Introduction

Abstract

The highland is a high altitude region, which is basically an area of relatively low atmospheric pressure (3, 4, 5).* The reduced atmospheric pressure of high altitude is associated with atmospheric cold and aridity, deficiency of oxygen and carbon dioxide, intense insolation and rapid radiation, high ultraviolet and other effects as chain reactions. These effects become significant and the general environment, vegetation and animal life become markedly different from those of lowland areas, the boiling point of water is so low that cooking and many chemical reactions can only be carried out with difficulty, breathing is difficult and muscle fatigue great at elevations of about 3000 m above mean sea level, (1, 4, 5). By our normal standards the conditions are severely extreme. All areas above this altitudinal limit are recognized as highlands.