade for all these peaks to be conquered. Here is a brief chorology of climbing the highest mountains of our planet.

June 3, 1950 - Annapurna

French climbers Maurice Herzog, Louis Lachenal climbed the Annapurna peak, whose height is 8091 meters. Anapurna is considered the seventh highest mountain in the world. Located in Nepal, in the Himalayas, east of the Gandaki River, which flows through the deepest gorge in the world. The gorge separates Annapurna and another eight-thousander Dhaulagiri.

Climbing Anapurna is considered one of the most difficult climbs in the world. Moreover, this is the only conquest of the eight-thousander that was made the first time, and besides, without oxygen apparatus. However, their feat was given high price. Since they were shod only in leather boots, Erzog froze all his toes and because of the onset of gangrene, the expedition doctor was forced to amputate them. For all the time, only 191 people successfully climbed Annapurna, which is less than any other eight-thousanders. Climbing Annapurna is considered the most dangerous, with a fatality rate of 32 percent, like no other eight-thousander.

1953, May 29 - Everest "Chomolungma"

Members of the English expedition, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Norgay Tenzing, were the first to conquer the peak, 8848 m high. In Tibetan, this mountain is called Chomolungma, which means "Goddess Mother of Snows." Her Nepalese name is Sagarmatha, which means "Mother of the Universe". This is the highest mountain in the world. on the border between Nepal and China.

Everest is a triangular pyramid with three sides and ridges that extend northeast, southeast, and northwest. The southeast ridge is more gentle and is the most widely used climbing route. It was this route to the summit through the Khumbu Glacier, the Valley of Silence, from the foot of Lhotse through the South Col, that Hillary and Tenzing made their first ascent. And for the first time the British tried to commit it back in 1921. They then could not go from the south side, due to the ban of the Nepalese authorities, and tried to rise from the north, from the side of Tibet. To do this, they had to go around the entire mountain range of Chomolungma, passing more than 400 kilometers to get to the top from China. But the time for the detour was lost and the monsoons that began did not make it possible to carry out the ascent. After them, the second attempt on the same route was made in 1924 by British climbers George Lee Mallory and Andrew Irvine, which was also unsuccessful, ending in the death of both at an altitude of 8500 meters.

Despite its reputation as an extremely dangerous mountain, the commercialized climbing of Everest has made it a very popular pastime for tourists over the past few decades. According to the latest data, 5656 successful ascents were made to Everest, at the same time, 223 people died. Mortality was about 4 percent.

July 3, 1953 - Nanga Parbat

The peak is located in northern Pakistan in the western part of the Himalayas. This is the ninth highest eight-thousander, 8126 meters. This peak has such steep slopes that even snow does not hold on its top. Nanga Parbat means "Naked Mountain" in Urdu. The first to climb the peak was the Austrian climber Hermann Buhl, a member of the German-Austrian Himalayan expedition. He made the ascent alone, without an oxygen apparatus. The time of ascent to the summit was 17 hours, and with the descent 41 hours. It was the first successful ascent in 20 years of attempts, before that 31 climbers had already died there.

According to the latest data, a total of 335 successful ascents have been made on Nanga Parbat. 68 climbers died. The lethality is about 20 percent, which makes it the third most dangerous eight-thousander.

1954, July 31 - Chogori, "K2", "Dapsang"

The first to summit K2, the second highest peak in the world, was the Italian climbers Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni. Although attempts to conquer K2 began in 1902.

