The United Nations General Assembly officially declared December 11 International Mountain Day. It was first celebrated in 2003 and it has been celebrated every year since!

Is this article difficult to understand? Go to the adapted version!

Fun Facts

Here are some fun facts thanks to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations:

• 27% of the Earth’s land surface is mountains
• Mountains are home to 1.1 billion people (15% of the world’s population)
• 1 in 2 rural mountain people in developing countries is vulnerable to food insecurity
• 6 of the 20 most important food crops originate from mountains (potatoes, maize, tomatoes, apples, barley, sorghum)
• More than half of humanity relies on mountain freshwater for everyday life
• Family farming is key to mountain economies and plays an important role in conserving agro-biodiversity

Why do we celebrate International Mountain Day? 

We observe this day to create awareness about mountains and their importance in our lives and to the 1.1 billion people that call mountains “home”. 

It’s also a time to reflect upon mountain development, including its benefits and consequences. What can we do to increase sustainable mountain development? What can we do to ensure a prosperous way of life for mountain peoples? How can we protect the glaciers, the flora, and the fauna?

The Theme

In 2019, the theme is “Mountains Matter for Youth”. The goal is to raise awareness of the problems surrounding youth that live in mountain communities. The United Nations states that “This year, youth will take the lead and demand that mountains and mountain peoples become central in the national and international development agendas; receive more attention, investments and tailored research.”

How do you think International Mountain Connection should celebrate International Mountain Day in 2020? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Adapted Version

Happy International Mountain Day!

In parenthesis () there are explanations of words and phrases. These explanations are in italics.

The United Nations General Assembly officially declared (created) December 11 International Mountain Day. It was first celebrated (recognized) in 2003 and it has been celebrated every year since (from 2003 to today).

Fun Facts

Here are some fun facts (interesting information) thanks to (provided by) the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations:

• 27% of the Earth’s land surface is mountains (Earth is 27% mountains)
• Mountains are home to 1.1 billion people (15% of the world’s population live in mountains)
• 1 in 2 (one out of two) rural mountain people (people living in mountains) in developing countries (poor countries that want to be more advanced socially and economically) is vulnerable to (is possible to have) food insecurity (may not have enough food to live)
• 6 of the 20 most important food crops (types of food grown) originate from (come from) mountains (potatoes, maize (corn), tomatoes, apples, barley, sorghum)
• More than half of humanity relies on (needs) mountain freshwater for everyday life (to live everyday)
• Family farming is key (important) to mountain economies and plays (is) an important role (subject) in conserving (continuing) agro-biodiversity (biological diversity in food and agriculture)

Why do we celebrate International Mountain Day? 

We observe (remember) this day to create awareness (make people think) about mountains and their importance (why they are important) in our lives and to the 1.1 billion people that call (say that) mountains (are) “home” (where they live). 

It’s also a time to reflect upon (think about) mountain development (how mountains will be developed/changed in the future), including its benefits (positive side) and consequences (negative side). What can we do to increase sustainable mountain development (development without destroying the mountains)? What can we do to ensure (provide) a prosperous (positive and healthy) way of life for mountain peoples? How can we protect the glaciers, the flora (plants), and the fauna (animals)?

The Theme

In 2019, the theme (main subject) is “Mountains Matter for Youth”. The goal (most important task or idea) is to raise awareness of (help more people understand) the problems surrounding (concerning) youth (young people) that live in mountain communities. The United Nations states that “This year, youth will take the lead (be the most important subject) and demand (request) that mountains and mountain peoples become central (important) in the national and international development agendas (plans); receive more attention, investments (money) and tailored (specific to their problems) research.”

How do you think International Mountain Connection should celebrate International Mountain Day in 2020? Tell us what you think in the comments below!