Indian Geography: Physical Features

Mountains:
- Himalayas:
  - Youngest mountain range in the world.
  - Stretch from Jammu & Kashmir in the north to Arunachal Pradesh.
  - Home to some of the world's highest peaks, including K2 and Kanchenjunga.
- Western Ghats:
  - Also known as Sahyadri.
  - Runs parallel to the western coast of India.
  - Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Eastern Ghats:
  - Discontinuous range along the eastern coast.
  - Lower in elevation compared to the Western Ghats.
Plateaus:
- Deccan Plateau:
  - Located in southern India.
  - Bordered by the Western and Eastern Ghats.
  - Composed of volcanic rock and rich in minerals.
- Chotanagpur Plateau:
  - Located in Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.
  - Rich in minerals such as coal and iron.
Plains:
- Indo-Gangetic Plain:
  - A vast alluvial plain formed by the Ganges, Indus, and Brahmaputra rivers.
  - Fertile region, crucial for agriculture.
- Coastal Plains:
  - Divided into Western Coastal Plains (Maharashtra to Kerala) and Eastern Coastal Plains (Odisha to Tamil Nadu).
  - Characterized by estuaries, lagoons, and beaches.
Deserts:
- Thar Desert:
  - Located in Rajasthan.
  - Known for its sand dunes and arid climate.
  - Hosts unique flora and fauna adapted to dry conditions.
Rivers:
- Major Rivers:
  - Ganges: Sacred river, vital for agriculture and culture.
  - Brahmaputra: Flows through Assam, known for its vast basin.
  - Indus: Historical significance, flows through northern India and Pakistan.
- River Systems:
  - Himalayan rivers (e.g., Ganges, Yamuna) originate from the mountains.
  - Peninsular rivers (e.g., Godavari, Krishna) flow towards the east and west coasts.
Islands:
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
  - Located in the Bay of Bengal.
  - Known for biodiversity and indigenous tribes.
- Lakshadweep Islands:
  - Group of islands in the Arabian Sea.
  - Noted for coral reefs and marine life.
Climate Zones:
- Diverse climate influenced by geography:
  - Tropical in the south.
  - Temperate in the north.
  - Arid in the west (Rajasthan).
  - Humid in the northeast (Mawsynram, one of the wettest places on Earth).

These physical features of India contribute to its ecological diversity and cultural richness, impacting agriculture, lifestyle, and economic activities.

Mountains

Himalayas: The youngest mountain range globally, spanning from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, features some of the highest peaks like K2 and Kanchenjunga.
Western Ghats (Sahyadri): Runs parallel to India's western coast and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its biodiversity.
Eastern Ghats: A discontinuous mountain range along the eastern coast, lower in elevation compared to the Western Ghats.

Plateaus

Deccan Plateau: Located in southern India, bordered by the Western and Eastern Ghats, known for its volcanic rock and mineral richness.
Chotanagpur Plateau: Situated across Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal, recognized for its mineral wealth, especially coal and iron.

Plains

Indo-Gangetic Plain: A vast fertile alluvial plain formed by the Ganges, Indus, and Brahmaputra rivers, essential for agricultural activities.
Coastal Plains: Split into Western Coastal Plains (from Maharashtra to Kerala) and Eastern Coastal Plains (from Odisha to Tamil Nadu), characterized by estuaries, lagoons, and beaches.

Deserts

Thar Desert: Found in Rajasthan, known for its sand dunes and harsh climate, home to flora and fauna specially adapted to arid conditions.

Rivers

Major Rivers:
- Ganges: A sacred river crucial for agriculture and cultural practices.
- Brahmaputra: Flows through Assam, significant for its vast river basin.
- Indus: Historically important, traverses northern India and Pakistan.
River Systems: Includes Himalayan rivers (like Ganges and Yamuna) originating in the mountains, and peninsular rivers (like Godavari and Krishna) flowing to the east and west coasts.

Islands

Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Located in the Bay of Bengal, renowned for biodiversity and indigenous tribes.
Lakshadweep Islands: A group of islands in the Arabian Sea known for vibrant coral reefs and rich marine life.

Climate Zones

India exhibits diverse climate zones influenced by its geography, including:
- Tropical in the southern regions.
- Temperate in the northern parts.
- Arid conditions in the western desert (Rajasthan).
- Humid climate in the northeast, particularly in Mawsynram, one of the wettest places on Earth.

These physical features significantly contribute to India’s ecological diversity and cultural richness, thereby influencing agriculture, lifestyle, and economic development.