Chapter-2 physical features of india

Explanation: 

i) (c) Peninsula is a landmass bounded by sea on the three sides. A peninsula is a geographical landform that is surrounded by water on three sides but connected to the mainland on one side. Peninsulas can vary in size, ranging from small juttings of land to entire regions, and can be found all over the world.

ii) (c) The western coastal strip, south of Goa is referred to Kannad.

iii) (c) The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is Kanchenjunga. It is the third highest mountain in the world, with an elevation of 8,586 meters (28,169 feet). It is located on the border between Nepal and India in the eastern Himalayas, and is considered one of the most challenging peaks to climb due to its difficult terrain and unpredictable weather.

Explanation:
i) The Bhabar is a narrow strip of land in northern India that lies at the foot of the Himalayan mountain range. It is located between the foothills of the Himalayas and the Indo-Gangetic plain, and stretches from the state of Uttarakhand in the west to Assam in the east. The Bhabar is characterized by its rocky and porous terrain, with a layer of pebbles and boulders that allows water to drain quickly. As a result, the Bhabar region is relatively dry compared to the surrounding areas, and has a unique vegetation cover that includes grasses, shrubs, and trees such as sal and teak. The Bhabar region is also an important source of groundwater, as the porous rocks and boulders allow water to percolate down to the aquifers below. This groundwater is crucial for irrigation and drinking water for the surrounding villages and towns.

ii) The three major divisions of the Himalays from north to south are:
            (a)Greater Himalayas (also known as the Himadri): This is the northernmost and highest range of the Himalayas, with peaks reaching heights of over 8,000                                meters. It is characterized by steep and rugged terrain, and is home to some of the world's highest peaks, including Mount Everest and K2.
(b)Lesser Himalayas (also known as the Himachal): This range lies to the south of the Greater Himalayas, and is characterized by lower peaks and gentler slopes. It includes popular tourist destinations such as Shimla, Darjeeling, and Mussoorie.      
c)Outer Himalayas (also known as the Siwalik Range): This range lies to the south of the Lesser Himalayas, and is characterized by low hills and plains. It is the southernmost range of the Himalayas and includes the foothills of the mountain range, merging into the Indo-Gangetic plain. The Outer Himalayas are known for their rich biodiversity and are home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, and rhinoceroses.
iii) The plateau that lies between the Aravali and Vindhya ranges in India is called the Malwa Plateau. It is located in the western part of the Indian subcontinent, covering parts of the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Malwa Plateau is characterized by its undulating terrain, with elevations ranging from 300 to 600 meters (1,000 to 2,000 feet) above sea level. The plateau is known for its fertile black soil and is an important agricultural region, producing crops such as wheat, soybeans, cotton, and sugarcane.

iv)The island group of India that has a coral origin is the Lakshadweep Islands. They are a group of 36 islands and islets located in the Arabian Sea, off the west coast of India. The islands are of great ecological significance and are known for their rich coral reefs, lagoons, and pristine beaches. The Lakshadweep Islands are home to a unique blend of cultures and traditions, and the local people are primarily engaged in fishing and coconut cultivation. The islands are also a popular tourist destination, with visitors drawn to the natural beauty and serenity of the islands, as well as to explore the vibrant marine life that thrives in the coral reefs surrounding the islands.

Explanation:

i)  The main differences between them are:

Bhangar: Bhangar is an older alluvial soil that is found at a higher elevation than Khadar. It is formed by the deposition of coarse-grained materials, such as sand and gravel, during the Pleistocene era. Bhangar soils are generally more fertile than other types of alluvial soils and are suitable for growing crops such as wheat, sugarcane, and cotton. Bhangar soils are also more resistant to erosion than Khadar soils.

Khadar: Khadar is a newer alluvial soil that is found at a lower elevation than Bhangar. It is formed by the deposition of fine-grained materials, such as silt and clay, during the Holocene era. Khadar soils are generally more fertile than other types of alluvial soils and are suitable for growing crops such as rice, wheat, and sugarcane. Khadar soils are also more susceptible to flooding and erosion than Bhangar soils.

ii) The main differences between them are:

Explanation:

The major physiographic divisions of India are:

(a)The Himalayan region: This region consists of the Himalayan mountain range and its associated mountain ranges, such as the Karakoram and the Hindu Kush. It is a young fold mountain system and is the highest mountain range in the world. The region is characterized by rugged terrain, high peaks, deep valleys, and glaciers.

