south world

South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities (see below), also includes the adjoining countries on the west and the east. Topographically, it is dominated by the Indian Plate, which rises above sea level as the Indian subcontinent south of the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush.
South Asia is surrounded (clockwise, from west to east) by Western Asia, Central Asia, Eastern Asia, Southeastern Asia and the Indian ocean.
South Asia typically consists of Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Republic of India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Some definitions may also include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Tibet, the British Indian Ocean Territories and Iran.
South Asia is home to well over one fifth of the world's population, making it both the most populous and most densely populated geographical region in the world.[2] The region has often seen conflicts and political instability, including wars between the region's two nuclear-armed states, Pakistan and India. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is an economic cooperation organization in the region.
Contents [hide]1 Definitions 1.1 Indian subcontinent 1.2 Definition by South Asian Studies programs 2 Geography 3 History 4 Territory and region data 4.1 The core countries 4.2 Countries and territories from extended definitions 4.3 Regional groups of countries 5 Demographics 5.1 Ethnic groups 5.2 Languages 5.3 Religions 6 Economy 7 Undernutrition in South Asia 8 Politics 9 See also 10 Notes and References 11 External links
Definitions Various definitions of South Asia. UN Subregion of Southern Asia.Along with a number of core countries, South Asia differs in inclusion by different clubbing of countries, though essentially it mostly encompasses countries that were part of the former British Indian Empire,[3] including the current territories of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh at the core, but also including Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Burma (officially Myanmar) and Sikkim.[4] The Aden Colony, British Somaliland and Singapore, though administered at various times under the Raj have not been proposed as any part of South Asia.[5] The Raj also encompassed the 562 protected princely states that were not directly ruled by the Raj,[6] some of which joined the Union of India (including Hyderabad State, Kingdom of Mysore, Baroda, Gwalior and a part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir), while some joined the Dominion of Pakistan (including Bahawalpur, Kalat, Khayrpur, Swat and the remaining parts of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir ).[7][8] Sikkim joined India in 1975.[9]
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), a contiguous block of countries, started in with seven countries — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka — when it was established in 1985, but was extended to include Afghanistan as an eight member in 2006.[10] The World Bank grouping includes only the original seven members of SAARC, and leaves Afghanistan out.[11] This bloc of countries include three independent countries that were not under the British rule - Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan. The South Asia Free Trade Agreement endorsed by SAARC has been signed by the seven original members of the organization, though it has a special provision for the Maldives.[12]
The United Nations Population Information Network (POPIN) includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as part of South Asia, while Maldives, in view of its characteristics, was admitted as a member country of the Pacific POPIN subregional network in principle.[13] Culturally, though not politically, Tibet has been identified as a part of South Asia,[14] while the British Indian Ocean Territory has been connected to the region for security considerations.[15] The United Nations scheme of sub-regions include all eight members of the SAARC as part of Southern Asia, along with Iran,[16] while the Hirschmann-Herfindahl Index of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific for the region includes only the original seven signatories of SAARC.[17]
Afghanistan is otherwise considered as Central Asian or Middle-Eastern, Myanmar as Southeast Asian, and Tibet is otherwise considered Central Asian or East Asian.[18] A lack of coherent definition for South Asia has resulted in not only a lack of academic studies, but also in a lack interest for such studies.[19] Identification with a South Asian identity was also found to be significantly low among respondents in a two-year survey across Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.[20]
See also: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and South Asian Economic Union
Indian subcontinentSee also: Subcontinent The "Indian subcontinent" is a geographical term referring to the large, self-contained landmass which covers most of South Asia.The term "Indian subcontinent" refers to a large, self-contained landmass which is geographically separated from the rest of the Asian continent.[21] Due to similar scope, the terms "South Asia" and "Indian subcontinent" are used by some academics interchangeably.[21][22][23] Due to political sensitivities, some prefer to use the terms "South Asian Subcontinent",[24] the "Indo-Pak Subcontinent",[25] or simply "South Asia"[26] or "the Subcontinent" over the term "Indian subcontinent". According to some academics, the term "South Asia" is in more common use in Europe and North America, rather than the terms "Subcontinent" or the "Indian Subcontinent".[27][28] Indologist Ronald B. Inden argues that the usage of the term "South Asia" is getting more widespread since it clearly distinguishes the region from East Asia.[29] However, this opinion is not shared by all.[30]
