Day 2 CDS Physical Geography PDF

OLIVE PRINT THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SUCCESS FOR CDS/NDA  2 The Peninsular Plateau The Peninsular Plateau is a tableland formed of ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks, originating from the breakup of the Gondwana continent, making it one of the Earth's olde...

OLIVE PRINT THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SUCCESS FOR CDS/NDA  2 The Peninsular Plateau The Peninsular Plateau is a tableland formed of ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks, originating from the breakup of the Gondwana continent, making it one of the Earth's oldest landmasses. The general slope of the plateau is west to east, directing river flow. The region has undergone repeated uplift and submergence, along with crustal faulting, which has diversified its relief. Major Plateaus of Peninsular India Malwa Plateau Located in western Madhya Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan. Bordered by the Aravalli Range to the northwest and the Vindhya Range to the south. Known for rich black soil, ideal for cotton cultivation. Chota Nagpur Plateau Spreads over Jharkhand, northern Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. Known for mineral wealth (coal, iron ore, mica). Contains the Ranchi and Hazaribagh plateaus. Deccan Plateau Covers most of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Bounded by the Western and Eastern Ghats. Rich in volcanic black soil, supporting cotton and sugarcane crops. Vindhya Plateau Lies between the Malwa Plateau and the Narmada Valley. Made up of sandstones and shales. Acts as a natural boundary between northern and southern India. Baghelkhand Plateau Located in eastern Madhya Pradesh and northern Chhattisgarh. Known for its rugged terrain and rich mineral resources, including limestone and coal. Bundelkhand Plateau Spans parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Known for its hard, rocky terrain, granite, and poor soil, making agriculture challenging. Meghalaya Plateau An extension of the Peninsular Plateau in northeastern India. Contains the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills. Rich in coal and limestone, with a unique climate favorable for agriculture. DO IT YOURSELF PLOT THESE PLATEAUS ON PHYSICAL MAP  Major Mountain Ranges of India Shiwaliks (Outer Himalayas) Location: Outermost Himalayan range. Width & Altitude: 10-15 km wide; 900m to 100m in altitude. Composition: Unconsolidated sediments, thick gravel, and alluvium. Features: 1. Duns: Longitudinal valleys like Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun, Patli Dun. 2. Chos: Seasonal streams causing heavy erosion. 3. Forest Cover: Sparse in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Purvanchal (Eastern Hills) Location: Northeast India, along the India-Myanmar border from Arunachal Pradesh to Mizoram. Width: 40 km at ends, 225 km centrally. Notable Ranges: 1. Patkai Bum: 2,000-3,000 m, merges into Naga Hills. 2. Naga Hills: Highest peak Saramati (3,826 m). 3. Manipur Hills: Below 2,500 m, separated by Barail Range. 4. Mizo Hills: Highest peak Blue Mountain (2,157 m). Features: 5. Watershed between India and Myanmar. 6. Rich in sandstone and minerals. Aravalli Range Direction: Northeast to southwest. Length: ~800 km from Delhi to Palanpur, Gujarat. Age: One of the oldest fold mountains in the world. Features: 1. Elevation: 400-1,158 m (Mount Abu). 2. Geology: Composed of granite, schists, and granites. 3. Key Passes: Pipli Ghat, Dewair, Desuri. 4. Forest Cover: Prominent in Rajasthan, less in Haryana and Delhi. Vindhyan Range Location: Parallel to Narmada Valley, from Jobat (Gujarat) to Sasaram (Bihar). Length: Over 1,200 km. Elevation: 300-650 m. Composition: Horizontally bedded sedimentary rocks. Features: 1. Acts as a watershed between Ganga and South Indian river systems. 2. Continues as Bharner and Kaimur Hills. Satpura Range Location: South of Vindhyan, between Narmada and Tapi rivers. Length: ~900 km. Features: 1. Peaks: Dhupgarh (1,350 m), Amarkantak (1,127 m). 2. Geology: Folded and uplifted, known as horsts. 3. Terrain: Rugged with dense forests. Western Ghats (Sahyadris) Location: Western edge of Deccan Plateau, from Tapi Valley (21°N) to near Kanniyakumari (11°N). Length: ~1,600 km. Features: 1. Topography: Steep-sided, terraced hills with flat tops. 2. Elevation: 1,000 m average; peaks like Anai Mudi (2,695 m). 3. Geology: Horizontally bedded lavas, creating stepped relief. Sections: 4. Northern Ghats: Deccan Traps, peaks up to 1,646 m. 5. Middle Sahyadris: Granites and gneisses, dense forests, peaks over 1,600 m. 6. Southern Ghats: Separated by Palakkad Gap, peaks like Javadi Hills (1,000 m). Eastern Ghats Location: Parallel to East Coast, from Mahanadi (Odisha) to Vagai (Tamil Nadu). Features: 1. Continuity: Highly broken and detached hills. 