Chapter - 2 Physical Features of India
The Himalayan Mountains
Location & Importance:
- Stretch along the northern border of India.
- Extend from Indus River (west) to Brahmaputra River (east).
- Approximate length: 2,400 km
- Width: 400 km (Kashmir) to 150 km (Arunachal Pradesh)
- The Himalayas act as a natural barrier, protect from cold winds, and influence monsoon patterns.
Formation:
- Formed by the collision of the Indo-Australian Plate with the Eurasian Plate.
- This is a fold mountain range – still rising due to tectonic activity.
Three Parallel Ranges:
1. Himadri (Greater Himalayas)
- Northernmost and highest range.
- Average height: Above 6,000 meters.
- Includes world’s highest peaks:
- Mount Everest (8,848 m) – Nepal
- Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) – India-Nepal border
- Covered with snow and glaciers all year round.
2. Himachal (Middle Himalayas)
- Lies south of Himadri.
- Height: 3,700 to 4,500 meters
- Made of folded and compressed rocks.
- Rich in forests.
- Famous hill stations: Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital, etc.
3. Shiwalik (Outer Himalayas)
- Southernmost range.
- Height: 900 to 1,100 meters
- Made of unconsolidated sediments (youngest).
- Prone to landslides and earthquakes.
- Narrow valleys between Shiwaliks and Himachal = Duns (e.g., Dehradun)
Regional Divisions of the Himalayas (West to East):
- Punjab Himalayas – Between Indus and Satluj
- Kumaon Himalayas – Between Satluj and Kali
- Nepal Himalayas – Between Kali and Tista
- Assam Himalayas – Between Tista and Dihang
Purvachal Hills (Eastern Hills) :- Location:
- These hills lie east of the Himalayas in the northeastern states of India.
- They are part of the Eastern extension of the Himalayas.
- It comprises :- Patkai Hills, Naga Hills, Manipur Hills, Mizo Hills (Lushai Hills)
The Northern Plains
Location & Formation :- Lies south of the Himalayas and stretches from Punjab in the west to Assam in the east.
Formed by the deposition of alluvial soil by three major rivers:
- Indus
- Ganga
- Brahmaputra
These rivers, along with their tributaries, brought fine soil from the mountains and deposited it over millions of years, forming the fertile Northern Plains.
Riverine island :- Solid foundation and a place between two parallel rivers or in the middle of the river.
Distributaries:- A branch of river that does not return to the main stream after leaving.
Size
- Spread over an area 7 lakh sq.km.
- Length: about 2,400 km
- Width: 240 to 320 km
- Very fertile and flat, ideal for agriculture.
- Densely populated due to flat land, fertile soil, and water availability.
Importance
- Known as the "Granary of India".
- Supports major crops: wheat, rice, sugarcane, pulses.
- Well-developed irrigation and transport systems.
Divisions of the Northern Plains
1. Punjab Plains
- Formed by the Indus and its tributaries (Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Jhelum).
- Mostly in Punjab and Haryana.
- Western part of the plains.
2. Ganga Plains
- Formed by the Ganga and its tributaries.
- Spread across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal.
- Most extensive and agriculturally productive part.
3. Brahmaputra Plains
- Found in Assam.
- Formed by the Brahmaputra River.
- Known for heavy flooding and silt deposits.
Based on Relief (Land Features):
1. Bhabar
- Narrow belt along the foothills of the Himalayas.
- Pebbly, streams disappear here.
2. Terai
- South of Bhabar.
- Marshy and swampy, good for growing rice and sugarcane.
3. Bhangar
- Older alluvium, slightly raised and less fertile.
- Has calcareous deposits called Kankar.
4. Khadar
- New alluvium, very fertile, renewed every year by floods.
- Best for agriculture.
The Peninsular Plateau
What is the Peninsular Plateau?
- It is a broad, high land area made of ancient, hard rocks.
- Located south of the Northern Plains.
- Triangular in shape, with:
- Base in the north (Vindhya and Satpura ranges)
- Apex towards the south
- It is the oldest landmass of the Indian subcontinent (part of the ancient Gondwana land).
Formation
- Formed due to volcanic and tectonic activities.
- Made mostly of igneous and metamorphic rocks.
