Physical Features of India

1.Describe in detail the three physiographic divisions of the Himalayas. (5 Marks)

a) Himadri Range:
i) The northern most range is known as the Great or Inner Himalayas or the ‘Himadri.
ii) Most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of
6,000 metres.
iii) The folds of Great Himalayas are asymmetrical in nature.
iv) The core of this part of Himalayas is composed of granite.
v) It is perennially snow bound.
b) Himachal Range
i) The range lying to the south of the Himadri is known as Himachal or lesser Himalaya.
ii) The ranges are mainly composed of highly compressed and altered rocks.
iii) The altitude varies between 3,700 and 4,500 metres.
iv) The Pir Panjal range forms the longest and the most important range, the Dhaula
Dhar and the Mahabharat ranges are also prominent ones.
v) This range consists of the famous valley of Kashmir, the Kangra and Kullu Valley in
Himachal Pradesh.
c) Shiwalik Range:
i) The outer most range of the Himalayas is called the Shiwaliks.
ii) Have an altitude varying between 900 and 1100 metres.
iii) These ranges are composed of unconsolidated sediments brought down by rivers.
iv) These valleys are covered with thick gravel and alluvium.
v) Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun and Patli Dun are some of the well-known Duns.

2. Name the division of Himalayan region on its location from West to East.(3
mark)
i) The part of Himalayas lying between Indus and Satluj has been traditionally known as
Punjab Himalaya.
ii) Himalayas lying between Satluj and Kali rivers is known as Kumaon Himalayas.
iii) The Kali and Tista rivers demarcate the Nepal Himalayas and the part lying between
Tista and Dihang rivers is known as Assam Himalayas.

3. Explain the significance of Northern plains to India. (5 Mark)

i) The northern plain has been formed by the interplay of the three major river systems,
namely– the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra.
ii) This plain is formed of alluvial soil.
iii) The deposition of alluvium in a vast basin lying at the foothills of the Himalaya over
millions of years, formed this fertile plain.
iv) The plain being about 2400 Km long and 240 to 320 Km broad, is a densely
populated physiographic division.
v) With a rich soil cover combined with adequate water supply and favourable climate it
is agriculturally a very productive part of India.

4. Name the four divisions of Northern Plains. (5 Mark)

i) The rivers, after descending from the mountains deposit pebbles in a narrow belt of
about 8 to 16 km, which is known as Bhabar belt.
ii) . South of this belt, the streams and rivers re-emerge and create a wet, swampy and
marshy region known as terai.
iii) The largest part of the northern plain is formed of older alluvium. This part is known
as bhangra.
iv) The newer, younger deposits of the flood plains are called khaddar.
v) They are renewed almost every year and so are fertile, thus, ideal for intensive
agriculture.

5. Enumerate the Peninsular Plateau and their Significance. (5 Mark)

i) This plateau consists of two broad divisions, namely, the Central Highlands and the
Deccan Plateau.
ii) The part of the Peninsular plateau lying to the north of the Narmada river covering a
major area of the Malwa plateau is known as the Central Highlands.
iii) The Central Highlands are wider in the west but narrower in the east.
iv) The Chotanagpur plateau marks the further eastward extension of the Central
Highlands.
v) The Deccan Plateau is a triangular landmass that lies to the south of the river
Narmada is the second division of the Peninsular plateau.
6. Compare the distinct features of Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats.
Western Ghats
Western Ghats lie parallel to the western
coast.
They are continuous and can be crossed
through passes only.
The Western Ghats are higher than the
Eastern Ghats. Their average elevation is
900– 1600 metres as against 600 metres.
The Western Ghats cause orographic rain.
The highest peaks include the Anai Mudi
(2,695metres) and the Doda Betta (2,637
metres).
(5 Mark)
Eastern Ghats
The Eastern Ghats mark the eastern
edges of the Deccan Plateau.
They are discontinuous and dissected by
rivers.
The average elevation is 600 metres.
The Eastern Ghats do not cause
orographic rainfall.
Mahendragiri (1,501 metres) is the
highest peak in the Eastern Ghats.

7. Write a short description on the Indian Desert. (5 Mark)

i) The Indian desert lies towards the western margins of the Aravalli Hills.
ii) This region receives very low rainfall below 150 mm per year.
iii) It has arid climate with low vegetation cover.
iv) Streams appear during the rainy season.
v) Luni is the only large river in this region.

8.Name the division of Eastern and Western Coastal plain. (3 Mark)

i)The Eastern Coastal Plain is divided into two.
ii)They are a) Coromandel coast b) Northern Circar.
Iii)The Western Coastal Plain is divided into three. They are a) Konkan coast b) Kannad
plain c) Malabar coast.
9. Describe the significance of the two group of Islands of India. (5 mark)
a) Andaman and Nicobar Island:
i) The Andaman and Nicobar islands located in the Bay of Bengal are bigger in size and
are more numerous and scattered.
ii) The island is divided into two broad categories – The Andaman in the north and the
Nicobar in the south.
iii) These islands are of great strategic importance for the country.
iv) There is great diversity of flora and fauna in this group of islands.
v) These islands lie close to equator and experience equatorial climate and has thick
forest cover.

b) Lakshadweep:
i) Lakshadweep Islands group lying close to the Malabar coast of Kerala.
ii) This group of islands is composed of small coral islands.
iii) In 1973 these were named as Lakshadweep.
iv) Kavaratti island is the administrative headquarters of Lakshadweep.
v) The Pitti island, which is uninhabited, has a bird sanctuary.