Table of Contents
Himalayas
Sagarmāthā
The highest mountain in the world was named after British surveyor Colonel Sir George Everest. The Nepalese call the mountain “Sagarmāthā” which means “Goddess of the Universe.” 1)
Major rivers' source
The Indus, the Yangtze and the Ganga-Brahmaputra have their source in the Himalayas. They create major river systems on the Asian continent. 2)
King of All Mountains
“Giriraj Himavat,” the father of Ganga and Parvati, is the personification of the Himalayas. In Hinduism, they are personified as the King of All Mountains. 3)
Mount Everest
The Himalayas are the highest mountain range on Earth, with the highest peak being Mount Everest at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level. 4)
Abode of snow
The word “Himalaya” comes from Sanskrit and means “abode of snow.” 5)
Span five countries
The Himalayas span five countries: Bhutan, India, Nepal, China, and Pakistan. 6)
Still growing taller
The mountain range is still growing taller, as the Indian tectonic plate continues to push into the Eurasian plate. 7)
Over 50 mountains that are higher than 7,200 meters
The Himalayas are home to over 50 mountains that are higher than 7,200 meters (23,622 feet) above sea level. 8)
Source of many of Asia's major rivers
The Himalayas are the source of many of Asia's major rivers, including the Ganges, the Indus, the Brahmaputra, the Yangtze, and the Mekong. 9)
Home to a diverse range of flora and fauna
The region is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species such as the snow leopard and the Himalayan black bear. 10)
Religious significance
The Himalayas have a profound spiritual significance for many people in the region, with several major religions having their origins or significant historical events associated with the mountains. 11)
First successful ascent of Mount Everest
The first successful ascent of Mount Everest was achieved by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal, on May 29, 1953. 12)
Kali Gandaki Gorge
The Himalayas are also home to some of the world's deepest and most treacherous gorges, such as the Kali Gandaki Gorge in Nepal. 13)
Mani Rimdu festival
The region is known for its unique cultural traditions and festivals, such as the Mani Rimdu festival of the Sherpa people in Nepal and the Hemis Festival of the Ladakh region in India. 14)
Trashigang in Bhutan
The Himalayas are home to some of the world's highest and most remote settlements, such as the village of Trashigang in Bhutan, which sits at an altitude of over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). 15)
Profound impact on the weather patterns
The Himalayas have a profound impact on the weather patterns of the surrounding regions, affecting monsoon rainfall and the severity of winter storms. 16)
Pilgrimage sites
The region is also home to a number of important pilgrimage sites, such as the holy town of Badrinath in India and the sacred mountain of Kailash in Tibet. 17)
Adventure tourism
The Himalayas are a popular destination for adventure tourism, with activities such as trekking, mountaineering, and river rafting drawing visitors from around the world. 18)