Teachers and Examiners (CBSESkillEduction) collaborated to create the Physical Features of India Class 9 Notes . Al the important Information are taken from the NCERT Textbook Social Science.
The physical features of India are grouped under the following physiographic divisions:
- The Himalayan Mountains
- The Northern Plains
- The Peninsular Plateau
- The Indian Desert
- The Coastal Plains
- The Islands
Let’s discuss each of them in detail:
Physical Features of India Class 9 Notes
The Himalayan Mountains
- The Himalayan mountain range runs in a west-east direction along the northern border of India, and consists of three parallel ranges: the Great or Inner Himalayas (also known as the Himadri), the Himachal or lesser Himalaya, and the Shiwaliks.
- The Great Himalayas are the highest and most continuous range, with an average height of 6,000 meters and a core of granite.
- The Himachal range is more rugged and lies south of the Great Himalayas.
- The Pir Panjal range is the longest and most important range in the Himalayas.
- The Shiwaliks are the outermost range and are composed of unconsolidated sediments.
- The valleys between the lesser Himalayas and the Shiwaliks are known as Duns, and DehraDun, Kotli Dun, and Patli Dun are some well-known examples.
The Himalayan mountain range in India has been divided into regions based on its location from west to east.
- From west to east, these regions are known as the Punjab Himalaya (also called the Kashmir and Himachal Himalaya), the Kumaon Himalayas, the Nepal Himalayas, and the Assam Himalayas.
- The Brahmaputra river marks the easternmost boundary of the Himalayas. Beyond the Dihang gorge, the Himalayas bend s
- harply to the south and spread along the eastern boundary of India, which is known as the Purvachal or Eastern hills and mountains.
- The Purvachal consists of the Patkai hills, the Naga hills, the Manipur hills, and the Mizo hills.
The Northern Plain
- The Northern Plain in India is a large, flat region that covers an area of approximately 7 lakh sq. km and has been formed by the interaction of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems and their tributaries.
- The Northern Plain is divided into three sections: the Punjab Plains in the west, the Ganga Plain in the center, and the Brahmaputra Plain in the east.
- The Punjab Plains are formed by the Indus and its tributaries, including the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Satluj.
- The Ganga Plain extends between the Ghaggar and Teesta rivers and covers parts of the states of North India, Haryana, Delhi, U.P., Bihar, and West Bengal, as well as a small part of Jharkhand.
- The Brahmaputra Plain is located in the state of Assam.
The Peninsular Plateau
The Peninsular plateau is an area of highland in the southern part of India. It is composed of ancient rocks that have been subjected to various forces such as uplift, erosion, and the breakup and drift of the Gondwana landmass. The plateau can be divided into two main regions: the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.
- The Central Highlands – are located to the north of the Narmada River and include the Malwa plateau, as well as the Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand regions.
- The Deccan Plateau – is a triangular landmass located to the south of the Narmada River, with an extension in the northeast known as the Meghalaya, Karbi-Anglong Plateau, and North Cachar Hills.
Here is a comparison of the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats:
| Western Ghats | Eastern Ghats |
|---|---|
| Located in the western part of India | Located in the eastern part of India |
| Elevation ranges from 750 to 2,695 meters (2,461 to 8,842 feet) | Elevation ranges from 610 to 1,067 meters (2,001 to 3,501 feet) |
| Form a continuous mountain range | Form a discontinuous series of ranges |
| Home to many species of flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world | Home to some species of flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world |
| Anamudi is the highest peak in the Western Ghats. | Mahendragiri (1,501 metres) is the highest peak in the Eastern Ghats. |
The Indian Desert
- The Indian desert is a sandy plain located in the western part of the country, along the margins of the Aravali Hills.
- It is characterized by low rainfall (usually less than 150 mm per year), a dry climate, and sparse vegetation.
- Sand dunes are a common feature of the landscape.
- The region has a harsh, arid environment and is home to a unique array of plants and animals that have adapted to survive in these conditions.
