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Himachal Pradesh Altitude Range: From Shivaliks to High Himalaya

The Indian state of Himachal Pradesh spans a dramatic vertical gradient—the essence of its climate, biodiversity, and culture.

Altitude Extremes

Lowest: ~350 m (1,150 ft) at Una (southwestern Shivalik foothills, Punjab border). Subtropical; mango, citrus, wheat.
Highest: Reo Purgyil (Leo Pargil) – 6,816 m (22,362 ft) on the Kinnaur–Tibet border. Highest peak in HP; glaciated, alpine desert.

Key Settlements by Elevation

Location	Elevation	Zone
Shimla (capital)	2,205 m (7,234 ft)	Temperate; colonial summer capital
Dharamshala (Mcleodganj)	1,470 m (4,823 ft)	Subtropical-highland; Dalai Lama seat
Manali	1,950 m (6,398 ft)	Tourism hub; apple belt, adventure
Spiti Valley (Kaza)	3,650 m (11,975 ft)	Cold desert; Tibetan culture, fossils
Kinnaur Kailash	6,050 m (19,849 ft)	Sacred peak; trekking, pilgrimage

Ecological Significance

This ~6,500 m range compresses subtropical → temperate → subalpine → alpine → nival zones within 150 km horizontal distance. Supports 3,300+ plant species, 500+ birds, snow leopard, ibex, western tragopan. Agriculture shifts from rice/wheat to apples, hops, seabuckthorn, medicinal herbs.

Climate change compresses habitats upward; glacial lakes (GLOF risk) multiply. Altitude is destiny in Himachal.

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Light Aircraft