Himalayas on a map of europe. Himalayan mountains - their height, location, interesting facts

The Himalayan mountains are the highest in the world. They are located in several Asian countries and attract tens of thousands of tourists with their greatness. The local population reveres every peak, so dozens of rites and magic rituals are held annually.

Travelers are attracted by the opportunity to climb one of the peaks, breathe clean air and admire the incredible beauty of nature.

Information about the Himalayas

Before you go on a trip, you need to carefully study all available information about the Himalayan mountains. Thanks to her, you can better prepare for the trip, choose the shortest route, and also take into account the weather.

Geographic location

The Himalayas are a high mountain system located in the Northern Hemisphere. Due to the large extent, they cover an area of \u200b\u200bmore than 1 million square meters. km

Among other geographical features distinguish:

total length - 2.3 thousand km;
the width of the mountains is 1.3 thousand km;
the average height of the ridges is 6 km;
formation time - Cretaceous period;
the age of the Himalayas is approximately 38 million years;
the coordinates on the map are 28 degrees north latitude and 83 degrees east longitude;
countries in which the Himalayas are located - the People's Republic of China, Nepal, India, the Kingdom of Bhutan, Pakistan, the Tibet Autonomous Region.

The Himalayan mountains are located between the Indo-Gangetic plain in the south of Eurasia and the Tibetan plateau in the north of the mainland. Due to this, they are a natural separator between the southern and central parts of Asia.

Climatic conditions and minerals

According to climatic conditions, the Himalayan mountains can be divided into 2 zones. The mountain foldings of the southern part are under the constant influence of monsoons. Because of this, there is a large amount of rainfall in the form of rain or snow. The air temperature on the southern slopes ranges from -15 degrees in winter to +10 in summer. With an increase in altitude, temperature indicators drop sharply.

In the northern part of the Himalayas, a continental climate prevails, which is characterized by dry and cold weather. The air temperature in these areas rarely exceeds 0 degrees. Harsh winds are added to the harsh conditions, which cause irreparable harm to wildlife and local residents.

The average height of the Himalayas above sea level is about 6 thousand meters. Because of this, most of the mountains are covered with glaciers, whose area is 33 thousand square meters. km

Among the longest glaciers are:

Zema;
Gangotri
Rongbook.

With increasing temperature, these and other similar formations begin to melt. The water that formed as a result flows down from the peaks and falls into the largest rivers of the continent (Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra and others).

The Himalayas are considered one of the youngest mountains on Earth. Their age is only 38 million years. In this indicator, they are inferior even to the Alps, which formed several million years earlier. Because of this, there are relatively few minerals in the Himalayas. Only copper, gold, gas and oil are mined here.

Flora and fauna

Wildlife researchers who frequent the Himalayan mountains have discovered many interesting features and facts. This is due to the fact that the tier distribution of vegetation prevails in the Himalayas. It is characterized by the presence of swampy jungle at the foot and evergreen rainforest - on the slopes. Closer to the peaks you can see coniferous and deciduous trees. Among the most interesting representatives of the flora are:

dhak tree;
light green trees;
tree ferns;
various types of palm trees;
magnolias;
rare varieties of maples;
chestnuts;
himalayan cedars and pines.

Due to the difficult climatic conditions in the Himalayan mountains quite a few animals live. Most of them are concentrated on the southern slope and at its foot. In this place, more favorable temperature conditions, so it is possible to see several species of wild animals. The most common are:

himalayan bear;
wild horses;
snow leopard;
mountain goat;
several types of antelopes;
poisonous reptiles;
pests, hamsters and other rodents;
birds (Ular, eagles, vultures).

The main attractions

Himalayan mountains are visited annually by tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world. Travelers travel to these places to see amazing mountain ranges, as well as get to know the culture of local residents. To spend an unforgettable vacation, you must definitely explore the most interesting sights of the Himalayas.

Highest peaks

The Himalayas have become popular with tourists due to their highest peaks. Among them there are immediately 14 peaks, the height of which exceeds 8 thousand meters. This is not found in any other mountain system, therefore climbers come here from all over the planet.

Highest peaks:

Chomolungma (8848 m). Another name for the most famous point of the Himalayas is Everest. This mountain peak is located on the border of Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region. It is part of the Sagarmatha National Park and is its main attraction. This place is considered the capital of mountaineering. The most famous and experienced climbers come here, but not every one of them conquers the famous peak.
Chogori (8611 m). This mountain is only a few hundred meters below Everest. Despite this, climbers often forget about it and prefer Jomolungma. Chogori is located on the border of Kashmir (disputed territory) and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, so climbers often have difficulty getting into these regions. They managed to conquer the peak only in the summer. All attempts in the cold season ended in serious health problems or death.
Kanchenjunga (8586 m). This mountain range is located on the border of Nepal and the state of Sikkim (India). It includes 5 high peaks, most of which reaches a height of 8 thousand meters. Kanchenjunga is the main natural site of the eponymous national park, which is visited by several tens of thousands of tourists every year. Climbing one of the peaks is considered very dangerous and in every fifth case leads to the death of a climber.
Lhotse (8516 m). This mountain is located just a few kilometers from Everest. One part of it is located in Nepal, and the other is in Tibet. The summit is considered one of the most difficult to climb, so it is the absolute leader (among the eight-thousanders) in terms of the number of unsuccessful attempts.

