NCERT Textbook: Geographical Diversity of India

 Page 1


1
India and the World: Land and the People 
1 –Geographical Diversity of India
Geographical Diversity 
of India
CHAPTER
1
To us, by its very geography, the country [India] appears to 
be quite distinct from other countries, and that itself gives 
it a certain national character.
    — Sri Aurobindo
Fig. 1.1. Jog Falls in Karnataka. Notice the plateau and the waterfalls. The power of the waterfall 
is converted into electricity (hydroelectricity; ‘hydro’ means water) through special turbines.
1. What are some key 
geographical features  
of India?
2. How does India’s geographical 
diversity affect our lives?
The Big 
Questions
Chapter 1.indd   1 Chapter 1.indd   1 08-04-2025   11:30:22 08-04-2025   11:30:22
Reprint 2026-27
Page 2


1
India and the World: Land and the People 
1 –Geographical Diversity of India
Geographical Diversity 
of India
CHAPTER
1
To us, by its very geography, the country [India] appears to 
be quite distinct from other countries, and that itself gives 
it a certain national character.
    — Sri Aurobindo
Fig. 1.1. Jog Falls in Karnataka. Notice the plateau and the waterfalls. The power of the waterfall 
is converted into electricity (hydroelectricity; ‘hydro’ means water) through special turbines.
1. What are some key 
geographical features  
of India?
2. How does India’s geographical 
diversity affect our lives?
The Big 
Questions
Chapter 1.indd   1 Chapter 1.indd   1 08-04-2025   11:30:22 08-04-2025   11:30:22
Reprint 2026-27
2
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 1
In 1984, Rakesh Sharma, the ??rst Indian astronaut to go into 
space, spoke with the then Prime Minister of India, Indira  
Gandhi. When she asked him, “How does India look from 
space?”, he replied, “S??re jah??n se achchha ”?—?better than the 
whole world. (This is the title of a well-known poem of the early 
20th century.)
LET’S EXPLORE
Look at the map of India at the end of this book. What are 
you able to observe? Recall your lesson on di??erent types 
of landforms — mountains, plains and plateaus. Which 
landforms can you identify on the map? What do the di??erent 
colours on the map mean? (Hint: The legend on the map shows 
the heights of each area.)
As you go through this chapter, remember to refer periodically 
to the physical map.  
India is the seventh-largest country in the world, and a part of 
Asia. Along with its neighbours?—?Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, 
Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar?—?it forms the region known 
as the Indian Subcontinent (subcontinent, since it is part of 
the continent of Asia). Often, for the purpose of discussion, we 
refer to ??ve regions?—?the great mountain zone, the plains of the 
Ganga and the Indus, the desert region, the southern peninsula, 
and the islands. In this chapter, we will ‘??y’ over these zones, 
providing you with a bird’s-eye view of these features and 
o??ering glimpses of what things look like in close-up at some of 
these places. It would be di??cult to go into all the details at this 
stage since, as you will soon see, India is large and diverse.       
The Himalayan Mountain range stands as a natural barrier in 
the north, while the Thar Desert and the Arabian Sea mark its 
western limits. To the south, the Indian Ocean and to the east, 
the Bay of Bengal form a natural boundary. These geographical 
features create a separation between India and the rest of the 
continent and have played a crucial role in shaping India’s 
climate, culture, and history. 
Chapter 1.indd   2 Chapter 1.indd   2 08-04-2025   11:30:23 08-04-2025   11:30:23
Reprint 2026-27
Page 3


1
India and the World: Land and the People 
1 –Geographical Diversity of India
Geographical Diversity 
of India
CHAPTER
1
To us, by its very geography, the country [India] appears to 
be quite distinct from other countries, and that itself gives 
it a certain national character.
    — Sri Aurobindo
Fig. 1.1. Jog Falls in Karnataka. Notice the plateau and the waterfalls. The power of the waterfall 
is converted into electricity (hydroelectricity; ‘hydro’ means water) through special turbines.
1. What are some key 
geographical features  
of India?
2. How does India’s geographical 
diversity affect our lives?
The Big 
Questions
Chapter 1.indd   1 Chapter 1.indd   1 08-04-2025   11:30:22 08-04-2025   11:30:22
Reprint 2026-27
2
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 1
In 1984, Rakesh Sharma, the ??rst Indian astronaut to go into 
space, spoke with the then Prime Minister of India, Indira  
Gandhi. When she asked him, “How does India look from 
space?”, he replied, “S??re jah??n se achchha ”?—?better than the 
whole world. (This is the title of a well-known poem of the early 
20th century.)