By dictionary entries, the term subcontinent signifies "having a certain geographical or political independence" from the rest of the continent,[31] or "a vast and more or less self-contained subdivision of a continent."[32] It may be noted that geophysically the Tsang Po river in Tibet is situated at the outside of the border of the Subcontinental structure, while the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan is situated inside that border.[33]
According to one clubbing of countries, it includes most parts of the South Asia, including those on the continental crust (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan), an island country on the continental shelf (Sri Lanka), and an island country rising above the oceanic crust (the Maldives).[34] Another clubbing includes only Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, the mainstay of the British Raj, as the Subcontinent.[35] This version also includes the disputed territory of Aksai Chin, which was part of British Indian princely state Jammu and Kashmir, but is now administered as a part of Chinese autonomous region of Xinjiang. A booklet published by the United States Department of State in 1959 includes Afghanistan, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), India, Nepal, and Pakistan as part of the "Subcontinent of South Asia".[36] When the term Indian Subcontinent is used to mean the South Asia, the islands countries of Sri Lanka and the Maldives are sometimes not included,[37] while Tibet and Nepal are included[38] and excluded[39] intermittently, depending on the context.
Definition by South Asian Studies programsSee also: IndologyWhen the Centre of South Asian Studies at the University of Cambridge established in 1964, it was primarily responsible for promoting within the University the study of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Himalayan Kingdoms (Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim[40]), and Burma (now officially Myanmar). But, over the years it has also extended its activities to include Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines and Hong Kong.[41] The Centers for South Asian Studies at both University of Michigan and University of Virginia list Tibet along with seven members of SAARC as a South Asian country, leaving the Maldives out.[42][43] The South Asian Studies Program of Rutgers University and the University of California, Berkeley Center for South Asia Studies do the same without leaving out the Maldives,[44][45] while the South Asian Studies Program of Brandeis University defines the region as comprising "India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and in certain contexts Afghanistan, Maldives, Myanmar, and Tibet".[46] The similar program of Columbia University also includes Tibet, but leaves out both Afghanistan and the Maldives.[47]
Geography Natural vegetation zones of South Asia, loosely based on a Grolier map[48]While the South Asia had never been a coherent geopolitical region, it has a distinct geographical identity.[49] The boundaries of South Asia vary based on how South Asia is defined. South Asia's north, east, and west boundaries vary based on definitions used. South Asia's southern border is the Indian Ocean. The UN subregion of Southern Asia's northern boundary would be the Himalayas, its western boundary would be made up of the Iraq-Iran border, Turkey-Iran border, Armenia-Iran border, and the Azerbaijan-Iran border. Its eastern boundary would be the India-Myanmar border and the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Most of this region is a subcontinent resting on the Indian Plate (the northerly portion of the Indo-Australian Plate) separated from the rest of Eurasia. It was once a small continent before colliding with the Eurasian Plate about 50-55 million years ago and giving birth to the Himalayan range and the Tibetan plateau. It is the peninsular region south of the Himalayas and Kuen Lun mountain ranges and east of the Indus River and the Iranian Plateau, extending southward into the Indian Ocean between the Arabian Sea (to the southwest) and the Bay of Bengal (to the southeast).
The region is home to an astounding variety of geographical features, such as glaciers, rainforests, valleys, deserts, and grasslands that are typical of much larger continents. It is surrounded by three water bodies — the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. The climate of this vast region varies considerably from area to area from tropical monsoon in the south to temperate in the north. The variety is influenced by not only the altitude, but also by factors such as proximity to the sea coast and the seasonal impact of the monsoons. Southern parts are mostly hot in summers and receive rain during monsoon period(s). The northern belt of Indo-Gangetic plains also is hot in summer, but cooler in winter. The mountainous north is colder and receives snowfall at higher altitudes of Himalyan ranges. As the Himalayas block the north-Asian bitter cold winds, the temperatures are considerably moderate in the plains down below. For most part, the climate of the region is called the Monsoon climate, which keeps the region humid during summer and dry during winter, and favors the cultivation of jute, tea, rice, and various vegetables in this region.
