Q 01/05

The Himalayas separate the plains of the Indian subcontinent from which high region to the north?

A) The Iranian highlands

B) The Tibetan Plateau

C) The Deccan

D) The Mongolian steppe

Answer · why

B) The Tibetan Plateau

More than 100 of its peaks exceed 7,200 metres.

Q 02/05

What does the Sanskrit name Himalaya mean?

A) Roof of the world

B) Wall of the north

C) Home of the gods

D) Abode of snow

Answer · why

D) Abode of snow

It combines hima, meaning frost or cold, with alaya, meaning dwelling.

Q 03/05

Which five countries do the Himalayas span?

A) Nepal, India, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Tibet

B) India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan

C) Nepal, India, China, Bangladesh and Myanmar

D) Nepal, India, China, Bhutan and Pakistan

Answer · why

D) Nepal, India, China, Bhutan and Pakistan

Sovereignty over the Kashmir section is disputed among India, Pakistan and China.

Q 04/05

Roughly how long is the Himalayan arc from west to east?

A) 2,400 km

B) 3,200 km

C) 4,000 km

D) 5,000 km

Answer · why

A) 2,400 km

It varies in width from 350 km in the west to about 150 km in the east.

Q 05/05

Roughly how many people live in the Himalayas themselves?

A) 5 million

B) 20 million

C) 53 million

D) 150 million

Answer · why

C) 53 million

The rivers rising nearby drain basins home to some 600 million.