Social Science II: India's Cultural Diversity

A social science that studies the Earth's surface, its features, and the relationship between humans and the environment.

The study of how people make choices about using limited resources to satisfy their unlimited wants.

The unique and specific physical characteristics of a place, such as its climate, landforms, and vegetation.

An approach to geography that focuses on the physical and human characteristics of specific regions.

The process of explaining a subject using a specific perspective or method.

This textbook uses a specific approach to explaining the geography of India.

The text aims to help students understand the geography of India by focusing on specific regions.

The government agency responsible for developing and implementing educational policies in Kerala.

India's diverse topography, including the Himalayas, the Gangetic Plain, the Deccan Plateau, the Thar Desert, and coastal areas.

The Himalayan mountain range in the north of India, acting as a natural barrier.

The vast, fertile plain stretching along the southern foothills of the Himalayas, fed by the Indus and Ganga rivers.

A large, elevated plateau in the southern part of India, known for its ancient rocks and unique geological formations.

A predominantly arid region in western India characterized by sand dunes, low rainfall, and sparse vegetation.

The long, low-lying coastal regions along the eastern and western sides of India, characterized by beaches, ports, and diverse ecosystems.

The unique combination of geographical features, climate patterns, and human history that has influenced India's culture and heritage.

The common threads that bind India's diverse population, despite their differences.

A region in Western India, characterized by the Thar Desert and some semi-arid regions called Rajasthan Bagar.

Known as the Great Indian Desert, it's the largest desert in India and stretches across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and Gujarat.

A significant river in the Rajasthan Plain, it's not a perennial river, meaning it doesn't flow year-round.

Lakes that primarily contain salty water, found in the Rajasthan Plain.

A fertile plain located to the east and northeast of the Rajasthan Plain, it's part of the Northern Plains and known for its agricultural productivity.

A mountain range located in western India, it affects the climate of the Rajasthan Plain, providing a barrier to moisture-laden winds.

The process of transforming the landscape from one form to another.

Characteristics or qualities that distinguish a particular region.

The movement of air from high pressure areas to low pressure areas, caused by differences in temperature and pressure.

The dry, hot, and dusty winds that occur in the evenings in Punjab, Haryana, Eastern Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

The difference in temperature between the North Indian Plain and the Indian Ocean, caused by the plain's distance from the ocean.

The seasonal shift in wind patterns that brings heavy rainfall to India, typically from June to September.

A low-pressure area that develops over the North Indian Plain during the summer due to rapid temperature increases.

The two major branches of the southwest monsoon winds that bring rain to different parts of India.

One of the branches of the southwest monsoon, bringing rainfall to western India, including the western Himalayas.

The other branch of the southwest monsoon, entering through the Sundarbans delta and bringing rainfall to eastern India, including the Brahmaputra Plain and the Ganga Plain.

A type of soil found in the North Indian Plain, formed from river deposits. It varies in texture from sandy loam to clay.

A type of alluvial soil found in the Ganga Plain that is deposited during floods. It is typically fertile and rich in nutrients.

A type of alluvial soil found in the Ganga Plain that is older and less fertile than Khadar. It has a higher concentration of clay and is often found on higher ground.

A type of soil found in the southern part of the Middle Ganga Plain, often associated with a red color due to the presence of iron.

A type of soil found in the Sundarbans delta region characterized by a high salt content due to seawater intrusions.

A type of soil found in the coastal regions of West Bengal, characterized by its high organic content, resulting from decaying plant matter.

A type of soil found in the western parts of the North Indian Plain, particularly Rajasthan, and characterized by low rainfall and water scarcity.

A process where fertile alluvial soil becomes unusable due to excessive irrigation and salt accumulation.

A type of soil found in the North Indian Plain, characterized by its sandy texture and high salt content. It requires irrigation for plant growth due to its lack of moisture and humus.

A type of soil known for its reddish color, typically found in the Deccan Plateau. It is formed from the weathering of ancient crystalline rocks.

The vast, fertile plain stretching across northern India, extending from the Himalayas in the north to the Vindhyas in the south. It is formed by the deposition of alluvial soil by major rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna.

The North Indian Plain is known as the "Granary of India" due to its extensive agricultural production. The fertile alluvial soil, abundant water resources from rivers, and suitable climate make it ideal for growing crops like wheat, rice, jute, and sugarcane.

The North Indian Plain is crucial for India's economy due to its strong agricultural sector. This plain contributes significantly to the nation's food supply and provides employment to a large population.

The North Indian Plain boasts a well-developed infrastructure network. It has a dense network of roads and railways, connecting different parts of the plain and facilitating the movement of goods and people.

The North Indian Plain has a humid subtropical climate with distinct hot and cold seasons. It receives abundant rainfall during the monsoon season, making it ideal for agriculture.

The North Indian Plain is home to a significant portion of India's population. With favorable agricultural conditions and a well-developed infrastructure, this area supports a large and dense population.