2. Geology: Horizontally bedded sedimentary rocks; Nallamalai Range in Andhra Pradesh. 3. Peaks: Mahendra Giri (1,501 m), Jindhagada Peak (1,690 m). Sections: 4. Northern Eastern Ghats: Maliya and Madugula Konda ranges. 5. Central to Southern: Nallamalai and Palkodna ranges, merging with Western Ghats. DO IT YOURSELF RIVERS IN PENINSULAR PLATEAU:  Coastal Plains in India Overview Length: 7,516.6 km, includes mainland and island coasts. Location: Surrounds three sides of India. Types: Divided into Eastern and Western Coastal Plains. Eastern Coastal Plains Location: West Bengal to Tamil Nadu, covering Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Features: Wide plains with fertile river deltas (Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, Cauvery). Agriculture: Fertile land; Krishna delta known as the “Granary of South India.” Sub-divisions: 1. Utkal Coast: From Chilika Lake to Kolleru Lake, known for rice, coconut, and banana cultivation. 2. Andhra Coast: From Kolleru Lake to Pulicat Lake, forms river basins of Krishna and Godavari. 3. Coromandel Coast: Pulicat Lake to Kanyakumari; dry in summer, rains from northeast monsoon r. Western Coastal Plains Location: Kerala to Gujarat, covering Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra. Length & Width: 1,500 km long; narrower than Eastern Coast (10-25 km wide). Features: Contains West Continental Shelf rich in oil, with lagoons along the Malabar Coast. Sub-divisions: 1. Kachchh & Kathiawar: Silt deposition by Indus; Kachchh has Great Rann (north) and Little Rann (east). 2. Konkan Coast: From Daman to Goa; known for rice and cashew cultivation. 3. Kanara Coast: Between Marmagaon and Mangalore; rich in iron ore deposits. 4. Malabar Coast: Mangalore to Kanyakumari; broad with lagoons in Kerala.  COASTLINES OF INDIA India's coastline stretches for 7516.6 kms [6100 kms of mainland coastline plus 1197 kms of Indian island coastline], passing through 13 states and union territories (UTs). The faulting of Gondwanaland during the Cretaceous period resulted in India's straight and regular coastline (Continental Drift). Following the dissolution of Gondwanaland, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea was formed during the Cretaceous or early Tertiary periods. The coastline of India is DO IT YOURSELF bordered by: 1) Bay of Bengal: To the east The coastline includes nine states and four union territories: 2) Indian Ocean: To the south 1) States: 3) Arabian Sea: To the west 2) Union territories:  Islands of India Andaman and Nicobar Islands Location & Geography Position: Bay of Bengal; runs north-south, extending from 6°45′ N to 13°45′ N. Composition: 265 islands (203 in Andaman, 62 in Nicobar). Divisions: Andaman Islands split into North, Middle, and South groups. Channels: Duncan Passage: Separates Little Andaman from South Andaman. Ten Degree Channel: Divides Great Andaman (north) from Nicobar (south). Grand Channel: Between Great Nicobar and Sumatra (Indonesia). Coco Strait: Between North Andaman and Myanmar's Coco Islands. Key Features Capital: Port Blair in South Andaman. Highest Peak: Saddle Peak (737 m) in North Andaman. Geology: Tertiary sandstone, limestone, shale, with volcanic origins similar to the Himalayas. Volcanic Islands: Barren and Narcondam (only active volcanoes in India). Climate & Vegetation: Tropical marine climate, dense rainforests, mangroves along coasts.  Lakshadweep Islands Location & Geography Position: Arabian Sea; extending between latitudes 8°N and 12°N. Area: 32 square kilometers. Main Islands: Kavaratti,Agatti, Minicoy, Amini Former Name: Previously known as Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands. Distance: 280–480 km off Kerala’s coast. Geological & Ecological Features Coral Islands: Entire archipelago made of coral deposits. Topography: Flat islands, low elevation (most under 5 meters above sea level), no significant hills or valleys. Flora & Fauna: No forests; Pitti Island is a bird sanctuary, vital for sea turtle breeding and pelagic birds like brown noddy and crested terns. Vulnerability: Extremely vulnerable to sea-level rise due to low elevation. Climate & Economy Climate: Tropical marine, influenced by the monsoons. Economy: Fishing is the main occupation for local population. Important Channels 8° Degree Channel: Separates Minicoy Island from the Maldives. 9° Degree Channel: Separates Minicoy from the main Lakshadweep archipelago. DO IT YOURSELF Other Important Islands: Sriharikota Island : Abdul Kalam Island/Wheeler Island : Pamban Island : Majuli Island : Diu Island : Sagar Island : Halliday Island :