Tibetan Plateau, Plateau in Central Asia, China
The Tibetan Plateau is a vast elevated landmass in Central Asia that stretches through much of China between mountain ranges. The landscape appears mostly as wide grassland with few trees, cut by valleys and surrounded by snow-covered peaks.
The uplift of this landmass began millions of years ago through movements of the earth's crust and continued over long periods. Over time this created one of the highest inhabited regions on earth.
Herders here still move between seasonal pastures with flocks of yaks and sheep adapted to the thin air and cold winds. Their families live in low felt or canvas tents following patterns of movement passed down through generations.
Conditions here require time to adjust to the high altitude and cold weather, so move slowly and dress warmly. Frost can occur even during warmer months, while precipitation remains low and mostly falls as hail.
Several of the largest rivers in Asia begin here high in the mountains and then flow in different directions to distant seas. These headwaters supply billions of people in the lowlands with water.
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