The Himalayan region is a frontier zone.  It is a region where people of various religions, ethnicities, races and cultures have settled for thousands of years.  Furthermore, the Himalayas span traditional geo-political boundaries.  For these reasons the Himalayas rarely fall neatly into pedagogical categories or established curricula. 

And yet, the Himalayas are a vital and vibrant region.  The varied cultures and colorful history of the region have the power to fascinate and engage students.  Issues of contemporary concern in the region affect our global consciousness.  The just and timely resolution of demographic, social and environmental issues in the Himalayas is imperative to our safety and global health. 

The lessons outlined in the Students section of this site, which are described for teachers on the following pages are intended to provide students of geography and interdisciplinary social studies with the skills to begin to understand the complexity and appreciate the mystery of the Himalayan area. 

To continue to the Teacher's Guide, click here.