Famous natural sites

Himalayan mountains are popular among tourists. Every traveler has the opportunity to go on a tour of the numerous national parks and see natural attractions:

Lake Prashar. The famous alpine reservoir is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh (India). It got its name in honor of the ancient sage, who, after meditation, could perform miracles. In the center of the lake is a small floating island, and on the shore - an old temple. The reservoir is considered holy, so only a few people have access to it. A tourist can take a picture of the object and wash himself with water specially brought by the clergy.
Pangong Tso Lake. This is one of the largest and most beautiful salt reservoirs in the Asian continent. Around it there are dense forests in which you can meet several species of rare plants, as well as see many animals (kiang, groundhogs, gulls, mountain geese, Brahman ducks). Famous Indian films are often shot here, so every traveler has the opportunity to meet with popular Bollywood actors.
Indus River One of the main waterways of Asia originates in the Himalayas. The river delta is considered the largest in the world. Each tourist has the opportunity to go fishing, admire the beautiful scenery, as well as meet with representatives of the local fauna. A rare species of dolphins, which is listed in the Red Book, lives in the river. Due to climate change and the absence of a large amount of rainfall, the river gradually becomes smaller, which causes irreparable harm to the entire ecosystem.
Kulu Valley (Himachal Pralesh, India) is located at an altitude of 1280 m above sea level, so it has all the conditions for a comfortable life of mammals and reptiles. The Beas River flows in the valley, on the banks of which several settlements are located. Local residents are engaged in farming, growing fruits and vegetables. Numerous ancient temples and other architectural structures can attract the attention of tourists.
Valley of Flowers National Park. This protected area is located in one of the highest regions of the western Himalayas. In a small valley, which is quite difficult to reach, hundreds of types of flowers grow. Some of them cannot be found in any other corner of the world. Since 1988, the national park has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Architectural monuments

The first people appeared in the Himalayas a few thousand years ago. They began to build temples and architectural objects that attract the attention of travelers:

Pagoda of the world. This building was built several centuries ago on top of one of the hills located high in the Himalayas. The religious building serves as a place for prayers and meditations of the followers of Buddhism. A beautiful staircase leads to the object, raising people to a rather high height. Tourists have the opportunity to see the city of Leh from a bird's flight and admire the surrounding forests.
Peyangsee Monastery was built in the 17th century and was intended only for monks of the highest rank. Everyone can visit this building. Despite the not too attractive facade, the interior is striking in luxury. Here you can see unique contour murals, columns, as well as figures of gods and demons.
Ghum Monastery was built at the foot of the Himalayas, on the border of India and Nepal. Travelers will love the look of the building, which is a multi-colored three-tier structure. Inside is a statue of Buddha sitting on the ground. In this monastery there are several people who daily carry out their sacred duties.
The holy city of Manikaran is located in the Parvati Valley, located at an altitude of about 1.7 thousand meters above sea level. The main attraction of the open-air museum is the Sikh Gurudwara Temple. Any foreigner can enter it, but for this you will need to remove your shoes and cover your head.
The house of Dr. Graham is a large educational complex, which was built in the early years of the 20th century. In those days, its owner was John Graham, who taught children free writing, religion and love of nature. The main feature of this institution was that boys and girls were not divided into groups, but made it possible to study together. In the 21st century, the complex became a museum. By visiting it, you can see the classes in which children were engaged, facilities for rest, as well as a church for worship.

Himalayas - a special mountain system that attracts the attention of tourists and lovers of extreme sports. Here you can get an adrenaline rush, test your strengths, meet face to face with the wild.

Throughout Asia, the Himalayas are the largest mountain range. All the largest mountains, including Everest, are here. This is a certain group.

Throughout Asia, the Himalayas are the largest mountain range. All the largest mountains, including Everest, are here. This is a certain group consisting of a certain number of mountain regions. They are located in countries such as Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, India and Tibet. In the Himalayas are the 9 highest mountain peaks in the world and they consist of 30 mountains. The Himalayas stretch at a distance of 2400 kilometers. In mythology, the Himalayas occupy far from the last place. And how many times are they mentioned in the religion of the peoples of all of South Asia, and not counted. Climbers from around the world consider the Himalayas their center. This article invites you to get acquainted with the most interesting facts about the Himalayas.

The total area of \u200b\u200bthe Himalayas is 153,295,000 square kilometers, and occupy 0.4 spaces of the entire globe.

The Himalayas include not only the green valleys that all artists seek to capture, but also the winter peaks.

It is believed that the Himalayas are the most impregnable region in the whole world.

Every year, people die trying to conquer Everest.

