Fascinating Facts on the Himalayan Mountains
- Shakti Himalaya
- Apr 23, 2012
- 2 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
The Himalayas never fail to inspire awe. From the translation of their very name - Himālaya, the “Abode of Snow” - to their staggering scale and geological youth, this great mountain range holds more records and secrets than almost any other on Earth. Here, we share some of the most remarkable facts and figures about the Himalayas, so you can appreciate the full magnitude of these soaring peaks before you set off on your own adventure.
A Name and a Promise
Himālaya comes from the Sanskrit words hima (snow) and ālaya (abode).
In Nepali, they’re called Sangarmatha, “Goddess of the Universe” or “Forehead of the Sky.”
Scale and Scope
The range stretches over 2 500 km from west to east, curving across Central Asia.
Although it’s the highest mountain range in the world, it is also the youngest, at roughly 70 million years old.
Some 250 spectacular peaks in Nepal alone rise above 6 000 metres.
31 summits exceed 7 600 metres, and Mount Everest - the world’s highest point at 8 848 m - sits right on Nepal’s border.
Despite their height, the Himalayas cover only 0.4 % of the earth’s surface (about 612 021 km²) - yet they contain 15 000 glaciers, making this the planet’s third-largest store of ice after Antarctica and the Arctic.
Layers of Life
The Himalayas are often depicted as a barren snow desert, but in fact they support a dazzling variety of ecosystems, arranged in broad, parallel belts:
Greater Himalayan Range (highest, above the snow line)
Teri Belt, Bhabhar Belt, Shiwalik Hills
Inner Teri or Dun Valleys
Middle Himalayan Range and Alpine Shrub and Grasslands
Lifeblood of a Continent
Three of Asia’s great river systems - the Indus, the Yangtze and the Ganga
Brahmaputra basins - are born in the Himalayas.
An estimated 1.3 billion people depend on water that flows from these mountains.
The Mountains Are Alive
The Himalayas are still rising at a rate of about 20 mm per year, making them geologically active.
Major sub-ranges include the Pir Panjal, Dhaula Dhar, Zanskar Range and the Karakoram.
A Future of Care
Shifting to truly sustainable stewardship is vital: these peaks remain among the least-visited parts of our planet, a blessing that offers both challenge and opportunity for eco-tourism.
The foothills harbour priceless medicinal herbs and rare wildlife, all dependent on careful conservation.
Whether you’re planning a gentle village walk or a rugged high-altitude trek, the Himalayas offer more than just dramatic scenery - they are the living, breathing spine of the continent, brimming with cultural heritage and environmental wonder. Next time you gaze up at those soaring summits, you’ll know you’re looking at one of Earth’s greatest - and most dynamic - natural marvels.
