Himalayan mountains. Where are the Himalayas: geographical location, description, height

general information

The Himalaya mountain system at the junction of Central and South Asia is over 2,900 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 here - peaks over 8000 m above sea level. In the northwest of the western chain of the Himalayas there is another highest mountain system- Karakorum.

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

The entire Himalayan mountain range 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 to achieve this goal was the 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 large 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 the southern slopes up to an altitude of 2000 m, the average temperature in January is 6...7 °C, in 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. On Chomolungma and Kanchenjunga the most powerful glaciation, 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 They 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 high-mountain tundras are exceptionally pronounced. 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, evergreens grow on the wet slopes of mountains and along river valleys up to an altitude of 1000-1200 m. rainforests 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 bushes, higher up there are some subtropical Mediterranean species like evergreen holm oak and golden 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. The passes are accessible only in summer. 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 India and Nepal - Nan-dadevi, Sagarmatha and Chitwan.

Attractions

Kathmandu: temple complexes Budanilkantha, Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, National Museum Nepal;
Lhasa: Potala Palace, Barkor Square, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery;
Thimphu: Bhutan Textile Museum, Thimphu Chorten, Tashicho Dzong;
Temple complexes of the Himalayas (including 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 in " World Center Walt Disney Holidays.
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.

Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. - M: AST. Pospelov E.M. 2001.

HIMALAYAS

the highest mountain system in the world, in Asia between the Tibetan Plateau and the Indo-Gangetic lowland. Nai highest point Mt. Chomolungma (Everest) - 8848 m. Alpine folding. South the foothills are made of sandstone, the bedrock slopes and the axial zone are made of gneisses, granites and other igneous rocks. The mountains consist of three stages: the highest - the Greater Mountains, which are characterized by alpine-type ridges, altitudinal contrasts and glaciation (more than 33 thousand km2). North slopes facing the high Tibetan Plateau have a lower relative height. G. are under the influence of the summer monsoon, in the east. parts receive up to 4000 mm of precipitation per year. The altitudinal zonation is well defined: from swampy jungles at the foot to evergreen tropical forests, deciduous and coniferous forests, shrubs, and meadows. To the north The slope is drier, so mountain steppes, semi-deserts and cold deserts dominate there. Above 5000 m there is eternal snow. Mountaineering is developed in Nepal.

Concise geographical dictionary. EdwART. 2008.

Himalayas

(Himalayas, from Nepalese Himal - " snow mountain"), the highest mountain system globe, in Asia, between Tibetan plateau to the N. and Indo-Gangetic plain in the south (China, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan). They stretch in a huge arc approx. 2500 km, width up to 350 km. Avg. ridge height approx. 6000 m, highest point - Mt. Chomolungma (8848 m), 11 peaks rise above 8000 m. They consist of several parallel mountain ranges with a steep south. and relatively flat north. slopes. North The border is the wide valleys of the upper reaches of the Indus and Brahmaputra rivers.
The mountains were formed during the Alpine era of mountain building. South the foothills are composed primarily of sandstones and conglomerates, bedrock slopes and the axial zone - gneisses, shales, granites and other crystalline rocks. The mountains rise above the Indo-Gangetic plain in three steps. The lower part is formed by mountains Siwalik (Pre-Himalayas), middle – Lesser Himalayas (chronicle Pir Panjal , Jaoladhar, etc.). The highest mountain range is partially separated from them by longitudinal valleys (Kashmir, Kathmandu, etc.) Greater Himalayas , which from W. to E. are divided into Punjab, Kumaon, Nepal, Sikkim and Assam. The Greater Mountains are characterized by sharp alpine relief features and extensive modern territory. glaciation of the total area 33200 km². The largest glacier is Gangotri (32 km; approx. 300 km²) in Kumaon G.
The mountains represent a distinct climate division: to the south of them a humid subequatorial climate prevails, to the north there is a climate of cold high-mountain deserts. Altitudinal zonation is well expressed. At the south In the foothills there are swampy jungles (terai), which as you rise are replaced by evergreen forests (palm trees, laurels, tree ferns, bamboo intertwined with vines). Above 1200 m in the west and 1500 m in the east, evergreen forests (oak and magnolia) dominate; above 2200 m, deciduous (alder, hazel, birch, maple) and coniferous (Himalayan cedar, blue pine, silver spruce) forests dominate; Coniferous forests (fir, larch, juniper) with a dense undergrowth of rhododendron rise up to 3600 m. Top. the border of alpine meadows reaches 5000 m and only here it gives way to the nival-glacial belt. Dry sowing the slopes are covered by mountain steppes, semi-deserts and cold deserts. Animals include Himalayan bears, wild goats, wild sheep, yaks; a lot of rodents. Up to a height of 2500 m, the slopes are cultivated, terrace farming is typical (tea bush, citrus fruits, and rice on irrigated lands). In Greece, especially in Nepal, mountaineering is widely developed and well organized.

