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Himalayas Facts & Worksheets

The Himalayas is the highest mountain range in the world which stretches across the northeastern portion of India, covering approximately 2,400 kilometers.

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The Himalayas is the highest mountain range in the world which stretches across the northeastern portion of India, covering approximately 2,400 kilometers.

See the fact file below for more information on the Himalayas, or you can download our 27-page Himalayas worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

BRIEF OVERVIEW

  • The Himalayas is considered the highest mountain range in the world, housing 9 out of 10 of the world’s highest peaks, including the highest one, Mount Everest.
  • The remaining eight are Mount Kangchenjunga, Mount Lhotse, Mount Makalu, Mount Cho Oyu, Mount Dhaulagiri, Mount Manaslu, Mount Nanga Parbat, and Mount Annapurna. These mountains are the world’s 3rd to 10th highest peaks, respectively.
  • The Himalayas, covering 2 400 kilometers, pass through the nations of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Bhutan, and Nepal. 
  • The mountain range is made up of three (3) ranges, which are often referred to us as the (1) Greater Himalayas, (2) Lesser Himalayas, and (3) Outer Himalayas.
  • The name “Himalayas” came from the Sanskrit word Himālaya which means ‘abode of the snow.’ 

GEOGRAPHY

  • In the middle of the great Himalayas lie the peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna in Nepal, and these are separated by the Kali Gandaki Gorge, or also known as the Andha Galchi.
  • Other than the mountains that belong to the top 10 highest in the world, the other peaks in Himalayas include Shishapangma, Gyachung Kang, Nuptse, Nanda Devi, Namcha Barwa, Kamet, Gurla Mandhata, Gangkhar Puensum, Kula Kangri, Yangra, Labuche Kang, Jomolhari, Gyala Peri, Langtang Lirung, Tongshanjiabu, Noijin Kangsang, Nun Kangto, Machapuchare, Dorje Lakpa, Kedarnath, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Mount Kailash, Mana Peak, and Bandarpunch.
  • Besides the peaks, there are also passes in the Himalayas, allowing routes through the mountains possible.

GEOLOGIC HISTORY

  • The Himalayas is considered one of the planet’s youngest mountain ranges, and this consists mainly of uplifted sedimentary rocks (rocks that are formed sediments) and metamorphic rocks (rocks that have changed from their original rock type).
  • According to the modern theory of plate tectonics, the Himalayan mountain range was produced from the continental collision between the Indo-Australian Plate and the Eurasian Plate along their convergent boundary.

RIVERS

  • The Himalayan range has no major watershed, and several rivers cut through the range, especially in the eastern part. Due to this, unlike other mountain ranges, the main ridge of the Himalayas is not clearly defined.
  • The rivers of the Himalayas flow into two large river basins: (1) Indus Basin and (2) Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin.
  • The Indus Basin combines the western rivers. This starts in Tibet at the meeting point of the Sengge and Gar rivers. It then flows northwest through India and Pakistan before moving southwest to the Arabian Sea. This basin receives water from several other significant tributaries, including the five Punjab rivers: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
  • The Ganges-Brahmaputra basin combines the remaining Himalayan rivers. The main rivers are the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Yamuna.

LAKES

  • Hundreds of lakes can be found across the Himalayan range; one of the largest is the Pangong Tso which is spread across the border between India and China.
  • Smaller lakes can be found in the southern area of the main range. One of the highest lakes in the world is Tilicho Lake, located in Nepal’s Annapurna mountain.
  • Some other notable lakes that can be found in the range consist of Rara Lake, Gurudongmar Lake, and Gokyo Lake.
  • Wetlands in the temperate Himalayas act as crucial stopovers and breeding grounds for migrating birds. Including Khecheopalri in the Sikkim Eastern Himalayas, many mid and low-altitude lakes remain understudied in terms of their hydrology and biodiversity.

