As you can see from the South Asia Physical Map above, the region of South Asia is separated from parts of Asia to the north by the mighty Himalaya Mountain range. The Himalayas are the highest mountains in the world. On the border of Nepal, and Chinese Tibet, is the king of them all, Mount Everest. Everest has an English name to the outside world, but locally it is known as Chomolungma, "Mother Goddess of the Earth". Towering above sea level at 29,028 feet, Everest has captured the imaginations of many of the world's adventurers.

Each year, hundreds of climbers come to Everest to test their abilities against the world's highest mountain peak. Unfortunately, many of them die in the effort. Over three hundred people have died trying to climb the mountain, and climbers routinely come across dead bodies on their trek to the top.

While Everest is perhaps the most famous, the Himalayas are home to more than a hundred peaks of at least 23,600 feet. The highest mountain in the world OUTSIDE of Asia is Mount Aconcagua in the Andes Mountains of Argentina. It would be the 189th tallest mountain in Asia.

Mountaineering has become an important part of the economies of South Asian countries. Climbers from other parts of the world will pay $50,000 or more to come and be led up the mountain. Local Sherpas, people who live near the mountains, are able to make a decent living. Because they live at higher altitudes, their bodies are more adapted to the lack of oxygen at higher elevations. Therefore, they remain stronger than their climbing customers, and are able to provide invaluable support to climbers.

The mountains not only generate income from tourism, but their melting snows form many of the important rivers that feed the croplands of South Asia. So, in a very real sense, they give life to the region.

Watch this video for a look at what it's like to try to climb to the top of Mount Everest.

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