Himalayas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Himalayas |
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The arc of the Himalayas (also Hindu Kush and Karakorams) showing the eight-thousanders (in red); Indo-Gangetic Plain; Tibetan plateau; rivers Indus, Ganges, and Yarlung Tsangpo-Brahmaputra; and the two anchors of the range (in yellow)
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Mount Everest (China and Nepal) |
| Elevation | 8,848.86 m (29,031.7 ft) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 2,400 km (1,500 mi) |
| Geography | |
Mount Everest and surrounding peaks as seen from the north-northwest over the Tibetan Plateau. Four eight-thousanders can be seen, Makalu (8,462 m), Everest (8,848 m), Cho Oyu (8,201 m), and Lhotse (8,516 m).
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| Countries | Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan. Sovereignty in the Kashmir region is disputed by China, India, and Pakistan. |
| Geology | |
| Orogeny | Alpine orogeny |
| Age of rock | Cretaceous-to-Cenozoic |
| Type of rock | Metamorphic, sedimentary |
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The Himalayas are a huge mountain range in South Asia. They stretch across several countries, including Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and the southern part of Tibet (China). This amazing mountain system is divided into three main parts: Himadri, Himachal, and Shiwaliks.
The Himalayas are home to the world's tallest mountains. In fact, 15 of the highest peaks on Earth are found here! Some of the most famous include Mount Everest, K2, Annapurna, and Nanga Parbat. Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world, standing at 8,849 meters (about 29,031 feet) tall. Nine of the fifteen highest peaks are located in the Nepali Himalayas.
The name "Himalaya" comes from Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language. It means "House of Snow." These mountains are so tall that they historically kept the people of India and China mostly separate. India is a peninsula that is cut off from the rest of Asia by these mountains. Because of its large size and isolation, it is often called the Indian subcontinent.
North of the Himalayas lies the Tibetan Plateau, often called "the roof of the world." However, this plateau is very dry. The plateau and the mountains create a giant rain shadow. This means most of the rain falls on the southern side of the mountains. This has a big impact on the climate of the Indian subcontinent. The Himalayas block extremely cold winter winds from Central Asia from reaching the subcontinent. They also force the moist winds from the Bay of Bengal Monsoon to drop their rain in Northeast India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
Contents
How the Himalayas Formed
The Himalayas were formed by a massive collision of tectonic plates. Imagine two giant pieces of the Earth's crust crashing into each other! The Indian Plate has been moving north at about 15 centimeters (6 inches) per year. Around 40 to 50 million years ago, it crashed into the Eurasian Plate (the continent of Asia).
This powerful collision caused the lighter rock from the ancient seabeds to be pushed up, forming huge mountains. It's amazing to think that the very top of Mount Everest is made of marine limestone, which means it was once at the bottom of an ocean!
The Indian Plate is still moving north, about 67 millimeters (2.6 inches) per year. This movement causes the Himalayas to rise by about 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) each year. This makes them a very active mountain range, and the movement of these plates also causes earthquakes from time to time.
Himalayan Climate and Weather
Temperature in the Mountains
The Himalayas cover a wide area, stretching from warm subtropical zones in the south to cooler, temperate regions further north. As you go higher up the mountains, the temperature drops. For every 300 meters (about 984 feet) you climb, the temperature cools by about 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
Temperatures can change a lot even over short distances. The temperature at a specific spot depends on the season, how much sunlight it gets, and the size of the mountain. Parts of the mountain that face the sun directly will be warmer. The huge size of the Himalayas means that many peaks can even create their own weather! Temperatures can be very different from one peak to another, or even from one side of a mountain to another.
Rain and Snowfall
The Southwest Monsoon winds have a huge effect on the Himalayan climate. This isn't just about the rain, but also the strong winds that carry the moisture. In the summer, the Central Asian plateau gets much hotter than the ocean to its south. This creates a low-pressure area where air rises.