HistoryFurther information: History of South Asia Map of South Asia illustrating stability and historical permanency of the regional cultural frontiers and areas.The remote pre-history of South Asia culminates in the Indus Valley Civilization, which is followed by the legends of ancient Vedic period and the sketchy references to the rise and fall of Mahajanapadas - the precursors of regional kingdoms and later ancient empires - ending in the historical accounts of medieval empires and the arrival of European traders who later became the rulers.
Almost all South Asian countries were under direct or indirect European Colonial subjugation at some point. Much of modern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar were gradually occupied by Great Britain - starting from 1757, reaching their zenith in 1857 and ruling till 1947. Nepal and Bhutan were to some extent a protectorate of Great Britain until after World War II. In the millennia long history of South Asia, this European occupation period is rather short, but its proximity to the present and its lasting impact on the region make it prominent. The network of means of transportation and communication as well as banking and training of requisite workforce, and also the existing rail, post, telegraph, and education facilities have evolved out of the base established in the colonial era, often called the British Raj. As an aftermath of World War II, most of the region gained independence from Europe by the late 1940s. Tibet at times has governed itself as an independent state and at other times has had various levels of association with China[50][51], it became under Chinese control in the 18th century[51][52][53][54] in spite of British efforts to seize possession of this Chinese protectorate at the beginning of the 20th century. [55] Tibetan and Chinese views on the Sino-Tibetan relation vary significantly. The Tibetans saw the Dalai Lama's relation with the Manchu emperor in more of a religious light than what would be considered political.[53]
Since 1947, most South Asian countries have achieved tremendous progress in all spheres.[citation needed] Most notable achievements are in the fields of education; industry; health care; information technology and services based on its applications; research in the fields of cutting edge sciences and technologies; defence related self-reliance projects; international/global trade and business enterprises and outsourcing of human resources. Areas of difficulty remain, however, including religious extremism, high levels of corruption, disagreements on political boundaries, and inequitable distribution of wealth.Himalaya" redirects here. For other uses, see Himalaya (disambiguation).Himalayas Range
The north face of Mount Everest as seen from the path to the base camp in Tibet Countries India, China, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Afghanistan Highest point Mount Everest - elevation 8,849 m (29,032 ft) - coordinates 27°59′17″N 86°55′31″E / 27.98806°N 86.92528°E / 27.98806; 86.92528 K2, Pakistan and China. Kangchenjunga, Nepal and India. Cho Oyu, Nepal Perspective view of the Himalayas and Mount Everest as seen from space looking south-east from over the Tibetan Plateau. (annotated version)The Himalaya Range or Himalayas for short (English pronunciation: /hɪˈmɑːləjə/ or /ˌhɪməˈleɪ.ə/; Sanskrit: हिमालय:), meaning "abode of snow",[1] is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. By extension, it is also the name of a massive mountain system that includes the Karakoram, the Hindu Kush, and other, lesser, ranges that extend out from the Pamir Knot.
The Himalayan mountain system is the planet's highest and home to the world's highest peaks, the Eight-thousanders, which include Mount Everest and K2. To comprehend the enormous scale of this mountain range consider that Aconcagua, in the Andes, at 6,962 m (22,841 ft), is the highest peak outside Asia, whereas the Himalayan system includes over 100 mountains exceeding 7,200 metres (23,622 ft).[2]
The Himalayan system, which includes various outlying subranges, stretches across six countries: India, Bhutan, Tibet, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Pakistan. Some of the world's major rivers, the Indus, the Ganga, the Brahmaputra, and the Yangtze, rise in the Himalayas, and their combined drainage basin is home to some 1.3 billion people. The Himalayas have profoundly shaped the cultures of South Asia; many Himalayan peaks are sacred in both Hinduism and Buddhism.
