Hima’ al-aya: abode of snow (Sanskrit)

 It is said that geography is destiny.  Throughout the course of human history geography has played an important part of the development and politics of nations, the spread of religion, and how humans use their environment to survive. 

The geography of the Himalayas has impacted its history in countless ways throughout time.  The mountains, valleys, seasonal changes, and access to water have shaped the interactions of all people living, working, and trading throughout this region.  The information contained here will help you address the five themes of geography: location, place, human environment interaction, movement, and region, as well as provide general information about this amazing region.    

 
The Himalayas : Mountains at the top of the world…

The Himalayas were thrust up when India collided with Asia 50 million years ago lifting seashore and under-sea are creating the Himalayas.  Ammonites (fossilized seas creatures) can be found at 16,000-18,000 feet up.  People of the Hindu faith call them Shaligrams and are symbols of the god Vishnu. 

The Himalayas create a huge barrier between India and East Asia creating incredibly diverse cultures and literatures, as well as impacting contact and trade.  The Silk Road transversed a great deal of this area in-route from the Ottoman Empire to China.  Today, the Himalayan Mountains are the largest, youngest, and fastest growing mountain chain the world and include eight of the largest peaks in world.  Since the time of early man these mountains have been the center of mystery, religious practices, fear, and inspiration.  The seasonal changes and vegetation have dictated the livelihood of the mountains civilizations for thousands of year.     

Monsoon Climate: As the Tibetan plateau heats, it collided with moisture coming off the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, resulting in rain shadows and micro-ecological zones (one side of the mountain gets rain while the other gets very little).  This seasonal monsoon drastically impacts life in the mountains.  In addition, these monsoons create river flooding and immense mountain erosion and run-off, but also create pockets of intensely fertile areas.

Global Warming Concerns, Flora and Fauna: Due to global warming the Himalayan glaciers are melting exposing more and more mountain.  In one extreme the increased glacial melting results in less water flow from the high peaks down to the valleys.  He other extreme of glacial melting results in river flooding that can wipe out an entire village or irrigated farmland. 

Rhododendrons have been imported into the Himalayas and are very happy there with over a hundred varieties present in the Himalayan region.  There are also giant trees that are unfortunately starting to die out, sloth bears, dolphins, red pandas, deer of a few varieties, monkeys, fish, and leopards.

Human Geography: This is one of the most complicated regions in the world with a great variety of languages that have survived throughout the ages, as well as many tribal peoples.

1. Tibetan Plateau: Considered a high altitude plateau with a population density that is among the lowest in the world.  Life on the plateau is dictated by the presence, or lack, of water.  Buckwheat, barely, and sometimes mustard are grown in areas on the plateau.  The Tibetan plateau has one of the shortest growing seasons on the planet lasting for only 87 days.  The people settle and gather in places that are flat and areas where they are able to grow crops.  Humans have adapted to this environment by use of animals to assist in trade and agriculture.  There are still nomadic peoples living on the Tibetan Plateau.  Though these nomads move with the crops and animals, they do have a home village.
   

2. Nomads: The Himalayan nomadic population regularly trades with town people and in some areas are considered to be somewhat assimilated to settled life; in other areas they are completely unassimilated.  Typically nomads live in yurts (black tents) that are made out of yak skins. 
   

3. Large Villages & Cities: People live as far up the mountain range as the rice will grow.  Cities and large villages emerged early in the region’s history and grew around the large monasteries, some of which are castle like.  These monastic centered cities, such as Lasha, were usually walled for protection and have a central market area. 
   

Kashmir Valley: The Kashmir Valley region of the Himalayas is an important civilization center.  It is like a paradise on earth; approximately 70 miles long, 50 miles wide, with an elevation of 5,000 feet.  The moderate climate, no snow fall, and fertile lands have drawn people to this area for thousands of years.  It has become a very important place for both Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as a center for Indic and Islamic cultures.  The art of this region is refined, detailed, and breath-taking.  Kashmir engaged in efforts to gain freedom from India.   

Kathmandu Valley: Nepal was established in 1769 with Kathmandu as the capital.  Nepal sits on the edge of the Himalayan mountains range.  The country is small; a long (700 miles) and skinny (100 miles wide) nation at the eds of the Himalayan Mountains.  This region has great topsoil, surplus agricultural wealth, trade, great art, and has become a depository for Hindu and Buddhist texts.