Key Points
Key Points: Physical Division of India > The Northern Mountain Walls
- The Himalayas are young fold mountains forming India’s Northern Mountain Wall, with three parallel ranges—Himadri, Himachal and Shiwalik.
- Himadri (Great Himalayas) is the highest and northernmost range, permanently snow-covered, with peaks like Mt. Everest, K2 and Kanchenjunga and major glaciers.
- Himachal (Middle Himalayas) lies south of Himadri, has rich vegetation, important ranges (Pir Panjal, Dhaula Dhar) and most hill stations.
- Shiwalik (Outer Himalayas) is the lowest and discontinuous range, with steep southern slopes, gentle northern slopes and average height of about 1000 m.
- Special Himalayan features include Doons (valleys), Bhabhar (porous plains), Terai (marshy belt) and fertile Khadar and Bhangar alluvial soils.