High-pressure systems over the Indian Ocean push moist summer air inland towards this low-pressure area. When this moist air hits the mountains, it is forced to rise and cool. As it cools, the moisture turns into rain, often very heavy rain. This is why the southern slopes of the Himalayas get so much rainfall during the summer monsoon. This process of air being forced upwards is called the orographic effect.
Winds and Weather Patterns
The Himalayas have many different climates. The foothills are humid and subtropical, while the Tibetan side of the range is cold and dry like a desert. The Tibetan Himalaya is especially windy in the west, where it has a cold desert climate. Plants there are sparse and small, and winters are extremely cold. Most of the precipitation in this area comes as snow in late winter and spring.
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The Himalayas greatly influence the climate of the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan Plateau. They block cold, dry winds from blowing south into the subcontinent. This keeps South Asia much warmer than other temperate regions around the world. The mountains also act as a barrier for the monsoon winds, stopping them from moving north. This causes heavy rainfall in the Terai region, which is at the base of the mountains. The Himalayas are also thought to play a part in forming the deserts of Central Asia, like the Taklamakan and Gobi.
Wildlife in the Himalayas
The Himalayas are a popular place for tourists because they have amazing wildlife. The types of plants and trees found here include Oak, Pine, Fir, Rhododendron, Birch, Juniper, and Deodar.
Many different animals live in the Himalayas. You might see snow leopards, blue sheep, musk deer, tigers, elephants, wild boars, and crocodiles. Even endangered species of animals and plants can be found here.
In the northern parts of the Himalayas, where temperatures drop below freezing, it's harder for animals to survive. However, those that have adapted to the cold can live there. During the cold winters, most animals migrate to lower, warmer areas of the Himalayas. Others, like the brown bear, hibernate (sleep through the winter).
The Yak is a large animal, like a wild ox, often seen in the cold desert regions. They are the biggest animals in this area. In regions like Ladakh, you can find animals like the Nyan, which is the largest wild sheep.
Some of the best places to see wildlife in the Himalayas are:
- Jim Corbett National Park
- Namdhpha National Park
- The Royal Chitwan Park
- Kaziranga National Park
- Royal Bardia National Park
- Great Himalayan National Park
Five Important Rivers
The five main rivers of the Himalayas are the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Satluj. These rivers are vital for human and animal life in the areas they flow through.
- The Jhelum River starts from a spring called Verinag, about 80 km (50 miles) south of Srinagar. It's known for its nine bridges. It's a wide river, though sometimes its water can be muddy due to pollution.
- The Chenab River is formed when two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga, join together. It flows through the Lahaur region of Himachal Pradesh. Its water comes from melted snow at the base of the main Himalayan range in the Spiti and Lahaur districts. The beautiful Chandra Tal lake also gets its water from these rivers.
- The Ravi River is part of many old love stories and legends. The town of Chamba sits on a mountain shelf on the right bank of this river. This region is famous for its handicrafts, like embroidered handkerchiefs, silver and leather crafts, and woodcarving.
- The Beas River forms the beautiful valleys of Kullu and Kangra. Its main flow comes from the south of Larji. It then enters the Mandi district and later Kangra. Its water level increases greatly during the monsoon season, sometimes causing floods in nearby villages. The Pong Dam was built on this river to generate hydroelectric power.
- The Sutlej River begins on the southern slopes of Mount Kailash, near the Mansarovar lake. It flows parallel to the Himalayas and eventually goes through the Shipki La Pass. It cuts through the Zanskar range, creating a deep gorge at the base of the Kinner Kailash.
Images for kids
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Map of the Himalayas (including the Hindu Kush)
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The 6,000-kilometre-plus (3,700 mi) journey of the India landmass (Indian Plate) before its collision with Asia (Eurasian Plate) about 40 to 50 million years ago
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Gurudongmar Lake in Sikkim
See also
In Spanish: Himalaya para niños
