The Himalayan Mountains
The Himalayas stand as one of the tallest and most rugged mountain ranges globally, characterized by their youthfulness and structural folding. Spanning approximately 2500 km from east to west, the Great Himalayan range, also known as the central axial range, varies in width from 400 km in Kashmir to 150 km in Arunachal Pradesh.
It mainly comprises of four distinct mountain ranges from north to south:
- The Trans Himalaya or the Tibetan Himalaya: Situated north of the Great Himalayas, this range includes the Karakoram, Ladakh, Zanskar, and Kailash mountain ranges, predominantly located in Tibet.
- The Great or Inner Himalaya or Himadri: This continuous range features the loftiest peaks, with an average elevation of around 6000 meters. Among its notable summits are Mount Everest in Nepal (8848 m), Kanchenjunga in India (8598 m), and Nanda Devi in India (7817 m). Composed mainly of granite, this region is perpetually covered in snow, giving rise to numerous glaciers.
- The Lesser Himalaya or The Himachal: Located south of the Himadri, this range consists of highly compressed and altered rocks, with elevations ranging from 3700 to 4700 meters and an average width of 50 km. Famous subranges include the Pir Panjal range, Dhaula Dhar, and Mahabharat ranges, housing picturesque valleys like Kashmir, Kullu, and Kangra Valley.
- The Shiwaliks or the Outer Himalaya: Forming the outermost range, the Shiwaliks extend over 10-15 km in width with altitudes ranging from 900 to 100 meters. Composed of unconsolidated sediments deposited by rivers from the northern ranges, these ranges are covered with thick gravel and alluvium. The region between the Shiwaliks and the Lesser Himalayas comprises longitudinal valleys known as Duns, with notable examples including Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun, and Patli Dun.
The Himalayas are further divided into distinct regions from west to east:
- Kashmir or North-Western Himalayas: Featuring ranges like Karakoram, Ladakh, Zanskar, and Pir Panjal, this region encompasses diverse landscapes, including cold deserts and fertile valleys like Kashmir, famous for Karewa formations utilized for saffron cultivation.
- Himachal and Uttarakhand Himalayas: Stretching from the Ravi River in the west to the Kali River in the east, this region boasts the convergence of major river systems like the Indus and the Ganga. Notable for its hill stations and Duns like Dehra Dun, this area showcases the Great Himalayas, Lesser Himalayas, and Shiwalik ranges.
- Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas: Bounded by Nepal Himalayas to the west and Bhutan Himalayas to the east, this compact yet significant region is known for its fast-flowing rivers and towering peaks like Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain globally.
- Arunachal Himalayas:Extending eastwards from Bhutan Himalayas to the Diphu pass, this region features fast-flowing rivers like the Subansiri and the Kameng, offering substantial hydroelectric power potential.
- The Eastern Hills and Mountains: Running along India’s eastern boundary, these hills, also known as Purvanchal, comprise ranges like the Patkai hills, Naga hills, Manipur hills, and Mizo or Lushai Hills, predominantly composed of sedimentary rocks and covered in dense forests.
Indian Geography
India is like a big puzzle with lots of different pieces. There are mountains in the north that reach way up high, while in the south, there are sunny beaches. In the west, there are dry, sandy deserts; in the east, there’s lush greenery as far as the eye can see.
This country sits between two big oceans, and its geography has shaped its history and culture. In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at India’s geography. We’ll travel all around the country, learning about its different landscapes and what makes them special. So, get ready to discover the amazing places and stories that India’s geography has to offer!
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