18 Questions
What geographical feature is formed when the wind blows away the sands?
Depressions
In which desert is the Tafilalet Oasis located?
Sahara Desert
What does Ladakh mean in terms of its literal translation?
'Mountain Pass Country'
What is the most important river flowing through Ladakh?
Indus River
What is the altitude range in Ladakh as mentioned in the text?
3000m - 8000m
What are the typical day and night temperatures in Ladakh during summer?
+10°C and -10°C
What is the predominant reason for the low rainfall in Ladakh?
Being in the rain shadow of the Himalayas
Why may a person in Ladakh suffer from both sunstroke and frostbite at the same time?
Result of freezing winds combined with burning sunlight
What type of vegetation is found in Ladakh due to its high aridity?
Scanty patches of grasses and shrubs
Which of the following animals are commonly found in Ladakh?
Wild goats and wild sheep
What is a common use of Yak's milk in Ladakh?
To make cheese and butter
Why is the Chiru or Tibetan antelope an endangered species?
Hunted for its wool known as shahtoosh
What type of desert is the Sahara desert?
Hot
Which religious groups mainly inhabit the Ladakh desert?
Buddhists and Muslims
Why do people of the Sahara desert wear heavy robes?
To protect against sandstorms
What is the main attraction for tourists visiting Ladakh?
Unique culture and landscapes
What vegetation characteristic defines deserts?
Scanty vegetation
Where is Hemis located in Ladakh known as a famous site?
Monastery
Study Notes
Formation of Depressions and Oases
- Depressions are formed when wind blows away sand, and oases are formed when underground water reaches the surface in these depressions.
- Oases are fertile areas where people can settle and grow crops like date palms.
Ladakh: The Cold Desert
- Ladakh is a cold desert located in the Great Himalayas, on the eastern side of Jammu and Kashmir.
- It is surrounded by the Karakoram Range in the north and the Zanskar mountains in the south.
- Several rivers, including the Indus, flow through Ladakh, forming deep valleys and gorges.
- The altitude in Ladakh varies from 3000m in Kargil to over 8000m in the Karakoram.
Climate and Geography
- The climate in Ladakh is extremely cold and dry due to its high altitude.
- The air is thin, and the heat of the sun can be felt intensely.
- Day temperatures in summer are just above zero degrees, and night temperatures can drop below -30°C.
- In winters, temperatures can remain below -40°C for most of the time.
- Ladakh receives little rainfall, around 10 cm every year, due to its location in the rain shadow of the Himalayas.
Flora and Fauna
- Vegetation is sparse due to high aridity, with only scanty patches of grasses and shrubs.
- Groves of willows and poplars are found in the valleys, and fruit trees like apples, apricots, and walnuts bloom in the summer.
- Several species of birds, including robins, redstarts, and Tibetan snowcocks, are found in Ladakh.
- Animals like wild goats, wild sheep, yaks, and special kinds of dogs are found in Ladakh, and are reared for milk, meat, and hides.
People and Culture
- The people of Ladakh are either Muslims or Buddhists.
- They are skilled in making use of all available resources, with nothing being discarded or wasted.
- The people of Ladakh have a resemblance to the inhabitants of Tibet and Central Asia.
- Ladakh is also known as Khapa-chan, which means "snow land".
- The Chiru or Tibetan antelope is an endangered species found in Ladakh, hunted for its wool.
Test your knowledge about the formation of oases in deserts, the significance of water bodies in arid regions, and the characteristics of oases like Tafilalet Oasis in Morocco. Explore how people adapt to desert environments and utilize oases for agriculture.
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