physical features of india

The Peninsular Plateau- The Peninsular Plateau is a vast, flat area composed mainly of
old crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. It is one of the oldest landmasses,
created when the Gondwanaland split apart. The plateau is characterized by wide valleys,
rounded hills, and is divided into two main sections: the Central Highlands and the
Deccan Plateau.

● Deccan Trap:
○ A distinct feature of the Deccan Plateau is the Deccan Trap, an area of black
soil that is volcanic in origin.
○ The rocks here are igneous and have been eroded over time, forming the fertile
black soil in the region.
1. The Central Highlands
Location and Boundaries:
● Located north of the Narmada River.
● Includes the Malwa Plateau.
● Bordered by:
○ Vindhyan Range to the north.
○ Satpura Range to the south.
○ Aravalli Range to the northwest (the Aravalli Hills are
eroded, forming broken hills).
Slope and River Flow:
● The slope of the Central Highlands is from southwest to
northeast.
● Rivers in this region, like the Narmada and Mahi, flow in the same
direction.
● The highlands are broader in the west and narrow as they extend
eastward.
Extensions of the Central Highlands:
● Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand are extensions to the east.
● The Chotanagpur Plateau in the east, drained by the Damodar
River, also belongs to this region.
2. The Deccan Plateau
Location and Boundaries:
● Found south of the Narmada River, bordered by the
Satpura Range in the north.
● Gentle slope towards the east, higher in the west.
Northeastern Extensions:
● The Meghalaya Plateau, Karbi-Anglong Plateau, and
North Cachar Hills are the northeastern extensions of
the Deccan Plateau.
The prominent hill ranges in this area are:
○ Garo Hills, Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills
Western and Eastern Edges:
● The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats form the
western and eastern boundaries of the Deccan
Plateau.
● The Eastern Ghats are not continuous, and there are
gaps in the range.
Deccan Trap:
● The Deccan Plateau is known for the Deccan Trap, a
region with black soil formed by volcanic rocks.
● Igneous rocks here have eroded over time,
contributing to the fertile black soil found in the region.
What is the width of Himalayas in the Jammu and Kashmir?
Name the northernmost range of the Himalayas?
What is the area of Northern Plains?
What do you mean by Doab?
In which river is the largest inhabited riverine island located?
 The Western Ghats:
Location:
● The Western Ghats lie parallel to the western coast of India, running from
Gujarat in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south.
● They are continuous and can only be crossed through passes like Thal, Bhor,
and Pal Ghats. These passes are important routes for transportation across the
Ghats.
Height and Elevation:
● The Western Ghats are higher than the Eastern Ghats.
● The average elevation of the Western Ghats is 900–1600 meters, with Anai
Mudi (the highest peak at 2,695 meters) and Doda Betta (at 2,637 meters)
being the highest peaks.
Rainfall and Orographic Rain:
● The Western Ghats play a major role in creating orographic rainfall by forcing
the moist winds from the Arabian Sea to rise along their western slopes,
leading to heavy rainfall on the western side of the Ghats.
Local Names:
● The Western Ghats are known by different names in local languages across
regions, such as the Sahyadri in Maharashtra.
Famous Hill Stations:
● The Western Ghats are home to popular hill stations like Udagamandalam
(Ooty) and Kodaikanal located in Tamil Nadu.
 Eastern ghat

● Location and Features:

○ The Eastern Ghats extend from the Mahanadi
Valley in the north to the Nilgiri Hills in the
south, covering parts of Orissa, Andhra
Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
○ The Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and
irregular, dissected by several rivers flowing
into the Bay of Bengal.
● Elevation:
○ The Eastern Ghats are generally lower than the
Western Ghats, with an average elevation of
about 600 meters.
○ The highest peak is Mahendragiri (1,501
meters), located in Odisha
● Distinct Hills:
○ Shevroy Hills and Javadi Hills are located to
the southeast of the Eastern Ghats in Tamil
Nadu.
 . The Aravalli Hills:

● Location:
○ The Aravalli Hills lie on the western and
northwestern margins of the Peninsular
Plateau, extending from Gujarat to Delhi in a
southwest-northeast direction.
● Characteristics:
○ These hills are highly eroded and are often
seen as broken hills.
○ The Aravallis form an important
geographical feature, acting as a natural
barrier between the Rajasthan Desert and
the fertile plains of northern India
 The Indian Desert:
Location:
○ The Indian Desert is located towards the western margins of the Aravalli
Hills in Rajasthan.
Physical Features:
○ The desert is an undulating sandy plain, predominantly covered with
sand dunes.
○ Sand Dunes: The region features barchans (crescent-shaped dunes)
covering vast areas. Longitudinal dunes are more prominent near the
Indo-Pakistan boundary.
Climate:
○ Arid climate, receiving very low rainfall (below 150 mm per year),
contributing to the low vegetation cover.
○ Streams: Seasonal streams appear during the rainy season but quickly
disappear into the sand as they do not have enough water to reach the
sea.
Key River:
○ Luni River is the only major river in this region.
Vegetation and Wildlife:
○ Low vegetation cover with sparse desert plants like cacti and acacia.
○ Known for unique wildlife such as camels and desert foxes.
 The Coastal Plains

The Peninsular Plateau is flanked

by narrow coastal plains along
both the Arabian Sea to the west
and the Bay of Bengal to the east.
 The Islands of India
India is not only a vast mainland but also has two major groups of islands that hold
significant geographical and strategic importance.

1. Lakshadweep Islands:
● Location:
○ The Lakshadweep Islands lie close to the Malabar Coast of Kerala, in the Arabian
Sea.
● Composition:
○ The group consists of small coral islands and was earlier known as Laccadive,
Minicoy, and Amindive. In 1973, the group was renamed Lakshadweep.
○ Area: The total area of Lakshadweep is 32 sq km.
● Administrative Center:
○ Kavaratti Island serves as the administrative headquarters of Lakshadweep.
● Flora and Fauna:
○ The islands exhibit a great diversity of flora and fauna.
○ Pitti Island, an uninhabited island, is home to a bird sanctuary.
● Coral Reefs:
○ The islands are surrounded by coral reefs, which are formed by coral
polyps—microscopic organisms that secrete calcium carbonate, forming reefs.
○ The reefs can be categorized into barrier reefs, fringing reefs, and atolls.
● Example of Coral Reefs:
○ The Great Barrier Reef of Australia is an example of a barrier reef.
2. Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
● Location:
○ Located in the Bay of Bengal, extending from the north
to the south.
● Division:
○ The islands are divided into two major groups:
■ Andaman Islands (in the north).
■ Nicobar Islands (in the south).
● Geological Formation:
○ These islands are believed to be an elevated portion of
submarine mountains.
● Strategic Importance:
○ The islands hold significant strategic importance for
India, due to their location near important international
maritime routes.
● Climate and Flora:
○ Located near the Equator, these islands experience an
equatorial climate and are covered by dense tropical
forests.
● Flora and Fauna:
○ The islands are rich in biodiversity, with unique species
of plants and animals adapted to the equatorial climate.