Dictionary of modern geographical names. - Ekaterinburg: U-Factoria. Under the general editorship of academician. V. M. Kotlyakova. 2006 .

Himalayas

the highest mountain system on earth, in Asia, between the Tibetan Plateau in the north and the Indo-Gangetic Plain in the south; in China, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan. The name comes from the Nepalese “himal” - “snow mountain”. They form a huge arc long. OK. 2500 km, latitude up to 350 km. Wed. high ridges approx. 6000 m, highest point - Mt. Chomolungma(8848 m), 11 peaks rise above 8000 m. The Himalayas consist of several parallel mountain ranges with a steep south. and relatively flat north. slopes. North The boundary is a giant longitudinal depression occupied by the upper reaches of the river. Ganges and Brahmaputra flowing in opposite directions.
The Himalayas were formed during the Alpine mountain building era. South the foothills are composed predominantly of sandstones and conglomerates, the bedrock slopes and axial zone are composed of gneisses, crystalline schists, granites and other crystalline and metamorphic rocks. The mountain system rises above the Indo-Gangetic plain in three steps forming mountains Siwalik(Pre-Himalayas), Lesser Himalayas(Pir Panjal, Jaoladhar, etc.) and partially separated from them by longitudinal valleys (Kashmir Valley, Kathmandu, etc.) Greater Himalayas, which along the strike from west to east are divided into Punjab, Kumaon, Nepal, Sikkim and Assam. The Greater Himalayas are characterized by sharp alpine landforms and extensive modern glaciation of a total area. 33,200 km². The largest glacier is Gangotri (approx. 300 km²) in the Kumaon Himalayas.

Altitudinal zonation is well expressed. At the south In the foothills there are swampy jungles (Terai), which, as you rise, are replaced by evergreen tropical forests (palm trees, laurels, tree ferns, bamboo, and all this is intertwined with vines). Above 1200 m in the west and 1500 m in the east, evergreen forests of oak and magnolia dominate; above 2200 m, deciduous (alder, hazel, birch and maple) and coniferous (Himalayan cedar, blue pine, silver spruce) forests dominate; at high 2700–3600 m are dominated by coniferous forests of fir, larch, juniper with a dense undergrowth of rhododendron. The upper limit of alpine meadows reaches high. 5000 m and only here it gives way to the nival-glacial belt. On the northern, drier slopes, where the influence of the monsoon weakens, mountain steppes, semi-deserts and cold deserts dominate. Animals include the Himalayan bear, wild goats, wild sheep, and yak; a lot of rodents. Up to high 2500 m slopes are cultivated, terrace farming is typical (tea bush, citrus fruits, rice on irrigated lands). Mountaineering is widely developed and well organized in the Himalayas, especially in Nepal.

Geography. Modern illustrated encyclopedia. - M.: Rosman. Edited by prof. A. P. Gorkina. 2006 .

