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Physical Features of India Explained

India's physical geography includes diverse features such as the Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains, and Islands, shaped by geological processes. The Himalayas are the highest mountains, while the Northern Plains are fertile and densely populated. These features significantly impact the country's climate, agriculture, natural resources, and population distribution.

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10 views9 pages

Physical Features of India Explained

India's physical geography includes diverse features such as the Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains, and Islands, shaped by geological processes. The Himalayas are the highest mountains, while the Northern Plains are fertile and densely populated. These features significantly impact the country's climate, agriculture, natural resources, and population distribution.

Uploaded by

meenuparjapati24
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Class 9 SST Geography – Chapter 2: Physical

Features of India

Detailed Notes with Map References


Introduction
India has a diverse landscape with mountains, plateaus, plains, deserts, and islands. These
features are the result of geological processes like plate tectonics, erosion, and deposition. The
collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate created the Himalayas and the Northern Plains.
1. The Himalayan Mountains
• Young fold mountains, extend ~2400 km from Indus in the west to Brahmaputra in the east.
• Three parallel ranges:
- Himadri (Greater Himalaya): Highest peaks like Mount Everest (8848 m), Kanchenjunga (8598 m).
- Himachal (Lesser Himalaya): Valleys of Kashmir, Kangra; hill stations like Shimla, Mussoorie.
- Shiwaliks (Outer Himalaya): Low hills, duns (valleys).

■ Map Reference: Himalayas – [View


Map]([Link]
2. The Northern Plains
• Formed by rivers: Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra.
• Fertile alluvial soil, agriculturally rich, densely populated.
• Subdivisions:
- Bhabar (pebbly belt near foothills).
- Terai (marshy land, forests).
- Bhangar (old alluvium).
- Khadar (new fertile soil).

■ Map Reference: Northern Plains – [View


Map]([Link]
3. The Peninsular Plateau
• Oldest landmass of India, formed after breaking of Gondwana land.
• Rich in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
• Subdivisions:
- Central Highlands (Malwa Plateau, Bundelkhand, Chotanagpur).
- Deccan Plateau (bounded by Western & Eastern Ghats).

■ Map Reference: Peninsular Plateau – [View


Map]([Link]
4. The Indian Desert
• Located in western Rajasthan.
• Arid climate, very low rainfall (<150 mm).
• Sand dunes and desert vegetation (cactus, thorny bushes).
• River Luni is seasonal.

■ Map Reference: Thar Desert – [View


Map]([Link]
5. The Coastal Plains
• Narrow strips of land along Arabian Sea (west) & Bay of Bengal (east).
• Western Coast – Konkan, Karnataka coast, Malabar coast.
• Eastern Coast – Northern Circar, Coromandel coast.
• Important deltas: Ganga, Mahanadi, Krishna, Kaveri.

■ Map Reference: Coastal Plains – [View


Map]([Link]
6. The Islands
• Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Bay of Bengal): Volcanic origin, strategic location.
• Lakshadweep Islands (Arabian Sea): Coral origin.

■ Map Reference: Islands – [View


Map]([Link]
Summary
India’s relief is diverse and consists of the Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian
Desert, Coastal Plains, and Islands. These physical features influence India’s climate, agriculture,
natural resources, and population distribution.

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