ODISHA GEOGRAPHY 1

INTRODUCTION – LOCATION, SIZE,

BORDERS
PYQs

SYLLABUS
Physical Geography of Odisha
• Location and Extent:
o Geographical location (latitude and longitude).
o Borders with neighboring states (West Bengal,
Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh) and the
Bay of Bengal.
o Total area and its ranking among Indian states.
o Coastal length.
• Physiographic Divisions:
1. How many Ramsar sites are there in Odisha? o Odisha Coastal Plain: Extent, characteristics, major
A. Five features (e.g., Chilika Lake - largest brackish water
B. Six lagoon in India).
C. Seven o Middle Mountainous and Highland Region (Eastern
D. Eight Ghats): Major hill ranges (e.g., Simlipal,
[Link] many Agro-Climatic Zones are there in Mahendragiri Hills), highest peaks (Deomali,
Odisha? Mahendragiri), plateaus (e.g., Kalahandi Plateau,
Chhotanagpur Plateau extension).
A. 10
B. 11 o Central Plateau: General characteristics and
C. 12 associated features.
D. 13 o Western Rolling Uplands: Characteristics.
[Link] per latest forest survey of India in 2021, forest o Major River Valleys and Flood Plains: Focus on the
cover in Odisha is: Mahanadi Delta and other river basins.
A. 42,156 Sq Km • Climate:
B. 52,156 Sq Km
C. 62,156 Sq Km o Type of climate (tropical).
D. 132,156 Sq Km
o Seasonal variations (summer, monsoon, winter).
4. Arrange the rivers in ascending order of their
contribution to the formation of coastal plains: o Temperature ranges and notable extreme
temperatures (e.g., Titlagarh).
A. The Mahanadi > the Brahmani > the Baitarini > the
Rushikulya > the Subarnarekha o Monsoon patterns and their impact.
B. The Mahanadi > the Baitarini > the Brahmani the • Rivers and Drainage System:
Subamarekha > the Rushikulya
C. The Mahanadi > the Rushikulya > the Brahmani > o Major Rivers: Mahanadi (longest river in Odisha,
the Baitarini > the Subarnarekha Hirakud Dam), Brahmani (second longest),
D. The Mahanadi > the Brahmani the Baitarini > the Baitarani (origin from Gonasika Hills),
Subamarekha > the Rushikulya Subarnarekha, Rushikulya, Budhabalanga,
Vamsadhara, Indravati, Kolab (origin from Deomali
[Link] Mati and Rugidia soil belongs to which Hills), Tel (Mahanadi tributary), etc.
primary soil group in Odisha?
o Tributaries and distributaries of major rivers.
A. Regur Soil
B. Laterite Soil o Lakes and Waterfalls: Chilika Lake (Nalabana
C. The Brown Forest Earth Island, Kalijai Island), Ansupa Lake (largest
D. Yellow Earth freshwater lake), Kanjia Lake, Tampara Lake. Major

