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PHYSICAL FEATURES

SIKKIM may be small in size relative to its Himalayan neighbours, but it has formidable physical features such as the rivers and mountains that define the boundaries of the sate with its neighbours. Sikkim lies sandwiched between the kingdoms of Nepal in the west and Bhutan in the east. Along its northern boarder towers the plateau of Tibet and it shares its southern boarder with West Bengal, another sate of India...

The terrain of Sikkim is so rugged that form the air it looks as though a giant plough had been carelessly run through it. Sikkim is a land of monumental mounts that seems to touch the heavens. These mountains form a part of the long range - the mighty Himalayas. the Khangchendzonga, the 3rd highest mountain in the world, majestically towers over all the mountain in its vicinity like a god surrounded by smaller deities and can be seen from almost any part of Sikkim in good weather as it thrust its mighty shoulders high above the lush verdant valleys. , Geologic past, Guided Tour of the Himalayas

Due to the relatively low altitude of Sikkim its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer, the snow line above which permanent snow is found is about 6,000m. Habitations are found till altitudes of 5,000m. This is in sharp contrast to Europe where the highest mountain, Mont Blanc is at an altitude of only 4,807m but remains perennially under the cover of snow.

Mountains
Sikkim has a very rugged topography and the flat lands are difficult to come by. The towering mountains that define this paradise of the nature also create a barrier to efficient agriculture.The two mountain ranges are

The Singalila Range is an enormous spur of the Great Himalayas. The crowning glory of this range is the 8596 m elevated summit, of Mount Khangchendzonga. This peak - the third highest in the world, is a difficult mountain to climb, because of unpredictable weather and winds. The Sikkimese believe that it is not meant to be climbed, but only worshipped, as it is the abode of five treasures of the snows. In deference to local sentiments, no expedition has set foot on the summit- but remained a few meters below. For those of us who cannot attempt the climb, the 5000 m high viewpoint at Goechela (the Lock Pass) offers a superb alternative. A depression, between Mount Pandim, and a spur of the Kabru Peak form the pass. It looks down into the Talung Valley, with the mighty Talung Glacier, winding its way down below. One is surrounded by great white peaks - Khangchendzonga (8596 m), Simvo (6811 m), Siniolchu (6888 m), Pandim (6691 m), Kabru (7338 m) and Rathang (6087 m). The awe inspiring sight, instills a feeling of standing in the very lap of Khangchendzonga, and gazing up at its face