Physical Features Of India

1. The Himalayan Mountains

●​ The Himalayas, stretching 2,400 kilometers, are young fold mountains formed by the
collision of the Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates.
●​ They are divided into three main ranges:
1.​ Himadri (Greater Himalayas): Highest, with peaks like Mount Everest (8,848
m) and Kanchenjunga (8,598 m).
2.​ Himachal (Lesser Himalayas): Moderate height (3,700-4,500 m), known for
valleys like Kashmir and hill stations like Shimla.
3.​ Shiwaliks (Outer Himalayas): The southernmost, made of sediments, with
duns like Dehradun.
●​ The Himalayas influence climate by blocking cold northern winds and bringing the
monsoon.
●​ They are the source of rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra, providing
water to a large part of India.

Questions on the Himalayas:

1.​ How were the Himalayas formed?

2.​ Name the three ranges of the Himalayas and describe their features.
3.​ What are the duns, and where are they found?
4.​ How do the Himalayas affect the climate of India?
5.​ What is the significance of the Himalayas for India’s rivers and glaciers?

2. The Northern Plains

●​ The Northern Plains are formed by the deposition of alluvium from the Indus, Ganga,
and Brahmaputra rivers.
●​ They cover about 7 lakh square kilometers and are extremely fertile, supporting
intensive agriculture.
●​ The plains are divided into four regions:
1.​ Bhabar: A narrow, pebbly area where rivers disappear.
2.​ Terai: Marshy land, rich in vegetation, now used for agriculture.
3.​ Bhangar: Older alluvium, with calcareous deposits.
4.​ Khadar: Newer, fertile alluvium found in floodplains.
●​ The Northern Plains are crucial for India’s agricultural production, growing crops like
wheat, rice, and sugarcane.
Questions on the Northern Plains:

1.​ How were the Northern Plains formed?

2.​ Describe the difference between bhabar, terai, bhangar, and khadar.
3.​ Why are the Northern Plains important for agriculture?
4.​ What rivers contribute to the formation of the Northern Plains?
5.​ What role does irrigation play in the Northern Plains?

3. The Peninsular Plateau

●​ The Peninsular Plateau is India’s oldest landmass, consisting of hard igneous and
metamorphic rocks.
●​ It is divided into two main parts:
1.​ Central Highlands: North of the Narmada River, including the Malwa
Plateau.
2.​ Deccan Plateau: South of the Narmada, bordered by the Western Ghats and
Eastern Ghats.
●​ The plateau is rich in minerals, supporting industries like mining and energy
production.
●​ It slopes eastward, and the soil is fertile for growing crops, especially in the Deccan
region.
●​ The Aravalis form the northern edge of the plateau and are one of the oldest
mountain ranges in India.

Questions on the Peninsular Plateau:

1.​ What is the Peninsular Plateau, and how was it formed?

2.​ Name the two main divisions of the Peninsular Plateau and describe their features.
3.​ How do the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats differ?
4.​ What is the significance of the Aravali range?
5.​ How does the Deccan Plateau support agriculture?

4. The Indian Desert

●​ The Indian Desert, located in western India, is a dry, sandy region with low rainfall
(less than 150 mm annually).
●​ It is known for its sand dunes and extreme temperatures, with hot summers and cold
winters.
●​ The Luni River is the only major river that flows through the desert.
●​ The desert is surrounded by the Aravalis, which block moisture-laden winds from the
sea, causing the dry conditions.
●​ Vegetation in the desert is sparse, but species like cactus and acacia thrive in harsh
conditions.

Questions on the Indian Desert:

1.​ Where is the Indian Desert located, and what are its main features?
2.​ What role do the Aravalis play in the formation of the desert?
3.​ Describe the climate and vegetation of the Indian Desert.
4.​ What is the significance of the Luni River in the desert?
5.​ How is vegetation adapted to the desert’s harsh conditions?

5. The Coastal Plains

●​ The Coastal Plains are located along the eastern and western coasts of India.
●​ The Western Coastal Plains are narrow and divided into three sections:
1.​ Konkan Coast (Mumbai to Goa),
2.​ Kannad Coast (Karnataka),
3.​ Malabar Coast (Kerala).
●​ The Eastern Coastal Plains are wider and divided into:
1.​ Northern Circar (North),
2.​ Coromandel Coast (South).
●​ These plains are fertile, supporting crops like rice, sugarcane, and coconut.
●​ Major rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri form deltas along the
eastern coast.

Questions on the Coastal Plains:

1.​ Where are the Coastal Plains located, and how are they divided?
2.​ Name the sections of the Western Coastal Plains.
3.​ How do the Eastern Coastal Plains differ from the Western Coastal Plains?
4.​ What is the significance of the deltas formed by rivers on the eastern coast?
5.​ How do the Coastal Plains support the economy of India?

6. The Islands

●​ India has two main island groups: the Lakshadweep Islands and the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands.
●​ The Lakshadweep Islands are located in the Arabian Sea, formed from coral reefs.
○​ Kavaratti is the administrative center.
 ●​ The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are in the Bay of Bengal, formed from
submerged mountain ranges.
○​ Barren Island has India’s only active volcano.
●​ Both island groups are rich in biodiversity, making them significant for conservation.

Questions on the Islands:

1.​ Name the two main island groups of India and describe their location.
2.​ What is the significance of Kavaratti in the Lakshadweep Islands?
3.​ How were the Andaman and Nicobar Islands formed?
4.​ What is unique about Barren Island?
5.​ Why are the islands important for India’s biodiversity and economy?

Aravalli Hills

The Aravalli Hills are one of the oldest mountain ranges in India, running from Gujarat to
Delhi. They are composed of ancient rocks and have been highly eroded over millions of
years. The range acts as a barrier to desert winds, protecting regions like Rajasthan from
harsh conditions. These hills are rich in mineral resources like marble and copper and are
historically significant with forts and temples located in the region.

Purvachal Hills

The Purvachal Hills are located in northeastern India, extending across the states of
Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur. They are part of the eastern extension of the
Himalayas, composed mainly of sandstones and covered in dense forests. The Purvachal
Hills are rich in biodiversity and play a key role in separating India from Myanmar, influencing
the monsoon winds and regional climate.