Physical Features of India Class 9 Questions and Answers – This includes the various physiographic regions of the country, such as the Himalayan Mountains, the Northern Plains, the Peninsular Plateau, the Indian Desert, the Coastal Plains, and the Islands. The solutions to the exercises at the end of the chapter provide detailed explanations of these regions and how they contribute to the diverse landscape of India. These solutions are a useful resource for students preparing for exams, as they can help students understand the key concepts and apply them to answer questions related to India’s physical features.
Physical Features of India Class 9 Questions and Answers
1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
i. A landmass bounded by sea on three sides is referred to as
a. Coast
b. Island
c. Peninsula
d. None of the above
ii. Mountain ranges in the eastern part of India forming its boundary with Myanmar are collectively called
a. Himachal
b. Uttarakhand
c. Purvachal
d. None of the above
iii. The western coastal strip, south of Goa is referred to as
a. Coromandel
b. Konkan
c. Kannad
d. Northern Circar
iv. The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is
a. Anai Mudi
b. Kanchenjunga
c. Mahendragiri
d. Khasi
2 Answer the following questions briefly.
a. What is the bhabar?
b. Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south.
c. Which plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhyan ranges?
d. Name the island group of India having coral origin.
Answer –
a. What is the bhabar?
The Bhabar is a region in the northern part of India that is located at the foot of the Himalayan mountain range. It is a narrow strip of land that stretches from the Shiwalik Hills to the edge of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The Bhabar is characterized by a series of parallel streams that flow through the region. These streams are fed by the melting snow from the Himalayas and carry large amounts of silt and sediment, which they deposit as they flow downstream.
The Bhabar is an important region in terms of water resources, as it serves as a natural storage area for water and helps to regulate the flow of water into the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It is also an important region for agriculture, as the silt and sediment deposited by the streams make the soil highly fertile.
b. Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south.
The Himalayas, a mountain range that runs across the northern part of India and into Nepal, can be divided into three major sections from north to south:
- The Great Himalayas: This is the highest and most rugged section of the Himalayas, with many peaks exceeding 7,000 meters (23,000 feet) in elevation. It is home to the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, which stands at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet).
- The Middle Himalayas: This section of the Himalayas is lower and less rugged than the Great Himalayas, with peaks ranging in elevation from 3,000 to 5,000 meters (9,800 to 16,400 feet).
- The Outer Himalayas: This is the southernmost section of the Himalayas and is also known as the Siwalik Hills. It is the lowest and least rugged of the three sections, with peaks ranging in elevation from 600 to 1,500 meters (2,000 to 4,900 feet).
c. Which plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhyan ranges?
Answer – The Deccan Plateau lies between the Aravali Range and the Vindhyan Range in India. It is a large plateau that covers much of central and southern India and is bordered by the Western Ghats mountain range to the west and the Eastern Ghats to the east. The Deccan Plateau is characterized by its flat, rolling terrain and relatively dry climate.
d. Name the island group of India having coral origin.
Answer – The Lakshadweep Islands, also known as the Laccadive Islands, are a group of coral islands located in the Arabian Sea off the western coast of India. The islands are part of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and are composed of 36 small coral islands, atolls, and reefs. The Lakshadweep Islands are known for their beautiful coral reefs and white sandy beaches, and they are a popular tourist destination in India.
3. Distinguish between
a. Bhangar and Khadar
b. Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats
Answer –
a. Bhangar and Khadar
Bhangar and Khadar are two types of landforms found in the floodplains of northern India. They are formed due to the deposit of sediments brought by the rivers that flow through the region.
Bhangar is a type of landform found on the higher ground of the floodplains, near the edge of the rivers. It is composed of older, harder, and more compact sediments that have been deposited by the rivers over time. Bhangar is relatively higher in elevation than the surrounding land and is generally resistant to erosion.
Khadar is a type of landform found on the lower ground of the floodplains, near the center of the rivers. It is composed of younger, softer, and less compact sediments that have been deposited more recently by the rivers. Khadar is generally lower in elevation than the surrounding land and is more prone to erosion.
b. Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats
The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats are two mountain ranges that run parallel to the western and eastern coasts of India, respectively. These mountain ranges are an important part of the physical geography of India and have had a significant impact on the region’s climate, vegetation, and culture.
The Western Ghats are a mountain range that runs along the western coast of India, from the border with Pakistan to the southern tip of the country. The Western Ghats are higher and more rugged than the Eastern Ghats, with many peaks exceeding 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) in elevation. The Western Ghats are home to a wide range of plant and animal species, including many species that are found nowhere else in the world. The Western Ghats also serve as a natural barrier to the monsoon winds that blow across the region, leading to a wetter climate on the western side of the mountain range and a drier climate on the eastern side.
