Physiography of India PDF

Physiography of Physiography of India India Based on physical features, India can be divided into the following six divisions: 1. The Northern mountains 2. The Northern Plains 3. The Peninsular Plateau 4. The Indian Dese...

Physiography of Physiography of India India Based on physical features, India can be divided into the following six divisions: 1. The Northern mountains 2. The Northern Plains 3. The Peninsular Plateau 4. The Indian Desert 5. The Coastal Plains 6. The Islands. The Northern Mountain: It is divided into five groups. 1. Trans-Himalaya 2. Greater Himalaya (or Inner Himalaya) 3. Middle Himalaya (or Lesser Himalaya) 4. Outer Himalaya (Siwaliks) 5. Purvanchal Himalaya 1. Trans-Himalaya (Age: Oldest around 60 million years)  Description: The north Trans-Himalayas has 4 mountain ranges  Mountain Ranges: Karakoram Range:  Length: Approximately 500 km  Countries: India (Ladakh), Pakistan, China  Highest Peak: K2 (Mount Godwin-Austen) (8,611 m) – the second highest peak in the world. Highest peak of India.  Important Glaciers: Siachen Glacier (76 km) (the largest in India), Baltoro Glacier   The nickname "The Third Pole." Ladakh Range: o Ladakh Range: o Location:  Located in the Union Territory of Ladakh, India.  Stretches between the Indus River (south) and Karakoram Range (north).  Northeast of the Zanskar Range, running parallel to it. o Countries: India (Ladakh)  Highest Peak: Stok Kangri (6,153 m) o Flows south of the Ladakh Range. o Cuts through deepest gorges MADE BY INDUS Zanskar o Range Zanskar Range: geMount Kunge: Mount Kun  Length: Around 300 km  Countries: India (Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir)  Highest Peak: Nun Peak (7,135 m), Mount Kun Kailash Range o Kailash Range: o  Length: Approximately 460 km  Countries: India (Uttarakhand), China (Tibet)  Highest Peak: Mount Kailash (6,638 m)  Religious Significance: Sacred to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bonpos.  Two significant lakes, Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal, are located near Mount Kailash. Lake Manasarovar is believed to be the highest freshwater lake in the world, while Lake Rakshastal is considered to have negative energy, associated with the demon king Ravana in Hindu mythology. 2. Greater Himalaya (Himadri or Inner Himalaya) (Age: Roughly 50 million years)  Description: o Naga paebat to Namchabaga o Northernmost of the Himalayas o World’s highest part o Include the world's highest peak- Mt.Everest  China (Chomolangma)  Nepal (Sagarmatha)  Important Peaks: PEAKS PLACES Dhaulagiri Nepal Naga Parbat Kashmir-Himachal Kanchenjunga Sikkim/Nepal (8598m) Makalu Nepal Mansalu Nepal Kamet Uttarakhand Nanda devi Uttarakhand  Important points: o The Greater Himalaya hosts some of the largest glaciers outside the polar regions, including the Khumbu Glacier (near Mount Everest) and the Gangotri Glacier (the source of the Ganges River).   Mountain Ranges: o Nanga Parbat:  Height: 8,126 m  Countries: India (Jammu & Kashmir), Pakistan.  Glaciers: Rupal Glacier, Raikot Glacier o Annapurna Range:  Height: Annapurna I (8,091 m), Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters)  Countries: Nepal  Glaciers: Annapurna Glacier o Mount Everest Range:  Height: Mount Everest (8,849 m) – the highest peak in the world.  Countries: Nepal, China (Tibet)  Glaciers: Khumbu Glacier (one of the most famous glaciers) (Nepal). o Kanchenjunga:  Height: 8,586 m (third-highest in the world).  Countries: India (Sikkim), Nepal  Glaciers: Zemu Glacier 3.Middle Himalaya (or Lesser Himalaya)  Description: The Middle Himalaya lies between the Greater Himalayas and the Outer Himalayas (Siwaliks). This range is characterized by a combination of high ridges and deep valleys.  Famous hill stations like Shimla, Mussoorie, Chali, Almora, Darjeeling and Nainital are included.  