Synonyms:

See what "HIMALAYAS" is in other dictionaries:

Himalayas- Himalayas. View from space of the Himalayas, the abode of snow, Hindi. Contents 1 Geography 2 Geology 3 Climate 4 Literature 5 Links Geography Himalayas ... Encyclopedia of tourists

The highest mountain system on earth, between the Tibetan Plateau (in the north) and the Indo-Gangetic Plain (in the south). Length St. 2400 km, width up to 350 km. Among the high ridges of approx. 6000 m, maximum height up to 8848 m, Mount Chomolungma (Everest) highest... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Noun, number of synonyms: 2 mountain system (62) mountains (52) ASIS Dictionary of Synonyms. V.N. Trishin. 2013… Synonym dictionary

Himalayas- HIMALAYAS, mountains in the Center. Asia, the greatest on the globe. Zap. their extremity is at 36° north. lat., together with the Hindu Kush, Kara Korum and Kuen Lun, the greatest mountain on earth. node (see map to the station of British India). From here G.... ... Military encyclopedia

This term has other meanings, see Himalayas (meanings). Himalayas ... Wikipedia

Himalayas- Snowy peaks of the Himalayas. HIMALAYAS, the highest mountain system on earth, in Asia (India, Nepal, China, Pakistan, Bhutan), between the Tibetan Plateau (in the north) and the Indo-Gangetic Plain (in the south). Length over 2400 km. Height up to 8848 m (mountain... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

Himalayas. View from space

Himalayas - "abode of snow", Hindi.

Geography

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

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

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

Kathmandu Valley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 of 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, how much with absence 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 entertainment than convenient transport, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is called the “toy train” here. It departs from Siligiri station and goes up to Ghum, located at an altitude of 2257 m, passing tea plantations, valleys and other picturesque landscapes.

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

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

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

Weather in the Himalayas

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

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

Himalaya Hotels

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

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

Skiing

There are several ski resorts in the Himalayas. In terms of the level of service they cannot be compared with European ones, but the most important thing is the required minimum of services and luxurious 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 ones 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- Very picturesque resort surrounded by coniferous forest, located near Shimla, the only drawback is very little space.

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

Cuisine and restaurants of the Himalayas

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

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

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

The best photos of the Himalayas

Entertainment and attractions

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

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

Acquaintance with the Himalayas often begins from the capital of Himchal Pradesh - the town of Shimla. It is called “the most fashionable village in the Himalayas”: here it is worth visiting the palace of the Viceroy of Britain (today there is a museum), the central square with 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 (altitude 2257 m), the path runs past tea plantations and other local beauties. From the railway ring terminal station there is a magnificent view of the surrounding area.

Road to the Himalayas

Natural attractions

There are very interesting national parks in the Himalayas - Nanda Devi and the Valley of Flowers in the Western Himalayas, which are under UNESCO protection. 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, last years The artist's life was 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.

Himalayas (Sanskrit Himalaya - abode of snow, from Hima - snow and Alaya - dwelling)

the highest mountain system on the globe, located on the territory of India, China, Nepal and Pakistan, between the Tibetan Plateau (See Tibetan Plateau) (in the north) and the Indo-Gangetic Plain (See Indo-Gangetic Plain) (in the south). G. is the most powerful mountain system of the Earth with the highest peaks, the greatest differences in heights over short distances, deep (up to 4-5 km) gorges. Length over 2400 km, width from 180 to 350 km, area about 650 thousand. km 2. Average altitude is about 6000 m, 11 peaks over 8000 m(Chomolangma city - 8848 m - highest peak globe). The mountains have clear morphological and physical-geographical boundaries: in the north - longitudinal tectonic valleys of the upper reaches of the Indus and Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) rivers; in the south - northern region Indo-Gangetic plain, in the north-west. -Hinduraj ridge, in the east - the river gorge. Brahmaputra. G. is the largest orographic, climatic, and floristic barrier between the deserts of Central Asia and the tropical landscapes of South Asia. However, due to the presence of through antecedent gorges of the Indus, Sutlej, Karnali, and Arun rivers, the watershed of the basin Indian Ocean and the drainless region of Central Asia passes not through the mountains, but through the mountain systems neighboring the north - the Karakoram and the Trans-Himalayas.

