Geography of the Himalayas and Northern Plain

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Questions and Answers

Identify the state where Mussoorie, Nainital, and Ranikhet are located.

Uttarakhand

Name two glaciers found in the Great Himalayas.

Siachen Glacier and Gangotri Glacier

What are the outer-most range of the Himalayas called?

Shiwaliks

What is the altitude range of the Shiwaliks?

900 to 1100 metres Signup and view all the answers

What valleys are situated between the Lesser Himalaya and the Shiwaliks?

Duns Signup and view all the answers

List any two hills that are part of the Purvachal mountain range.

Patkai Hills and Naga Hills Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary composition of the hills in the northeastern states of India?

Strong sandstones Signup and view all the answers

What are the traditional regional names for the part of the Himalayas between the Indus and Satluj rivers?

Punjab Himalaya, Kashmir, and Himachal Himalaya. Signup and view all the answers

What geographical features demarcate the Nepal Himalayas?

The Kali and Teesta rivers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of the Northern Plain?

It is formed by the alluvial deposits of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the section of the Northern Plain that is characterized by the Indus and its tributaries.

The Punjab Plains. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'doab' signify in geographical context?

It means the land between two rivers. Signup and view all the answers

Which rivers define the Ganga plain?

The Ganga plain extends between the Ghaggar and Teesta rivers. Signup and view all the answers

What area does the Northern Plain cover?

Approximately 7 lakh sq.km. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of the fertile alluvial soil in the Northern Plain.

It supports substantial agricultural productivity due to its rich nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

What does the word 'Punjab' derive from, and what does it mean?

'Punjab' derives from 'Punj' meaning five and 'ab' meaning water. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of soil found in the floodplain region described in the content?

The two types of soil are bhangar and khadar. Signup and view all the answers

What geological processes contributed to the formation of the Peninsular Plateau?

The Peninsular Plateau was formed due to the breaking and drifting of Gondwana land. Signup and view all the answers

Name the three prominent hill ranges within the northeastern section of the Peninsular Plateau.

The three prominent hill ranges are the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the Deccan Plateau's geography in terms of elevation?

The Deccan Plateau is higher in the west and slopes gently eastwards. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the two broad divisions of the Peninsular Plateau.

The two divisions are the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau. Signup and view all the answers

Which ranges bound the Vindhyan range in the Peninsular Plateau?

The Vindhyan range is bounded by the Satpura range on the south and the Aravalis on the northwest. Signup and view all the answers

What type of rock primarily composes the Peninsular Plateau?

The Peninsular Plateau is composed mainly of old crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. Signup and view all the answers

Which rivers drain the Chotanagpur plateau region mentioned in the content?

The Damodar River drains the Chotanagpur plateau region. Signup and view all the answers

What is the local term for calcareous deposits found in the soil of the described region?

These calcareous deposits are locally known as kankar. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the valleys and hills found in the Peninsular Plateau.

The Peninsular Plateau consists of broad, shallow valleys and rounded hills. Signup and view all the answers

What geological origin do the Deccan Trap rocks have and what type of soil do they contribute to?

The Deccan Trap rocks are of volcanic origin and contribute to the formation of black soil. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the coastal sections of the western coast of India mentioned and their respective locations.

The three sections are Konkan (Mumbai – Goa) in the north, Kannad Plain in the center, and Malabar coast in the south. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the climatic conditions of the Indian desert and its effect on vegetation.

The Indian desert has an arid climate with very low rainfall, leading to sparse vegetation cover. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Aravali Hills in the geography of the Peninsular plateau?

The Aravali Hills, extending from Gujarat to Delhi, are highly eroded broken hills that form the western margin of the Peninsular plateau. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main feature of the sandy plains covered with dunes in the Indian desert?

The main feature is that these plains experience very low rainfall, resulting in streams that disappear into sand. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates the average elevation of the Western Ghats from that of the Eastern Ghats?

The Western Ghats average elevation is 900–1600 metres, while the Eastern Ghats average elevation is about 600 metres. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the major rivers draining the region that is associated with the Central Highlands.

The major rivers are the Chambal, Sind, Betwa, and Ken. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the Western Ghats contribute to rainfall in the region.

The Western Ghats cause orographic rain by forcing moist winds to rise along their western slopes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest peak in the Eastern Ghats, and how tall is it?

The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is Mahendragiri, which stands at 1,501 metres. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the geographical characteristics of the Eastern Ghats.

The Eastern Ghats are discontinuous, irregular, and dissected by rivers draining into the Bay of Bengal. Signup and view all the answers

What local names are given to the eastward extensions of the Central Highlands?

The local names for the eastward extensions are Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand. Signup and view all the answers

How do the heights of the Western Ghats change from north to south?

The heights of the Western Ghats progressively increase from north to south. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Thal, Bhor, and Pal Ghats play in the geography of India?

They serve as significant passes that connect different geographical regions. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the flow of rivers in the Central Highlands?

The flow of rivers in this region is from southwest to northeast, reflecting the slope. Signup and view all the answers

How is the geographical continuity of the Western Ghats described?

The Western Ghats are described as a continuous westward extension that merges gradually. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Physical Features of India

India has a diverse range of landforms such as mountains, plains, deserts, plateaus, and islands.
The Himalayan Mountains are young, fold mountains running west to east, from the Indus to the Brahmaputra. They represent the world's most rugged mountain barriers.
The Himalayas have three parallel ranges: the Great Himalayas (Himadri), the Lesser Himalayas (Himachal), and the Shiwaliks.
The Great Himalayas are the loftiest, with an average height of 6,000 meters.
The Northern Plains are formed from alluvial deposits of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries over millions of years.
The Northern Plains are around 7 lakh sq km and are densely populated with rich soil and favorable climate.
The Peninsular Plateau is one of the oldest landmasses on earth, composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks.
The Peninsular Plateau has two main divisions: the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.
The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats mark the western and eastern edges of the Deccan Plateau, respectively. The Western Ghats are higher than the Eastern Ghats.
The Western Ghats are crucial for the orographic rainfall.
The Indian Desert, located in western Rajasthan, is an undulating sandy plain with very low rainfall.
The Coastal Plains are narrow strips along the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, formed by the deposition of sediments from rivers.
The islands of India include the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Lakshadweep Islands. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are larger than the Lakshadweep Islands.
The Lakshadweep Islands are composed of small coral islands.
The Himalayas, geologically young, have high peaks and deep valleys that are formed of unconsolidated sediments brought down by rivers from the main ranges.
The Himalayas have diverse longitudinal and regional divisions.
The Northern Plains are a flat, fertile area formed by alluvial deposits from rivers.

Major Physiographic Divisions of India

Himalayan Mountains
Northern Plains
Peninsular Plateau
Indian Desert
Coastal Plains
Islands

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Description

This quiz tests your knowledge on the geographical features of the Himalayas and the Northern Plain in India. It covers various aspects including locations, glacial formations, altitude ranges, and regional characteristics. Challenge yourself and learn about these significant geographical areas in more detail.