Map of Himalayan Mountains
|
Himalayan MountainsThe Himalayas (or Himalaya) stretch across the north eastern portion of India. They cover approximately 1,500 miles (2,400 km) and pass through the nations of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Bhutan and Nepal. The Himalayan range is made up of 3 parallel ranges, often referred as; Greater Himalayas, the Lesser Himalayas, and the Outer Himalayas.
Even though the Himalayas are not the longest mountain range, they are certainly the highest mountain range in the world with over 30 peaks higher than 7315 metres (24000 feet).The Himalayas include over a hundred mountains exceeding 7,200 metres (23,600 ft) in elevation. The tallest peak on earth is the commonly known Mount Everest, from sea level at 8848 metres (29028 feet). The Himalayan mountains served as a natural barrier for tens of thousands of years, the range prevented early interactions between the people of India and the people of China and Mongolia. the Himalayas have influenced the civilisation that developed there through religions. For centuries people here have developed a unique culture that weaves nature and people together into the same fabric of life. The region is the birthplace of the Buddha, and is full of sacred natural sites such as secret valleys and high mountain lakes that predate ancient Hinduism. For thousands of years the Himalayas have held a profound significance for the peoples of South Asia, as their literature, mythologies, and religions reflect. The main religions, which are practiced in the Himalayan region, are Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. These religions are practiced in the regions like Ladakh, Sikkim, Tibet, and Lahaul & Spiti. In the Hindu religion Himalayas is considered to be the abode of God. It occupies an important position among the Hindus, as Himalayas is the home for major Hindu Pilgrimage. |
Gobi DesertWith extremes in high and low temperatures, the Gobi Desert, stretches across huge sections of both China and Mongolia. At a vast length of 1,600km (1,000 miles) long and 500 - 1000km (300 - 600 miles) wide with an estimated area of 1,300,000 square km (500,000 square miles ), the Gobi desert is the fifth largest desert in the world. Unlike other deserts, the Gobi Desert is comprised mainly of barren expanses of gravel plains and rocky outcrops. Summer sees the temperature rise up to 40°C (104°F), but it can also drop to -40°C (-40°F) in winter.
The Gobi Desert isolated China with dry deserts to the north and west of China, while other geographic features surrounded the rest of China. This enabled the Chinese to develop independently from other world civilizations. The majority of the population in the Gobi desert were the Mongols, but the population of Chinese, were rising as time went on.Some Chinese residents manage to hack out a living as farmers in some of the slightly more hospitable areas of the desert. This influx of farmers is partially caused by the speedy desertification, which increases the Gobi size every year, expanding into existing Chinese farmland. However, the desert is so cold and provides so little moisture for human civilization that the population density of the area stays incredibly small. One square mile of Gobi is usually home to fewer than three people. This area is also one of the few places on Earth that has been able to retain its culture and traditions from ancient history. The landlocked position, harsh environment, and rocky geography of the Gobi have prevented the culture from changing much over the years. Because the climate is so extreme, anyone living on the Gobi must remain close to animal herds. |
Map of where the Gobi Desert is Stationed
|