Oddly enough, it is the Himalayas that are the source of the three main river systems of the world.

The word "Himalayas" itself has a literal translation, which sounds like "Resident of the snow."

The higher the peaks of the Himalayas, the colder. This is the climate in the area.

Hindu mythology says that the Himalayas are the haven of the god Shiva.

The Himalayas region is the third largest in the world in terms of snow. The first two places fall on the Antarctic and the Arctic.

The purest medicinal herbs grow precisely in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Such large rivers as the Mekong, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Yangtze and Ing originate in the Himalayas or from the Tibetan plateau. It is worth noting that the age of these rivers is much higher than the age of the mountains themselves.

About 70 million years ago, the Eurasian and Indo-American plates collided. As a result of this collision, the Himalayan ridge was formed.

Plants do not grow on the peaks of the Himalayan mountains. This is due to the fact that there is a very harsh climate: cold, lack of oxygen, as well as strong winds.

The highest peak was first conquered on May 29, 1953. The first to be upstairs were Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary.

Between the ranges of the Himalayas, there are several settlements consisting of the local population. It is worth noting very little.

Sadly, all animals that live in the Himalayas are under constant threat. This is because people are constantly cutting down forests, thereby inexorably reducing their habitat zones.

One of the most famous miraculous wonders of the world are the Himalayan mountains. It is not only the scale of this creation of nature, but also the huge amount of the unknown that these gigantic peaks conceal within themselves.

Where are the Himalayas?

The Himalayan mountain range passes through the territory of five states - this India, China, Pakistan, Nepal and the Kingdom of Bhutan. The eastern foothills of the ridge touch the northern borders of the Republic of Bangladesh.

Mountain ranges rise in the north, completing the Tibetan Plateau, and separate from it the vast areas of the Hindustan Peninsula - the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

Even the average height of the entire mountain system reaches 6 thousand meters. It is in the Himalayas that the bulk of the “eight-thousanders” are located - mountain peaks whose height exceeds the mark of 8 kilometers. Of the 14 such peaks that exist on the surface of the planet, 10 are in the Himalayas.

Himalaya mountains on the map

Himalayas on a world map

The highest and most inaccessible mountains of the planet are the Himalayas. The name comes from Old Indian Sanskrit, and literally means "Snow cloister". A giant loop they are located on the continent, serving as a kind of border between Central and South Asia. The length of the mountain ranges from west to east is slightly less than 3 thousand km, and the total area of \u200b\u200bthe entire mountain system is about 650 thousand square meters. km

The entire mountain range of the Himalayas consists of three peculiar steps:

The first is Predhimalaya (the local name is the Shivalik ridge) - the lowest of all, the mountain peaks of which do not rise more than 2000 meters.
The second stage - the ranges of Dhaoladhar, Pir Panjal and several others, smaller, called Small Himalayas. The name is rather arbitrary, since the peaks are already rising to solid heights - up to 4 kilometers.
Behind them are several fertile valleys (Kashmir, Kathmandu and others) that serve as a transition to the highest points on the planet - Great Himalayas. Two great Southeast Asian rivers - the Brahmaputra from the east and the Indus from the west, as if embracing this magnificent mountain range, originating on its slopes. In addition, the Himalayas give life to the sacred Indian river - the Ganges.

Mount Jomolungma, she is Everest

The highest point in the world, located on the border of Nepal and China - chomolungma Mountain. However, it has several names and some variation in the assessment of its height. The names of this mountain peak in local dialects have always been associated with the divinity of its origin: the Chomolungma in Tibetan, literally - "Divine", in Nepal it is called "Mother of the Gods" - Sagarmatha. There is another beautiful Tibetan name - “Mother is the queen of snow-white snows” - Chomo-Kankar. For Europeans, these names were too complicated, and in 1856 they named the mountain an English name Everest, in honor of the head of the British Colonial Geodetic Service, Sir George Everest.

Official today mount Everest - 8848 meters including the ice cap, and 8844 meters is the top of hard rock. But these indicators have changed several times in one direction or another. So, the first measurement, taken in the middle of the 19th century, showed 29,000 feet (8839 meters). However, the surveyors didn’t like the round number, and they added another 2 feet freely, giving a value of 8840 m. The measurements continued a century later, when the height was determined at 8848 m. However, several geographers carried out their own calculations using the most advanced radio direction finding tools. and navigation. So two more values \u200b\u200bappeared - 8850 and even 8872 meters. However, these values \u200b\u200bwere not officially recognized.

Himalaya records

The Himalayas are a place of pilgrimage for the strongest climbers in the world, for whom the conquest of their peaks is a treasured life goal. The Chomolungma did not submit immediately - since the beginning of the last century, many attempts have been made to climb the "roof of the world." The first to achieve this goal was in 1953 new Zealand Climber Edmund Hillary accompanied by a local guide - Sherpa Norgay Tenzing. The first successful Soviet expedition took place in 1982. In total, Everest has already submitted about 3,700 times..