The main Himalaya range runs, west to east, from the Indus river valley to the Brahmaputra river valley, forming an arc 2,400 km (1,490 mi) long, which varies in width from 400 km in the western Kashmir-Xinjiang region to 150 km in the eastern Tibet-Arunachal Pradesh region. The range consists of three coextensive sub-ranges, with the northern-most, and highest, known as the Great or Inner Himalayas.
Contents [hide]1 Ecology 1.1 Lowland forests 1.2 The Terai belt 1.3 Bhabhar belt 1.4 Shiwalik Hills 1.5 Inner Terai or Dun Valleys 1.6 Lesser Himalaya 1.7 Midlands 1.8 Alpine shrub and grasslands 2 Origins and growth 3 Glaciers and river systems 4 Lakes 5 Impact on climate 6 Mountain passes 7 Impact on politics and culture 8 Himalaya 9 Notable peaks of the Himalayan system (includes outlying ranges) 10 Panorama 11 Notable Himalayan mountaineers 12 Religion 13 The Himalayas in poetry 14 The Himalayas in documentary 15 The Himalayas in fiction 16 See also 17 References 18 Further reading 19 External links 20 Image gallery
Ecology Nanga Parbat, is a mountain range within Pakistan. Shilla (7026 m) above the Spiti Valley in KashmirThe flora and fauna of the Himalayas varies with climate, rainfall, altitude, and soils. The climate ranges from tropical at the base of the mountains to permanent ice and snow at the highest elevations. The amount of yearly rainfall increases from west to east along the front of the range. This diversity of climate, altitude, rainfall and soil conditions generates a variety of distinct plant and animal communities.
Lowland forestsOn the Indo-Gangetic plain at the base of the mountains, an alluvial plain drained by the Indus and Ganga-Brahmaputra river systems, vegetation varies from west to east with rainfall. The xeric Northwestern thorn scrub forests occupy the plains of Pakistan and the Indian Punjab. Further east lie the Upper Gangetic plains moist deciduous forests of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh and Lower Gangetic plains moist deciduous forests of Bihar and West Bengal. These are monsoon forests, with drought-deciduous trees that lose their leaves during the dry season. The moister Brahmaputra Valley semi-evergreen forests occupy the plains of Assam.
The Terai beltAbove the alluvial plain lies the Terai strip, a seasonally marshy zone of sand and clay soils. The Terai has higher rainfall than the plains, and the downward-rushing rivers of the Himalaya slow down and spread out in the flatter Terai zone, depositing fertile silt during the monsoon season and receding in the dry season. The Terai has a high water table due to groundwater percolating down from the adjacent zone. The central part of the Terai belt is occupied by the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands, a mosaic of grasslands, savannas, deciduous and evergreen forests that includes some of the world's tallest grasslands. The grasslands of the Terai belt are home to the Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis).
Bhabhar beltAbove the Terai belt is an upland zone known as the Bhabhar, a zone of porous and rocky soils, made up of debris washed down from the higher ranges. The Bhabhar and the lower Shiwalik ranges have a subtropical climate. The Himalayan subtropical pine forests occupy the western end of the subtropical belt, with forests dominated by Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii). The central part of the range is home to the Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests, dominated by the sal tree (Shorea robusta).They are at the foot of the himalayas where the himalayan streams descend on to the plains.
Shiwalik HillsAlso called Churia or Margalla Hills, Sivalik Hills is an intermittent outermost range of foothills extending across the Himalayan region through Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan. This region consists of many sub-ranges. Summits are generally 600 to 1,200 metres. Steeper southern slopes form along a fault zone called Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT); northern slopes are gentler. Permeable conglomerates and other rocks allow rainwater to percolate downslope into the Bhabhar and Terai, supporting only scrubby forests upslope.
Inner Terai or Dun ValleysThe Inner Terai valleys are open valleys north of Shiwalik Hills or nestled between Shiwalik subranges. Examples include Dehra Dun in India and Chitwan in Nepal.
Lesser HimalayaProminent range 2,000 to 3,000 metres high forming along the Main Boundary Thrust fault zone with a steep southern face and gentler northern slopes. Nearly continuous except for river gorges. Rivers gather in candelabra form to the north to break through this range in relatively few places.
