CBSE Class 9 Answered

The Himalayan Mountains are young fold mountains which run in the west to east direction. They run over about 2,400 km. The width of the mountains varies from 2,400 km in Kashmir to 150 km in Arunachal Pradesh. The Himalayas are divided into three parallel ranges. They are:

• The Himadri: It is the northernmost range of the Himalayas. This range is also known as the Great or the Inner Himalayas. This range has some of the highest peaks with an average height of 6,000 metres. The core part of this Himalayan range is made of granite. As it is always covered with snow, many glaciers originate in this range.
• The Himachal: It is also known as Himachal or the lesser Himalayas. This range lies to the south of the Himadri. The height of this mountain range varies from 3,700 to 4,500 metres. The Pir Panjal Range is the longest range. The Mahabharat and Dhauladhar ranges are also important ranges. This range has the famous valleys of Kashmir, Kangra and Kullu located in Himachal Pradesh. All the famous hill stations such as Mussoorie, Shimla, Nainital and Manali are located in the Himachal range.
• The Siwaliks: These are the outermost range of the Himalayas. Their altitude varies between 900 and 1100 metres. The Siwaliks are formed as a result of depositions brought down by rivers from the northernmost Himalayan range. Dehradun, Kotli Dun and Patli Dun are some longitudinal valleys which lie between the lesser Himalayas and the Siwaliks.