Unfortunately, the Himalayas set sad records - 572 climbers died while trying to conquer their eight-kilometer heights. But the number of brave athletes does not decrease, because “taking” all 14 “eight-thousanders” and getting the “Earth Crown” is a cherished dream of each of them. The total number of “crowned” winners today is 30 people, including 3 women.

Ski resorts in India

The northern mountainous regions of India are a completely unique world, with its own philosophy and spirituality, ancient shrines and historical monuments, a colorful population and a variety of natural landscapes. Any traveler will always find here a lot of interesting things.

Gulmarg (Valley of Flowers)

This resort is located in Jammu and Kashmir. The height of the slopes is 1400-4138 m. Gulmarg was built by the British in 1927 when they "visited" in India, therefore it practically corresponds to European standards. The season here begins in late December and ends in late March.. They give appropriate equipment here, so beginners should be comfortable enough if, of course, they are not afraid of steep descents.

Narcanda

Small ski tourist center, located near shimla at an altitude of about 2400 meters, surrounded by a relict pine forest. Its snow slopes are quite suitable for both beginner skiers and experienced craftsmen.

Solang

A place of extreme relaxation well-known in skiing circles. It is famous for its well-developed infrastructure, both sports and tourism plan. All those who have visited these places always leave excellent feedback on the level of training of the coaching and service personnel of the resort.

Kufri

One of the most famous Indian ski tourist centers. It is only two dozen kilometers from shimla, which for many years was the residence of the English Viceroy of India. Kufri is also remarkable for the fact that in the immediate vicinity there is a huge natural Himalayan National Park, where the wide variety of wild flora and fauna of these places is carefully preserved. Climbing up the mountain slopes, tourists manage to visit several climatic zones - from the rapidly flowering tropics to the harsh conditions of the northern latitudes.

Historical and cultural attractions of the Himalayas

Those who prefer to devote their time to acquaintance with historical places and cultural values, the Indian Himalayas will provide these opportunities.

First of all, in these places, as already mentioned, there was a summer residence of the English governor in India - the vice king. That is why the little village Shimla turned into a city - capital of Himchal Pradesh. The famous museum, located in the Royal Palace, is replete with exhibits showing the cultural diversity of the region. Shimla is famous for its bazaar with traditional woolen products for these places, national Indian clothes, handmade jewelry made according to ancient technology. As a rule, horseback riding around the surrounding picturesque mountains leaves no one indifferent.

Dharamsala for Buddhists, probably the same as Mecca for Muslims. Travelers here are faced with unprecedented anywhere else in the world hospitality of the local population. In this small town is the residence of the Dalai Lama himself, who brought his Tibetan people here after many years of exile.

Visit the Indian Himalayas and not visit estate of Nicholas Roerich - Unforgivable for a Russian! It is located in the town of Naggar, near the city of Manali. In addition to the environment in which the painter's family lived, visitors will see a large collection of genuine works by this great author.

The capital of Jammu and Kashmir, shinagan city - Another center of tourist pilgrimage. According to some theories, it was here that Jesus Christ found his last refuge. Travelers will definitely be shown the tomb of Yuz Asuf - a person identified with the Son of God. In the same city you can see unique floating houses - houseboats. Nobody, probably, left here without having acquired from memory products from the famous Kashmiri wool.

Spiritual and Wellness Tourism

The spiritual principles and the cult of a healthy body are so closely intertwined in various directions of Indian philosophical schools that it is impossible to draw any visible section between them. Every year, thousands of tourists come to the Indian Himalayas just to get acquainted with vedic sciencesancient postulates yoga teachingshealing your body by ayurvedic canons of Panchakarma.

The program of pilgrims must include visiting caves for deep meditation, waterfalls, ancient temples, bathing in the Ganges - sacred to the Indians river. Sufferers can hold talks with spiritual mentors, receive parting words and recommendations on spiritual and bodily cleansing. However, this topic is so vast and versatile that it requires a separate detailed exposition.

The natural grandeur and highly spiritual atmosphere of the Himalayas fascinates the human imagination. Anyone who has ever come into contact with the splendor of these places will always be obsessed with the dream of returning here at least once more.

The enchanting video time-lapse of the unwavering Himalayas

This video was shot frame-by-frame on a Nikon D800 for 50 days over 5,000 km. Places in India: Spiti Valley, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Leh, Zanskar, Kashmir.

The Himalayas abound in a huge number of rocky, almost vertical slopes on which it is very difficult to climb, you have to use all kinds of technical devices in the form of hammered hooks, ropes, special ladders and other climbing equipment. Often, rocky ledges alternate with deep cracks, and so much snow settles on the slopes of the mountains that over time it compresses and turns into glaciers that close these cracks, which makes passing through these places deadly. There are not rare cases of convergence of snow and ice, which, rushing down, turn into huge avalanches, demolishing everything in its path and capable of crushing climbers in seconds.

The air temperature in the Himalayas, when climbing to a height, decreases by about 6 degrees for every 1000 meters. So if at the foot of the summer the temperature is +25, then at an altitude of 5000 meters it will be about -5.

