Nepal is home to many of the highest mountains in the world, including Mt. Everest. These mountains are part of the Himalayan mountain range, which is the youngest mountain range in the world. The Himalayas are the youngest because they were the last major range formed, and they are the highest because wind, rain and other natural processes have not worn them down yet.
Did you know that the Appalachian mountains are 430 million years older than the Himalayan range?
Have you ever heard of a "microclimate"?
Microclimates are little habitat zones that are different from the area surrounding them. One of the interesting features of very high mountains is that lots of microclimates can form on them. There are many types of such microclimates in Nepal. These different zones are tucked into the sides of the mountains and in the valleys. The presence of microclimates mean that unique plant and animal species occur and have a place to live and thrive in each place.
At the highest elevations, the Himalayas are home to many glaciers. These glaciers melt and feed little streams that turn into small rivers and then big rivers. Most of these rivers then flow down to the great Ganges River of India.
