Information about Himalaya

Mountain range

Himalaya is a massive mountain range in Asia which separates Indian peninsula from Tibetan plateau. This mountain range contains also Karakoram, Hindu Kush and other smaller ranges. All the world's mountains higher than 8000m are in this same area. In addition there are over 100 mountains higher than 7200m. Geographically Himalaya spreads over six countries (Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan).

Himalaya was born when the tectonic plates of India and Asia collided 60 million years ago and Indian plate forced underneath the Asian plate. These plates are stil moving. the Indian plate moves north 18mm a year. This causes the Himalaya, including Mount Everest, to rise around 5mm a year. However, due to erosion, the absolute annual change in the height is less than 5mm.

The source of three great Asian rivers, Indus, Ganges and Yangtse is also in Himalaya.