At altitude, the movements of air masses are usually intensified, often turning into a hurricane wind, which makes travel very difficult and sometimes makes it impossible, especially on the narrow ridges of mountain ranges.

Starting at an altitude of 5000 meters, the atmosphere contains approximately half the oxygen at sea level, to which the human body is accustomed. A lack of oxygen has a detrimental effect on the human body, dramatically reduces its physical capabilities and leads to the development of the so-called mountain sickness - shortness of breath, dizziness, chills, and heart failure. Therefore, usually at this height the human body needs time to acclimatize.

At an altitude of 6000 meters, the atmosphere is so discharged and poor in oxygen that full acclimatization is no longer possible. No matter what physical activity a person experiences, he begins to choke slowly. Climbing to a height of 7000 meters is already mortally dangerous for many, at such a height consciousness starts to get confused and even it becomes difficult to think. The height of 8000 meters is called the "death zone". Here, even the most powerful climbers can survive at best for just a few days. Therefore, all high-altitude ascents are carried out using oxygen breathing apparatus.

But here the representatives of the Nepalese Sherpa tribe, constantly living in the Himalayas, feel quite comfortable at altitude and therefore, as soon as the Europeans began to “master” the mountain peaks of the Himalayas, the men of this tribe began to work on expeditions as guides and porters, receiving payment for this. Over time, this became their main profession. By the way, the Sherp Tenzing Norgay paired with Edmund Hillary were the first to climb the Himalayas - Everest, the highest mountain in the world.

But all these sometimes fatal dangers did not stop mountaineering enthusiasts. It took more than one decade to conquer all these peaks. Here is a brief chorology of climbing the highest mountains of our planet.

1950 June 3 - Annapurna

French climbers Maurice Erzog, Louis Lachenal climbed Annapurna Peak, whose height is 8091 meters. Anapurna is considered the seventh of the highest mountains in the world. Located in Nepal, in the Himalayas east of the Gandaki River, which flows through the deepest gorge in the world. The gorge is shared by Annapurna and another eight-thousander Dhaulagiri.

Climbing Anapurna is considered one of the most difficult climbs in the world. Moreover, this is the only conquest of the eight-thousander that was completed the first time, and besides, without oxygen devices. However, their feat was given a high price. Since they were only worn in leather boots, the Duke froze all his toes and, due to the gangrene, the expedition doctor was forced to amputate him. For all time, only 191 people successfully climbed Annapurna, which is less than any other eight-thousanders. Climbing Annapurna is considered the most dangerous, with a mortality rate of 32 percent, like no other eight-thousander.

1953, May 29 - Mount Everest “Chomolungma”

The participants of the English expedition, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Norgay Tenzing were the first to conquer Everest - a peak with a height of 8848 m. In Tibetan this mountain is called Chomolungma, which means "Goddess mother of snow." Nepalese her name is "Sagarmatha", that is, "Mother of the universe." It is the highest mountain in the world. on the border of Nepal and China.

Everest is a triangular pyramid with three sides and with ridges that extend to the northeast, southeast and northwest. The southeastern ridge is more gentle and is the most widely used climbing route. It was this route to the summit through the Khumbu glacier, the valley of silence, from the foot of Lhotse through the South Saddle that Hillary and Tenzing made their first ascent. And for the first time, the British tried to climb Mount Everest back in 1921. They then could not go from the south side, due to the ban of the Nepalese authorities and tried to rise from the north, from Tibet. To do this, they had to go around the entire Chomolungma mountain range, having traveled more than 400 kilometers to get to the top from China. But the time to go around was lost and the monsoons that began did not give the opportunity to climb. After them, the second attempt on the same route was made in 1924 by British climbers George Lee Mallory and Andrew Irwin, who was also unsuccessful, ending in the death of both at an altitude of 8500 meters.

Despite its reputation as an extremely dangerous mountain, put on a commercial basis for climbing Everest, over the past few decades have made it a very popular attraction for tourists. According to recent data, 5656 successful ascents were made to Everest, while at the same time 223 people were killed. Mortality was about 4 percent.

1953 July 3 - Nangaparbat

A peak located in northern Pakistan in the western part of the Himalayas. This is the ninth-highest eight-thousander, 8126 meters. This peak has such steep slopes that even snow does not hold at its peak. In Urdu, Nangaparbat means “Naked Mountain”. The first to climb the peak was the Austrian climber Hermann Bühl, a member of the German-Austrian Himalayan expedition. He climbed alone, without an oxygen apparatus. The time of ascent to the summit was 17 hours, and with the descent 41 hours. This was the first successful ascent in 20 years of attempts; before that, 31 climbers had already died there.

According to the latest data, a total of 335 successful ascents were made to Nangaparbat. 68 climbers died. Mortality is about 20 percent, making it the third most dangerous eight-thousander.

