Physical Features of India

Physical Features of India

• India's major physical features include the Himalayas, the Northern Plains, and the Peninsular Plateau.

Himalayas

• The Himalayas are a rugged terrain with mountains and valleys.
• The Himalayas represent a zone of intense mountain building activity, with geological characteristics of folding and faulting.
• The width of the Himalayas in Arunachal Pradesh is approximately 100 km.
• The loftiest peaks in the Great Himalayas have an average height of over 7,200 m.

Notable Himalayan Peaks

• Three prominent Himalayan peaks located in India are Nanda Devi, Kanchenjunga, and Mount Everest.

Composition of the Himalayas

• The core of the Great Himalayas is composed of granite rocks.

Himachal or Lesser Himalaya

• The altitude range of the Himachal or lesser Himalaya is between 1,500 to 5,000 m.
• Three prominent ranges forming the Himachal or lesser Himalaya are Dhaula Dhar, Pir Panjal, and Mahabharat.

Shiwaliks

• The altitude range of the Shiwaliks is between 900 to 1,500 m.
• The average width of the Shiwaliks is 10 to 50 km.

Hill Stations

• Three famous hill stations located in the region of the Himachal or lesser Himalaya are Shimla, Mussoorie, and Dharamshala.

Himalayan Mountain Ranges

• The Himalayan mountain ranges stretch for a distance of approximately 2,500 km in an east-west direction.

Test your knowledge about the varied physical features of India including mountains, plains, deserts, plateaus, and islands. Explore the diverse terrains and landforms that make up the geography of India.