- Despite its harshness, the Indian desert is an important part of the country’s natural heritage and is home to many indigenous communities.
The Coastal Plains
The coastal plains of India are flat, low-lying areas located along the country’s coastlines. There are two main coastal plains in India: the Eastern Coastal Plain and the Western Coastal Plain.
- The Eastern Coastal Plain – stretches from the Eastern Ghats to the Bay of Bengal and is divided into the Northern Circar in the north and the Coromandel Coast in the south. This region is home to several large rivers, including the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, which have formed extensive deltas along the coast. Lake Chilika is an important feature of the Eastern Coastal Plain.
- The Western Coastal Plain – lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea and is divided into three sections: the Konkan (Mumbai – Goa) in the north, the Kannad Plain in the center, and the Malabar Coast in the south. This region is narrower than the Eastern Coastal Plain and is home to a number of important cities, including Mumbai and Goa.
The Islands
The Lakshadweep Islands are a group of small coral islands located in the Arabian Sea off the southwestern coast of India. These islands are divided into two broad categories: the Andaman Islands in the north and the Nicobar Islands in the south. The Lakshadweep Islands have a tropical climate and are home to thick forests.
- India’s diverse physical features have great potential for development.
- The mountains are important sources of water and forest resources, while the northern plains are the granaries of the country and were home to early civilizations.
- The plateau region is rich in minerals, which have played a key role in India’s industrialization.
- The coastal region and island groups provide opportunities for fishing and port activities.
Overall, these physical features have contributed significantly to the economic and cultural development of India.
Q. What is the Peninsular plateau?
Answer – The Peninsular plateau is a highland region in the southern part of India, composed of ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. It is divided into two main regions: the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.
Q. What are the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats?
Answer – The Western Ghats are a mountain range located in the western part of India, while the Eastern Ghats are a series of mountain ranges located in the eastern part of the country. The Western Ghats are generally higher and more continuous than the Eastern Ghats.
Q. What are the coastal plains of India?
Answer – The coastal plains of India are flat, low-lying areas located along the country’s coastlines. There are two main coastal plains in India: the Eastern Coastal Plain and the Western Coastal Plain. The Eastern Coastal Plain stretches from the Eastern Ghats to the Bay of Bengal, while the Western Coastal Plain lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
Q. What are the Lakshadweep Islands?
Answer – The Lakshadweep Islands are a group of small coral islands located in the Arabian Sea off the southwestern coast of India. They are divided into two main categories: the Andaman Islands in the north and the Nicobar Islands in the south. The Lakshadweep Islands have a tropical climate and are home to thick forests.
Q. What is the Deccan Plateau?
Answer – The Deccan Plateau is a triangular landmass located to the south of the Narmada River in the Peninsular plateau region of India. It has an extension in the northeast known as the Meghalaya, Karbi-Anglong Plateau, and North Cachar Hills.
Q. What is the Indian desert?
Answer – The Indian desert is a sandy plain located in the western part of the country, along the margins of the Aravali Hills. It is characterized by low rainfall (usually less than 150 mm per year), a dry climate, and sparse vegetation. Sand dunes are a common feature of the landscape.
Q. What is the Northern Circar?
Answer – The Northern Circar is a region located in the northern part of the Eastern Coastal Plain of India. It is located between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal.
Q. What is the Coromandel Coast?
Answer – The Coromandel Coast is a region located in the southern part of the Eastern Coastal Plain of India. It is located between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal.
Q. What is the Konkan region?
Answer – The Konkan region is a narrow strip of coastal plain located in the northern part of the Western Coastal Plain of India. It stretches from Mumbai to Goa.
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The CBSE Social Science Class 9 page on https://cbseskilleducation.com is a useful resource for students studying Geography, History, Political Science, and Economics. The page offers notes and other study materials that can help students prepare for exams, including the CBSE and other competitive exams. It is a good idea for students to regularly visit the page and stay up to date with the latest information and resources.