The Eastern Ghats are a mountain range that runs along the eastern coast of India, from the border with Bangladesh to the southern tip of the country. The Eastern Ghats are lower and less rugged than the Western Ghats, with peaks ranging in elevation from 600 to 1,000 meters (2,000 to 3,300 feet). The Eastern Ghats are home to a number of important rivers, including the Godavari, the Krishna, and the Cauvery. The Eastern Ghats are also an important source of minerals, including iron ore, manganese, and bauxite.
4. Which are the major physiographic divisions of India? Contrast the relief of the Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular plateau.
Answer – There are several major physiographic divisions in India, which are regions characterized by their distinct physical features and landscapes. These divisions include:
- The Himalayan Mountains: This is a mountain range that runs across the northern part of India and into Nepal. The Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world, with many peaks exceeding 7,000 meters (23,000 feet) in elevation. The Himalayas are an important source of water for the region and support a range of plant and animal life.
- The Northern Plains: This is a vast region of flat, fertile land that stretches across the northern part of India. The Northern Plains are formed by the sediment deposited by the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers and are an important agricultural region in India.
- The Peninsular Plateau: This is a large plateau that covers much of central and southern India. The Peninsular Plateau is bordered by the Western Ghats mountain range to the west and the Eastern Ghats to the east. It is characterized by its flat, rolling terrain and relatively dry climate.
- The Indian Desert: This is a dry, barren region located in the western part of India. The Indian Desert is characterized by its hot, dry climate and sparse vegetation.
- The Coastal Plains: This is a narrow strip of land that runs along the eastern and western coasts of India. The Coastal Plains are characterized by their flat, low-lying terrain and humid, tropical climate.
- The Islands: India is home to a number of small islands, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea. These islands are characterized by their coral reefs and white sandy beaches.
In terms of relief, the Himalayan region is much higher and more rugged than the Peninsular plateau. The Himalayas are a mountain range with many peaks exceeding 7,000 meters (23,000 feet) in elevation, while the Peninsular Plateau is a flat, rolling plateau with a maximum elevation of about 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). The Himalayas are also much younger in geologic terms than the Peninsular Plateau, which is an ancient landform that has been around for millions of years.
5. Give an account of the Northern Plains of India.
Answer – The Northern Plains of India are a vast region of flat, fertile land that stretches across the northern part of the country. The Northern Plains are formed by the sediment deposited by the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers and are an important agricultural region in India.
The Northern Plains are divided into several smaller regions, including the Punjab Plains, the Haryana Plains, the Uttar Pradesh Plains, and the Bihar Plains. These regions are characterized by their rich, alluvial soil, which is highly fertile and suitable for agriculture. The Northern Plains are an important grain-producing region in India, with crops such as rice, wheat, and sugarcane being grown extensively on the plains.
6. Write short notes on the following.
a. The Indian Desert
b. The Central Highlands
c. The Island groups of India
Answer –
a. The Indian Desert – The Indian Desert, also known as the Thar Desert, is a dry, barren region located in the western part of India. It is the seventh largest desert in the world and covers an area of about 200,000 square kilometers (77,000 square miles). The Indian Desert is bordered by the Aravalli Range to the north and the Rann of Kutch to the south.
The Indian Desert is characterized by its hot, dry climate and sparse vegetation. It receives very little rainfall, with annual precipitation levels ranging from 50 to 100 millimeters (2 to 4 inches). The desert is home to a variety of plant and animal species that have adapted to the harsh desert conditions, including the camel, the Indian gazelle, and the blackbuck.
b. The Central Highlands – The Central Highlands are a region of highland terrain that runs through the central part of India. The Central Highlands are characterized by their hilly terrain, with a number of ranges and hills rising to elevations of over 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). The region is home to a number of important rivers, including the Narmada, the Tapti, and the Godavari.
The Central Highlands are an important agricultural region in India, with crops such as wheat, rice, and sugarcane being grown extensively on the hills. The region is also home to a number of important industrial centers, including the cities of Mumbai, Pune, and Hyderabad.
c. The Island groups of India – India is home to a number of small island groups located off its coasts in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. These island groups are an important part of the physical geography of India and are known for their beautiful coral reefs and white sandy beaches.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of islands located in the Bay of Bengal. The islands are an Union Territory of India and are composed of 572 small islands, atolls, and reefs.
The Lakshadweep Islands, also known as the Laccadive Islands, are a group of coral islands located in the Arabian Sea off the western coast of India. The islands are part of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and are composed of 36 small coral islands, atolls, and reefs.