1. Introduction
- India has a diverse physical geography, including mountains, plateaus, plains, deserts, and coastal regions.
- The country is divided into six major physiographic divisions based on topography and geological formations.
📌 Fact: India’s total land area is 3.28 million sq km, making it the 7th largest country in the world.
2. Major Physical Divisions of India
| Physiographic Division | Key Features | Example |
|---|---|---|
| The Himalayas 🏔️ | Young fold mountains, highest peaks | Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga |
| The Northern Plains 🌾 | Fertile alluvial soil, major rivers | Ganga-Brahmaputra Plains |
| The Peninsular Plateau ⛰️ | Oldest landmass, rich in minerals | Deccan & Chotanagpur Plateau |
| The Indian Desert 🏜️ | Arid region, sand dunes, extreme climate | Thar Desert (Rajasthan) |
| The Coastal Plains 🌊 | Narrow fertile plains near seas | Malabar, Coromandel Coast |
| The Islands 🏝️ | Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep | Havelock, Minicoy Islands |
📌 Fact: The Deccan Plateau is the largest plateau in India.
3. The Himalayas – The Young Fold Mountains 🏔️
- Located in the northern part of India, these mountains form a natural barrier.
- Divided into three main ranges:
| Range | Features | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Himalayas (Himadri) | Highest peaks, permanently snow-covered | Mount Everest (8,848m), Kanchenjunga (8,586m) |
| Lesser Himalayas (Himachal) | Hill stations, deep valleys | Shimla, Darjeeling |
| Shivaliks (Outer Himalayas) | Low hills, foothills | Jammu Hills |
📌 Fact: The Himalayas are still growing due to tectonic activity.
4. The Northern Plains – The Fertile Lowlands 🌾
- Formed by the deposition of alluvium from major rivers (Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra).
- Extends from Punjab to Assam and is the most fertile region in India.
- Divided into three sections:
| Section | Region Covered |
|---|---|
| Punjab Plains | Western India (Punjab, Haryana) |
| Ganga Plains | UP, Bihar, West Bengal |
| Brahmaputra Plains | Assam, Arunachal Pradesh |
📌 Fact: The Indo-Gangetic Plains are among the most densely populated regions in the world.
5. The Peninsular Plateau – The Oldest Landform ⛰️
- Made of igneous and metamorphic rocks, rich in minerals.
- Divided into two main plateaus:
| Plateau | Key Features | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Deccan Plateau | Largest plateau, volcanic origin | Karnataka, Maharashtra |
| Chotanagpur Plateau | Rich in minerals (coal, iron) | Jharkhand, West Bengal |
📌 Fact: The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats are part of the Deccan Plateau.
6. The Indian Desert – The Thar Desert 🏜️
- Located in Rajasthan, it extends into Gujarat and Pakistan.
- Extreme climate, hot summers and cold winters.
- Key Features:
✔ Sand dunes 🌵
✔ Sparse vegetation 🌾
✔ Camel-based economy 🐫
📌 Fact: Jaisalmer is called the “Golden City” due to its desert landscape.
7. The Coastal Plains – The Coastal Lowlands 🌊
- India has a coastline of 7,516 km, divided into Western and Eastern Coastal Plains.
| Coastal Plain | Location | Major Features |
|---|---|---|
| Western Coastal Plains | Between the Western Ghats and Arabian Sea | Narrow, backwaters, ports |
| Eastern Coastal Plains | Between the Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal | Broad, fertile, river deltas |
📌 Fact: Kerala’s backwaters are part of the Western Coastal Plains.
8. The Islands of India – Andaman & Lakshadweep 🏝️
| Island Group | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Volcanic origin, dense forests, indigenous tribes |
| Lakshadweep Islands | Coral atolls, lagoons, small area |
📌 Fact: Barren Island in Andaman is India’s only active volcano.
9. Rivers of India – Lifelines of the Nation 🌊
- Two main river systems:
| River System | Major Rivers | Flow Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Himalayan Rivers | Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra | Perennial (flow all year) |
| Peninsular Rivers | Godavari, Krishna, Narmada | Seasonal, east/west flow |
📌 Fact: Ganga is the longest river in India (2,525 km).
10. MCQs on Physical Features of India
1. Which is the highest mountain peak in India?
a) Kanchenjunga
b) Mount Everest
c) Nanda Devi
d) Dhaulagiri
Answer: a) Kanchenjunga
2. Which plateau is the largest in India?
a) Chotanagpur Plateau
b) Malwa Plateau
c) Deccan Plateau
d) Shillong Plateau
Answer: c) Deccan Plateau
3. The Ganga River originates from which glacier?
a) Siachen Glacier
b) Gangotri Glacier
c) Yamunotri Glacier
d) Pindari Glacier
Answer: b) Gangotri Glacier
4. Which desert is located in India?
a) Gobi Desert
b) Kalahari Desert
c) Thar Desert
d) Sahara Desert
Answer: c) Thar Desert
5. Which island in India has an active volcano?
a) Havelock Island
b) Majuli Island
c) Barren Island
d) Minicoy Island
Answer: c) Barren Island
11. Short Answer Questions
1. Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas.
✔ Greater Himalayas (Himadri), Lesser Himalayas (Himachal), and Shivalik Hills.
2. Which is the longest river in India?
✔ Ganga River (2,525 km).
3. Name the two island groups of India.
✔ Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands.
4. What is the difference between Western and Eastern Coastal Plains?
✔ Western Coastal Plains are narrow, while Eastern Coastal Plains are broader.
12. Conclusion
India’s diverse physical features contribute to its climate, biodiversity, agriculture, and economy. Understanding these features is important for geography and competitive exams.
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