SSC CGL Preparation – Day 4

Geography – Physical Features of India

India exhibits a great diversity of physical features ranging from mountains, plateaus, plains, deserts to coastal areas and islands. These features have a profound impact on India’s climate, biodiversity, agriculture, and human settlements.

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🔹 1. The Northern Mountains (Himalayas)

• Formation: Formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.
• Extent: From Jammu & Kashmir in the west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east.
• Importance:
  • Acts as a climatic barrier, stopping cold winds from Central Asia.
  • Source of major rivers (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra).
  • Rich in biodiversity and forest resources.
• Divisions:
  • Himadri (Greater Himalayas): Highest peaks like Mt. Everest (Nepal), Kanchenjunga (India).
  • Himachal (Middle Himalayas): Famous hill stations (Shimla, Mussoorie).
  • Shiwaliks (Outer Himalayas): Lower hills, prone to landslides.

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🔹 2. The Northern Plains

• Formation: Made of alluvial deposits from rivers like Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra.
• Spread: From Punjab to Assam.
• Divisions:
  • Punjab Plains – formed by Indus and its tributaries.
  • Ganga Plains – largest part, agriculturally rich.
  • Brahmaputra Plains – prone to flooding, located in Assam.
• Importance:
  • Very fertile; “Granary of India”.
  • Densely populated region.
  • Ideal for agriculture due to availability of water and fertile soil.

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🔹 3. The Peninsular Plateau

• Formation: Oldest landmass of India; part of Gondwana land.
• Features: Rugged terrain with rich mineral resources.
• Divisions:
  • Central Highlands: Malwa Plateau, Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand.
  • Deccan Plateau: Bordered by Western and Eastern Ghats.
• Importance:
  • Rich in minerals: coal, iron, manganese.
  • Major rivers: Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery.

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🔹 4. The Indian Desert (Thar Desert)

• Location: Western Rajasthan.
• Features:
  • Sandy terrain, high diurnal temperature variation.
  • Low rainfall (< 150 mm annually).
  • Vegetation is sparse (thorny bushes).
• Rivers: Luni is the only prominent river.

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🔹 5. The Coastal Plains

• Extent: Runs along the eastern and western coasts.
• Divisions:
  • Western Coastal Plains:
    • Narrow strip between Western Ghats and Arabian Sea.
    • Divided into Konkan (north), Kannad (central), and Malabar (south).
  • Eastern Coastal Plains:
    • Wider and more fertile.
    • Divided into Northern Circar and Coromandel Coast.
• Importance:
  • Agriculture (rice in delta areas), fishing, and trade via ports.
  • Major rivers: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery form fertile deltas.

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🔹 6. The Islands

• Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Bay of Bengal):
  • Volcanic origin.
  • Strategic naval importance.
  • Rich in biodiversity.
• Lakshadweep Islands (Arabian Sea):
  • Coral origin.
  • Smallest Union Territory.
  • Known for coconut and fishing.

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📌 Significance of Physical Features in Indian Context

Feature	Significance
Himalayas	Natural barrier, monsoon control, river source, tourism
Northern Plains	Agricultural heartland, dense population
Peninsular Plateau	Mineral wealth, river valleys for agriculture
Desert	Tourism, solar energy potential
Coastal Plains	Maritime trade, fertile deltas, fishing industry
Islands	Biodiversity hotspots, defense importance

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📍 Key Points to Remember for SSC CGL

• Highest peak in India: Kanchenjunga (8,586 m).
• Oldest mountain range: Aravalli Hills.
• Only large river flowing westward: Narmada.
• Largest delta in the world: Sundarbans (Ganga-Brahmaputra delta).
• Plateau rich in minerals: Chota Nagpur Plateau.