The Himalayas play a significant role in the mythology, literature, and religion of the South Asian peoples. Over time, the mountains became a center of attraction for pilgrims from India and Nepal, as well as for mountaineers from around the world. Since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay climbed Mount Everest, many people have set out to explore the unknown areas of the Himalayas.
Interesting facts about the Himalayas:
● The Himalayas are the largest mountain range in Asia and home to the world’s highest peaks, including Everest. They form a group of mountain ranges located in South Asia, including countries such as Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Tibet, and Nepal.
● The Himalayas consist of 30 mountain ranges and 9 of the highest peaks in the world. They form a barrier between the Tibetan Plateau to the north and the plains of the Indian subcontinent to the south. The total length of the Himalayas is over 2,400 km, and it is home to the highest mountain peaks and largest glaciers on Earth.
● The Himalayan mountain range was formed about 70 million years ago as a result of the collision between the Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates.
● The literal translation of the Himalayas is “abode of snow,” and it is made up of the combination of two Sanskrit words – “hima” (snow) and “alaya” (abode).
● According to Hindu mythology, the Himalayas are the home of the god Shiva.
● The Himalayan mountain system is one of the youngest mountain systems, spanning six different countries, namely India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
● The Himalayas are the highest mountains in the world, with 30 peaks rising more than 7000 km.
● The Himalayas cover 0.4% of the Earth’s surface. Their total area is 153,295,000 square kilometers. The climate in the Himalayas becomes colder depending on the altitude.
● The climatic differences in the mountains are so great that travelers in these places face monsoons, floods, snowfall, landslides, earthquakes, and strong winds.
●On May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first people to reach the summit of Everest, the tallest mountain in the world.
● Every year, several people die while climbing Everest.
● In Nepal, the Himalayas are called “Sagarmatha”, which means “Goddess of the Universe”.
● Mount Everest was named in 1865 by Sir Andrew Waugh in honor of his predecessor, Sir George Everest.
● The Himalayas have a significant impact on the circulation of air and climatic conditions in neighboring countries.
● Animals living in the Himalayas are constantly threatened due to deforestation and the shrinking of their habitat.
