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Physiography of India (Part - 1) - Geography, UPSC, IAS | Geography (Prelims) by Valor Academy PDF Download

Physiography of India

Physiographically, India can be divided into 5 units

  • Northern Mountains
  • Northern Plains
  • Plateau region of the South
  • Coastal plains
  • Islands

Areas with different altitudesAreas with different altitudes

The northern mountains consist of

  • Himalayan mountains
  • Trans-Himalayas
  • Eastern-Himalayas or Purvanchal

The Himalayas

  • Means ‘Abode of Snow’.
  • They are one of the youngest fold mountain ranges in the world and comprise mainly sedimentary rocks.
  • They stretch from the Indus River in the west to the Brahmaputra River in the east.
  • The total length is about 5000 km.
  • The width of the Himalayas varies from 500 km in Kashmir to 200 km in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Their average height is 2000 m.
  • The Pamir, popularly known as the Roof of the World, is the connecting link between the Himalayas and the high ranges of Central Asia.

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Himalayas can be divided into 3 parallel or latitudinal ranges

  • The great Himalayas or Himadri
  • Lesser Himalayas or Himachal
  • Outer Himalayas or Shivalik

Greater/ Outer Himalayas/ Himadri

  • The average height is 6000 m.
  • The average width is 120 to 190 km.
  • These ranges are composed of archean rocks like granite, gneisses, and schists.

Mt. AnnapurnaMt. Annapurna

  • There are few passes and almost all of them have a height above 4,500 m.
  • They include
    (i) Shipki La and Bara Lapcha La in Himachal Pradesh,
    (ii) Brazil and Zojila in Kashmir,
    (iii) Niti, Lipulekh and Thag La in Uttarakhand,
    (iv) Jelep La and Nathu La in Sikkim.

Lesser Himalayas/Himachal

  • These ranges have an average height of 3500-5000m and have a width of 50-80 km.
  • These ranges are composed of metamorphic rocks.
  • This range has famous and beautiful hill stations which include Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital, Ranikhet, etc.

Lesser HimalayasLesser Himalayas

  • Important ranges include Pir Panjal, Dhaula Dar, and Nag Tiba.
  • In Uttarakhand, the Middle Himalayas are marked by the Mussoorie and the Nag Tibba ranges.

[Intext Querstion]

Sub Himalayas or Shivaliks

  • These ranges have an average height of 1000 to 1500 m. and have an average width of 15 to 50 km.
  • These ranges are made of clay, sand, gravel, slate, boulders, etc.
  • The Doon valleys are situated in the ranges which include Dehradoon, Patlidoon, and Kothridoon.

Shivalik rangeShivalik range Longitudinally Himalayas can be divided into the following 4 sections.

  • Punjab Himalayas; between Indus & Satluj
  • Kumaon Himalayas; between Sutlej & Kali
  • Nepal Himalayas; between kali & Tista
  • Assam Himalayas; between Tista & Dihang

Trans – Himalayas

  • This range lies to the north of the Great Himalayas.
  • It has some important ranges like Karakoram, Laddakh, Zanskar, etc.
  • The highest peak in this region is K2 or Godwin Austin (8611m, in Pak, occupied Kashmir).
  • Other high peaks are Hidden Peak (8068 m), Broad Peak (8047 m), and Gasherbrum II (8035 m).
  • The longest glacier is Siachin in the Nubra valley, which is more than 72 km long (the biggest glacier in the world).
  • Biafo, Baltaro, Batura, Hispar are the other important glaciers in this region.
  • This area is the largest snow-field outside the Polar Regions.
  • The Eastern Himalayas-made up of Patkai Hills, Naga Hills, Mizo Hills, and the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills-are also known as Purvanchal.

North Indian Plains

North Indian plainsNorth Indian plains

  • Formed by the alluvial deposits brought down by the rivers- Indus, Ganga & Brahmaputra.
  • The westernmost portion is occupied by the Thar Desert.
  • Approx. 3200 km long & 150-300 km wide.
  • Can be divided into the following zones:
    (i) Bhabar
    (ii) Terai
    (iii) Bangar
    (iv) Khadar
    (v) Bhabar Belt
The document Physiography of India (Part - 1) - Geography, UPSC, IAS | Geography (Prelims) by Valor Academy is a part of the UPSC Course Geography (Prelims) by Valor Academy.
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FAQs on Physiography of India (Part - 1) - Geography, UPSC, IAS - Geography (Prelims) by Valor Academy

1. What is the physiography of India?
Ans. Physiography refers to the study of the natural features of the earth's surface, including its topography, climate, vegetation, and geology. The physiography of India is diverse and complex, with various landforms such as mountains, plateaus, plains, and coasts. The Himalayan mountain range dominates the northern part of the country, while the Indo-Gangetic plains cover the central and eastern regions. The Deccan Plateau stretches across the southern part of the country, and the coastal plains and islands border the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean.
2. What are the major landforms of India?
Ans. India is a land of diverse landforms, including mountains, plateaus, plains, and coasts. The Himalayan mountain range, which runs from northeast to northwest India, is the highest and most extensive mountain system in the world, with several peaks above 8,000 meters. The Indo-Gangetic plains, covering the central and eastern parts of the country, are the largest fertile plain in the world, formed by the alluvial deposits of the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus. The Deccan Plateau, covering the southern part of the country, is a vast and elevated landmass, with several hill ranges and plateaus. The coastal plains and islands border the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean, and offer a range of landscapes, including sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and mangrove forests.
3. How does the physiography of India affect its climate?
Ans. The physiography of India plays a significant role in determining its climate, as different landforms have different climatic conditions. The Himalayan mountain range acts as a barrier to the cold winds from the north, and the monsoon winds from the south bring heavy rainfall to the plains and southern regions. The Indo-Gangetic plains have a subtropical climate, with hot summers and cool winters, while the Deccan Plateau has a semi-arid to tropical climate, with extreme temperatures and low rainfall. The coastal regions have a maritime climate, with moderate temperatures and high humidity.
4. How does the physiography of India impact its economy?
Ans. The physiography of India has a significant impact on its economy, as it determines the distribution of natural resources, agriculture, and industries. The fertile plains of the Indo-Gangetic region support a large agricultural sector, producing wheat, rice, sugarcane, and cotton. The Deccan Plateau has vast reserves of minerals, such as iron ore, bauxite, and manganese, which support the mining industry. The mountains of the Himalayas have abundant forests, minerals, and hydroelectric power potential, which support the timber and energy industries. The coastal regions support the fishing industry, as well as port facilities and tourism.
5. What are the major challenges posed by the physiography of India?
Ans. The physiography of India poses several challenges, including natural disasters, environmental degradation, and regional disparities. The Himalayas are prone to earthquakes, landslides, and floods, which can cause significant damage to life and property. The plains are vulnerable to droughts, floods, and cyclones, which can affect agriculture and infrastructure. The Deccan Plateau is facing issues of deforestation, soil erosion, and water scarcity, which can impact the livelihoods of local communities. The coastal regions are threatened by sea-level rise, erosion, and pollution, which can harm the marine ecosystem and tourism industry. The regional disparities in terms of development, income, and access to resources are also a challenge for the country.
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