Geography of Bhutan
The northern region of the country
consists of an arc of Eastern Himalayan
alpine shrub and meadows reaching up to glaciated mountain peaks
with an extremely cold climate at the highest elevations. Most peaks
in the north are over 7,000 metres (23,000 ft) above sea level; the
highest point is claimed to be the Kula Kangri, at 7,553 metres
(24,780 ft), but detailed topographic studies claim Kula Kangri is
wholly in Tibet[citation needed] and modern Chinese measurements
claim that Gangkhar Puensum, which has the distinction of being the
highest unclimbed mountain in the world,
is higher at 7,570 metres (24,840 ft). The lowest point is in the
valley of Drangme Chhu, where the river crosses the border with
India. Watered by snow-fed rivers, alpine valleys in this region
provide pasture for livestock, tended by a sparse population of
migratory shepherds.
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