Peak Chogori or Dapsang in another way - 8611 meters high, is located on the Baltoro Muztag ridge in the Karakorum mountain range, on the border of Pakistan and China. This mountain received an unusual name K2 in the 19th century, when a British expedition measured the heights of the Himalayas and Karakoram peaks. Each newly measured peak was given a serial number. K2 was the second mountain they stumbled upon and the name has stuck with it ever since. The locals call this Lamba Pahar, which means "High Mountain". Despite the fact that K2 is lower than Everest, climbing it proved to be more difficult. For all the time on K2 there were only 306 successful ascents. 81 people died while trying to climb. Mortality is about 29 percent. K2 is not rarely called a killer mountain

October 19, 1954 - Cho Oyu

The first to climb the peak were members of the Austrian expedition: Herbert Tichy, Josef Johler and Pazang Dawa Lama. The peak of Cho Oyu is located in the Himalayas, on the border of China and Nepal, in the Mahalangur Himal mountain range, mountain range Chomolungma, about 20 km west of Mount Everest.

Cho-Oyu, in Tibetan means "Goddess of Turquoise". It has a height of 8201 meters, it is the sixth highest eight-thousander. A few kilometers west of Cho Oyu is the Nangpa-La pass, 5716 m high. This pass is the passage from Nepal to Tibet, laid by the Sherpas as the only trading trail. Because of this pass, many climbers consider Cho Oyu the easiest eight-thousander. This is partly true, because all ascents are made from the side of Tibet. And from the side of Nepal south wall so difficult that only a few managed to conquer.

A total of 3,138 people have successfully climbed Cho Oyu, more than any other peak except Everest. Mortality 1%, less than any other. It is considered the safest eight-thousander.

May 15, 1955 - Makalu

For the first time, the Frenchmen Jean Kuzi and Lionel Terre ascended the summit of Makalu. Climbing Makalu was the only one in the history of conquering eight-thousanders, when all nine members of the expedition, including the senior group of Sherpa guides, reached the summit. This happened not because Makalu is such an easy mountain, but because the weather turned out to be extremely successful and nothing prevented the climbers from achieving this triumph.

At 8485 meters, Makalu is the fifth highest mountain in the world, located just 20 kilometers southeast of Everest. Makalu means "Big Black" in Tibetan. Such an unusual name was given to this mountain because its slopes are very steep and the snow simply does not hold on them, so it remains bare for most of the year.

Defeating Makalu proved difficult enough. In 1954, an American team led by Edmund Hillary, the first person to climb Everest, tried to do this, but they did not succeed. And only the French, after a lot of preparatory work and well-coordinated work of the team, managed to accomplish this. In total, 361 people successfully climbed Makalu, while 31 people died while trying to climb. The lethality of ascents to Makalu is about 9 percent.

May 25, 1955 - Kangchenjunga

British climbers George Band and Joe Brown were the first to successfully climb Kangchenjunga. Before climbing, local residents warned climbers that a Sikkimese god lives on the top of this mountain and should not be disturbed. They refused to accompany the expedition and the British climbed on their own. But either due to superstition, or for some other reason, having risen to the top, they did not reach the very top for several feet, considering that the peak was conquered.

Kanchenjunga is located on the border of Nepal and India, about 120 kilometers south of Everest. The name "Kanchenjunga" in Tibetan means "Treasury of the Five Great Snows". Until 1852, Kangchenjunga was considered the most high mountain in the world. But after Everest and other eight-thousanders were measured, it turned out that it is the third highest peak in the world, its height is 8586 meters.

Another legend that exists in Nepal says that Kanchenjunga is a woman mountain. And women can not go to her on pain of death. Of course, climbers are not superstitious people, but nevertheless, only one female climber, Englishwoman Ginette Harrison, has climbed to its top for all the time. No matter what, but a year and a half later, Ginette Harrison died while climbing Dhaulagiri. For all the time, 283 climbers have successfully climbed Kanchenjunga. Of those who tried to rise, 40 people died. The lethality of climbing is about 15 percent.

May 9, 1956 - Manaslu

Mountain height of 8163 meters, the eighth highest eight-thousander. There have been several attempts to climb this peak. For the first time in 1952, when the Swiss and French teams, in addition to the British, entered the championship of Everest, the Japanese decided to conquer Manaslu Peak, located in Nepal, about 35 kilometers east of Annapurna. They scouted all the approaches and mapped out the route. The following year, 1953, they began to climb. But the blizzard that broke out broke all their plans and they were forced to retreat.

