The Himalayas

The Himalayas are a long chain of tall mountains in Asia. They stretch across five countries. These countries are India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan. The Himalayas have the highest mountains in the world. Many people call them the Roof of the World.

Tall Peaks

The Himalayas have more than 100 peaks that are over 24,000 feet high. The tallest one is Mount Everest. It stands about 29,032 feet tall. That makes it the highest mountain on Earth. Climbers from all over the world try to reach its top. The air up there is very thin and cold.

Plants and Animals

Many special animals live in the Himalayas. Snow leopards, red pandas, and yaks roam the slopes. Eagles and colorful birds fly in the sky. The lower parts have thick forests with pine trees and flowers. Higher up, the land is covered in snow and ice all year.

People and Rivers

People have lived in the Himalayas for thousands of years. Many villages sit high on the mountains. Big rivers like the Ganges and the Indus start from Himalayan glaciers. These rivers give water to millions of people. The mountains are also sacred to many religions.

Fun Facts

• The word Himalaya means home of snow in the Sanskrit language.
• The Himalayas are still growing about half an inch taller every year.
• Mount Everest is known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Chomolungma in Tibet.

Did You Know?

The Himalayas were formed about 50 million years ago when two huge pieces of Earth's crust crashed into each other and pushed the land up high.