International Mountain Day is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of mountains, particularly for the crucial role they play in sustaining the environment, biodiversity, and livelihood security of millions of people. Mountains also serve as essential sources of freshwater, providing communities with the necessary resources for agriculture, industry, energy, and human consumption. Additionally, mountains contribute significantly towards global tourism and recreational activities, attracting millions of adventurers and tourists each year who enjoy the unique landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural experiences they offer.
The United Nations declared 2002 as the International Year of Mountains, and following this event, International Mountain Day was officially observed for the first time in December 2003. Mountains are valuable for a number of reasons, including their potential for climate change mitigation, promotion of ecotourism, and their contribution to the cultural heritage of indigenous communities. Climate change, along with various human activities, poses a significant threat to mountain ecosystems, putting the resources and services they provide at risk.
International Mountain Day is observed through various events and activities aimed at increasing understanding about the importance of mountains, their conservation, as well as encouraging responsible tourism practices. These events can include educational workshops, conferences, guided hikes, exhibitions, and local clean-ups, among others. Participation in these events helps to connect people with the unique features and challenges of the American mountainous regions. International Mountain Day is observed annually on December 11th.
International Mountain Day facts
The theme for International Mountain Day in 2024 is Mountain solutions for a sustainable future- innovation, adaptation, and youth. And the theme for International Mountain Day in 2023 was Restoring Mountain Ecosystems
Mountains make up 30% of all key biodiversity areas according to the U.N. Key biodiversity areas are those areas recognized as vital for threatened plants and animals. They consist of land, freshwater, and marine sites.
According to the U.N, around twenty plant species supply 80% of the world's food. Six of them: maize, potatoes, barley, sorghum, tomatoes, and apples originated and were diversified in mountainous regions.
Hawaii's Mauna Kea is technically the tallest mountain in the world if measured from base (at the bottom of the ocean) to the summit.
The oldest known mountain range in the U.S. is the Appalachian Mountains, which are approximately 480 million years old.
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