Physical Features of India

Introduction

• Physical features are similar to outer appearances in people (height, color, etc.).
• India has diverse landforms such as mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, coastal plains, and islands.

Types of Landforms

Categories of Landforms

• Mountains: Recent formations with high peaks, deep valleys.
• Plains: Flat and leveled land.
• Plateaus: Elevated land with a flat top.
• Deserts: Arid regions with sparse vegetation.
• Coastal Plains: Low-lying land adjacent to the sea.
• Islands: Land surrounded by water.

Comparison: Himalayan Mountains vs. Peninsular Plateau

1. Age: Himalayas are recent; Peninsular Plateau is ancient.
2. Features: Himalayas have high peaks and rivers; Plateaus have gently rising hills.
3. Geological Strength: Himalayas form a weak zone; plateau is strong.
4. Rock Composition: Himalayas = sedimentary rocks; Plateau = igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Himalayan Mountains

Overview

• Covering northern India, extend from Indus River to Brahmaputra River.
• Three parallel ranges:
  1. Himadri (Great Himalayas): Highest peaks, snow-covered, average height of 6000 meters.
  2. Himachal (Lesser Himalayas): Height between 3700m and 4500m, contains important ranges like Peer Panchal.
  3. Shivalik Range: Outer range with altitudes of 900m to 1100m, composed of loose sediments.

Longitudinal Divisions of Himalayas

• Punjab Himalaya: Between Indus and Satluj rivers.
• Kumaon Himalaya: Between Satluj and Kali rivers.
• Nepal Himalaya: Between Kali and Tista rivers.
• Assam Himalaya: Between Tista and Brahmaputra.

Northern Plains of India

Characteristics

• Flat, leveled land; 40% of India's population resides here.
• Fertile soil from river deposits (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra).
• Area: 7 lakh sq. km, about 2400 km long.

Riverine Islands

• Formed by deposition of sediments, example: Majuli in Brahmaputra River.

Classifications of Northern Plains

1. Punjab Plain: Formed by the Indus River and its tributaries.
2. Ganga Plain: Formed by the Ganga and its tributaries.
3. Brahmaputra Plain: Formed by the Brahmaputra River in Assam.

Classification Based on Relief Features

1. Bhabhar: Narrow belt at the foothills, rivers disappear underground due to pebble deposition.
2. Terai: Swampy region; rivers re-emerge here.
3. Bhangar: Older alluvial soil, less fertile.
4. Khadar: Younger floodplain soil, highly fertile.

Peninsular Plateau

Overview

• Oldest part of India, triangular shape, composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks.
• Divided into:
  • Central Highlands: Bordered by the Vindhya Range and Aravalis.
  • Deccan Plateau: Bordered by the Western and Eastern Ghats.

Western Ghats vs. Eastern Ghats

• Western Ghats: Higher elevation, continuous, creates orographic rainfall.
• Eastern Ghats: Lower elevation, discontinuous due to river drainage.

Indian Desert (Thar Desert)

Features

• Sandy plain covered with sand dunes, receives <150mm rainfall.
• Seasonal rivers, e.g., Luni River, appear during the rainy season.

Coastal Plains

Overview

• Flat, low-lying land adjacent to sea.
• Western Coastal Plain: Konkan, Karnataka, Malabar Coast.
• Eastern Coastal Plain: Northern Sirkars, Coromandel Coast.
• Chilka Lake: Largest saltwater lake in India.

Islands of India

Lakshadweep Islands

• Composed of coral, located near Kerala.
• Coral reefs: barrier reef, fringing reef, atolls.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• Elongated chain of islands, believed to be elevated from submarine mountains.
• Diverse flora and fauna, home to active volcano on Barren Island.

Conclusion

• Overview of Indian geography covers diverse landforms, their characteristics, and significance.