Famous Mountain Passes Of The World
A Mountain Range is a collection of several high and low mountains, often termed as its peaks. It may consist of several valleys and river channels formed by water rushing down from melting glaciers. A mountain pass is defined as a path between two mountain peaks. Geographically speaking a mountain pass is a saddle point between two areas of higher elevations and makes a path for crossing between the chains of mountains.
The Significance Of Mountain Passes
Mountains usually act as barriers between the borders of two countries or cities, the mountain passes between the mountain ranges allow an access to or from part of the land to the other.
Over the centuries the mountain passes have been used by traders and others for travel and trade. Even today, these mountain passes are used for such purposes. Many of the mountain passes break the barriers between two countries making the passage clear for the travelers.
The top of the mountainpass is a flat top therefore usually roads and railway tracks are built on them. Some of the passes are broad and large enough for towns and small stations to be built on them as well. The word mountain takes it origin from the Latin word Montem and its use can be dated back to the 13th century. Mountains are beautiful creation of nature. Most of the highest mountains are situated in the famous and mighty Himalayan range.
Following are some famous mountain passes of the world:
The Khyber Pass
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The Khyber Pass
Khyber Pass is the mountain pass that links the country Pakistan and Afghanistan. Not only does it connect the two countries but is also is a passage from South Asia to Central Asia. The altitude of the pass is almost 1070 m and stretches between the two countries at the length of 1027m.
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History
The Khyber Pass has played a significant role in the history of South Asia. For centuries it has been a trade route between the two parts of the continents, not only that, but this pass has also been the route for invaders towards India.It was the Khyber Pass through which the Aryans entered India, using this pass the great Mahmud of Ghaznavid entered India. The first Mughal king Babar also invaded India through this pass.
The Great St.Bernard’s Pass
Great St.Bernards Pass as viewed from South. Great St.Bernards Pass
The great St Bernard’s pass is present in the western Alpslocated in Switzerland and Italy. It runs northeast south west through the Valais Alps and has an elevation of approximately 2469 m. The road on the pass joins the Martigny on the upper Rhone river present in the Canton of Valais in Switzerland to the Aosta, presnt in the Aosta valley in Italy, hence joining the two countries.
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History
The St. Bernard’s pass is the most ancient pass in the western Alps. Its first appearance in the history is shown during the Celtic period. In 390 BC the Celtic tribes namely Boii and Lingones used this pass as a road to invade Italy.This pass also has played an important role during the Roman period. It was used at various occasions as a route to Italy. In 1800 it also became a route for the Napoleon’s army to invade Italy.
The Khardung La Pass
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Khardung La Pass See all 9 photos
Army man at the Khardung La Pass
The Khardungla’s pass is located at the Ladakh range of the Himalayan ranges present in Jammu and Kashmir, India.It is situated 35 km north to Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir and is a gate way to the valleys of Shyok and Nubra.The elevation of this pass is approximately 5359 m. There had been an error in the Guinness book of world which stated it as the highest pass of the world. However it was proved wrong and now based on various researches made, it stands at the elevation of 5359 m.Strategically the KhardungLa’s pass is an important pass for India. Essential supplies are carried to Siachen which is located at the Nubra valley. The pass lies above the Caravan route from Leh to Kashgar in China.
History
The KhardungLa’s pass was officially built in 1976 and was opened for motor vehicles in 1988. In past it has played a part in the trade between China and India. During the World War 2an attempt was made to travel material to China through this route.
The Stelvio Pass
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The Stelvio Pass Greenery at TheStelvio Pass
The Stelvio pass is Located in the Eastern Alps at Italy. Elevated at the height of 2757m it is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps and the second highest of the Alps. it is present north of Bormio in the province of Sondrio and south of Stilfs in the province of Bolzano-Bozen, Italy.Above the pass are the “three language peaks”. The peaks are so named because it is believed that it was where the Italian, Roman and German languages met.
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History
The road on the Pass was built in 1820 by the Austrian Empire to connect a former province of Austria Lombardia to the rest of Austria. After 1919 due to the expansion of Italy the pass lost its strategic importance. During the First World War there were fierce battles on the areas of snow and ice of the pass.
The Karakoram Pass
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The Karakoram Pass
TheKarakoram pass is located in the Karakoram Ranges between China and India. It is present on the Jammu and Kashmir border of India and the Xingjiang region of China.The elevation of the pass is approximately 5540m.
History
This high altitude pass has been the ancient route of Caravans. It is considered to be a highly dangerous pass mainly due to its high altitude.