Bihar Map Quiz: Explore the Geography of Bihar

Study Notes

Physical Divisions of Bihar

The Central Gangetic Plain covers a major part of Bihar's area, with an average elevation of below 50 m.
The Shiwalik foothills in the north have an elevation ranging from 200 m in the west to 100 m in the east.
The hilly extensions of the Hazaribagh and Chota Nagpur Plateau in the south have an elevation between 200 m and 350 m.

Soil Types

Alluvial soil deposited by rivers: khadar (fertile new alluvium) and bhangar (older alluvium).
Khadar is deposited in the lower areas, whereas bhangar is found in the higher valleys and is coarse with calacareous/lime nodules called 'kankar'.
Loose, coarse, gravelly bhabar soil is found along the foothills of the Shiwaliks.
Red and yellow soils are found along the hilly southern borders.

Climate

Bihar has a subtropical to warm temperate climate, with hot summers and mild winters.
Summer temperatures in the southern region can rise from 35°C to 43°C.
The lowest temperatures in the extreme north in the Shiwalik foothills are around 27°C.
Winters are mild to cold, with temperatures ranging from around 15°C in the higher regions to an average of 17°C to 20°C over the rest of the state.

Rainfall

Rainfall in Bihar is brought by the Southwest Monsoon winds during late June-July.
Pre-monsoon showers associated with hot, dry, and dusty winds may bring a little rainfall from April to May.
Rainfall decreases from about 200cm in the east to 100cm in the west.

Description

Explore the physical divisions of Bihar, including the Central Gangetic Plain, Shiwalik foothills, and hilly extensions of the Hazaribagh and Chota Nagpur Plateau. Learn about the different landforms and soil types found in the region.