Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 Question Answers - Life in the Deserts

Q1. Discuss the places where extremely harsh temperatures are found.
Ans:  Extreme temperatures can be found in various parts of the world, particularly in deserts. These regions are characterised by:

• Hot deserts: Areas with very high temperatures and low rainfall.
• Cold deserts: Regions that experience freezing temperatures.

Key features of deserts include:

• Low rainfall and scanty vegetation.
• Extreme temperature variations between day and night.

People often inhabit these areas where water is available, allowing for some agriculture.

Q2. Discuss the situation and location of Sahara Desert.
Ans: Situation and Location of Sahara Desert:

• Sahara desert covers large part of North Africa.
• It is the largest desert of the world.
• It has an area of around 85.4 lakh square kilometre.
• It is almost 2.5 times larger than the total geographical area of India (32 lakh sq. km.)
• The Sahara Desert covers eleven countries. They are Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia and Western Sahara.

Q3. Give an account of the climate of Sahara Desert.
Ans:  Climate of the Sahara Desert:

• The climate is scorching hot and parched dry.
• There is a short rainy season.
• The sky is typically cloudless and clear.
• Moisture evaporates faster than it accumulates.
• Daytime temperatures can reach up to 50°C, heating the sand and rocks.
• At night, temperatures can drop to near zero degrees.

Q4. Explain the life of the people of the Sahara Desert.
Ans:
Life of People of Sahara Desert:

• The Sahara desert has a very harsh climate.
• Despite this it has been inhabited by various groups of people.
• They pursue different activities.

Among them are the Bedouins and Tuaregs.

• These groups are nomadic tribes.
• They rear livestock like goats, sheeps, camels and horses.
• These animals provide them with milk, hides and hair.
• They make leather belts, slippers, water bottles from hides.
• They use hair in making mats, carpets, clothes and blankets.
• They wear heavy robes as protection against dust-storms and hot winds.

Q5. Which areas in the Sahara supports settled life and how?
Ans: The oasis in the Sahara and the Nile Valley in Egypt support settled population.

• Since water is available people grow date palms.
• Other crops like rice, wheat, barley and beans are grown.
• Egyptian cotton is famous worldwide. It is grown in Egypt.
• The discovery of oil in Algeria, Libya and Egypt is constantly transforming the Sahara desert.
• Other minerals of the area are iron, phosphorus, manganese and uranium.

Q6. How is the Sahara’s landscape gradually changing?
Ans: The cultural landscape of the Sahara is changing significantly:

• Modern architecture: Sleek glass office buildings now overshadow traditional mosques.
• Transportation: Superhighways are replacing ancient camel paths, with trucks taking over the salt trade.
• Tourism: Tuaregs are increasingly working as guides for foreign visitors.
• Urban migration: Many nomadic herdsmen are moving to cities, seeking jobs in the oil and gas industries.

Q7. Describe an Oasis and its major features.
Ans: An oasis is a fertile area in a desert where underground water reaches the surface. It is formed in depressions created by wind erosion that removes sand. Key features of an oasis include:

• Fertility: The presence of water allows for the growth of plants.
• Settlement: People often live near oases, relying on the water for agriculture.
• Crops: Commonly grown plants include date palms and other crops.
• Size: Some oases can be quite large, such as the Tafilalet Oasis in Morocco, which spans approximately 13,000 sq. km.

Q8. Explain the locational setup of the Ladakh Cold Desert.
Ans: The Ladakh Cold Desert is located in the Great Himalayas, specifically in the eastern part of Jammu and Kashmir. Its geographical setup includes:

• Enclosed by the Karakoram Range to the north and the Zanskar Mountains to the south.
• Home to several rivers, with the Indus River being the most significant.
• Characterised by deep valleys and gorges formed by these rivers.
• Contains numerous glaciers, such as the Gangri Glacier.

The altitude in Ladakh ranges from about 3,000 m in Kargil to over 8,000 m in the Karakoram, contributing to its cold and dry climate.

Q9. Discuss the climate of Ladakh.
Ans: Climate of Ladakh:

• The climate is extremely cold and dry.
• Altitude ranges from about 3000 metres in Kargil to over 8000 metres in the Karakoram.
• At high altitudes, the air is thin, making the sun's heat feel intense.
• Summer day temperatures are just above 0°C, while night temperatures can drop below -30°C.
• In winter, temperatures often remain below -40°C.
• Ladakh is in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, receiving very little rainfall, about 10 cm annually.
• The area experiences freezing winds and intense sunlight.
• People can suffer from both sunstroke and frostbite simultaneously if sitting in the sun with shaded feet.

Q10. What flora and fauna are found in Ladakh?
Ans:  Flora and Fauna found in Ladakh:

• Due to dryness, vegetation is sparse.
• There are very sparse patches of grasses and shrubs for animals to graze.
• Groves of willows and poplars are found in the valleys.
• During summer, fruit trees like apples, apricots and walnuts bloom.

In terms of fauna, Ladakh is home to:

• Various bird species, including robins, redstarts, Tibetan snowcock, ravens, and hoopoes. Some are migratory.
• Animals such as wild goats, wild sheep, yaks, and special breeds of dogs.

These animals provide essential resources:

• Yak's milk is used to make cheese and butter.
• Sheep and goat hair is used for making woolen clothing.

Additionally, the Chiru or Tibetan antelope is an endangered species, hunted for its warm wool known as shahtoosh.

Q11. Which tribes inhabit Ladakh? Explain their ways of life.
Ans: The People of Ladakh: The inhabitants of Ladakh share similarities with those from Tibet and Central Asia. They primarily practice either Islam or Buddhism. Numerous Buddhist monasteries, known as gompas, are scattered across the region, with notable ones including Hemis, Thiksey, Shey, and Lamayuru. Ways of Life:

• During summer, residents focus on cultivating crops such as barley, potatoes, peas, beans, and turnips.
• In winter, they engage in various festivities and ceremonies.
• Ladakhi women are industrious, managing both household duties and agricultural work, as well as running small businesses and shops.
• Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is well-connected by road and air, with the National Highway 1 linking it to the Kashmir Valley via the Zoji La Pass.

Q12. What is major activity in Ladakh?
Ans: Tourism is a key activity in Ladakh, attracting numerous visitors from India and abroad. Key attractions include:

• Visits to gompas (Buddhist monasteries)
• Treks to explore meadows and glaciers
• Participation in local ceremonies and festivities

Modernisation is changing the lives of the Ladakhi people, who have historically lived in balance with nature. Due to limited resources like water and fuel:

• These resources are treated with reverence and care.
• Nothing is discarded or wasted.