GK BY SAI MA’AM / SOUMYA SIR 6371424292

ODISHA GEOGRAPHY 2

waterfalls (Barehipani, Joranda, Duduma, Dolomite, Nickel, Graphite, Tin, Vanadium, Gold,
Khandadhar, Badaghagra, Sanaghagra). Gemstone, etc.).
o River Basins and their significance. o Distribution of mineral deposits across districts
(e.g., Iron ore in Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh,
o Irrigation projects (e.g., Hirakud Dam, Machkund Keonjhar, Jajpur; Chromite in Jajpur, Dhenkanal,
project, Balimela Reservoir, Deras Dam). Keonjhar; Coal in Talcher and Ib Valley).
• Soils: • Industries:
o Major soil types found in Odisha (Red soil, Mixed o Types of industries (mineral-based, agro-based,
red and yellow soil, Black soil, Laterite soil, Alluvial chemicals, textiles, tourism, IT/ITeS).
soil, Coastal saline soil, Forest brown soil).
o Major industrial hubs and their specialties (e.g.,
o Distribution of soil types across different districts. Rourkela - Steel City, Angul, Kalinga Nagar,
o Characteristics and suitability of each soil type for Talcher, Ib Valley, Paradip, Joda-Barbil).
agriculture. o Public Sector Undertakings (e.g., NALCO).
• Forests and Wildlife: o Handicrafts and traditional industries.
o Types of forests (e.g., semi-evergreen, moist • Transport and Communication:
deciduous, dry deciduous, mangrove).
o Roadways: National Highways, State Highways,
o Major forest products. major road networks.
o National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries: Similipal o Railways: Major railway lines and junctions.
National Park and Tiger Reserve, Bhitarkanika
National Park (mangrove forests, saltwater o Airways: Major airports (Bhubaneswar,
crocodiles), Satkosia Tiger Reserve (Mahanadi Jharsuguda) and their connectivity.
Gorge), Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary (migratory birds,
Irrawaddy Dolphins), Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary o Waterways: Major ports (Paradip - major port;
(Olive Ridley turtles), Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary, Dhamra, Gopalpur - upcoming/minor ports).
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Ushakothi Wildlife Inland waterways.
Sanctuary, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Balukhand- o Communication infrastructure.
Konark Wildlife Sanctuary, Tikarpada Wildlife
Sanctuary, Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary, • Demography:
Nandankanan Zoological Park.
o Population size and growth rate (as per latest
o Endemic and endangered species. census).
o Conservation efforts. o Rural-urban distribution.
Human Geography of Odisha o Population density.
• Agriculture: o Sex ratio.
o Importance of agriculture in the state economy. o Literacy rate.
o Major crops grown (Paddy/Rice, Pulses, Oilseeds, o Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Jute, Sugarcane, Coconut, Spices, Turmeric, Tea, population and their distribution.
Coffee, Rubber, Cotton).
o Important tribal personalities and their
o Horticulture and its significance (Mango, Cashew, contribution.
Banana, etc.).
• Natural Disasters and Management:
o Irrigation facilities and reliance on monsoon.
o Common natural disasters in Odisha (cyclones,
o Agro-climatic zones of Odisha. floods, droughts).
• Mineral Resources: o Impact of these disasters.
o Abundance of minerals in Odisha. o Disaster management initiatives and
preparedness.
o Major minerals found (Iron ore, Bauxite,
Chromite, Manganese ore, Coal, Limestone, o Notable past disasters (e.g., 1999 Odisha
Cyclone).

GK BY SAI MA’AM / SOUMYA SIR 6371424292

ODISHA GEOGRAPHY 3

Miscellaneous/General Knowledge Aspects

• Important Cities and Towns: Major cities, their
historical/industrial significance, and geographical
location.
• Famous tourist places and religious sites: Mention
their location and geographical context if relevant.
• Geographical nicknames: "Kashmir of Odisha"
(Daringbadi), "Little Tibet" (Jirang), "Sorrow of
Odisha" (Baitarani River).
• Specific geographical features and their
significance.
Geographical Position:
• Lies on the eastern coast of India along the Bay of
Bengal.
• Between 17.49°N to 22.34°N latitude and
81.27°E to 87.29°E longitude.

• The Indian Standard Time (IST) passes through the

districts of Nuapada, Nabarangapur, Koraput, and
Malkangiri in Odisha.

GK BY SAI MA’AM / SOUMYA SIR 6371424292

ODISHA GEOGRAPHY 4

• These districts are located in the southwestern part

of the state. The 82°30'E longitude, which is the
basis for IST, is a central meridian for India.
Bordering States:
• North: Jharkhand
• North-East: West Bengal
• South: Andhra Pradesh
• West: Chhattisgarh
• East: Bay of Bengal

ANGUL

Area
• 8th largest state in India.
• Covers an area of approximately 1,55,707 sq. km
(4.87% of India’s area).
• The length of the border between Odisha and
Chhattisgarh is approximately 462 kilometers. This
border is shared with National Highway 6 (NH6),
which stretches from the Chhattisgarh border to
Lobarchatti and Bargarh.

GK BY SAI MA’AM / SOUMYA SIR 6371424292

ODISHA GEOGRAPHY 5

Coastline
• Around 474.7(mostly taken as 480-485km) km
long coastline along the Bay of Bengal.
• lncludes important ports like Paradip,
Gopalpur, and Dhamra.
• Updated – 96km added, 574.7km, as per report
by ministry of Union ministry of Home Affairs
.

