Northern and the North Eastern mountain ranges

Physiographic division of Northern Mountains and North Eastern mountain ranges comprises of great arc of mountains, consisting of the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Patkai ranges which marks the northern Indian subcontinent.

These mountain ranges were formed by the ongoing tectonic collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate that began around 50 million years ago. World’s tallest mountains are also included in this physiographic division of the country which acts as a natural barrier to cold polar winds. These mountain ranges also facilitate the monsoon winds which in turn influence the climate in India. Rivers originating in these mountains flow through the fertile Indo–Gangetic plains.

•    The Himalayas

The Himalayan Mountain Range or Himalayas literally means “Abode of Snow”. It is the youngest Mountain range with a cluster of Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks. The origin of Himalayas is traced back to the Tectonic Plate collisions. It is considered to be the world’s highest mountain Range, with its highest peak being “Mount Everest”, which lies along Nepal-China Border. The highest Peak of Himalyan Range in India is the Kanchenjunga.

The Himalayas separate Indian Sub-continent and the Tibetan Plateau. To the glory of Himalayas, it contains two of the World’s highest peaks, K2 and Mount Everest, which are called Eight Thousanders as they cross the mark of 8000 meters. Major rivers like Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus, Yangtse originate from this range.

•    The Karakoram Range

The Karakoram Range is a large Range spanning across the borders of India, Pakistan and China. In India it is situated in the disputed land of Jammu and Kashmir.  It is one of the largest Mountain Ranges in Asia. Although it is not technically connected to Himalayas, yet for various studies it is considered along with Himalayas.

Apart from the Polar Regions, The Karakoram range is the most glaciated part of the world, with a length of approx. 500m. The Range contains numerous Mountains, with the Second Largest Mountain the World K2, which is just a few meters shorter than Mount Everest.

The Siachen Glacier at 70 km (43 mi) and the Biafo Glacier at 63 km (39 mi) rank as the world's second and third-longest glaciers outside the Polar Regions the Tiben Plateau, Wakhan Corridor, and the Pamir Mountains all surround the Range. Most of the rivers originating from the range converge finally in Pakistan.

•    The Patkai or Purvanchal Range

The Purvanchal Range lies along the Eastern border of India. The formation of this range was in a similar manner as in case of Himalayas by the collision of Tectonic Plates. Some of the prominent features of the Range include steep slopes, conical peaks and deep valleys.

The Patkai Ranges itself includes three ranges the Patkai–Bum, the Garo-Khasi-Jaintia and the Lushai hills. The entire area is densely forested mainly consisting of Sandstones. The peaks in the range are not too high and neither is rugged. It is the Pangsau Pass that provides a perfect route to the range.


Other Physiographic Regions of India.

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