Midlands'Hilly' region averaging about 1,000 metres immediately north of the Mahabharat Range, rising over about 100 km to about 4,000 metres at the Main Frontal Thrust fault zone where the Greater Himalaya begin.
Montane forests - At the middle elevations of the range, the subtropical forests yield to a belt of temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, with the Western Himalayan broadleaf forests at the western end of the range, and the Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Above the broadleaf forests are the Western and Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests. [edit] Alpine shrub and grasslandsAbove the tree line are the Northwestern, Western, and Eastern Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows, which yield to tundra in the higher Himalayan range. The alpine meadows are the summer habitat of the endangered Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia). Origins and growth The 6,000 km plus journey of the India landmass (Indian Plate) before its collision with Asia (Eurasian Plate) about 40 to 50 million years agoMain article: Geology of the HimalayaThe Himalayas are among the youngest mountain ranges on the planet and consist mostly of uplifted sedimentary and metamorphic rock. According to the modern theory of plate tectonics, their formation is a result of a continental collision or orogeny along the convergent boundary between the Indo-Australian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. This is referred to as a fold mountain.
The collision began in the Upper Cretaceous period about 70 million years ago, when the north-moving Indo-Australian Plate, moving at about 15 cm per year, collided with the Eurasian Plate. About 50 million years ago, this fast moving Indo-Australian plate had completely closed the Tethys Ocean, the existence of which has been determined by sedimentary rocks settled on the ocean floor and the volcanoes that fringed its edges. Since these sediments were light, they crumpled into mountain ranges rather than sinking to the floor. The Indo-Australian plate continues to be driven horizontally below the Tibetan plateau, which forces the plateau to move upwards. The Arakan Yoma highlands in Myanmar and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal were also formed as a result of this collision.
The Indo-Australian plate is still moving at 67 mm per year, and over the next 10 million years it will travel about 1,500 km into Asia. About 20 mm per year of the India-Asia convergence is absorbed by thrusting along the Himalaya southern front. This leads to the Himalayas rising by about 5 mm per year, making them geologically active. The movement of the Indian plate into the Asian plate also makes this region seismically active, leading to earthquakes from time to time.
Glaciers and river systems Glaciers near K2 in PakistanThe Himalayan range encompasses about 15,000 glaciers, which store about 12,000 km3 of freshwater. The 70 km long Siachen Glacier at the India-Pakistan border is the second longest glacier in the world outside the polar region. Some of the other more famous glaciers include the Gangotri and Yamunotri (Uttarakhand), Nubra, Biafo and Baltoro (Karakoram region), Zemu (Sikkim) and Khumbu glaciers (Mount Everest region).
The higher regions of the Himalayas are snowbound throughout the year in spite of their proximity to the tropics, and they form the sources for several large perennial rivers, most of which combine into two large river systems:
This image shows the termini of the glaciers in the Bhutan-Himalaya. Glacial lakes have been forming rapidly on the surface of the debris-covered glaciers in this region during the last few decades. Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (March 2008)
The western rivers combine into the Indus Basin, of which the Indus River is the largest. The Indus begins in Tibet at the confluence of Sengge and Gar rivers and flows southwest through India and then through Pakistan to the Arabian Sea. It is fed by the Jhelum, the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas, and the Sutlej rivers, among others. Most of the other Himalayan rivers drain the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin. Its two main rivers are the Ganga and the Brahmaputra and the Yamuna among other tributaries. The Brahmaputra originates as the Yarlung Tsangpo River in western Tibet, and flows east through Tibet and west through the plains of Assam. The Ganga and the Brahmaputra meet in Bangladesh, and drain into the Bay of Bengal through the world's largest river delta. The eastern-most Himalayan rivers feed the Ayeyarwady River, which originates in eastern Tibet and flows south through Myanmar to drain into the Andaman Sea.
