Alpine Asia

region, Asia

Also known as: High Asia

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Last updated

June 18, 2026

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Alpine Asia, also known as High Asia, is a region encompassing major mountain ranges such as the Pamirs, Kunlun Mountains, Tien Shan, Karakoram Range, and the Himalayas. This region is characterized by sharply uplifted mountains, dissected ridges, and gorges, with glaciers present, particularly in the western Himalayas and Karakoram Range. The Plateau of Tibet is a significant part of this zone, featuring a fractured alpine landscape with some areas of sandy and rocky desert. The climate varies greatly with elevation, from tropical at the foothills to extreme Arctic-like conditions at the highest peaks.12

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Asia
Central Asia and South Siberia
Alpine Asia—sometimes known as High Asia—includes the Pamirs and the eastern Hindu Kush, the Kunlun Mountains, the Tien Shan, the Gissar and Alay ranges, the Plateau of Tibet, the Karakoram Range, and the Himalayas. The Pamirs and the eastern Hindu Kush are
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Alpine Asia—sometimes known as High Asia—includes the Pamirs and the eastern Hindu Kush, the Kunlun Mountains, the Tien Shan, the Gissar and Alay ranges, the Plateau of Tibet, the Karakoram Range, and the Himalayas. The Pamirs and the eastern Hindu Kush are
Read More