ECOLOGY

  • The flora and fauna of the Himalayan range vary depending on the climate, rainfall, altitude, and soils. 
  • The climate in the Himalayas can range from tropical (at the base) to permanent ice and snow (at the highest elevations).
  • Annually, the amount of rainfall increases from west to east along the southern front part of the Himalayas.
  • The major predator (at high altitudes) is the snow leopard which used to be endangered. 
  • Snow leopard’s prey includes the members of the goat family that live on the rocky terrain, including the endemic bharal, also known as the Himalayan blue sheep.
  • At high altitudes, one can also see the Himalayan musk deer, which is hunted for its musk. 
  • Other endemic animals found in the area include the Himalayan tahr, the takin, the Himalayan serow, and the Himalayan goral.
  • Both the Asian black bear and the critically endangered subspecies of brown bear can be found scattered throughout the range.
  • Other animals that can be found around the range include the Red pandas, Gee’s golden langur or more commonly known as golden langur, and the Kashmir gray langur. 
  • Due to climate change, the unique floral and faunal wealth of the Himalayan range is undergoing structural and compositional changes.
  • One example of floral species that can be found in the area is the hydrangea hirta.
  • Due to the shift in temperature in various locations, some species are moving to higher elevations.
  • An example of this change is the oak forest in the Garhwal Himalayan region, which is being invaded by pine trees.
  • Some other tree species that can be found around the range include the rhododendron, apple, and box myrtle. 
  • The highest (altitude) known tree species that can be found in the Himalayas is the Tibetan juniper which is native to southern China; this can be found at around 16,000 ft.
  • According to the Great Himalayan National Park (GNPH), there are around 25,000 plant species in The Himalayas, and this includes different species of fungi (~7,000), lichen (~1,000), bryophytes (~2,000), and ferns, angiosperms, and many more.
  • In addition, there are around 218 species of fish, 72 species of amphibians, 149 species of reptiles, 528 species of birds, and 241 species of mammals.
  • In addition, the Great Himalayan National Park was declared a by UNESCO on June 23, 2014.

RESOURCES AND ECONOMY

  • The Himalayan mountain range is home to different medical resources; plants from the forests in the range have been used to treat different conditions ranging from simple coughs to snake bites.
  • An example is the west Himalayan fir or the pindrow fir. The bark of this tree can be used to treat coughs and bronchitis. 
  • The bark of a Beautyberry (or Callicarpa) can be used to treat skin ailments.
  • The Himalayan mountain range is rich in minerals, including sapphires, alluvial gold, copper ore, iron ore, gypsum, and graphite.
  • Tourism has become an important source of income and employment in some parts of the Himalayas; some activities that can be done include sightseeing and trekking.

Himalayas Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Himalayas across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Himalayas. The Himalayas is the highest mountain range in the world which stretches across the northeastern portion of India, covering approximately 2,400 kilometers.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Himalayas Facts
  2. Nine Of Ten
  3. Let’s Go!
  4. Five
  5. Point ‘N Answer
  6. Himalayan Puzzle
  7. The Highest Peak
  8. Animal Life
  9. O or X
  10. The Letters
  11. Be Creative!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Himalayas?

The Himalayas are a vast and majestic mountain range in South Asia, stretching across five countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China (Tibet), and Pakistan. It is the highest and one of the most geologically young mountain ranges in the world, formed due to the collision of the Indian tectonic plate with the Eurasian plate.

What is the highest peak in the Himalayas?

Mount Everest, also known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Chomolungma in Tibet, is the highest peak in the Himalayas and the world. Its elevation is approximately 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level.

What is the significance of the Himalayas?

The Himalayas hold tremendous significance in various aspects:

Ecological Importance: The region is home to diverse flora and fauna, including endangered species like the snow leopard and Bengal tiger.

b) Water Source: The Himalayas act as the “Water Tower of Asia,” supplying water to numerous rivers that sustain billions of people in the region.

c) Cultural and Spiritual Heritage: The mountains are of immense cultural and religious importance to the people living in the region, with several sacred sites and pilgrimage destinations.

d) Adventure Tourism: The Himalayas attract adventurers, mountaineers, and trekkers from all over the world, offering challenging climbs and breathtaking landscapes.

How does the Himalayas affect the climate?

The Himalayas play a crucial role in shaping the climate of the Indian subcontinent and surrounding regions. Some of its impacts include:

a) Monsoon: The Himalayas block the cold, dry air from the north during winter, and during summer, they enhance the monsoon rains by forcing moist air from the Indian Ocean to rise and cool, leading to heavy rainfall in the foothills and plains.

b) Temperature Regulation: The mountains act as a natural barrier, regulating temperatures in the region by preventing the southward movement of frigid air masses during winter.

c) Rain Shadow Effect: The southern slopes of the Himalayas experience heavy rainfall due to the monsoon, while the northern slopes are relatively dry, creating a rain shadow effect.

How is the Himalayan region prone to earthquakes?

The Himalayan region is seismically active due to the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The Indian plate is slowly moving northward and thrusting underneath the Eurasian plate, leading to considerable tectonic stress. When this stress is released suddenly, it results in earthquakes. The 2015 Nepal earthquake, also known as the Gorkha earthquake, is one of the most devastating earthquakes in recent history, causing widespread destruction and loss of lives in the region.

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Link will appear as Himalayas Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, August 23, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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