The Salween, Mekong, the Yangtze and the Huang He (Yellow River) all originate from parts of the Tibetan plateau that are geologically distinct from the Himalaya mountains, and are therefore not considered true Himalayan rivers. Some geologists refer to all the rivers collectively as the circum-Himalayan rivers.[3] In recent years scientists have monitored a notable increase in the rate of glacier retreat across the region as a result of global climate change.[4] Although the effect of this won't be known for many years it potentially could mean disaster for the hundreds of millions of people who rely on the glaciers to feed the rivers of northern India during the dry seasons.[5]
According to a UN climate report, the Himalayan glaciers that are the sources of Asia's biggest rivers could disappear by 2035 as temperatures rise and India, Tibet, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar could experience floods followed by droughts in coming decades.[6]
Lakes A high Himalayan lake at an altitude of around 5,000 metres Sikkim, IndiaThe Himalaya region is dotted with hundreds of lakes. Most lakes are found at altitudes of less than 5,000 m, with the size of the lakes diminishing with altitude. The largest lake is the Pangong Tso, which is spread across the border between India and China. It is situated at an altitude of 4,600 m, and is 8 km wide and nearly 134 km long. A notable high (but not the highest) lake is the Gurudogmar in North Sikkim at an altitude of 5,148 m (16,890 ft) (altitude source: SRTM). Other major lakes include the Tsongmo lake, near the Indo-China border in Sikkim, and Tilicho lake in Nepal in the Annapurna massif, a large lake in an area that was closed to tourists until recently.
The mountain lakes are known to geographers as tarns if they are caused by glacial activity. Tarns are found mostly in the upper reaches of the Himalaya, above 5,500 metres. For more information about these, see here.
Impact on climate Pass in Ladakh with the typical Buddhist prayer flags and chortenThe Himalayas have a profound effect on the climate of the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan plateau. They prevent frigid, dry Arctic winds blowing south into the subcontinent, which keeps South Asia much warmer than corresponding temperate regions in the other continents. It also forms a barrier for the monsoon winds, keeping them from traveling northwards, and causing heavy rainfall in the Terai region. The Himalayas are also believed to play an important part in the formation of Central Asian deserts such as the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts.
The mountain ranges also prevent western winter disturbances from Iran from traveling further, resulting in snow in Kashmir and rainfall for parts of Punjab and northern India. Despite being a barrier to the cold northernly winter winds, the Brahmaputra valley receives part of the frigid winds, thus lowering the temperature in the North East India and Bangladesh.
Mountain passes The Himalayan range at Yumesongdong in Sikkim, in the Yumthang River valleyThe rugged terrain makes few routes through the mountains possible. Some of these routes include:
Zoji La lies between the vale of Kashmir and the Kargil district and is the only Western entrance to the highlands of Ladakh. Banihal is an important pass connecting the hill areas of Jammu to the Kashmir Valley. Gangtok in Sikkim to Lhasa in Tibet, via the Nathula Pass and Jelepla Passes (offshoots of the ancient Silk Road). Bhadgaon in Nepal to Nyalam in Tibet. Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh, India. Mohan Pass is the principal pass in the Siwalik Hills, the southern most and geologically youngest foothills running parallel to the main Himalayas in Sikkim. [edit] Impact on politics and culture Mountain sheds like these are used by the rural populace as shelter for cattle in summer months as they take them for grazing in higher altitudes.It should be noted that almost half of the humans and livestock of India live on one-third of the landscape within 500 km of the Himalayan range.(pdf, 3mb)
The Himalayas, due to their large size and expanse, have been a natural barrier to the movement of people for tens of thousands of years. In particular, this has prevented intermingling of people from the Indian subcontinent with people from China and Mongolia, causing significantly different languages and customs between these regions. The Himalayas have also hindered trade routes and prevented military expeditions across its expanse. For instance, Genghis Khan could not expand his empire south of the Himalayas into the subcontinent.