Mountain Ranges: o Dhauladhar range(Himachal)  Highest Peak: Hanuman Tibba o Mussorie Range(UK)  Highest Peak: Benog Hill o Nagtibba range(UK)  Highest Peak: Nag Tibba o Mahabharat Range:   Countries: Nepal,  Height peak: Phulchowki at 2,782 meters. o Pir Panjal Range:  Length: Around 300 km  Countries: India (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh)  Highest Peak: Indrasan (6,221 m)  Glaciers: Kolahoi Glacier  Rivers:  Beas River: Flows through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, originating in the Pir Panjal Range.  Ravi River: Originates in Himachal Pradesh in the Middle Himalaya.  Yamuna River: Originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand. The valleys lie between the Greater Himalayas (north) and the Middle or Lesser Himalayas (south). Famous Valleys:  Kashmir Valley (India):  Kangra Valley (India):  Kathmandu Valley (Nepal):  Kullu Valley (India):  Paro Valley (Bhutan):  Pokhara Valley (Nepal): 4. Outer Himalaya (Shivalik Range) (youngest in all)  Description: The Outer Himalayas, also known as the Shivalik or Sub-Himalayas, are the youngest and lowest range in the Himalayan system.  Mountain Ranges: o Siwalik Hills:  Length: Around 2,400 km  Countries: India (from Jammu to Arunachal Pradesh), Nepal, Bhutan,  Height: 600 to 1,200 m o Characteristics:  Mostly covered in dense forests.  Known for their wide valleys, called "duns" in India (e.g., Dehradun Valley).  Rivers:  Ghaggar River: Originates in the Shivalik Hills and flows through northern India.  Tista River: Flows through the Shivalik range into Sikkim and West Bengal. 5. Purvanchal Himalaya(Northeastern Himalayas) o Arunachal Pradesh:  Mishmi hills  Abor hills  Patkai bum hills  Dafla hills  Dapha bum Makes the boarder with Myanmar  Patkai bum o Assam:  Mikir hills  Dima Hasao  Barail Range (saperates in 3 states) o Meghalaya:  Garo Hill  Khasi hill (cherrapunji and Mawsynram, wettest place on earth)  Jaintia hill(Asia’s largest collection of monoliths.) o Nagaland: Makes the boarder with Myanmar  Naga hills  Mount Saramati(highest peak in Nagaland) o Manipur:  Patkai Range Makes the boarder with Myanmar   Manipur Hill o Mizoram  Mizo Hills  Blue Mountain(Phawngpui) Highest peak in Mizoram o Tripura:  Jampiui Hill  Baramura and Deotamura hills Division of Himalayas based on rivers Sir Sidney Burrard divided the Himalayas into four regions based on the river valleys that run through them: 1. Punjab Himalayas (or Western Himalayas):  Location: Between the Indus River (west) and the Sutlej River (east).  States/Regions: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh.  Highest Peak: Nanga Parbat (8,126 meters) in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.  Other Notable Peaks: Haramukh, Pir Panjal Range. 2. Kumaon Himalayas:  Location: Between the Sutlej River (west) and the Kali River (east).  States/Regions: Uttarakhand.  Highest Peak: Nanda Devi (7,816 meters), the second-highest peak in India.  Other Notable Peaks: Trishul, Kamet. 3. Nepal Himalayas:  Location: Between the Kali River (west) and the Teesta River (east).  States/Regions: Nepal.  Highest Peak: Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters), the highest peak in the world.  Other Notable Peaks: Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu. 4. Assam Himalayas (or Eastern Himalayas):  Location: Between the Teesta River (west) and the Dihang River (east).  States/Regions: Sikkim, Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh.  Highest Peak: Kangchenjunga (8,586 meters), the third-highest peak in the world, located on the India-Nepal border.  Other Notable Peaks: Chomolhari in Bhutan. 5. Purvanchal Himalayas: (Assam Himalayas)  Location: Beyond the Dihang River (east), the Himalayas bend southward and are referred to as the Purvanchal Hills.  States/Regions: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and parts of Myanmar.  Highest Peak: Mount Saramati (3,841 meters) in Nagaland, though not as high as the peaks in other regions. Other Notable Ranges: Patkai, Naga Hills, Manipur Hills.  The Northern Plains 1. Bhabhar  Location: Found at the foothills of the Himalayas, just south of the Shivalik range, stretching along the northern edge of the Indo-Gangetic Plain.  Characteristics: o Composed mainly of coarse sediments like boulders, pebbles, and gravel, which are deposited as rivers descend from the mountains. o Porous soil: The large rock and pebble composition makes Bhabhar a highly porous zone, causing streams to disappear underground. o Vegetation: Sparsely vegetated due to the limited water retention in the soil; however, forest cover is common.  Significance: Acts as a natural filter for the river water before it percolates to the Terai below; not ideal for intensive agriculture but good for forests and grasslands. 2. Terai  Location: Lies directly south of the Bhabhar belt, stretching across states like Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.  Characteristics: o Swampy and marshy land due to water seeping down from the Bhabhar zone and emerging as surface water. o The soil is clay-rich and waterlogged, making it extremely fertile but also prone to waterlogging. o Dense vegetation: Known for lush forests, tall grasslands, and a variety of wildlife, especially near wildlife sanctuaries and national parks (e.g., Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand).   Significance: The Terai is highly productive for agriculture, supporting crops like rice, sugarcane, and wheat; however, it also poses health challenges due to waterlogging and high malaria risk. 3. Khadar (Newer Alluvium)  Location: Found along the banks of rivers in the floodplains of the Ganga, Yamuna, and other rivers in northern India.  Characteristics: o Consists of newer alluvial deposits formed by frequent river flooding, with fine, fertile soil that is rich in silt. o Regularly replenished by seasonal floods, making the land very fertile and suitable for agriculture. o Known for shifting river courses, which can change the boundaries of Khadar land over time.  Significance: Supports high agricultural productivity due to its fertile soil, especially in regions like Punjab, Haryana, and the Ganga-Yamuna Doab. 4. Bangar (Older Alluvium)  Location: Located slightly away from rivers, often at a higher elevation than Khadar lands.  Characteristics: o Composed of older alluvium, with soil that is often less fertile than Khadar due to limited silt renewal. o Contains calcareous nodules known as kankar, which can make the soil harder and less productive.  Significance: Still agriculturally productive but generally not as fertile as Khadar; requires more effort to cultivate. Most fertile in all The Peninsular Plateau Platues Mountain Ranges  Shilong Plateau  Aravali  Malwa Plateau  Vidyanchal  Bundelkhand Plateau  Satpura  Bhaghelkhand Plateau  Western Ghats  Chota Nagpur Plateau  Eastern Ghats  Deccan Plateau  Karnatak Plateau  Dandkaranya Plateau  Telangana Plateau  Peninsular Mountain Ranges Aravalli Range Extent: Approximately 800 km from Gujarat to Delhi. Type of Mountain - Residual and Fold Hill station - Mt. Abu Highest Peak - Guru shikhar (1722m) The oldest mountain range in India and one of the oldest in the world: Vindhyanchal Range Extends- From Gujarat in the west through Madhya Pradesh to Uttar Pradesh in the east to bihar’s Sasaram Type of Mountain - Block Mountains (2nd highest block mountains in India) Sub Divided into 3 Ranges  Vindhyachal Range (main range): Kalumar Peak or Sad-bhawna Shikhar at approximately 752 meters is considered the highest point.  Bhander Range  Kaimur Hills Narmada River flows between Vidhyanchal and Satpura Range Satpura Range Type of Mountain - Block Mountains(Highest block mountains in India) *Satpura range is a range of hills that runs between River Narmada and Tapti. *Tapti River orignates from Satpura range. Highest peak of Satpura - Dhoopgarh Sub Divided into Hill station - Panchmadi Hills Queen of Satpura Rajpipla Hills Mahadeo Hills Maikal Hills  The hills are situated  Situated in the western in the northern section  Amarkantak Plateau - part of the Satpura of the Satpura Range. Around 1,048 meters, range, primarily within known as the origin of the state of Gujarat  Dhoopgarh (1,350 m) the Narmada and Son - Highest peak of the rivers. entire Satpura Range, located in Madhya  Highest peak - Pradesh. Amarkantak Western Ghats( Sahyadris )  The Western Ghats mountain range extending from Gujarat to Tamil Nadu. (It Covers Total of 6 States)  The mountains of the Western Ghats are Block Mountains formed due to the down warping of a part of land into the Arabian Sea.  Anamudi (2,695 m), the tallest peak in the Western Ghats. And highest in Peninsula India. Sahyadri Range  Extends from the Tapti River in Gujarat down through Maharashtra.  Known for high peaks like Kalsubai and famous forts like Raigad and Sinhagad.  Harishchandragad-Kalsubai Range  Located in Maharashtra, known for Kalsubai (highest peak in Maharashtra at 1,646 m).  Mahabaleshwar Range  Includes the hill station of Mahabaleshwar and Pratapgad Fort.  Known for strawberry farms and scenic viewpoint Nilgiri Hills - which joins the Sahyadris near the Tri-junction of Karnataka , Kerala and Tamil Nadu.  Easter Ghats meets with Western Ghats at this tri-junction  Doda Betta (2,637 m) is the highest peak  Important hill stations like Ooty and Coonoor;  Southern Western Ghats The souther part of the western ghats is separated from the main Sahyadri Range by Pal ghat Gap (pal-lakkad gap) Munnar Hill station Anamalai Hills  Highest Peak: Anamudi (2,695 m), the tallest peak in the Western Ghats.  Features: Famous for the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, tea estates, and a variety of endemic species. Cardamom Hills (Ealaimali)  Highest Peak: Agasthyakoodam (1,868 m).  Features: Known for cardamom and spice plantations, part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve. Eastern Ghats  Older than western Gahts  It’s a chain of highly broken and detached hils Starting from Mahanadi in Odisha to the Vagai in Tamil Nadu.  The highest peak of the Eastern Ghats is Jindhagada, which reaches an elevation of approximately 1,600 meters. It is located in Andhra Pradesh. Mahendragiri is the 2nd Highest o including the Nallamala Tiger 1. Odisha Reserve. o Peddagattu Hills: A part of the  Ranges: Eastern Ghats, known for its o Mahendragiri Range: Home to natural beauty. Mahendragiri, one of the notable peaks. o Jindhagada Range: Includes o Jindhagada Range: Includes Jindhagada, the highest peak of Jindhagada, the highest peak of the Eastern Ghats. the Eastern Ghats. o Kandhamal Hills: 3. Telangana 2. Andhra Pradesh  Ranges:  Ranges: o Nallamala Range: Extends into o Nallamala Range: Known for its Telangana, contributing to the dense forests and wildlife, region's biodiversity.  o Sahyadri Range: Although primarily associated with the Western Ghats, some parts connect with the Eastern Ghats. 4. Tamil Nadu  Ranges: o Anaimalai Hills: Forms part of the Western Ghats but is associated with the Eastern Ghats as well. o Palani Hills: Located towards the southern end of the Eastern Ghats Highest peaks by States/UnionTerritory  Plateau of India The Plateau of can be divided into three parts 1- Central highlands 2- Deccan plateau 3- Shillong Plateau  Part lying to the North of Narmada River Central Highlands Malwar Plateau (Largest) - western side Main plateaus Chota Nagpur plateau -Eastern Side Malwar Plateau In Gujarat,Rajasthan,Madhya pradesh Made of Lava (Basaltic rock)Rich in black soil Rivers that flows or orignates Chambal,Betwa,Shipra Bundelkhand Plateau Lies mainly in between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh,(Between the Yamuna and Vindhya ranges) Betwa , Ken Flows through Bundelkhand Plateau Bhagelkhand Plateau Eastern Madhya Pradesh Parts of northern Chhattisgarh Son River,Originates in Maikal Hills Joins the Ganges.Tons River (tributary of Son). Ken River (flows through Baghelkhand)  Maharashtra Plateau Deccan plateau Karnataka Telangana Plateau Dandakarnya Plateau Maharashtra Plateau Primarily in Maharashtra; parts in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, made from Basalt Rock Ajanta , Balaghat,Satmala,Harishchandra hills which is east extention of sahyadri are part od maharashtra plateau Godavri largest river basin in Maharashtra Plateau  Karnatka Pleatau Also Known as Mysore Pleatau Divided into two parts Highest peak is Baba budan Hills Malnad and Maidan Telangana Pleatau Highest peak Doli-Gutta 536 m from sea level Dandakaranya Pleatau Covers regions in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh Indravati River tributari of godavri makes the waterfall Known as the Chitrakoot Rich in minerals, including iron ore, bauxite, and manganese "Niagara Falls of India" Meghalya Pleatau Three hills 1- Gao 2- Khasi Also known as Shilong Pleatau 3- Jaintia Highest peak Shilong peak (khasi hill) The Coastal Plains of India The coastline - 7516.6km (including Islands) - 6100 km (without Islands) Indian Coastline touches 9 states and 4 UT’s Divided into two plains - Eastern Coastal plain - Western Coastal plain Eastern Coastal Plain  It is divided into 2 stretches North and South. The Southern part known as Coromandel Coast and the Northern Stretch known as Northern Circar.  Wide Deltas are formed by larger rivers. The delta of river Krishna is known as Granary of South India.  Regional Names : Oddisa - Utkal coast Andhra Prasdesh - Andra coast Tamil Nadu - Tamil nadu coast Northern Circar Northern Part between Mahanadi and Krishna Additionally coastal Tract of Oddisa - utkal plains Coromandal Southern Part between Krishna and Kaveri coast/Payan Ghat Coast of Emergence - form due to an uplift of land or due to lowering of sea level. - Because of its emergent nature eastern coasts have less number of Ports.  Western Coastal Plain * Stretch from Gujrat(Gulf of Khambat)in the north to Kerela (Cape of coromin)in the south , passing through Katakana , Goa, & Maharashtra. * It is narrower than the Eastern Coast. 4 coasts - kach & Kathiawar Coast - Konkan Coast - Kanada Coast - Malabar Coast Coastline of Submergence Islands Of India *Andaman & Nocobar Islands The Andaman and Nicobar Islands consist of 572 islands. Also called Emerald Islands Division of Islands The archipelago is divided into two main groups:  Andaman Islands (North and Middle Andaman, South Andaman, and Little Andaman)  Nicobar Islands (Great Nicobar, Little Nicobar, Car Nicobar, Nancowry, and others) Capital and Major Towns  Port Blair: The capital city and main administrative center of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located on South Andaman Island.  Car Nicobar: The administrative headquarters for the Nicobar District. Indians Only active Volcano - Barren Island Important Channels Separating the Islands  Coco Channel: Separates North Andaman from the Coco Islands of Myanmar.  Duncan Passage: Separates South Andaman from Little Andaman.  Ten Degree Channel: Separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands. It is about 150 km wide.  Sombrero Channel: Separates Great Nicobar from Little Nicobar Significant Islands in Andaman  North Andaman: Known for Saddle Peak, the highest point in the Andaman Islands at 732 meters.  Middle Andaman: Largely covered in tropical forests and home to small communities and tribal groups.  South Andaman: Hosts Port Blair, and is the most developed and populated of the Andaman Islands.  Little Andaman: Known for Hut Bay and beautiful beaches like Butler Bay. Important Islands in Nicobar  Great Nicobar: Home to Indira Point, the southernmost tip of India, and the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve.  Car Nicobar: Known for its coconut plantations and tribal culture. Tribal Population and Indigenous Tribes  Andaman Tribes: o Jarwas: Live in the forests of South and Middle Andaman, prefer isolation. o Sentinelese: Inhabit North Sentinel Island and are known for resisting outside contact.  Nicobar Tribes: o Nicobarese: The largest tribal group, predominantly living in Car Nicobar. o Shompen: Semi-nomadic tribe, mainly on Great Nicobar. *Lakshadweep Island Composition: There are 36 islands, including 12 atolls, 3 reefs, 5 submerged banks, and 10 inhabited islands. Important Islands  Kavaratti: The capital and administrative center. Known for its scenic lagoons and the Ujra Mosque.  Agatti: The entry point for Lakshadweep with an airport and beautiful coral reefs, making it a hub for tourism.  Minicoy: Known for its lighthouse, unique culture, and tuna fishing industry. It is geographically closer to the Maldives.  Andrott is the largest island in Lakshadweep, Channels and Passages Lakshadweep islands are separated by several important channels:  Nine Degree Channel: Separates Lakshadweep from the Maldives and lies between Minicoy Island and the rest of the Lakshadweep islands.  Eight Degree Channel: Lies south of Minicoy Island and separates India’s Lakshadweep from the Maldives. Some other Important Islands 1. Abdul Kalam Island(Wheeler Island) Location: Wheeler Island is located about 10 km off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal. Purpose: Primarily used for missile testing by DRDO. 2. Pamban Island  Location: Southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, in the Gulf of Mannar.  Important Sites: Rameswaram town, Ramanathaswamy Temple (one of the 12 Jyotirlingas), Dhanushkodi (ghost town).  Key Bridges: Pamban Bridge (rail bridge with a bascule section) and Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge, connecting Pamban Island to mainland India. Most of the land is covered with white sand not suitable of agriculture. 3.Shriharikota Island  Location: Southeastern coast of India, between Pulicat Lake and the Bay of Bengal in Andhra Pradesh.  Significance: Houses India’s primary spaceport, Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), operated by ISRO.  Key Launches: Chandrayaan missions, Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), PSLV, GSLV, and upcoming Gaganyaan (human spaceflight). India has two satellite launch centers 1- TERLS : Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launch Station. Thiruvananthapuram,Kerala. 2- SDSC : Satish dhawan space center.Shriharikota Island,Andra pradesh 4. Aliabet Island  Location: Gulf of Khambhat, at the mouth of the Narmada River in Gujarat.  Geographical Features: Low-lying, marshy terrain with mangrove forests and mudflats; tidal influences from the Arabian Sea. Oil field located on this Island 5. Salsette Island Location: Western Maharashtra, between the Arabian Sea and Thane Creek. Most Populous island of India Mumbai City is Located on it 6. Pumdis Island Phumdis are the floating islands of Loktak Lake in Manipur, India. 7.New Moore Island · Location: Bay of Bengal, near the India-Bangladesh border at the mouth of the Hariabhanga River. · Formation and Disappearance: Formed after the 1970 Bhola Cyclone; completely submerged by 2010 due to erosion and rising sea levels. · Dispute: Claimed by both India and Bangladesh, known as New Moore Island (India) and South Talpatti Island (Bangladesh). · Strategic Importance: Influenced control over surrounding waters, potentially rich in oil and gas.