1954, July 31 - Chogori, "K2", "Dapsang"

The first climbers of K2, the second highest peak in the world, climbed Italian climbers Lino Lacedelli and Achille Companioni. Although attempts to conquer K2 began in 1902.

Chogori Peak, or in another Dapsang - 8611 meters high, is located on the Baltoro Muztag ridge in the Karakorum mountain range, on the border of Pakistan and China. This mountain got the unusual name K2 in the 19th century, when the British expedition measured the heights of the peaks of the Himalayas and Karakorum. Each newly measured peak was given a serial number. K2 was the second mountain on which they stumbled and since then this name has long been attached to it. Locals calls this Lamba Pahar, which means "high mountain". Despite the fact that K2 is lower than Everest, it was more difficult to climb it. For all the time on K2 there were only 306 successful climbs. Climbing attempts killed 81 people. Mortality is about 29 percent. K2 is not rarely called the killer mountain

1954, October 19 - Cho Oyu

The first to climb the peak were members of the Austrian expedition: Herbert Tihi, Josef Jochler and Sherp Pazang Dava Lama. The peak of Cho-Oyu is located in the Himalayas, on the border of China and Nepal, in the Mahalangur-Himal mountain range, the Jomolungma mountain range, about 20 km west of Mount Everest.

Cho-Oyu, in Tibetan means "Goddess of turquoise." It has a height of 8201 meters, it is the sixth in height eight-thousander. A few kilometers west of Cho Oyu, there is a 5716 m high Nangpa La pass. This pass is a passage from Nepal to Tibet laid by the Sherpas as the only trade route. Because of this pass, many climbers consider Cho-Oyu the easiest eight-thousander. This is partly true because all ascents are from Tibet. But from the side of Nepal, the southern wall is so complex that few managed to conquer.

In total, 3138 people safely climbed Cho-Oyu, which is more than any other peak except Everest. Mortality 1%, less than any other. It is considered the safest eight-thousander.

May 15, 1955 - Makalu

For the first time, the Frenchmen Jean Cousi and Lionel Terre climbed to the top of Makalu. Climbing Makalu was the only one in the history of the conquest of the eight-thousanders, when all nine members of the expedition, including the eldest group of Sherpa guides, reached the summits. This did not happen because Makalu was such a light mountain, but because the weather was extremely favorable and nothing prevented the climbers from achieving this triumph.

Makalu is 8485 meters high, the fifth highest mountain in the world, located just 20 kilometers southeast of Everest. In Tibetan, Makalu means "Big Black." Such an unusual name is given to this mountain because its slopes are very steep and the snow on them simply can not be maintained, so for most of the year it remains bare.

Defeating Makalu was quite difficult. In 1954, an American team led by Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb Everest, tried to do this, but they did not succeed. And only the French, after much preparatory work and well-coordinated work of the team, were able to implement this. In total, 361 people successfully climbed Makalu during all the time, while 31 people died while trying to climb. The lethality of climbing Makalu is about 9 percent.

May 25, 1955 - Kanchenjunga

The first climbers to Kanchenjunga British climbers George Band and Joe Brown. Before the climb, the locals warned climbers that the Sikkim god lives on the top of this mountain and it is impossible to disturb him. They refused to accompany the expedition and the British went on an ascent on their own. But either due to superstition, or for some other reason, having risen to the top, they did not reach the very top a few feet, considering that the summit was conquered.

Kanchenjunga is located on the border of Nepal and India, about 120 kilometers south of Everest. The name "Kanchenjunga" in translation from Tibetan means "Treasury of the five great snows." Until 1852, Kanchenjunga was considered the highest mountain in the world. But after Everest and other eight-thousanders were measured, it turned out that it is the third highest peak in the world, its height is 8586 meters.

Another legend in Nepal says that Kanchenjunga is a mountain woman. And women cannot go to it under pain of death. Of course, people are not superstitious climbers, but nevertheless only one female mountain climber, the Englishwoman Ginette Harrison, has climbed to the top for all the time. No matter what, but after a year and a half, Ginette Harrison died during the ascent to Dhaulagiri. For all time, 283 climbers successfully climbed Kanchenjunga. Of those who tried to rise, 40 people died. The mortality rate of climbing is about 15 percent.

1956, May 9 - Manaslu

The mountain is 8163 meters high, the eighth in height is the eight-thousander. There were several attempts to climb this peak. For the first time in 1952, when the Swiss and French teams entered the championship to conquer Everest, the Japanese decided to conquer Manaslu peak, located in Nepal about 35 kilometers east of Annapurna. They scouted all the approaches and charted the route. The following year, 1953, began to climb. But the blizzard broke all their plans and they were forced to retreat.