HimalayaIn Sanskrit language, "Hima" means "Snow" and "Alaya" means "Land" or "Place". In Nepali, himal means "snow-covered mountain" and is used to name the various mountains of the Himalayas. In Nepal, these are as follows:
Sagarmatha Himal सगरमाथा (चोमोलङ्गमा) हिमाल Annapurna Himal अन्नपूर्ण हिमाल Ganesh Himal गणेश हिमाल Langtang Himal लाङ्गटाङ्ग हिमाल Manaslu Himal मनास्लु हिमाल Rolwaling Himal रोल्वालिङ्ग हिमाल Jugal Himal जुगल (युगल) हिमाल Gauri Shankar Himal गौरि शंकर हिमाल Kanjirowa Himal कान्जीरोवा हिमाल Khumbu Himal खुम्बु हिमाल Dhaulagiri Himal धौलागिरी हिमाल Kanchanjunga Himal कंचनजंघा हिमाल The word "Himalaya" means "home (or abode) of snow".[7] As words, the expression "Himalaya Range" is therefore similar to the Spanish-based mountain range called the Sierra Nevada.
Notable peaks of the Himalayan system (includes outlying ranges)Peak Name Other names and meaning Elevation (m) Elevation (ft) First Western ascent Notes Everest Sagarmatha (Nepali), "Head of the World",[8]Chomolangma (Tibetan), "Goddess mother of the snows"[8] 8,850 29,035.44 1953 World's highest mountain, Peak situated in Nepal and northern part shared with Tibet. K2 Chogo Gangri 8,611 28,251 1954 World's 2nd highest. Located on the border between the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Xinjiang, China and the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Kangchenjunga Kangchen Dzö-nga, "Five Treasures of the Great Snow" 8,586 28,169 1955 World's 3rd highest . Located in Nepal/India. Lhotse "South Peak" 8,516 27,940 1956 World's 4th highest. Situated between Nepal & Tibet, in the shadow of Everest. Makalu "The Great Black" 8,462 27,765 1955 World's 5th highest. Situated in Nepal. Cho Oyu Qowowuyag, "Turquoise Goddess" 8,201 26,905 1954 World's 6th highest. Situated in Nepal. Dhaulagiri "White Mountain" 8,167 26,764 1960 World's 7th highest. Situated in Nepal. Manaslu Kutang, "Mountain of the Spirit" 8,156 26,758 1956 World's 8th highest. Located in the Gurkha Himal, Nepal. Nanga Parbat Diamir, "Naked Mountain" 8,126 26,660 1953 World's 9th highest . Located in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Annapurna "Goddess of the Harvests" 8,091 26,545 1950 World's 10th highest. Deadliest mountain on Earth. Situated in Nepal. Gasherbrum I "Beautiful Mountain" 8,080 26,509 1958 11th highest mountain on Earth. Located in the Karakoram of Pakistan Broad Peak Faichan Kangri 8,047 26,401 1957 12th highest mountain on Earth. Located in the Karakoram of Pakistan. Gasherbrum II - 8,035 26,362 1956 13th highest mountain on Earth. Located in the Karakoram of Pakistan. Shishapangma Xixiabangma, "Crest Above The Grassy Plains" 8,013 26,289 1964 14th highest mountain on Earth. Located in Tibet, it is the highest peak wholly within Tibet. Gyachung Kang unknown 7,952 26,089 1964 15th highest mountain on Earth. Located in Nepal/Tibet, it is the highest mountain under 8,000 meters. Gasherbrum IV - 7,925 26,001 1958 17th highest on Earth and an extremely technical climb. Located in the Karakoram of Pakistan. Masherbrum unknown 7,821 25,660 1960 22nd highest on Earth. Located in the Karakoram of Pakistan. Nanda Devi "Bliss-Giving Goddess" 7,817 25,645 1936 23rd highest on Earth. Located in Uttarakhand, it is the highest peak wholly within India. Rakaposhi "Shining Wall" 7,788 25,551 1958 A massive peak that towers above local terrain. Located in the Pakistani Karakoram. Gangkhar Puensum Gankar Punzum, "Three Mountain Siblings" 7,570 24,836 Unclimbed World's highest unclimbed peak remains off limits to mountaineers. Located in the Kingdom of Bhutan. Ama Dablam "Mother And Her Necklace" 6,848 22,467 1961 Considered by some to be the most beautiful peak in the world. Located in the Khumbu, Nepal, it dominates the trek to Mount Everest for many miles.