Relief. The mountains rise steeply above the Indo-Gangetic plain in three grandiose steps; the first step is formed by the southern foothills of the mountains - the Siwalik ridge, strongly dissected by deeply incised gorges of numerous rivers (width in the west, 120 km, to the east from 88° east. d. narrows to 5-10 km), average height 900-1200 m. This ridge is separated from the next stage by a large fault, along which there is a series of intermountain basins (dunes), formerly occupied by lakes. 2nd stage - Small (Low) Mountains - a system of individual mountain ranges and ridges (average height 3000-4000 m, peaks up to 6000 m). The mountains are highly dissected and characterized by steep southern and gentler northern slopes. The western part is the Pir Panjal ridge - a jagged narrow ridge on a wide, flat base: in the central part (Dhaoladhar, Mahabharat ridges) the mountains rise sharply (up to 5000 m), characterized by sharp ridges and deep valleys. To the east of the tectonic valley of the river. Teesta's southern slope is divided by hanging valleys and is called "duars" (doors). The 2nd stage is separated from the 3rd stage by an extensive depression with a chain of tectonic intermountain depressions and ancient glacial basins (Kathmandu, Srinagar, etc.). 3rd stage - Large (High) Mountains, or the Main Himalayan Range, width 50-90 km. Starts in the north-west. from the Nanga Parbat massif (8126 m), where it is widest (over 300 km), has raised edges, between which lie high plateaus (Deosai, Rushpu, etc.). To the south-east from the river valley The Greater Sutlej forms a powerful ridge with a number of high massifs and peaks covered with glaciers. To the east of the river Teesta Large G. are significantly reduced. Deeply incised river valleys, relatively poorly dissected massifs and dome-shaped peaks are common here.

Geological structure and minerals. In the geological structure of Greece there are a number of parallel tectonic zones (from north to south) (see Fig. Tectonic diagram ). Along the southern foot of the mountains stretches the Pre-Himalayan (Indo-Gangetic) foothill trough, filled with Cenozoic terrigenous deposits of the molasse type, with a total thickness of up to 10 km. The occurrence of rocks is horizontal in the south, slightly inclined to the north, with folds and thrusts overturned to the south in the Siwalik Mountains.

The main boundary fault (of the deep type) separates the Pre-Himalayan trough from the zone of development of the Precambrian metamorphic rocks of the Lesser and Greater Heights. Among the Precambrian rocks of the Lesser Heights, blocks of formations of the Paleozoic (Krol Formation) and presumably Mesozoic (Tal Formation) are tectonically sandwiched; Continental accumulations of the Gondwanan system (Upper Paleozoic) and effusive rocks of basic composition (Panjal traps) are also known here. There are known cases of thrusting of some strata onto others from the north to the south, but the true amplitudes of the thrusts cannot be determined due to poor knowledge of the stratigraphy of ancient strata. Many researchers (A. Ganser and others) believe that there are large thrusts and shariya overlappings. The complex of Precambrian rocks of the Greater Himalayas (the southern slope and axial part of the Main Himalayan Range)—gneisses, crystalline schists, phyllites, and other deeply metamorphosed strata—is complicated by microfolding and flattening and forms large dome-shaped uplifts.

A deep fault (“structural suture of the Indus”), represented by a system of steep faults inclined to the north and accompanied by ophiolites, separates the next tectonic zone (Tibetan mountains), which occupies the northern slope of the Main Himalayan ridge, part of the Kashmir basin, the upper reaches of the Indus and Brahmaputra and is composed of a continuous section of weakly metamorphosed sedimentary rocks from the Upper Precambrian to the Cretaceous and Paleogene inclusive. Structurally, it is a system of large synclinoriums, complicated on the wings by smaller folds, overturned towards the core of the synclinorium. The best section was studied in the river valley. Spiti (tributary of the Sutlej river).

