Major Landforms Chapter Notes | Be an Explorer 5: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets - Class 5 PDF Download

Introduction

• Earth's surface is diverse, with 29% covered by land and 71% by water.
• Various natural features on land are termed as landforms.
• Major landforms include mountains, plateaus, plains, rivers, and deserts.

Mountains

• Definition: Large landforms rising more than 900 meters above sea level.
• Composition: Steep, sloping sides and a peak or summit.
• Mountain Ranges: A series or chain of mountains.
• Age and Shape: Young mountains have pointed peaks, while old mountains have rounded peaks.
• Examples: Himalayas and Alps (young), Aravalli Hills and Appalachian Mountains (old).
• Importance: Natural barriers, rich in resources (minerals and forests), source of rivers, and tourism attraction.

Plateaus

• Definition: Elevated flatlands with steep slopes.
• Formation: Deposition of sand and silt from rivers.
• Examples: Tibetan Plateau, Deccan Plateau, Colorado Plateau.
• Characteristics: Rich in mineral deposits, grasslands for grazing, and some have unique features like the Grand Canyon.
• Importance: Suitable for agriculture, transportation challenges due to uneven terrain.

Plains

• Definition: Flat and level lands formed by river deposition.
• Characteristics: Suitable for agriculture due to fertile soil, thickly populated, well-developed transportation.
• Examples: Northern Plains in India.
• Historical Significance: Birthplaces of ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley Civilization.

Rivers

• Origin: Mountains, journey through upper, middle, and lower courses.
• Features: Waterfalls, rapids, canyons in upper course; meanders in middle course; delta formation in lower course.
• Importance: Source of water for irrigation, transportation, formation of fertile plains.

Deserts

• Definition: Large areas with little precipitation, covered by sand or snow.
• Types: Hot deserts (e.g., Sahara, Thar) and cold deserts (e.g., Antarctica, Atacama).
• Characteristics: Harsh climate with hot days and cold nights, frequent dust storms, dunes.
• Importance: Oil deposits, unique flora and fauna adaptation, minerals concentration.

Conclusion

• Understanding landforms helps us appreciate the Earth's diverse geography.
• Each landform has unique characteristics and significance.
• Our planet's landscapes are shaped by natural processes over time.