December 11 — International Mountain Day: history and traditions

Every year on December 11, many countries around the world, including Russia, celebrate International Mountain Day, a date designed to remind of the fragility of mountain ecosystems, as well as the fact that the well—being of snow-capped peaks, glaciers and high-altitude valleys depends on the lives of millions of people. In 2025, the holiday falls on Thursday. Read about its history, significance and traditions in the materials of Izvestia.

International Mountain Day - 2025: the history of the holiday

International Mountain Day was established by the UN General Assembly in 2003 as a global initiative to protect mountain ecosystems and support people living in the highlands. The decision was based on the conclusions of scientists who pointed out that their condition directly affects the food, water and climate security of the whole world.

Since then, the holiday has become an annual reminder that these territories need special protection and attention. It has an international character, as the consequences of what is happening in the mountains are felt far beyond the ridges and gorges.

The main goal of the International Mountain Day is to raise awareness of their importance to human life and the risks faced by mountain areas.

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About 50% of the world's biodiversity is concentrated in the mountains. In 2022, the UN General Assembly released a report according to which approximately 1.1 billion people (about 15% of the world's population) live in mountainous regions, which remain the most vulnerable to climate change, land degradation and the reduction of natural resources.

International Mountain Day is a reminder not only of the challenges, but also of how unique these territories are. The features of the relief and the isolation of many mountainous regions form unique microclimates in which special ecosystems develop and endemic species arise — plants and animals that are not found anywhere else in the world.

Traditions of celebrating the International Mountain Day

Educational and thematic events dedicated to the International Mountain Day are being held in Russia and other countries on December 11. The main focus is on informing society about the problems and needs of mountain regions and their role in the global environmental agenda.

In Russia, on the International Mountain Day, there are:

• lectures and open discussions on the importance of mountains for climate, water resources and biodiversity;
• conferences and seminars with participation of scientists, environmentalists, representatives of public organizations;
• fairs, exhibitions, workshops;
• educational classes for schoolchildren and students, where it is explained why the sustainable development of mountain regions is important for the whole planet.

In many UN member states, International Mountain Day is integrated into national environmental protection and sustainable development programs. The format may vary, but the general meaning remains the same — the focus is on a responsible approach to resource use, protecting mountain ecosystems and supporting the lives of people whose fate is inextricably linked to the highlands.

The tradition of the International Mountain Day on a personal level can be an attentive and careful attitude to nature, responsible consumption, and garbage collection when traveling.

Interesting facts about the mountains

Mountain systems are not just landscapes with expressive peaks and deep valleys. Many of the processes occurring in and around them remain outside the scope of ordinary observations. Izvestia has prepared a selection of interesting facts that reveal their nature.

Magnetic anomalies of the Sierra Nevada

Stable magnetic deviations are recorded in the California Sierra Nevada range. Subsurface ferruginous rocks create local distortions of the magnetic field, which is why compasses often show the wrong direction here. This causes difficulties for tourists and researchers, and in some areas requires the use of alternative means of navigation.

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The supergores of ancient eras

Geologists have discovered evidence of the existence of so—called super-mountains on Earth, mountain systems that were almost twice as large as the modern Himalayas. They formed in two key periods: about 2-1.8 billion years ago and 650-500 million years ago. The intense erosion of these giants has significantly enriched the oceans with minerals, becoming an important factor in evolutionary transformations and biological diversity.

Gamburtsevsky Mountains under the ice of Antarctica

In the heart of Antarctica, hidden under a four-kilometer layer of ice, lie the Gamburtsev Mountains. Their age exceeds half a billion years, but they have been preserved in a surprisingly "young" state. The reason for this stability is that it is located inside a stable continental core, where modern tectonic processes do not occur. The origin of these mountains remains one of the most intriguing mysteries of geology.

Mountains as the climatic "towers" of the planet

High-altitude areas influence the movement of air masses and precipitation formation. Studies show that up to half of the rains in large continental regions are formed due to the interaction of winds with mountain barriers.

"Sound traps" of mountain valleys

Many gorges have acoustic properties that amplify the sound several times. The effect is related to the shape of the valleys and the features of the rocks. Some mountainous regions of South America and Asia are known for the phenomenon of "talking rocks," when echoes return with unusual clarity and duration.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on when and how the International Volunteer Day is celebrated in Russia and the world.