Tibet

Source: TOI

Context: A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Shigatse in Tibet at a shallow depth of 10 km, as reported by the China Earthquake Administration.

About Tibet:

• Located in Central Asia, Tibet is officially known as the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China.

• Capital: Lhasa, situated at an elevation of 3,650 metres.

• Neighbouring Regions and Countries: China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and

• Physical Features of Tibet: Topography:

• Topography:

• Known as the “Roof of the World”, Tibet lies on the Tibetan Plateau, averaging 4,500–5,000 metres elevation. Major landforms: Qiangtang Plateau in the north – high-altitude, cold desert. Deep valleys and ravines in the southeast. Himalayas in the south and Kunlun Mountains in the north.

• Known as the “Roof of the World”, Tibet lies on the Tibetan Plateau, averaging 4,500–5,000 metres elevation.

• Major landforms: Qiangtang Plateau in the north – high-altitude, cold desert. Deep valleys and ravines in the southeast. Himalayas in the south and Kunlun Mountains in the north.

• Qiangtang Plateau in the north – high-altitude, cold desert.

• Deep valleys and ravines in the southeast.

• Himalayas in the south and Kunlun Mountains in the north.

• Mountains and Peaks:

• Mount Everest (Qomolangma) – World’s tallest peak on the Tibet–Nepal border. Mount Kailash – Sacred to Hindus and Buddhists. Other Ranges: Gangdise, Himalayas, Kunlun, Tanglha.

• Mount Everest (Qomolangma) – World’s tallest peak on the Tibet–Nepal border.

• Mount Kailash – Sacred to Hindus and Buddhists.

• Other Ranges: Gangdise, Himalayas, Kunlun, Tanglha.

• Major Rivers Originating in Tibet:

• Yarlung Tsangpo (Upper Brahmaputra) – Cuts through the Himalayas into India. Indus, Sutlej, Mekong, Salween, Yangtze – All originate here. Notable lakes: Lake Nam, Lake Siling, Lake Mapam (Manasarovar).

• Yarlung Tsangpo (Upper Brahmaputra) – Cuts through the Himalayas into India.

• Indus, Sutlej, Mekong, Salween, Yangtze – All originate here.

• Notable lakes: Lake Nam, Lake Siling, Lake Mapam (Manasarovar).

• Flora:

• Dominant vegetation includes grasslands, alpine shrubs, and sparse forests of bamboo, rhododendrons, oaks, and conifers. Medicinal and edible plants like gro-ba, om-bu, and khres-pa grow in river valleys and wet lowlands.

• Dominant vegetation includes grasslands, alpine shrubs, and sparse forests of bamboo, rhododendrons, oaks, and conifers.

• Medicinal and edible plants like gro-ba, om-bu, and khres-pa grow in river valleys and wet lowlands.

• Fauna: Tibet hosts over 100 mammals like wild yak, snow leopard, musk deer, and Tibetan antelope.