The geological history of Georgia is interpreted by researchers in different ways. According to Soviet geologists M.V. Muratov, I.V. Arkhipov, G.P. Gorshkov, and others, the mountains belong to the Alpine geosynclinal (folded) region (See Alpine geosynclinal region), which arose inside the Tethys geosyncline; Soviet scientists B. P. Barkhatov, D. P. Rezvoy, V. M. Sinitsyn, A. Ganser, B. A. Petrushevsky and others, based on the fact that there are no typical geosynclinal sedimentary formations of Alpine age in Georgia, believe that the geology was formed as a result of processing and activation in Neogene-Anthropogen times of the northern part of the Precambrian Indian Platform; In this way, the cities differ sharply in the history of their geological development from those located to the southwest. Suleiman Mountains and lying to the south-east. the Arakan-Yoma mountains, which arose from alpine geosynclines.

Mineral resources are represented by deposits of copper, gold, chromite, and sapphire associated with the complex of metamorphic and igneous rocks of the Small and Large Mountains. Oil and gas deposits are known in the Pre-Himalayan foothill trough.

Climate. The mountains form a sharp climatic boundary between the equatorial monsoon region of Hindustan and the continental region of Central Asia. The climate of the western sector of Greece is characterized by sharp temperature fluctuations and strong winds. Winter is cold (average January temperature -10, -18 °C), above 2500 m- with snow storms. Summer is warm (average July temperature is about 18°C) and dry. The influence of the monsoon is insignificant and is reflected only in a slight increase in humidity and cloudiness in July - August. Precipitation (about 1000 mm per year) are associated with cyclones, and in valleys and basins they fall 3-4 times less than on mountain slopes. The main passes are cleared of snow at the end of May. In western Georgia at an altitude of 1800-2200 m Most of the climatic resorts in India are located (Shimla, etc.). The eastern sector has a hotter and more humid climate with a monsoon moisture regime (85-95% of annual precipitation falls from May to October). In summer at an altitude of 1500 m temperatures rise on the slopes to 35°C, and in the valleys even to 45°C. It rains almost continuously. On the southern slopes (at an altitude of 3000-4000 m) drops from 2500 mm(on the W.) up to 5500 mm(on V.); in the interior - about 1000 mm. In winter at an altitude of 1800 m average January temperature 4° C, above 3000 m- temperatures are negative. Snowfalls occur annually above 2200-2500 m, there are thick fogs in the valleys. North The slopes of Georgia have a cold mountain-desert climate. Daily temperature ranges up to 45°C, precipitation around 100 mm in year. In summer at an altitude of 5000-6000 m Only during the day are there positive temperatures. Relative air humidity 30-60%. In winter, snow often evaporates without melting.

Rivers and lakes. The river network is more developed on the southern slope. In the upper reaches of the river, they are fed by snow and glaciers with sharp fluctuations in flow rates during the day; in the middle and lower reaches it is rainwater, with maximum flow in summer. The valleys are narrow and deep. Lots of rapids and waterfalls. Lakes of tectonic origin and glacial ones; There are especially many of them in the western part of Georgia (Vular, Tsomorari, etc.).

Glaciation. The total area of glaciation is over 33 thousand. km 2. The longest glaciers on the Chomolungma massif (up to 19 km) and Kanchenjunga (26 and 16 km); in Kumaon G. - Milam glaciers (20 km) and Gangotri (32 km), in Punjab G. - Durung-Drung (24 km), Barmal (15 km). In Kashmir, the lower limit of glaciers is 2500 m, in central cities - 4000 m. Glaciation is more developed in the western part of Greece. In the west, the height of the snow line on the southern slopes is 5000 m, in the north - 5700-5900 m, in the East - 4500-4800, respectively m and 6100 m. Glaciers are predominantly dendritic (Himalayan) type, descending at 1300-1600 m below the snow line. There are glaciers of the Turkestan type, which have small firn basins compared to the drainage areas and are fed mainly by avalanches and collapses of hanging glaciers. The northern slopes are characterized by giant curtains of corrugated ice that cover many of the peaks to their summits.