LET’S EXPLORE
Look at the map of India at the end of this book. What are 
you able to observe? Recall your lesson on di??erent types 
of landforms — mountains, plains and plateaus. Which 
landforms can you identify on the map? What do the di??erent 
colours on the map mean? (Hint: The legend on the map shows 
the heights of each area.)
As you go through this chapter, remember to refer periodically 
to the physical map.  
India is the seventh-largest country in the world, and a part of 
Asia. Along with its neighbours?—?Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, 
Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar?—?it forms the region known 
as the Indian Subcontinent (subcontinent, since it is part of 
the continent of Asia). Often, for the purpose of discussion, we 
refer to ??ve regions?—?the great mountain zone, the plains of the 
Ganga and the Indus, the desert region, the southern peninsula, 
and the islands. In this chapter, we will ‘??y’ over these zones, 
providing you with a bird’s-eye view of these features and 
o??ering glimpses of what things look like in close-up at some of 
these places. It would be di??cult to go into all the details at this 
stage since, as you will soon see, India is large and diverse.       
The Himalayan Mountain range stands as a natural barrier in 
the north, while the Thar Desert and the Arabian Sea mark its 
western limits. To the south, the Indian Ocean and to the east, 
the Bay of Bengal form a natural boundary. These geographical 
features create a separation between India and the rest of the 
continent and have played a crucial role in shaping India’s 
climate, culture, and history. 
Chapter 1.indd   2 Chapter 1.indd   2 08-04-2025   11:30:23 08-04-2025   11:30:23
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3
India and the World: Land and the People 
1 –Geographical Diversity of India
LET’S EXPLORE
 Æ Do you recall your lesson on latitudes and longitudes? 
Look at the map. Can you read, approximately, the latitude 
and longitude where India lies?
 Æ Identify the above features on India’s physical map.
Let us now journey together from the Himalayas to the islands 
in the Indian Ocean, and onward to the east of India. The diverse 
colours on the map already give us a sense of the geographical 
diversity. Familiarise yourself with the legend on the map. The 
di??erent colours indicate the altitudes.   
The Himalayas
Look at the length of the Himalayan Range on the map. It is like 
a massive wall. From the legend, can you guess the altitude at 
di??erent points of the Himalayas? 
Fig. 1.2. These are satellite images of the Himalayan range. Note that the 
length of the range is about 2500 km.
Chapter 1.indd   3 Chapter 1.indd   3 08-04-2025   11:30:24 08-04-2025   11:30:24
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Page 4


1
India and the World: Land and the People 
1 –Geographical Diversity of India
Geographical Diversity 
of India
CHAPTER
1
To us, by its very geography, the country [India] appears to 
be quite distinct from other countries, and that itself gives 
it a certain national character.
    — Sri Aurobindo
Fig. 1.1. Jog Falls in Karnataka. Notice the plateau and the waterfalls. The power of the waterfall 
is converted into electricity (hydroelectricity; ‘hydro’ means water) through special turbines.
1. What are some key 
geographical features  
of India?
2. How does India’s geographical 
diversity affect our lives?
The Big 
Questions
Chapter 1.indd   1 Chapter 1.indd   1 08-04-2025   11:30:22 08-04-2025   11:30:22
Reprint 2026-27
2
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 1
In 1984, Rakesh Sharma, the ??rst Indian astronaut to go into 
space, spoke with the then Prime Minister of India, Indira  
Gandhi. When she asked him, “How does India look from 
space?”, he replied, “S??re jah??n se achchha ”?—?better than the 
whole world. (This is the title of a well-known poem of the early 
20th century.)
LET’S EXPLORE
Look at the map of India at the end of this book. What are 
you able to observe? Recall your lesson on di??erent types 
of landforms — mountains, plains and plateaus. Which 
landforms can you identify on the map? What do the di??erent 
colours on the map mean? (Hint: The legend on the map shows 
the heights of each area.)
As you go through this chapter, remember to refer periodically 
to the physical map.  
India is the seventh-largest country in the world, and a part of 
Asia. Along with its neighbours?—?Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, 
Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar?—?it forms the region known 
as the Indian Subcontinent (subcontinent, since it is part of 
the continent of Asia). Often, for the purpose of discussion, we 
refer to ??ve regions?—?the great mountain zone, the plains of the 
Ganga and the Indus, the desert region, the southern peninsula, 
and the islands. In this chapter, we will ‘??y’ over these zones, 
providing you with a bird’s-eye view of these features and 
o??ering glimpses of what things look like in close-up at some of 
these places. It would be di??cult to go into all the details at this 
stage since, as you will soon see, India is large and diverse.       