When they returned in 1954, the local Nepalese fought against them, referring to the fact that the Japanese defiled the gods and aroused their anger, because after the departure of the previous expedition, misfortunes had befallen their village: there was an epidemic, a crop failure, the temple collapsed and three priests died. Armed with sticks and stones, they drove the Japanese away from the mountain. In order to settle matters with the locals, in 1955 a special delegation arrived from Japan. And only in the following 1956, having paid 7,000 rupees for damages and 4,000 rupees for the construction of a new temple and having arranged a big celebration for the population of the village, the Japanese received permission to climb. Thanks to the beautiful weather, Japanese climber Toshio Imanisi and Sirdar Sherpa Gyaltsen Norbu climbed the peak on May 9. Manaslu remains one of the most dangerous eight-thousanders. In total there were 661 successful ascents to Manaslu, sixty-five climbers died during the ascent. The lethality of climbing is about 10 percent.

1956, May 18 - Lhotse

Fritz Luchsinger and Ernst Reiss the members of the Swiss team were the first people who managed to climb the peak of Lhotse 8516 meters high, the fourth highest peak in the world.

Lhotse peak is located on the border of Nepal and China a few kilometers south of Everest. These two peaks are connected by a vertical ridge, the so-called South Saddle, the height of which is over 8000 meters throughout. Usually ascents are carried out on the western, more gentle slope. But in 1990, the team of the Soviet Union climbed the south side, previously considered completely inaccessible, since it is a 3300-meter almost vertical wall. In total, 461 successful ascents were made on Lhotse. For all the time 13 climbers died there, the mortality rate is about 3 percent.

1956 July 8 - Gasherbrum II

The peak is 8034 meters high, the thirteenth highest mountain in the world. For the first time, the Austrian climbers Fritz Moravec, Josef Larh and Hans Wallenpart climbed Gasherbrum II. They ascended the summit on the south side along the southwest ridge. Before climbing the peak itself, rising to a height of 7,500 meters, they set up a temporary camp for an overnight stay, and then they went on an assault early in the morning. This was a completely new approach to rock climbing, which was not tested by anyone, which climbers in many countries subsequently began to apply.

Hasherbrum II is the second of four peaks of Hasherbrum in Karakoram on the border of Pakistan and China, about 10 kilometers southeast of K2. The Baltoro Muztag ridge, which includes Gasherbrum II, is known for the longest Karakoram glacier, more than 62 kilometers long. This led to the fact that many climbers descended almost from the very top of Gasherbrum II on skis, on snowboards and even with a parachute. Gasherbrum II is considered one of the safest and easiest eight-thousanders. 930 climbers successfully climbed Gasherbrum II and only 21 people died in unsuccessful climbing attempts. The lethality of climbing is about 2 percent.

1957 June 9th Broad Peak

The mountain is 8051 meters high, the twelfth-highest eight-thousander. The Germans tried to climb Broad Peak for the first time in 1954, but because of the low temperature and the gale, their efforts were unsuccessful. The first climbers to the peak were Austrian climbers Fritz Wintersteller, Marcus Schmuck named after Kurt Dimberger. Climbing carried out on the southwest side. The expedition did not use the services of porters and all the property was taken up by the participants themselves, which was quite a challenge.

Broad Peak or Jangiyang is located on the border between China and Pakistan, a few kilometers southeast of K2. This area is still little studied and geographers hope that over time it can gain sufficient popularity. For all time, there were 404 successful climbs on Broad Peak. They turned out to be unsuccessful for 21 climbers who died during attempts to climb. The lethality of climbing is about 5 percent.

1958, July 5 - Gasherbrum I Hidden Peak

The mountain is 8080 meters high. The peak belongs to the Gasherbrum - Karakoram mountain range. Attempts to climb the Hidden Peak began a very long time ago. In 1934, the participants of the international expedition were able to rise only to a height of 6300 meters. In 1936, French climbers overcame the line of 6900 meters. And only two years later, the Americans Andrew Kaufman and Pete Schöning climb to the top of Hidden Peak.

Hasherbrum I or Hidden Peak, the eleventh highest eight-thousander of the world, one of the seven peaks of the Hasherbrum massif is located in Kashmir in the Pakistan-controlled Northern region on the border with China. Hasherbrum from the local language translates as “Polished Wall”, and this name is fully consistent. Because of its steep, almost polished, rocky slopes, climbing was rejected by many. In total, 334 people successfully climbed the peak, while 29 climbers died during climbing attempts. The lethality of climbing is about 9 percent.

1960 May 13 - Dhaulagiri I

"White Mountain" - heights of 8167 meters, the seventh in height of the eight-thousanders. The first to reach the top were the members of the European team: Dimberger, Shelbert, Diner, Forer and Sherpas Nyima and Navang. For the first time, an airplane was used to deliver expedition members and equipment. The White Mountain was noticed back in 1950 by the French, members of the 1950 expedition. But then it seemed to them inaccessible and they switched to Annapurna.

Dhaulagiri I is located in Nepal 13 kilometers from Annapurna and the Argentines tried to climb to its top as far back as 1954. But because of the strong snowstorm, they did not reach the summit only 170 meters. Although by the standards of the Himalayas, Dhaulagiri is only sixth in height, it is quite tough. So in 1969, the Americans, while trying to climb, left seven of their comrades on the southeast ridge. In total, 448 people successfully climbed the summit of Dhaulagiri I, but 69 climbers died in unsuccessful attempts. The lethality of climbing is about 16 percent.

