India: Physical Divisions

• India is located in South Asia and is the seventh-largest country in the world by land area.
• It is the second-most populous country, with over 1.3 billion people.
• India is bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal on the southeast.
• It shares land borders with Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the northeast; and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east.

Major Physical Divisions

• The Himalayas: These are young fold mountains and the highest mountain range in the world.
• The Himalayas extend from the Indus River to the Brahmaputra River.
• They are divided into three parallel ranges: the Greater Himalayas (Himadri), the Lesser Himalayas (Himachal), and the Outer Himalayas (Shiwaliks).
• The Northern Plains: These plains are formed by the alluvial deposits of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers.
• They are one of the most fertile and densely populated regions of the world.
• The Peninsular Plateau: This is the oldest landform of India, composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks.
• It is divided into two broad divisions: the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.
• The Indian Desert: Located to the west of the Aravali Hills, it is characterized by low rainfall and sandy terrain.
• Coastal Plains: These plains are located on either side of the Peninsular Plateau, along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
• The Western Coastal Plains are narrow and include the Konkan, Kannada, and Malabar coasts.
• The Eastern Coastal Plains are broader and known as the Coromandel and Northern Circars.
• Islands: India has two main groups of islands: Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.

Climate

• India's climate is influenced by the Himalayas and the Thar Desert.
• The Himalayas prevent cold winds from Central Asia from entering India.
• The Thar Desert attracts moisture-laden southwest monsoon winds.
• India experiences a monsoon climate, characterized by seasonal changes in wind direction.

Seasons

• Cold Weather Season (Winter): From November to January, temperatures are low, especially in northern India.
• Hot Weather Season (Summer): From March to May, temperatures are high across the country.
• Southwest Monsoon Season (Rainy): From June to September, India receives the majority of its rainfall from the southwest monsoon winds.
• Retreating Monsoon Season (Autumn): October and November mark the transition period between the monsoon and winter seasons.

Drainage Systems

• The drainage systems of India are mainly divided into the Himalayan rivers and the Peninsular rivers.
• Himalayan Rivers: These rivers are perennial, fed by both rainfall and snowmelt from the Himalayas.
• Major Himalayan rivers include the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra.
• Peninsular Rivers: These rivers are seasonal, dependent on rainfall.
• Major Peninsular rivers include the Narmada, Tapi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.
• The Ganga River is considered the most sacred river in India.
• The Brahmaputra River enters India through Arunachal Pradesh.

Soil Types

• Alluvial Soils: These are the most fertile soils, found in the Northern Plains and river valleys.
• Black Soils: These are suitable for cotton cultivation and are found in the Deccan Plateau.
• Red and Yellow Soils: These are found in areas of low rainfall and are less fertile.
• Laterite Soils: These are found in areas of high rainfall and are prone to leaching.
• Arid Soils: These are found in the desert regions and are sandy in texture.
• Forest Soils: These are found in forested areas and are rich in humus.

Natural Vegetation

• Tropical Evergreen Forests: Found in areas with heavy rainfall, like the Western Ghats and Northeast India.
• Deciduous Forests: These are the most widespread forests in India, found in areas with moderate rainfall.
• Thorn Forests and Scrubs: Found in arid regions like Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat.
• Montane Forests: Found in the Himalayan region, with vegetation varying according to altitude.
• Mangrove Forests: Found in coastal areas, especially in the deltas of rivers.

Population

• India is the second-most populous country in the world.
• The population is unevenly distributed due to variations in climate, soil, and availability of resources.
• The most densely populated areas are the Northern Plains and coastal regions.
• States like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar have the highest population.

Natural Resources

• India is rich in mineral resources like iron ore, coal, and petroleum.
• Coal is mainly found in Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.
• Petroleum reserves are located in Mumbai High, Assam, and Gujarat.
• Iron ore is mainly found in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka.

Agriculture

• Agriculture is a major occupation in India, employing a large percentage of the population.
• Major crops include rice, wheat, cotton, tea, and sugarcane.
• Rice is the staple food crop in India.
• Wheat is mainly grown in the northern states.
• Cotton is an important cash crop grown in the black soil regions.

States and Union Territories

• India is a union of states and union territories.
• Each state has its own government and legislative assembly.
• Union territories are administered by the central government.
• New Delhi is the capital of India.

Overview of India's major physical divisions, including the Himalayas, Northern Plains, and Peninsular Plateau. Covers geographic location, size, and borders. Focuses on the formation and characteristics of each division.