Surprising Facts About the Himalayas

October 4, 2024

The Himalayas are still growing. Due to ongoing tectonic plate movement, the Himalayas are getting taller by about 2 centimeters each year.

Still Growing

Mount Everest's original name is Sagarmatha. This Nepalese name means "Goddess of the Universe."

Original NameĀ 

The Himalayas were once an ocean. Millions of years ago, the region where the Himalayas now stand was a vast ocean.

Once an Ocean

The Himalayas are home to the world's highest lakes. Lakes like Tilicho in Nepal and Pangong Tso in India are located at altitudes of over 4,000 meters.

World's Highest Lakes

The Himalayas are the source of several major rivers. Rivers like the Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra, and Yangtze all originate in the Himalayas.

Source of Major Rivers