May 2, 1964 - Shishabangma

Top with a height of 8027 meters. Eight Chinese climbers were the first to conquer Shishabangmu: Xu Jing, Zhang Zhongyan, Wang Fuzhou, Zhen San, Zheng Tianliang, Wu Zongyue, Sodnam Doji, Migmar Trashi, Doji, Yongten. For a long time, climbing to this peak was prohibited by the Chinese authorities. And only after the Chinese themselves climbed to its top, it became possible to participate in climbing and foreign climbers.

The Shishabangma mountain range, in Chinese "Geosenzhanfeng", in Indian "Gosyntan" is located in China in the Tibet Autonomous Region a few kilometers from the Nepalese border. It consists of three peaks, two of which are above 8 kilometers. Shishabangma Home 8027 meters and Shishabangma Central 8008 meters. In the offset under the program “All 14 Eight-thousanders of the world” there is a climb to the main peak. In total, there were 302 successful ascents to Shishabanga. Twenty-five people died trying to climb to the top. The lethality of climbing is about 8 percent.

As can be seen from the chronology of ascents to the highest peaks of the Himalayas, it took more than 40 years to conquer them. Moreover, according to the analysis of the Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering, the most dangerous of all are considered: Annapurna, K2, and Nanga Parbat. On the climbs of these three peaks, the Himalayas took the life of every fourth who did not encroach on their impregnability.

And yet, despite all these mortal dangers, there are people who have conquered all the eight-thousanders. The first of these was Reinhold Messner, an Italian climber, a German by nationality from South Tyrol. Although his first brother Gunther died in the first ascent of Nanga Parbat in 1970, he lost seven toes; in the second ascent of Manaslu in 1972, his partner in the ligament died, this did not stop him. From 1970 to 1986, he climbed one after another to all 14 of Zamli's highest peaks. Moreover, he climbed Mount Everest twice. In 1978, along with Peter Habeler, along the classic route through the South Saddle, and in 1980 alone along the northern route, and during the monsoon season. Both ascents without the use of oxygen devices.

In total, now in the world there are already 32 people who have conquered all 14 eight-thousanders, and this is probably not the last people who are waiting for the Himalayas.

The Himalayas are a mountain system located in the southern part of Asia. The Himalayas are part of such states as Nepal, India, Pakistan, Tibet and Bhutan. This mountain range is the highest in the world, reaching a height of almost 9000 meters above sea level. The Himalayas separate the Indian subcontinent from the interior of Asia. The word "Himalayas" itself means "house of snow."

In the Himalayas, as many as 14 mountains exceed 8,000 meters in height, including K2, Nangaparbat and Mount Everest. The height of the latter is 8848 meters, making it the highest mountain in the world. The Himalayas are over 1,500 miles (2,400 km.) From the Indus Valley in the west to the Brahmaputra Valley in the east. Their width is from 100 to 250 kilometers.

Many mountain peaks are sacred to people who live in the surrounding area. Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims go here and pray to God.

How the Himalayas were formed

The Himalayas are among the youngest mountain systems in the world. They were formed when the Indian subcontinent, which was originally part of the southern plate, moved north and crashed into Asia. This movement began about 70 million years ago and continues to this day. The Himalayas are still rising, growing at about 7 cm per year. Earthquakes and volcanoes are evidence of the region’s high activity.

Rivers and lakes

Glaciers and permanent snow fields cover the highlands of the Himalayas. They are a source of streams that flow into two large rivers of this region. Indus flows to the stockland and through Pakistan to the Arabian Sea. Ganges and Brahmaputra flow east and unite in Bangladesh. They form the world's largest river delta.

Climate

Almost any type of climate is found at different heights in the mountains. The lower slopes in the south are home to tropical plants and tea. Trees grow to a height of 4000 meters. Wheat and other cereals grow in higher areas.

The Himalayas affect the climate in both India and Tibet. They form a barrier from the monsoon winds that blow from the Indian Ocean through India. Heavy rains occur on the outside of the mountains, while a dry wind blows on the plains of Tibet.

Population

The Himalayas are very poorly populated due to the harsh climate. Most people live on the low Indian slopes. Many people make their living as sherpas by taking tourists and climbers to the peaks of the mountains.

Mountains have been a natural obstacle for millennia. They stopped people from China and the interior of Asia from mixing with the Indian population. Genghis Khan, the emperor of the Mongols was stopped from expanding his empire south due to the height of the mountains.

Most of the roads that cross the Himalayas are at an altitude of over 5,000 meters. In winter, they are covered with snow and almost impassable.

Tourism

Mountaineering has become a major tourism destination in the Himalayan mountains. It began almost at the end of the 19th century when many climbers began climbing the peaks. In 1953, climber Edmund Hillary and a representative of the indigenous Tibetan people, Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, were the first to conquer the highest point of our planet - the summit of Everest.