GANJAM & BALASORE

What’s the difference?

KHORDHA NOT COASTLINE BORDER ?

GK BY SAI MA’AM / SOUMYA SIR 6371424292

ODISHA GEOGRAPHY 6

LAKE VS LAGOON

Geological Evolution and Structural Division of

Odisha
• Gondwana basins are sedimentary rock basins
formed during the Paleozoic to Mesozoic era
(approx. 250–300 million years ago).
• In Odisha, they are crucial for coal deposits,
especially in Mahanadi Master Basin.
• Belong to the Lower Gondwana Group,
majorly associated with the Damuda and
Talchir formations.

Geographical Zones:
• Northern Plateau
• Central Table Land
• Eastern Ghat Region
• Coastal Plains

GK BY SAI MA’AM / SOUMYA SIR 6371424292

ODISHA GEOGRAPHY 7

Distribution of Gondwana Basins in Odisha

Gondwana District(s) Significance
Basin
Talcher Angul, Known for
Basin Dhenkanal Talcher coalfield,
major thermal
power supply base
Ib-River Jharsuguda, Contains rich coal
Basin Sundargarh deposits, part of Ib
Valley Coalfield Stratigraphy of Gondwana Basins
Rampur- Sundargarh Extension of Ib Formation Geological Age Key Features
Himgir Valley basin
Basin
Athgarh Cuttack, Angul Minor basin with
Basin younger
Gondwana Talchir Late Glacial origin,
deposits Formation Carboniferous– contains
Early Permian boulder beds,
sandstone,
shale
Barakar Early Permian Major coal-
Formation bearing strata,
thick sandstone,
shale

GK BY SAI MA’AM / SOUMYA SIR 6371424292

ODISHA GEOGRAPHY 8

• Most Gondwana basins in Odisha are fault-bounded depressions formed by rift

tectonics.

• Structurally, they are graben-like (down-faulted blocks).

• Oriented mostly in north-south or northwest-southeast directions.

• Faults and fractures influenced sedimentation and coal deposition.

Barren Late Non-coal deposits,

Measures Permian mainly shale and
siltstone
Kamthi Early Sandstone with minor
Formation Triassic coal; signifies drier
conditions

Mahadeva Jurassic– Mostly conglomerate

Formation Cretaceous and red sandstone
(only in (unfossiliferous)
some
areas)

Lithology (Rock Types)

• Talchir Formation:
o Glacial boulder beds, greenish shale, siltstone
• Barakar Formation:
o Sandstone, shale, and thick coal seams
• Barren Measures:
o Grey shale, siltstone, no coal
• Kamthi Formation:
o Reddish sandstone, ferruginous shale
• Overall: Dominance of sedimentary rocks,
fossiliferous in parts, coal-rich strata
Climate (Paleo-climate Perspective)
Structure of Gondwana Basins • Talchir times: Cold and glacial environment

• Barakar and Kamthi: Transition to warmer, humid, and then semi-arid climate

• Climate change influenced vegetation, coal formation, and sediment type

• Presence of Glossopteris flora indicates humid, swampy conditions in Permian

Sedimentation

GK BY SAI MA’AM / SOUMYA SIR 6371424292

ODISHA GEOGRAPHY 9

• Talchir times: Cold and glacial environment

• Barakar and Kamthi: Transition to warmer, humid, and then semi-arid climate

• Climate change influenced vegetation, coal formation, and sediment type

• Presence of Glossopteris flora indicates humid, swampy conditions in Permian

Sedimentation
• Sedimentation was influenced by:

o Tectonic subsidence, creating accommodation space

o Glacial action in Talchir (glacial tillite and boulder beds)

o Fluvial and lacustrine deposition during Barakar (river and lake sediments)

o Aeolian and braided river systems during Kamthi (arid fluvial sediments)

Conclusion
• Gondwana basins of Odisha are economically vital due to coal reserves.

• Their stratigraphy and lithology provide key insights into the paleo-environment and
tectonic history of the region.

• Understanding these basins aids in resource planning, mineral exploration, and

geological research.

GK BY SAI MA’AM / SOUMYA SIR 6371424292