Himalayan

Himalayan is an adjective related to the Himalayas, a vast mountain system in Asia. The term is used to describe the range itself as well as the region surrounding it, including its geology, ecology, cultures, and related products.

Geography and extent: The Himalayas stretch roughly 2,400 kilometers (about 1,500 miles) from the western Kunlun foothills in Pakistan through India and Nepal to Bhutan and the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau in China. The range contains many of the world’s highest peaks, including Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, and Annapurna. The Himalayas influence climate and weather patterns across the subcontinent and host a wide array of landscapes, from alpine meadows to subtropical valleys.

Geology and formation: The range was formed by the ongoing collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate beginning around 50 million years ago. The collision continues to lift the mountains today, contributing to seismic activity and ongoing glacial advance and retreat.

Ecology and climate: The Himalayas encompass diverse ecosystems, ranging from tropical forests at lower elevations to alpine tundra higher up. They are home to many endemic species and hold thousands of glaciers and freshwater systems that feed major river basins in South Asia. Climate change pressures include glacier retreat, altered precipitation patterns, and increased natural hazards such as landslides and avalanches.

People and culture: The Himalayas support a rich mosaic of communities, languages, and religions, with significant cultural and religious sites for Hinduism and Buddhism. Tourism, trekking, and mountaineering are important economic activities in many Himalayan regions.

Other uses: The term Himalayan appears in branding and products, most famously Himalayan salt, a pink rock salt mined in Pakistan and marketed for culinary use.