- Rich in minerals and natural resources.
Divisions of the Peninsular Plateau
1. Central Highlands
- Located north of the Narmada River.
- Includes:
- Malwa Plateau (northwestern part)
- Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand (eastern part)
- Chotanagpur Plateau (Jharkhand, rich in coal and minerals)
- Slopes from southwest to northeast.
2. Deccan Plateau
- Lies south of the Narmada River.
- Bounded by:
- Western Ghats (steep, block mountains)
- Eastern Ghats (dissected and lower in height)
- Covers parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu.
- Slopes from west to east (so rivers flow into Bay of Bengal).
Important Hill Ranges in the Plateau:
- Aravalli Hills (oldest, northwest)
- Vindhya and Satpura ranges (central India)
- Western Ghats (higher, source of many rivers like Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri)
- Eastern Ghats (broken, lower)
Feature Western Ghats Eastern Ghats
Location Runs parallel to the western coast Runs parallel to the eastern coast
Direction From Gujarat to Kerala From Odisha to Tamil Nadu
Height Higher – average 900–1,600 meters Lower – average 600 meters
Continuity Continuous range (difficult to cross) Discontinuous range (broken hills)
River Flow Rivers rise here and flow eastward Rivers cut through them to reach the sea
Rainfall Causes heavy rainfall on west coast Receives less rainfall
Vegetation Dense forests, biodiversity hotspot Less dense forests
Highest Peak Anai Mudi (2,695 m, Kerala) Mahendragiri (1,501 m, Odisha)
One of the distinct features of the Peninsular plateau s the black soil area known as Decean Trap.
The Indian Desert
Location
- Also known as the Thar Desert.
- Lies in the western part of Rajasthan.
- Bordered by the Aravalli Hills on the east.
Features of the Indian Desert
Feature Description
Type of Climate Hot and dry, arid climate
Rainfall Less than 150 mm per year
Soil Sandy soil – not very fertile
Vegetation Sparse shrubs and thorny trees
Temperature Extreme – very hot days and cool nights
Rivers No permanent rivers; only Luni River (seasonal)
Landforms Sand dunes (locally called "barchans") are common
The Coastal Plains
What are Coastal Plains?
- The narrow stretch of land lying between the Peninsular Plateau and the coastline of India.
- Surrounded by water on three sides – so India has two main coastal plains:
- Western Coastal Plain (along the Arabian Sea)
- Eastern Coastal Plain (along the Bay of Bengal)
1. Western Coastal Plains
Feature Description
Location Extends from Gujarat to Kerala
States Covered Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala
Width Narrow (50–80 km wide)
Divisions - Konkan Coast (Maharashtra-Goa),
Kannad Coast (Karnataka)
- Malabar Coast (Kerala)
Rivers Short and swift (e.g., Mandovi, Periyar)
Special Features Backwaters and lagoons (especially in Kerala)
Ports Mumbai, Mangalore, Kochi
2. Eastern Coastal Plains
Feature Description
Location Extends from West Bengal to Tamil Nadu
States Covered West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
Width Wider than western coast (100–130 km wide)
Divisions Northern Circar (Odisha to Andhra)
Coromandel Coast (Tamil Nadu)
Rivers Large rivers form deltas: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri
Special Features Fertile deltas, important for agriculture
Ports Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Paradip
The Islands of India
What are Islands?
- Islands are land masses surrounded by water on all sides.
- India has two major groups of islands:
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands – in the Bay of Bengal
- Lakshadweep Islands – in the Arabian Sea
1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Feature Description
Location Bay of Bengal
Number of Islands Around 572 islands
Type Mostly volcanic origin
Divisions Andaman Islands (North),Nicobar Islands (South)
Climate Warm and humid, tropical rainforest climate
Flora & Fauna Rich biodiversity, tropical forests
Importance Strategic location, tourism, biodiversity hotspot
Capital Port Blair
2. Lakshadweep Islands
Feature Description
Location Arabian Sea
Number of Islands 36 small islands and islets
Type Coral islands (atolls)
Area Around 32 sq. km (smallest Union Territory)
Flora & Fauna Coconut palms, marine life
Capital Kavaratti
Main Activities Fishing, coconut cultivation, tourism
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