The Himalayan Mountain range stands as a natural barrier in 
the north, while the Thar Desert and the Arabian Sea mark its 
western limits. To the south, the Indian Ocean and to the east, 
the Bay of Bengal form a natural boundary. These geographical 
features create a separation between India and the rest of the 
continent and have played a crucial role in shaping India’s 
climate, culture, and history. 
Chapter 1.indd   2 Chapter 1.indd   2 08-04-2025   11:30:23 08-04-2025   11:30:23
Reprint 2026-27
3
India and the World: Land and the People 
1 –Geographical Diversity of India
LET’S EXPLORE
 Æ Do you recall your lesson on latitudes and longitudes? 
Look at the map. Can you read, approximately, the latitude 
and longitude where India lies?
 Æ Identify the above features on India’s physical map.
Let us now journey together from the Himalayas to the islands 
in the Indian Ocean, and onward to the east of India. The diverse 
colours on the map already give us a sense of the geographical 
diversity. Familiarise yourself with the legend on the map. The 
di??erent colours indicate the altitudes.   
The Himalayas
Look at the length of the Himalayan Range on the map. It is like 
a massive wall. From the legend, can you guess the altitude at 
di??erent points of the Himalayas? 
Fig. 1.2. These are satellite images of the Himalayan range. Note that the 
length of the range is about 2500 km.
Chapter 1.indd   3 Chapter 1.indd   3 08-04-2025   11:30:24 08-04-2025   11:30:24
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4
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 1
of the Gangotri Glacier. This glacier is one of the largest in the 
Indian Himalayas. It is considered sacred and attracts many 
pilgrims. Gaumukh is also a popular trekking destination. Next 
time you see the Ganga, remember — its journey began there! 
LET’S REMEMBER
The Himalayas seem to touch the sky. In fact, many of its peaks 
are over 8000 metres in height and are together called the 
‘Eight Thousanders’. This mountain range stretches across six 
countries in Asia: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Pakistan, and 
Afghanistan.  Can you name the highest mountain in the world?
In the summer, the snow on the mountains melts and feeds 
major rivers, such as the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra. These 
rivers and their tributaries provide water for drinking, farming, 
and industrial use, connecting with the lives of hundreds of 
millions of people. Hence, the Himalayas are sometimes called 
the ‘Water Tower of Asia’. The Himalayas are also important to 
many cultures and belief systems. The mountains themselves 
are considered sacred, and temples and monasteries have been 
built within them, attracting monks and spiritual seekers from 
around the world who come to pray and meditate.
DON’T MISS OUT
The Bhagirathi River, a major tributary of the Ganga, originates 
from Gaumukh (‘Cow’s Mouth’), in Uttarakhand. It is the edge 
Fig. 1.3. Gaumukh
Chapter 1.indd   4 Chapter 1.indd   4 08-04-2025   11:30:25 08-04-2025   11:30:25
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Page 5


1
India and the World: Land and the People 
1 –Geographical Diversity of India
Geographical Diversity 
of India
CHAPTER
1
To us, by its very geography, the country [India] appears to 
be quite distinct from other countries, and that itself gives 
it a certain national character.
    — Sri Aurobindo
Fig. 1.1. Jog Falls in Karnataka. Notice the plateau and the waterfalls. The power of the waterfall 
is converted into electricity (hydroelectricity; ‘hydro’ means water) through special turbines.
1. What are some key 
geographical features  
of India?
2. How does India’s geographical 
diversity affect our lives?
The Big 
Questions
Chapter 1.indd   1 Chapter 1.indd   1 08-04-2025   11:30:22 08-04-2025   11:30:22
Reprint 2026-27
2
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 1
In 1984, Rakesh Sharma, the ??rst Indian astronaut to go into 
space, spoke with the then Prime Minister of India, Indira  
Gandhi. When she asked him, “How does India look from 
space?”, he replied, “S??re jah??n se achchha ”?—?better than the 
whole world. (This is the title of a well-known poem of the early 
20th century.)
LET’S EXPLORE
Look at the map of India at the end of this book. What are 
you able to observe? Recall your lesson on di??erent types 
of landforms — mountains, plains and plateaus. Which 
landforms can you identify on the map? What do the di??erent 
colours on the map mean? (Hint: The legend on the map shows 
the heights of each area.)
As you go through this chapter, remember to refer periodically 
to the physical map.  
