Indian Geographical Features

Overview

India features diverse geographical landscapes: plains, hilly regions, mountains, valleys, plateaus, deserts, and islands.
Discussion will cover the Himalayan mountains, the northern plains, the Indian desert, the peninsular plateau, coastal plains, and islands.

India's landmass was once part of a supercontinent and slowly drifted apart.
Collision with the Asian continent led to the formation of the Himalayan mountains.

Young, structurally diverse and dynamic mountains.
Spread 2400 km from west to east.
Varying widths: 400 km in Kashmir and 150 km in Arunachal Pradesh.
Comprised of three parallel ranges:
- Greater Himalayas (Inner Himalayas or Himadri): Highest peaks, average width 50 km, altitude 3,700 to 4,500 meters.
- Lesser Himalayas: Medium height ranges.
- Shivalik Range: Lowest, 10 to 50 km width, altitude 900 to 1,100 meters.
Area divisions within Himalayas:
- Punjab Himalayas: Between Indus and Satluj rivers.
- Kumao Himalayas: Between Satluj and Kali rivers.
- Nepal Himalayas: Between Kali and Tista rivers.
- Assam Himalayas: Between Tista and Dihang rivers.

Formed by the three river systems: Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra.
Indus system tributaries include Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, Satluj, and Beas.
Ganga and its tributaries contribute to the plain’s soil characteristics.
- Bhabar: Zone of pebble deposits, rivers flow underground here.
- Terai: Wet and marshy area where rivers re-emerge.
- Flood plains: Seasonal flood deposit zones; older sediments called Bhangar and newer ones Khadar.
Northern plain spans 7 lakh sq km, 2400 km in length, and 240 to 320 km in width.

Formation influenced by lava flow during the drifting of India’s landmass.
Divided into:
- Central Highlands: North of Narmada River, includes Chambal and Betwa rivers, slopes from southwest to northeast.
- Deccan Plateau: South of Narmada River, bounded by Satpura Range and other eastern ranges.
- Plateaus in the region include Baghelkhand, Bundelkhand, Malwa, and Chotanagpur.

Located to the western side of Aravalli range, low rainfall (below 150 mm/year), sparse vegetation.
Main river: Luni.

Eastern and Western coastal plains:
- Eastern Coastal Plain: Wide, drained by many rivers.
- Western Coastal Plain: Narrower, divided into Konkan (Mumbai to Goa), Kannad Plain, and Malabar Coast.
- Southern part of the Eastern Coastal Plain: Coromandel Coast.

Two main groups:
- Lakshadweep: Coral islands, renamed in 1973; originally known as Minicoy, Laccadive, and Amindivi.
- Andaman and Nicobar: Only active volcano in India located in Barren Island.