What are some interesting facts about the Himalayas?

The Himalayas is the highest mountain range in the world, and is home to some of the highest peaks on the planet, including Mount Everest, which stands at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) tall. Here are some other interesting facts about this stunning mountain range:

• The Himalayas span across five countries: Bhutan, Nepal, India, China, and Pakistan.
• The name Himalaya means 'abode of snow' in Sanskrit, which is fitting given that the range is home to some of the world's largest glaciers.
• The Himalayas are still growing taller by about 5 millimeters each year, due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
• The Himalayas are home to a wide range of unique flora and fauna, including the snow leopard, Bengal tiger, and Himalayan monal.
• The region is also home to a number of important rivers, including the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra, which provide water to millions of people.
• Mount Everest, the tallest peak in the Himalayas, was first successfully summited by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953.