Question

What is the extent and location of the Himalayan mountains?

Answer 1

Hint: The Himalayan mountains are the world’s highest mountain range. The tallest peak of the Himalayas is the Mt. Everest which lies on the Nepal China border.

Complete Step by Step answer: The name ‘Himalaya’ in Sanskrit stands for ‘ the abode or house of snow’. ‘Hima’ means; snow and ‘alaya’ means abode. The Himalayas stretch through 2,400 km. In India. They consist of the entire northeastern parts of India and pass through the countries of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and China. In India the Himalaya crosses 12 states and they are: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh,Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal.
The Himalayas are the world’s largest young fold mountains. As the Continental Drift theory suggests, two huge land masses called Eurasia and India striked against each other. Then the sediments and remains collected by the Tethys sea got compressed and squeezed resulting in a series of folds one after another resulting in the creation of the fold mountains called the Himalayas.
The names of the series of mountain ranges of the Himalayas are: The Greater Himalayas known as the Himadri, the Trans Himalayan range , the Lesser Himalayas or Himachal and the Outer Himalayas or the Shivaliks. Studies show that the Himalayas are rising every year as India is moving northwards by 5cm. Fossil formation in the Shivaliks and frequent earthquakes are proof that the Himalayas are rising.
The Himalayas are of great benefit both economically as well as for its natural use. Economically it offers a variety of mountain based sports like skiing, water rafting , climbing and others. The scenic beauty provides a paradise to travellers. These help to boost the economy.

Note: The Himalayas provide a barrier to the cold winds coming from Central Asia from entering India. The forests in the mountains are a great source of timber. The Himalayas stand as a mighty physical obstruction for enemies from entering India. The mountains are a major source of perennial rivers in India. While writing the answer, do not confuse Himalayas with Mt. Everest .