(b)The Northern Plains: This region lies to the south of the Himalayas and is made up of the Indo-Gangetic plain, which is one of the most fertile regions in the world. The Northern Plains are characterized by flat alluvial plains, with the rivers of the region depositing sediment to create fertile soils.

(c))The Peninsular Plateau: This region lies to the south of the Northern Plains and is a large, triangular plateau that is surrounded by hills and coastal plains. The plateau is made up of ancient crystalline rocks and is characterized by low hills, broad valleys, and plateaus.

(d)The Indian Desert: This region lies to the northwest of the Peninsular Plateau and is a vast arid region characterized by sand dunes, thorny vegetation, and low hills.

(e)The Coastal Plains: These are narrow strips of land that run along the eastern and western coasts of India. They are low-lying regions that are rich in mineral resources and are characterized by wide estuaries, lagoons, and beaches.

The relief of the Himalayan region is very different from that of the Peninsular Plateau. The Himalayan region is a young fold mountain system that is characterized by rugged terrain, high peaks, deep valleys, and glaciers. The peaks of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest, are among the highest in the world. The region is geologically active and experiences frequent earthquakes and landslides.

The Peninsular Plateau, on the other hand, is an old, stable region that is made up of ancient crystalline rocks. It is characterized by low hills, broad valleys, and plateaus. The plateau has been eroded by rivers over millions of years, creating deep valleys and narrow gorges. The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats are two major mountain ranges that run parallel to the west and east coasts of the peninsula respectively. These ranges are not as high as the Himalayas, but they are important for their rich biodiversity and for the rivers that originate from them.

Explanation:

The Northern Plains of India, also known as the Indo-Gangetic Plain, is a vast alluvial plain that extends from the foothills of the Himalayas in the north to the Deccan Plateau in the south. The plain is formed by the deposits of three major river systems - the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra - which have their source in the Himalayas.The Northern Plains are one of the most densely populated regions in the world and are known for their fertile soils and agriculture. The region is also home to several important cities, including Delhi, Kolkata, and Lucknow.The Northern Plains can be divided into three sub-regions: the Bhabar, the Terai, and the Bhangar. The Bhabar is a narrow belt of low hills that runs parallel to the southern slopes of the Himalayas. The Terai is a marshy region located at the foothills of the Himalayas, and is characterized by grasslands, swamps, and forests. The Bhangar is the highest part of the Northern Plains and is a fertile alluvial plain that is raised above the floodplains of the rivers.The Northern Plains are characterized by a humid subtropical
climate, with hot summers and cold winters. The region receives most of its rainfall during the monsoon season, from June to September, and experiences dry spells during the winter months.The Northern Plains are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. The region is famous for its agricultural productivity, producing crops such as wheat, rice, sugarcane, and cotton. The rivers that flow through the Northern Plains are also important for transportation, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation.However, the Northern Plains are also prone to natural disasters, such as floods and droughts, which can cause significant damage to crops and infrastructure. The region is also facing environmental challenges such as water pollution, soil degradation, and deforestation, which need to be addressed to ensure the sustainable development of this important region.

Explanation:

(i) The Indian Desert, also known as the Thar Desert, is a large arid region located in the northwestern part of India, covering an area of around 200,000 square kilometers. The desert is bounded by the Aravalli Range on the east, the Rann of Kutch on the south, and the Indus River on the west.

The Indian Desert is a hot and dry region, with temperatures ranging from 50°C in summer to freezing temperatures during the winter nights. The region receives very low rainfall, with an average annual precipitation of less than 250 mm. The desert landscape is characterized by sand dunes, rocky terrain, and sparse vegetation, consisting mainly of thorny bushes and trees.

(ii) The Central Highlands of India is a vast plateau region located in the central part of the country, covering an area of around 700,000 square kilometers. The region is bounded by the Aravalli Range in the west, the Satpura Range in the south, and the Vindhya Range in the east.The Central Highlands are characterized by a diverse topography, consisting of hills, plateaus, valleys, and plains. The region is also known for its rich mineral resources, including coal, iron ore, bauxite, and manganese. The Central Highlands are divided into two major sub-regions - the Malwa Plateau and the Deccan Plateau.

(iii) India has two major island groups - the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands.