Physical features of India 9 Geography

Physical Features of India, GEO CLASS 9

 Introduction

India possesses all major physical features of the Earth, including mountains, plains, deserts, plateaus, and islands. Geologically, the Peninsular Plateau is one of the most ancient landmasses, while the Himalayas and the Northern Plains are the most recent landforms.

 Major Physiographic Divisions

The physical features of India are grouped into six main divisions:

1. The Himalayan Mountains

Location:Stretched along the northern border of India, running from the Indus to the Brahmaputra.

Longitudinal Divisions:

    The Great or Inner Himalayas (Himadri):The northernmost range with the highest peaks (average 6,000 m).

    The Himachal or Lesser Himalaya:A rugged mountain system south of Himadri, including the Pir Panjal range.

    The Shiwaliks: The outermost range composed of unconsolidated sediments. The longitudinal valleys between the Lesser Himalayas and the Shiwaliks are called Duns (e.g., Dehradun).

Regional Divisions (West to East):

    Punjab Himalaya: Between the Indus and Satluj rivers.

    Kumaon Himalayas: Between the Satluj and Kali rivers.

    Nepal Himalayas:Between the Kali and Teesta rivers.

    Assam Himalayas: Between the Teesta and Dihang rivers.

Purvachal: Beyond the Dihang gorge, the Himalayas bend south, forming the Patkai Hills, Naga Hills, Manipur Hills, and Mizo Hills along the eastern boundary.

 2. The Northern Plain

Formation: Formed by the alluvial deposits of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems. It covers an area of 7 lakh sq. km.

Divisions:

    Punjab Plains: Formed by the Indus and its tributaries.

    Ganga Plain: Extends between the Ghaggar and Teesta rivers.

    Brahmaputra Plain:Located in Assam.

Relief Features:

    Bhabar: A narrow belt of pebbles where rivers disappear after descending from the mountains.

    Terai:A wet, swampy, and marshy region where rivers re-emerge.

    Bhangar: The largest part of the northern plain, composed of older alluvium, with calcareous deposits called Kankar

    Khadar:The newer, younger deposits of the floodplains.

 3. The Peninsular Plateau

Description:A tableland of old crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. It was formed due to the breaking and drifting of the Gondwana land.

Divisions:

    The Central Highlands: Lies north of the Narmada River and covers the Malwa plateau.

    The Deccan Plateau:A triangular landmass south of the Narmada River. An extension is also found in the northeast (Meghalaya, Karbi-Anglong Plateau).

Western Ghats vs. Eastern Ghats

    

 4. The Indian Desert

Location:Towards the western margins of the Aravali Hills.

Features:A sandy plain with sand dunes, receiving very low rainfall (below 150 mm per year). It has a dry climate and low vegetation.

 5. The Coastal Plains

Western Coastal Plain: A narrow plain located between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. It is divided into the Konkan (north), Kannad Plain (central), and Malabar Coast (south).

Eastern Coastal Plain:A wide stretch of land between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal. The northern part is called the Northern Circar and the southern part is the Coromandel Coast Rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri form deltas here.

 6. The Islands

Lakshadweep Islands: A group of small coral islands in the Arabian Sea.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands: An elongated chain of islands in the Bay of Bengal, divided into Andaman (north) and Nicobar (south). They have an equatorial climate and thick forest cover.

Future Possibilities for Development

The diverse physical features of India offer immense possibilities:

Mountains:Source of water and forest wealth.

Northern Plains: Granaries of the country and a base for early civilizations.

Plateau: A storehouse of minerals crucial for industrialization.

Coastal Regions & Islands: Sites for fishing and port activities.

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the physical features present?

    *A:Landforms, bodies of water, climate, natural vegetation, and soil.

Q2: What is a peninsula?

    A: A piece of land almost entirely surrounded by water but connected to the mainland on one side.

Q3: Where is the Brahmaputra plain located?**

    A:The Brahmaputra basin spans states like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Sikkim.