Geography of Himalayan Mountains and Indus-Ganga Plain

Himalayan Mountains

• World's highest and youngest mountain range
• Stretch for over 2,500 km from Pakistan to Myanmar
• Average height: 6,000-7,000 meters
• Highest peak: Mount Everest (8,848 meters)
• Home to several sacred rivers, including the Ganges and Brahmaputra
• Climatic influence: blocks cold winds from Central Asia, creating a subtropical climate in the northern plains

Indus-Ganga Plain

• Largest alluvial plain in the world
• Stretches from the Himalayas to the Arabian Sea
• Covers over 700,000 km²
• Formed by the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers
• Fertile and densely populated region
• Supports a wide range of crops, including rice, wheat, and sugarcane

Deccan Plateau

• Triangular plateau covering central India
• Bounded by the Western and Eastern Ghats
• Average elevation: 500-600 meters
• Composed of volcanic rocks and lava flows
• Home to several major rivers, including the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri
• Rich in mineral resources, including iron ore, coal, and diamonds

Desert Region

• Covers over 10% of India's land area
• Located in the northwestern parts of the country
• Characterized by hot and dry climate
• Receives very little rainfall (<25 cm per year)
• Thar Desert (also known as the Great Indian Desert) is the largest desert region
• Supports limited vegetation and wildlife

Coastal Regions

• India has a long coastline of over 7,500 km
• Divided into two main regions: the Western Coastal Plain and the Eastern Coastal Plain
• Western Coastal Plain: narrow and rocky, with a few natural harbors
• Eastern Coastal Plain: broader and more fertile, with several major deltas
• Home to several major ports, including Mumbai and Chennai
• Supports a wide range of marine life and fisheries

The Islands

• India has two major island groups: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: located in the Bay of Bengal, known for their dense forests and diverse wildlife
• Lakshadweep Islands: located in the Arabian Sea, known for their coral reefs and marine biodiversity
• Both island groups are union territories and are of strategic importance to India

Himalayan Mountains

• The world's highest and youngest mountain range, stretching over 2,500 km from Pakistan to Myanmar
• Average height is 6,000-7,000 meters with the highest peak being Mount Everest at 8,848 meters
• Home to several sacred rivers, including the Ganges and Brahmaputra
• Plays a crucial role in shaping the climate, blocking cold winds from Central Asia and creating a subtropical climate in the northern plains

Indus-Ganga Plain

• The largest alluvial plain in the world, stretching from the Himalayas to the Arabian Sea
• Covers an area of over 700,000 km², formed by the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers
• Fertile and densely populated region, supporting a wide range of crops including rice, wheat, and sugarcane

Deccan Plateau

• A triangular plateau covering central India, bounded by the Western and Eastern Ghats
• Average elevation is 500-600 meters, composed of volcanic rocks and lava flows
• Home to several major rivers, including the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri
• Rich in mineral resources, including iron ore, coal, and diamonds

Desert Region

• Covers over 10% of India's land area, located in the northwestern parts of the country
• Characterized by a hot and dry climate, receiving very little rainfall

Test your knowledge of the Himalayan Mountains, the world's highest and youngest mountain range, and the Indus-Ganga Plain, the largest alluvial plain in the world.