Mountains are the most important landforms of the world and leave a strong impression on our minds on account of their elevation, majestic beauty, difficult terrain, loftiness, recreational utility etc. Man's activities have been influenced by the lofty and spectacular presence of the mountainous areas. Climate and weather are everywhere influenced by the mountains. They can create deserts by preventing rain laden winds to shower the rains and can enrich an area with ample rains by obstructing their attempts to cross their barriers.
Highlands or mountains are found in every continent. The largest number of mountains are found in Asia. There are four major highland regions in the world:
(1) North American cordillera having an important mountain like Rocky,
(2) the South American Andean cordillera having Andes as an important mountain,
(3) Southern European cordillera containing important mountains like Atlas in North Africa and Alps,
(4) the Asian cordillera with the Himalayas as the most important mountain.
All these highlands have variety of climates depending on latitude, altitude and continentality etc. In the highlands with the growing height or elevation, solar radiation increasing as nothing intercepts the sun rays penetrating heat absorbing objects and thus temperatures are high during the day and on account of cooling at night the temperatures tend to become low. Precipitation in the mountainous regions comparatively is greater than the surrounding low lands. Snow is the typical form of precipitation during the winter. Mountain breezes occur during nights.
All types of vegetation is available in these regions, Steppe vegetation is found up to 6100 feet. Brush land, yellow pine and fir zone up to 8130 feet, spruce and balsam fir zone up to 11670 feet.
Animals found are: yak, muskdeer, ibex, and wild sheep in Central Asia and chanios and ibex in Alps, Pyrenees and Caucuses mountains in Europe, big horn sheep in Rocky mountains of North America, Marmol and rodents are found in almost all middle latitude mountain regions.
Population is thin and restricted on account of the hazards of terrain. In central and southern Europe and in eastern Asia the population density is somewhat good but advanced economy is a dream here. On account of rough and infertile terrain the possibilities of agricultural development are almost nothing, but in the subtropical regions rice, other grains and vegetables, tea and fruits are produced. Pasturing of livestock on alpine meadows is main activity of these regions, sheep are well fed due to the pasture lands.
Mining activity in these highlands attracts the population as metallic minerals are commonly available in these regions. Rocky Mountains in North America and Ural mountains in Soviet Union provide various types of minerals including gold, silver, copper, zinc and lead etc. In spite of the handicap of transportation handicrafts are common particularly in those regions where outdoor activities are not possible due to severe cold. Switzerland, a mountainous country, despite many limitations is a highly industrialized country and has set example for others. Here all sorts of industries such as silk, cotton, wool textiles, electric engines turbines, chemicals and watch etc. are well established. Butte, Montana. Geneva, Zurich, Bern etc. are the important urban centres of these mountainous regions.
Lumbering and animal rearing are the main occupation of the people. Mining may be important in scattered localities. Hill stations in Kashmir and Switzerland have become centres of tourist attraction, wherever adequate transport facilities are provided. The scenic beauty, the natural vegetation, wild life and birds for mountain regions need to be preserved intact for appreciation by future generations.
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