When they returned in 1954, the local Nepalese took up arms against them, referring to the fact that the Japanese had desecrated the gods and provoked their anger, because after the departure of the previous expedition, misfortunes befell their village: there was an epidemic, crop failure, the temple collapsed and three priests died. Armed with sticks and stones, they drove the Japanese away from the mountain. In 1955, a special delegation arrived from Japan to settle the matter with the locals. And only in the following year, 1956, having paid 7,000 rupees for damages and 4,000 rupees for the construction of a new temple and arranging a big holiday for the village population, the Japanese received permission to climb. Thanks to fine weather, Japanese climber Toshio Imanishi and Sirdar Sherpa Gyaltsen Norbu climbed the peak on May 9. Manaslu remains one of the most dangerous eight-thousanders. In total, there were 661 successful ascents of Manaslu, sixty-five climbers died during the ascent. Climbing mortality is about 10 percent.

May 18, 1956 - Lhotse

Fritz Luchsinger and Ernst Reiss, members of the Swiss team, became the first people to climb the 8,516-metre-high Lhotse, the fourth highest peak in the world.

Lhotse Peak is located on the border of Nepal and China, a few kilometers south of Everest. These two peaks are connected by a vertical ridge, the so-called South Col, the height of which is over 8000 meters throughout. Usually climbing is carried out along the western, more gentle slope. But in 1990, the Soviet Union team climbed the south side, previously considered completely inaccessible, as it is a 3300-meter almost vertical wall. In total, 461 successful ascents were made on Lhotse. For all the time, 13 climbers died there, the mortality rate is about 3 percent.

July 8, 1956 - Gasherbrum II

Peak with a height of 8034 meters, the thirteenth highest mountain in the world. Gasherbrum II was first climbed by Austrian climbers Fritz Moravec, Josef Larch and Hans Willenpart. They summited on the south side along the southwest ridge. Before climbing the peak itself, rising to a height of 7500 meters, they set up a temporary camp for the night, and then went on the assault early in the morning. It was a completely new, untested approach to climbing, which subsequently began to be used by climbers in many countries.

Gasherbrum II is the second of the four peaks of Gasherbrum in the Karakorum on the Pakistan-China border about 10 kilometers southeast of K2. The Baltoro Muztag ridge, which includes Gasherbrum II, is known for the longest Karakoram glacier, more than 62 kilometers long. This was the reason for the fact that many climbers descended almost from the very top of Gasherbrum II on skis, snowboards and even with a parachute. Gasherbrum II is considered one of the safest and lightest eight-thousanders. Gasherbrum II has been successfully climbed by 930 climbers and only 21 people have died in unsuccessful attempts to climb. Climbing mortality is about 2 percent.

June 9, 1957 - Broad Peak

Mountain height of 8051 meters, the twelfth highest eight-thousander. The first time the Germans tried to climb Broad Peak was in 1954, but due to low temperatures and stormy winds, their efforts were unsuccessful. Austrian climbers Fritz Wintersteller, Markus Schmuck and Kurt Dimberger were the first to climb the peak. The ascent was carried out on the southwestern side. The expedition did not use the services of porters and all the property was lifted by the participants themselves, which was quite a challenge.

Broad Peak or "Jangiyang" is located on the border between China and Pakistan, a few kilometers southeast of K2. This area is still little studied and geographers hope that over time it can gain sufficient popularity. For all the time there were 404 successful ascents on Broad Peak. They were unsuccessful for 21 climbers who died while trying to climb. Climbing mortality is about 5 percent.

July 5, 1958 - Gasherbrum I "Hidden Peak"

The mountain is 8080 meters high. The summit belongs to the Gasherbrum-Karakorum mountain range. Attempts to climb Hidden Peak began a very long time ago. In 1934, members of the international expedition were only able to climb to a height of 6300 meters. In 1936, French climbers overcame the line of 6900 meters. And only two years later, the Americans Andrew Kaufman and Pete Schoening climb to the top of Hidden Peak.