Landscapes G. very diverse, especially on the southern slopes. Along the foot of the mountains from the east to the river valley. Jumna stretches a swampy strip of terai - trees and shrubs (jungles) of soap trees, mimosa, fan palms, bamboos, bananas, mangoes - on black silty soils. Higher, up to 1000-1200 m On the windward slopes of the mountains and along river valleys, evergreen tropical rainforests grow from palm trees, laurels, pandanus, tree ferns, bamboos intertwined with vines (up to 400 species). Above 1200 m to W. and 1500 m in the east there is a belt of evergreen broad-leaved forests, consisting of various types oak, magnolia, above 2200 m temperate forests appear from deciduous (alder, hazel, birch, maple) and coniferous (Himalayan cedar, blue pine, silver spruce) species with mosses and lichens covering the soil and tree trunks. At an altitude of 2700-3600 m Coniferous forests of silver fir, larch, hemlock, and juniper with a dense undergrowth of rhododendrons dominate. The lower part of the forest belt is characterized by red soils, while the higher parts are characterized by brown forest soils. In the subalpine zone there are juniper-rhododendron thickets. The upper limit of alpine meadows is about 5000 m, although some plants (arenaria, edelweiss) go above 6000 m.

The landscapes of western Georgia are more xerophytic. There are no terai, the lower parts of the slopes are occupied by sparse xerophytic forests and shrubs, and above are monsoon deciduous forests dominated by sal. From a height of 1200-1500 m Mediterranean subtropical species appear: evergreen holm oak, golden-leaved olive, acacia, in coniferous forests - Himalayan cedar, long-leaved pine (chir), Macedonian blue pine. The shrub undergrowth is poorer than in the East, the alpine vegetation is richer. In the forest belt, red soils and low-humus brown forest soils predominate; higher up, brown pseudopodzolic soils; in the alpine zone - mountain meadows. The forests of the lower slopes of the mountains and the terai are home to large mammals - elephants, rhinoceroses, buffalos, wild boars, antelopes, and among predators - tigers and leopards; there are many monkeys (mainly macaques and thin-bodied monkeys) and birds (peacocks, pheasants, parrots).

Mountain-desert landscapes with rare dry grasses and shrubs dominate on the northern slopes of Georgia. Woody vegetation (groves of low-growing poplars) - mainly along river valleys. Among the animals, representatives of the Tibetan fauna dominate - Himalayan bears, wild goats, wild sheep, yaks. Lots of rodents. Up to altitude 2500 m the slopes are being processed. Plantation crops predominate - tea bush, citrus fruits. On irrigated terraces - rice. In the northern Himalayas, naked barley rises to a height of 4500 m. (Cm. map ).

Lit.: Ryabchikov A. M., Nature of India, M., 1950; Speight O. G. K., India and Pakistan, trans. from English, M., 1957; Arkhipov I.V., Muratov M.V., Postelnikov E.S., Main features of the structure and history of the development of the Alpine geosynclinal region, in the book: International Geological Congress, 22nd, 1964. Reports of Soviet geologists. Problem 11. Himalayan and Alpine orogeny, M., 1964; Rezvoy D.P., About the great geodivision of the Asian continent, ibid.; his, Tectonics of the Himalayas, in the book: Folded regions of Eurasia (Materials of the meeting on problems of tectonics in Moscow), M., 1964; Ganser A., Geology of the Himalayas, trans. from English, M., 1967; Direnfurt G., Third Pole, trans. from German, M., 1970.

L. I. Kurakova, A. M. Ryabchikov, D. P. Rezvoy (geological structure and minerals).

Southern slope of the Eastern Himalayas in Bhutan at an altitude of 4500 m.

Chomolungma massif in the Central Himalayas. On the right is Mount Makalu (8470 m).

Himalayas. Orography scheme.

Himalayas. Tectonic scheme.

Big Soviet encyclopedia. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1969-1978 .

Synonyms:

See what “Himalayas” are in other dictionaries:

Himalayas- Himalayas. View from space of the Himalayas, the abode of snow, Hindi. Contents 1 Geography 2 Geology 3 Climate 4 Literature 5 Links Geography Himalayas ... Encyclopedia of tourists

The highest mountain system on Earth; India, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan. Name from Nepal. himal snow mountain; Himalayas is a general name for many individual Himalayas, which have their own names. A common interpretation of the name Himalayas is as... ... Geographical encyclopedia