GEOGRAPHY-CHAPTER – 2
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF INDIA
1. Which are the major physiographic divisions of India?
The major physiographic divisions of India are-
• The Himalayan Mountains
• The Northern Plains
• The Peninsular Plateau
• The Indian Desert
• The Coastal Plains
• The Islands
2. Explain the three parallel ranges of the Himalayas.
The three parallel ranges of HIMALAYAS are-
Himadri- The northernmost range is known as the Great or Inner
Himalayas or the Himadri.
• It is the most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an
average height of 6,000 metres.
• It contains all the prominent Himalayan peaks.
• The core of the Himadri range is composed of granite.
Himachal or lesser Himalayas- The range lying to the south of the
Himadri forms the most rugged mountain system and is known as
Himachal or lesser Himalaya.
• The altitude varies from 3,700 and 4,500 metres and the average width is
of 50km.
• Pir Panjal range forms the longest and the most important range.
• This range is well known for its hill station.
Shiwaliks- The outermost range of the Himalayas is called the Shiwaliks.
• They extend over a width of 10-50 km.
• These ranges are composed of unconsolidated sediments.
• The longitudinal valley lying between the lesser Himalayas and the
Shiwaliks is known as Duns. Dehradun, Kotli Dun and Patli Dun are some
of the well-known Duns.
, 3.How are the Himalayas divided regionally or on the basis of river valley?
• The part of Himalayas lying between Indus and Satluj are traditionally known
as Punjab Himalaya.
• The part of the Himalayas lying between Satluj and Kali rivers is known as
Kumaon Himalayas.
• The Kali and Tista rivers demarcate the Nepal Himalayas.
• The part lying between Tista and Dihang rivers is known as Assam
Himalayas
4. Give an account of the northern plains of India.
The northern plain has been formed by the interplay of the three major river
systems, namely — the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra along with their
tributaries. This plain is formed of alluvial soil. The deposition of alluvium in a vast
basin lying at the foothills of the Himalaya over millions of years, formed this fertile
plain. It spreads over an area of 7 lakh sq. km. The plain being about 2400 km long
and 240 to 320 km broad, is a densely populated physiographic division .With a rich
soil cover combined with adequate water supply and favourable climate it is
agriculturally a productive part of India.
5. How can we divide the Northern plains according to the variations in relief
features?
According to the variations in elevation points, the Northern plains can be divided
into 4 regions.
• Bhabar-The rivers, after descending from the mountains, deposit pebbles in a
narrow belt of about 8 to 16 km in width, lying parallel to the slopes of the
Shiwaliks, which is known as Bhabar. All the streams disappear in this
Bhabar belt.
• Terai-The streams and rivers re-emerge and create a wet, swampy and
marshy region known as terai.
• Bhangar-The largest part of the northern plain is formed of older alluvium. It
lies above the floodplains of the rivers and presents a terrace-like feature
which is known as Bhangar. The soil in the Bhangar region contains
calcareous deposits and is known as Kankar
• Khadar- The newer, younger deposits of the floodplains are called Khadar.
They are renewed almost every year and so are fertile, thus, ideal for
intensive agriculture.
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF INDIA
1. Which are the major physiographic divisions of India?
The major physiographic divisions of India are-
• The Himalayan Mountains
• The Northern Plains
• The Peninsular Plateau
• The Indian Desert
• The Coastal Plains
• The Islands
2. Explain the three parallel ranges of the Himalayas.
The three parallel ranges of HIMALAYAS are-
Himadri- The northernmost range is known as the Great or Inner
Himalayas or the Himadri.
• It is the most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an
average height of 6,000 metres.
• It contains all the prominent Himalayan peaks.
• The core of the Himadri range is composed of granite.
Himachal or lesser Himalayas- The range lying to the south of the
Himadri forms the most rugged mountain system and is known as
Himachal or lesser Himalaya.
• The altitude varies from 3,700 and 4,500 metres and the average width is
of 50km.
• Pir Panjal range forms the longest and the most important range.
• This range is well known for its hill station.
Shiwaliks- The outermost range of the Himalayas is called the Shiwaliks.
• They extend over a width of 10-50 km.
• These ranges are composed of unconsolidated sediments.
• The longitudinal valley lying between the lesser Himalayas and the
Shiwaliks is known as Duns. Dehradun, Kotli Dun and Patli Dun are some
of the well-known Duns.
, 3.How are the Himalayas divided regionally or on the basis of river valley?
• The part of Himalayas lying between Indus and Satluj are traditionally known
as Punjab Himalaya.
• The part of the Himalayas lying between Satluj and Kali rivers is known as
Kumaon Himalayas.
• The Kali and Tista rivers demarcate the Nepal Himalayas.
• The part lying between Tista and Dihang rivers is known as Assam
Himalayas
4. Give an account of the northern plains of India.
The northern plain has been formed by the interplay of the three major river
systems, namely — the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra along with their
tributaries. This plain is formed of alluvial soil. The deposition of alluvium in a vast
basin lying at the foothills of the Himalaya over millions of years, formed this fertile
plain. It spreads over an area of 7 lakh sq. km. The plain being about 2400 km long
and 240 to 320 km broad, is a densely populated physiographic division .With a rich
soil cover combined with adequate water supply and favourable climate it is
agriculturally a productive part of India.
5. How can we divide the Northern plains according to the variations in relief
features?
According to the variations in elevation points, the Northern plains can be divided
into 4 regions.
• Bhabar-The rivers, after descending from the mountains, deposit pebbles in a
narrow belt of about 8 to 16 km in width, lying parallel to the slopes of the
Shiwaliks, which is known as Bhabar. All the streams disappear in this
Bhabar belt.
• Terai-The streams and rivers re-emerge and create a wet, swampy and
marshy region known as terai.
• Bhangar-The largest part of the northern plain is formed of older alluvium. It
lies above the floodplains of the rivers and presents a terrace-like feature
which is known as Bhangar. The soil in the Bhangar region contains
calcareous deposits and is known as Kankar
• Khadar- The newer, younger deposits of the floodplains are called Khadar.
They are renewed almost every year and so are fertile, thus, ideal for
intensive agriculture.
