Physiography of India Module 2

Location of India

• India is located in the Indian Ocean, surrounded by China, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Maldives to its north, east, and south.
• The country's southernmost point is Indira Point (Nicobar Islands) at 6°4′ N latitude, and Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of the Indian mainland at 8°4′ N latitude.
• The 82°30′E longitude passes through Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh), which is the Standard Meridian of India.

Physiography of India

• India is the largest country in terms of area and population in South Asia.
• It is strategically located in the Indian Ocean, commanding sea routes between Europe and Africa, Southeast Asia, Far East Asia, and Oceania.
• The Karakoram range lies in the extreme north of the country, and K2 is the second-highest peak in the world.

Himalayan Ranges

• The Himalayas are divided into three ranges: the Greater Himalayas, the Middle Himalayas, and the Shiwalik Range.
• The Purvanchal hills include Mishami, Patkoi, Naga, Mizo hills, and the Meghalaya plateau.

Northern Plains

• The Northern Plains are located between the Himalayas and the Peninsular plateau.
• They are formed by the deposition of sediments brought by three main river systems: the Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra.
• The plains stretch from Punjab in the west to Assam in the east, covering a distance of about 2400 km, and include states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.

Central Highlands

• The Central Highlands include the Aravalli hills, the Malwa Plateau, and the Chhota Nagpur Plateau.
• The Aravallis extend from Gujarat through Rajasthan to Delhi, with the highest peak being Gurushikhar (1722m) near Mt. Abu.
• The Malwa Plateau has rivers such as Betwa, Chambal, and Ken, while the Chhota Nagpur Plateau has hills like Mahadeo, Kaimur, and Maikal.

Deccan Plateau

• The Deccan Plateau is separated from the Chhota Nagpur Plateau by a fault.
• The black soil area in the Deccan Plateau is known as Deccan Trap, formed due to volcanic eruptions, and is suitable for cotton and sugarcane cultivation.
• The Deccan Plateau is broadly divided into the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.

Western Ghats

• The Western Ghats or Sahyadris lie on the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, running parallel to the western coast for about 1600 km.
• The average elevation of the Western Ghats is 1000 meters, with famous peaks like Doda Betta, Anaimudi, and Makurti, including the highest peak Anaimudi (2695m).

Drainage Systems

• The drainage system in India can be divided into two parts: the Himalayan drainage system and the Peninsular drainage system.
• Himalayan rivers are perennial, originating from glaciers, and are ideal for irrigation purposes as they pass through plain fertile tracts.
• Examples of Himalayan rivers include the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Brahmaputra.
• Peninsular rivers include the Narmada, the Tapi, and the Godavari, which originate from the Peninsular plateau.

This quiz covers the natural environment, resources, and development of India, focusing on its physiography. Test your knowledge of India's geography and natural resources.