Physical Geography of India

Physical Geography

Location and Extent

• India lies between 8°4' and 37°6' N latitude and 68°7' and 97°25' E longitude
• Extends from the Himalayas in the north to the Indian Ocean in the south, and from the Indus River in the west to the Brahmaputra River in the east

Physical Divisions

• Mountains:
  • Himalayas: young, folded, and block mountains
  • Karakoram, Ladakh, and Zaskar ranges: part of the Himalayan system
• Plains:
  • Indo-Gangetic Plain: formed by the Ganges and Indus rivers
  • Eastern Coastal Plain: narrow strip along the Bay of Bengal
  • Western Coastal Plain: narrow strip along the Arabian Sea
• Plateaus:
  • Deccan Plateau: oldest and largest plateau in India
  • Chota Nagpur Plateau: part of the Deccan Plateau
• Islands:
  • Andaman and Nicobar Islands: located in the Bay of Bengal
  • Lakshadweep Islands: located in the Arabian Sea

Climate

• Tropical:
  • Characterized by high temperatures and high humidity
  • Experienced in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the Eastern Coastal Plain
• Subtropical:
  • Characterized by mild winters and hot summers
  • Experienced in the Himalayan foothills and the Western Coastal Plain
• Temperate:
  • Characterized by cold winters and mild summers
  • Experienced in the Himalayas

Natural Vegetation

• Tropical Rainforests:
  • Found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and parts of the Eastern Ghats
• Deciduous Forests:
  • Found in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and parts of the Eastern Ghats
• Mountain Forests:
  • Found in the Himalayas and the Western Ghats
• Desert Vegetation:
  • Found in the Thar Desert in northwestern India

Human Geography

Population

• Distribution:
  • Highest density in the Indo-Gangetic Plain
  • Lowest density in the Himalayas and the Thar Desert
• Growth Rate:
  • Average annual growth rate: 1.2%
• Composition:
  • 72% rural population
  • 28% urban population

Settlements

• Rural Settlements:
  • Types: compact, semi-compact, and dispersed
  • Characteristics: agricultural-based economy, low population density
• Urban Settlements:
  • Types: million-plus cities, metropolitan cities, and small towns
  • Characteristics: industrial-based economy, high population density

Migration

• Types:
  • Internal migration: within India
  • International migration: to and from India
• Causes:
  • Economic factors: employment opportunities, better living standards
  • Social factors: education, marriage, family reunification
• Consequences:
  • Urbanization, strain on resources, cultural diversity

Economic Activities

• Primary Sector:
  • Agriculture: dominant sector in rural areas
  • Mining: significant in certain regions
• Secondary Sector:
  • Manufacturing: significant in urban areas
• Tertiary Sector:
  • Services: dominant sector in urban areas

Physical Geography

Location and Extent

• India is situated between 8°4' and 37°6' N latitude and 68°7' and 97°25' E longitude
• The country extends from the Himalayas in the north to the Indian Ocean in the south, and from the Indus River in the west to the Brahmaputra River in the east

Physical Divisions

• Mountains:
  • Himalayas are young, folded, and block mountains
  • Karakoram, Ladakh, and Zaskar ranges are part of the Himalayan system
• Plains:
  • Indo-Gangetic Plain is formed by the Ganges and Indus rivers
  • Eastern Coastal Plain is a narrow strip along the Bay of Bengal
  • Western Coastal Plain is a narrow strip along the Arabian Sea
• Plateaus:
  • Deccan Plateau is the oldest and largest plateau in India
  • Chota Nagpur Plateau is part of the Deccan Plateau
• Islands:
  • Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal
  • Lakshadweep Islands are located in the Arabian Sea

Climate

• Tropical:
  • Characterized by high temperatures and high humidity
  • Experienced in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the Eastern Coastal Plain
• Subtropical:
  • Characterized by mild winters and hot summers
  • Experienced in the Himalayan foothills and the Western Coastal Plain
• Temperate:
  • Characterized by cold winters and mild summers
  • Experienced in the Himalayas

Natural Vegetation

• Tropical Rainforests:
  • Found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and parts of the Eastern Ghats
• Deciduous Forests:
  • Found in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and parts of the Eastern Ghats
• Mountain Forests:
  • Found in the Himalayas and the Western Ghats
• Desert Vegetation:
  • Found in the Thar Desert in northwestern India

Human Geography

Population

• Distribution:
  • Highest density in the Indo-Gangetic Plain
  • Lowest density in the Himalayas and the Thar Desert
• Growth Rate:
  • Average annual growth rate is 1.2%
• Composition:
  • 72% of the population is rural
  • 28% of the population is urban

Settlements

• Rural Settlements:
  • Types: compact, semi-compact, and dispersed
  • Characteristics: agricultural-based economy, low population density
• Urban Settlements:
  • Types: million-plus cities, metropolitan cities, and small towns
  • Characteristics: industrial-based economy, high population density

Migration

• Types:
  • Internal migration: within India
  • International migration: to and from India
• Causes:
  • Economic factors: employment opportunities, better living standards
  • Social factors: education, marriage, family reunification
• Consequences:
  • Urbanization, strain on resources, cultural diversity

Economic Activities

• Primary Sector:
  • Agriculture is the dominant sector in rural areas
  • Mining is significant in certain regions
• Secondary Sector:
  • Manufacturing is significant in urban areas
• Tertiary Sector:
  • Services are the dominant sector in urban areas

This quiz covers the physical divisions of India, including its location and extent, mountains, and plains. It includes the Himalayas, Karakoram, Ladakh, and Zaskar ranges, as well as the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Test your knowledge of India's physical geography!