Gasherbrum I or Hidden Peak, the eleventh highest eight-thousander in the world, one of the seven peaks of the Gasherbrum massif, is located in Kashmir in the Pakistan-controlled Northern Region on the border with China. Gasherbrum is translated from the local language as "Polished Wall", and it fully corresponds to this name. Because of its steep, almost polished, rocky slopes, climbing it has been rejected by many. A total of 334 people have successfully climbed the peak, while 29 climbers have died attempting the ascent. Climbing mortality is about 9 percent.

May 13, 1960 - Dhaulagiri I

"White Mountain" - height 8167 meters, the seventh highest of the eight-thousanders. Members of the European national team were the first to reach the summit: Dimberger, Shelbert, Diener, Forer and Nyima and Navang Sherpas. For the first time, an aircraft was used to deliver expedition members and equipment. On the " white mountain"Payed attention back in 1950 by the French, members of the expedition of 1950. But then it seemed to them inaccessible and they switched to Annapurna.

Dhaulagiri I is located in Nepal, 13 kilometers from Annapurna, and the Argentines tried to climb to its peak back in 1954. But due to a strong blizzard, only 170 meters did not reach the summit. Although Dhaulagiri is only the sixth tallest by the standards of the Himalayas, it is quite a tough nut to crack. So in 1969, the Americans, while trying to climb, left seven of their comrades on the southeast ridge. In total, 448 people successfully climbed the summit of Dhaulagiri I, but 69 climbers died during unsuccessful attempts. Climbing fatality is about 16 percent.

May 2, 1964 - Shishabangma

Peak with a height of 8027 meters. The first to conquer Shishabangma were eight Chinese climbers: Xu Jing, Zhang Zhunyan, Wang Fuzhou, Zhen San, Zheng Tianliang, Wu Zongyue, Sodnam Dozhi, Migmar Trashi, Dozhi, Yongten. For a long time, climbing this peak was prohibited by the Chinese authorities. And only after the Chinese themselves climbed to its top, it became possible for foreign climbers to participate in ascents.

The Shishabangma mountain range, in Chinese "Geosenzhanfeng", in Indian "Gosaintan" is located in China in the Tibetan autonomous region a few kilometers from the Nepalese border. It consists of three peaks, two of which are higher than 8 kilometers. Shishabangma Main 8027 meters and Shishabangma Central 8008 meters. In the program "All 14 eight-thousanders of the world" there is an ascent to the main peak. In total there were 302 successful ascents of Shishabanga. Twenty-five people died trying to climb to the top. Climbing mortality is about 8 percent.

As can be seen from the chronology of ascents to highest peaks Himalayas, it took more than 40 years to conquer them. Moreover, according to the analysis of the Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering, the most dangerous of all are: Annapurna, K2, and Nanga Parbat. On the ascents of these three peaks, the Himalayas took the life of every fourth person who encroached not on their impregnability.

And yet, despite all these mortal dangers, there are people who have conquered all the eight-thousanders. The first of them was Reinhold Messner, an Italian climber, a German by nationality from South Tyrol. And although already during the first ascent of Nanga Parbat in 1970, his brother Gunther died, and he himself lost seven toes; in the second ascent of Manaslu in 1972, his partner in a bunch died, this did not stop him. From 1970 to 1986 he climbed all 14 highest peaks of the Zamli one by one. Moreover, he climbed Everest twice, In 1978, together with Peter Habeler along the classic route through the South Col, and in 1980 alone along the northern route, moreover, during the monsoon season. Both ascents without the use of oxygen apparatus.

In total, now there are already 32 people in the world who have conquered all 14 eight-thousanders, and this is probably not last people which the Himalayas await.

Video: Himalaya mountains. Where...