India is the seventh-largest country in the world, and a part of 
Asia. Along with its neighbours?—?Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, 
Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar?—?it forms the region known 
as the Indian Subcontinent (subcontinent, since it is part of 
the continent of Asia). Often, for the purpose of discussion, we 
refer to ??ve regions?—?the great mountain zone, the plains of the 
Ganga and the Indus, the desert region, the southern peninsula, 
and the islands. In this chapter, we will ‘??y’ over these zones, 
providing you with a bird’s-eye view of these features and 
o??ering glimpses of what things look like in close-up at some of 
these places. It would be di??cult to go into all the details at this 
stage since, as you will soon see, India is large and diverse.       
The Himalayan Mountain range stands as a natural barrier in 
the north, while the Thar Desert and the Arabian Sea mark its 
western limits. To the south, the Indian Ocean and to the east, 
the Bay of Bengal form a natural boundary. These geographical 
features create a separation between India and the rest of the 
continent and have played a crucial role in shaping India’s 
climate, culture, and history. 
Chapter 1.indd   2 Chapter 1.indd   2 08-04-2025   11:30:23 08-04-2025   11:30:23
Reprint 2026-27
3
India and the World: Land and the People 
1 –Geographical Diversity of India
LET’S EXPLORE
 Æ Do you recall your lesson on latitudes and longitudes? 
Look at the map. Can you read, approximately, the latitude 
and longitude where India lies?
 Æ Identify the above features on India’s physical map.
Let us now journey together from the Himalayas to the islands 
in the Indian Ocean, and onward to the east of India. The diverse 
colours on the map already give us a sense of the geographical 
diversity. Familiarise yourself with the legend on the map. The 
di??erent colours indicate the altitudes.   
The Himalayas
Look at the length of the Himalayan Range on the map. It is like 
a massive wall. From the legend, can you guess the altitude at 
di??erent points of the Himalayas? 
Fig. 1.2. These are satellite images of the Himalayan range. Note that the 
length of the range is about 2500 km.
Chapter 1.indd   3 Chapter 1.indd   3 08-04-2025   11:30:24 08-04-2025   11:30:24
Reprint 2026-27
4
Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Grade 7 Part 1
of the Gangotri Glacier. This glacier is one of the largest in the 
Indian Himalayas. It is considered sacred and attracts many 
pilgrims. Gaumukh is also a popular trekking destination. Next 
time you see the Ganga, remember — its journey began there! 
LET’S REMEMBER
The Himalayas seem to touch the sky. In fact, many of its peaks 
are over 8000 metres in height and are together called the 
‘Eight Thousanders’. This mountain range stretches across six 
countries in Asia: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Pakistan, and 
Afghanistan.  Can you name the highest mountain in the world?
In the summer, the snow on the mountains melts and feeds 
major rivers, such as the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra. These 
rivers and their tributaries provide water for drinking, farming, 
and industrial use, connecting with the lives of hundreds of 
millions of people. Hence, the Himalayas are sometimes called 
the ‘Water Tower of Asia’. The Himalayas are also important to 
many cultures and belief systems. The mountains themselves 
are considered sacred, and temples and monasteries have been 
built within them, attracting monks and spiritual seekers from 
around the world who come to pray and meditate.
DON’T MISS OUT
The Bhagirathi River, a major tributary of the Ganga, originates 
from Gaumukh (‘Cow’s Mouth’), in Uttarakhand. It is the edge 
Fig. 1.3. Gaumukh
Chapter 1.indd   4 Chapter 1.indd   4 08-04-2025   11:30:25 08-04-2025   11:30:25
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5
India and the World: Land and the People 
1 –Geographical Diversity of India
How the Himalayas were formed ... 
an interesting story
A long, long time ago, India was part of a much 
bigger landmass called ‘Gondwana’, where its 
neighbour was Africa! At some point, it broke 
away and slowly started moving north. About 
50 million years ago, it reached the landmass 
of Eurasia and collided with it. As India pushed 
against Eurasia, the land between them 
crumpled and rose up?—?just like how a carpet 
wrinkles when you push it. That’s how the 
mighty Himalayan mountains were formed!
Amazingly, India is still pushing into Asia 
today, very slowly?—?about ??ve centimetres 
each year, which is much slower than the rate 
at which your hair grows. This means the 
Himalayas are still growing taller, just a tiny bit 
each year?—?about ??ve millimetres, but over a 
millennium, that adds up to ??ve metres!
Fig. 1.4. India’s journey  
to Eurasia
Fig. 1.5. Folded layers of Himalayan rock
 DON’T MISS OUT
The word ‘Himalaya’ is a combination of two Sanskrit 
words — hima, meaning ‘snow’, and ??laya , meaning ‘abode’ or 
‘dwelling’ — thus, ‘abode of snow’.
Chapter 1.indd   5 Chapter 1.indd   5 08-04-2025   11:30:26 08-04-2025   11:30:26
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