The Tibetan Plateau, often called the 'Roof of the World,' is the highest and largest plateau on Earth. It covers most of the Tibet Autonomous Region and parts of neighboring provinces in China, as well as parts of India, Nepal, and Bhutan. The plateau has an average elevation of over 4,500 meters and is surrounded by massive mountain ranges, including the Himalayas to the south. Lhasa is the traditional capital of Tibet. This region is the source of many of Asia's great rivers, including the Yangtze, Yellow, Mekong, Indus, and Brahmaputra, earning it the nickname 'the Water Tower of Asia.' The geography is characterized by high-altitude plains, mountain peaks, and numerous salt lakes. The climate is extremely cold and dry, with a thin atmosphere that allows for intense solar radiation. The plateau plays a critical role in global climate patterns, particularly the Asian monsoon. It is inhabited by hardy nomadic herders and is a center for Tibetan Buddhism.