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

Origin of the Himalayas

The origin and development of the Himalayan mountains took several stages, which took a total of about 50,000,000 years. Many researchers believe that two colliding tectonic plates gave rise to the Himalayas.

It is interesting that at present the mountain system continues its development, the formation of folding. The Indian plate is moving towards the northeast at a rate of 5 cm per year, while shrinking by 4 mm. Scholars argue that such an advance will lead to further rapprochement between India and Tibet.

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

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

What continent are the Himalayas located on: geographical information

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

The Himalayan mountain system stretches for 2,500 km, and its width is at least 350 km. total area array - 650,000 m².

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

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

Characteristics of natural conditions

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

In the Himalayas, it is customary to distinguish 4 types of climate. From April to June, the mountains are covered with wild herbs and flowers, coolness and freshness reign in the air. Starting in July and ending in August, rains rule in the mountains, the largest amount of precipitation falls. During these summer months, the slopes of the mountain ranges are covered with lush vegetation, fogs often appear. Until the arrival of November, warm and comfortable weather conditions persist, after which the sun sets in. frosty winter with heavy snowfalls.

Description of the flora

Himalayan vegetation surprises with its diversity. Altitude zones are clearly visible on the southern slope, subject to frequent precipitation, and real jungles (terai) grow at the foot of the mountains. In these places, large thickets of trees and shrubs are found in abundance. In some places, dense creepers, bamboo, numerous bananas, and undersized palm trees are found. Sometimes you can get to the areas intended for the cultivation of certain crops. These places are usually cleared and drained by man.

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

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

local fauna

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

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

parks and valleys

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

1. Sagarmatha.
2. Flower Valley.

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

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

The most picturesque places of Nanda Devi are represented by grandiose glaciers, the Rishi Ganga river, mystical lake Skeletons, around which, according to legend, numerous human and animal remains were found. It is generally accepted that the sudden fall of an unusually large hail led to mass deaths.

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

Buddhist temples

The Himalayas are famous for their Buddhist monasteries, many of which are located in hard-to-reach places, and are buildings carved from the rock. Most of the temples have a long history of existence, up to 1000 years old, and lead a rather "closed" lifestyle. Some of the monasteries are open to everyone who wants to get acquainted with the way of life of monks, the interior decoration of holy places. They can do nice pictures. Entrance to the territory of other shrines for visitors is strictly prohibited.

The largest and most revered monasteries include:

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

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

Tourists visiting the Himalayas

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

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

The mountain structure of the Himalayas is undoubtedly the highest in the world. It stretches for a distance of 2,400 meters from the northwest towards the southeast. Its western part reaches a width of 400 kilometers, the eastern - about 150 kilometers.

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

Kingdom of snow

The pictures of the Himalayan peaks are breathtaking. Many will easily give an answer to the question of where on our planet these giants are located.

The map shows that they are located on a vast territory: starting from the northern hemisphere and ending, they cross South Asia and the Indo-Gangetic plain along the way. 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. Indians, Nepalese, Chinese, and residents of Bhutan, and Pakistan, and the northern side of Bangladesh can boast of the Himalayas.

How the Himalayas appeared and developed

This system of mountains, from the point of view of geology, is quite young. It has been assigned to Himalaya coordinates: 27°59′17″ North and 86°55′31″ East

There are two phenomena that influenced the appearance of mountains:

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

Dimensions of the Himalayan peaks

This mountain system includes 10 of the 14 highest mountains on Earth, which exceeded the mark of 8 km. The highest of them is Mount Chomolungma (Everest) - 8,848 meters up. On average, all the 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 formed 3 main levels, each of which is higher than the previous one.

