International Mountain Day: 11 December.
Mountains loom large in some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. Their unique topography, compressed climatic zones and isolation have created the conditions for a wide spectrum of life forms.
Mountains host about half of the world's biodiversity hotspots and 30 percent of all Key Biodiversity Areas.
Mountains are home to many endangered species.
Many of the world's most important crops and livestock species originate in mountains.
Mountains covering around 27 percent of the earth's land surface, mountains play a critical role in moving the world towards sustainable economic growth
Mountains not only provide sustenance and well-being to 1.1 billion mountain people around the world but also indirectly benefit billions more living downstream.
Mountains provide freshwater, energy and food - resources that will be increasingly scarce in coming decades.
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