What are the special features of Himalayan Mountains and significance of Himalayas to India?
The Himalayas save our country from the cold and dry winds of Central Asia. It also prevents the rain-laden monsoon winds of the Indian Ocean from crossing over to Northern countries and causes heavy rainfall in Northern India. Almost all the great rivers of India have their sources in the Himalayan ranges. The Himalayas include the highest mountains in the world, and are known for their soaring heights, steep-sided jagged peaks, valleys, and alpine glaciers, deep river gorges, and a series of elevation belts that display different ecological associations of flora, fauna, and climate. The Himalayas are of utmost importance because: It is the origin of many rivers that serve as a great source of water in the Indian subcontinent and they prevent dry winds south, which keep South Asia much warmer than corresponding temperate regions in the other continents.
The Himalayas are the youngest mountains in the world and are; structurally; the folded mountains. The Himalayas run along the northern border of India. The Himalayas form an arc which is about 2,400 km long. The width varies from 400 km in Kashmir to 150 km in Arunachal Pradesh. The most characteristic features of the Himalayas are their soaring heights, steep-sided jagged peaks, valley and alpine glaciers often of stupendous size, topography deeply cut by erosion, seemingly unfathomable river gorges, complex geologic structure, and series of elevation belts. The Himalayas save our country from the cold and dry winds of Central Asia. It also prevents the rain-laden monsoon winds of the Indian Ocean from crossing over to Northern countries and causes heavy rainfall in Northern India. Almost all the great rivers of India have their sources in the Himalayan ranges. They usually have steep, sloping sides and sharp or rounded ridges, and a high point, called a peak or summit. Most geologists classify a mountain as a landform that rises at least 1,000 feet (300 meters) or more above its surrounding area.By virtue of their high altitude, length and direction, they effectively intercept the summer monsoons coming from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea and cause precipitation in the form of rain or snow. Besides, they prevent the cold continental air masses of Central Asia from entering into India.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Geoscience
- Cartography
- Mapping