Description of the Himalayan steps, starting with the smallest in height:

1. The Sivalik Range is the southernmost, lowest and youngest level. Its length is 1 km 700 meters between the lowlands of the Indus and the Brahmaputra, and its width is from 10 to 50 km. The height of the Sivalik hill does not exceed 2 km. This mountain range is located mainly on the land of Nepal, capturing the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
2. The Lesser Himalayas is the second step, going in the same direction as Sivalik, only closer to the north. On average, their height is about 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 Great Himalayas is 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 on an area of ​​​​more than 33 thousand km 2. They contain fresh water in the amount of about 12 thousand km 3. The largest and most famous glacier - Gangotri - the beginning of the Indian river Ganges.

Himalayan water system

The three largest South Asian rivers - the Indus, the Brahmaputra and the Ganges - begin their journey in the Himalayas. The western Himalayan rivers are included in the catchment of the Indus River, and 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 around 1919 m, and is considered one of the highest mountains 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 are the Zema, Gangotri and Rongbuk glaciers.

Weather

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

• On the south side, under the monsoon influence, a lot of precipitation falls in the summer - up to 4 meters in the east, up to 1 meter per year in the west, and almost never in winter.
• In the north, on the contrary, there is almost no rain at all; a continental climate prevails here, cold and dry. High in the mountains, severe frosts and increased winds occur. The air temperature is below -40 o C.

The temperature in summer reaches -25 °C, and in winter - up to -40 °C. Winds up to 150 km/h are common in mountainous areas. In the Himalayas, the weather changes quite often.

The Himalayan mountain structure also affects the weather of the entire region. The mountains act as a protection against 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.

In Tibet, the weather is very dry, because all the monsoon winds blowing from the south and bringing a lot of rain cannot cross the high mountains. All moisture-containing volumes of air settle in them.

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

Flora and fauna

Flora directly depends on the height of the Himalayas.

• The base of the Sivalik Range is covered with swampy forests and terai (a kind of growth).
• A little higher green dense forests with a high tree stand begin, there are deciduous and coniferous plants. Further there are mountain meadows covered with thick grass.
• Forests, which consist of deciduous trees and small shrubs, dominate above 2 km. And coniferous forests - more than 2 km 600 meters.
• Above 3 km 500 meters the kingdom of bushes begins.
• On the slopes from the north, 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.

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

There are many nature reserves in the Himalayas. For instance, national park Sagarmatha.

Population

A significant part of the people lives in the southern Himalayas, the height of which 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 is difficult to get into these places, people for a long time lived in isolated tribes with little contact with neighboring ones. Often in winter, the inhabitants of a basin turned out to be completely cut off from others, because it was impossible to get to their neighbors due to snow blockages in the mountains.

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

Religious views also differ: some praise the Buddha, while others bow to Hinduism.

The inhabitants of the Himalayas - Sherpas - live high in the mountains of Eastern Nepal, including the region of Everest. They often earn extra money as assistants on expeditions: they show the way and carry things. They perfectly adapted to the height, so even at the most high points this mountain system does not suffer from lack of oxygen. Apparently, it betrays them at the genetic level.

The inhabitants of the Himalayas are mainly engaged in agricultural work. If the plots of land are relatively flat and there is sufficient water in reserve, then farmers successfully grow potatoes, rice, peas, oats and barley. Where the climate is warmer, such as in the basins, lemons, oranges, apricots, tea and grapes grow. High in the mountains, the inhabitants keep yaks, sheep and goats. Yaks carry goods, 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 - a 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 into the plain.

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

tourist travel

In the Himalayas, sports such as climbing and hiking along mountain paths are very popular.

The most popular tracks include:

1. A well-known path near Annapurna passes the slopes of the Annapurna 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 alpine 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 preparation of the tourist, the time of year and the weather affect the time of passing these paths. It is dangerous for an unprepared person to immediately climb to a height, as "mountain sickness" may begin. Besides, it's unsafe. You need to prepare well, purchase special equipment for mountaineering.

Almost every person knows where the Himalayas are and wants to go there. Traveling to the mountains attracts tourists from different countries, including from Russia. Remember that climbing is best done in the warm season, best of all in autumn or spring. In the summer it rains in the Himalayas, and in the winter it is very cold and impassable.