himalaya

The Himalaya is a vast mountain system in Asia that stretches across the northern edge of the Indian subcontinent, separating the plains from the Tibetan Plateau. Spanning about 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles), it passes through Nepal, northern India, Bhutan, and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, with extensions into Pakistan. The range includes the planet’s highest peaks, notably Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali; Chomolungma in Tibetan), which reaches 8,848 meters (29,029 feet).

The name Himalaya derives from Sanskrit hima meaning snow and alaya meaning dwelling. The mountains formed from the ongoing collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate during the Cenozoic era, causing sustained uplift and seismic activity.

Elevation and climate gradients create diverse environments, from subtropical foothills to permanent snow and ice at the highest elevations. The Himalaya feeds major rivers such as the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra, and supports alpine forests, meadows, and glaciers. Endangered species include the snow leopard and the red panda in its forests.

The region contains numerous protected areas and UNESCO sites, including Sagarmatha National Park and Khangchendzonga National Park, reflecting biodiversity and cultural value. Human communities in the foothills maintain a variety of languages, religions, and alpine livelihoods.

Since the 19th century, the Himalaya has attracted exploration and mountaineering activity, with Everest first summited in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Today it remains important for science, hydrology, trekking, and its cultural and spiritual significance.