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Locational Setting and Relief: NBSE class 9 Social Science notes
Solutions, questions, answers, and notes of chapter 5: The Locational Setting and Relief which is a part of social science class 9 syllabus of students studying under the Nagaland Board of School Education. However, these notes should be used only for references and additions/modifications should be made as per the requirements.
If you notice any errors in the notes, please mention them in the comments
Introduction
Although India is an ancient land with thousands of years old history the modern nation came into being only in 1947. The British left India, a region they had ruled for almost two centuries, partitioning it into the two nations of India and Pakistan. They left their mark in many ways, including the popular and widespread use of the English language and a parliamentary system of government. India, officially the Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic of India is the world’s seventh-largest country. It encompasses a varied landscape rich in natural resources.
India is surrounded by seas on three sides- the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. This locational setting gives India and its immediate neighbouring countries a unique, geographical entity separated from the rest of Asia. So the land comprising them is collectively termed the Indian subcontinent.
Textual questions and answers
Choose the correct answer
1. India covers how much of the total world area?
A. 2.2%
B. 2.3%
C. 2.4%
D. 2.5%
Answer: C. 2.4%
2. The islands formed by coral deposits are:
A. Great Andamans
B. Nicobar Islands
C. Lakshadweep Islands
D. The Maldives
Answer: C. Lakshadweep Islands
3. Which latitude divides India into two parts?
A. Equator
B. Tropic of Cancer
C. Tropic of Capricorn
D. None of these
Answer: B. Tropic of Cancer
4. The Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia hills are located in which state?
A. Assam
B. Arunachal Pradesh
C. Nagaland
D. Meghalaya
Answer: D. Meghalaya
5. The highest peak in the world, Mount Everest, is located in which range of the Himalayas?
A. Himadri
B. Himachal
C. Shiwalik
D. Purvachal
Answer: A. Himadri
6. There are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Mark your answer as per the codes provided below.
Assertion (A): The Peninsular plateau is separated from the Indo-Gangetic plain by many hill ranges.
Reason (R): The northwest part of the peninsular plateau is covered by vast lava flows.
A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
C. (A) is correct but (R) is wrong
D. (A) is wrong but (R) is correct
Answer: B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
7. Identify the above picture.
A. Loop
B. Meander
C. Delta
D. Oxbow lake
Answer: D. Oxbow lake
8. Consider the statements given below and choose the correct answer.
Statement I: India covers an area of 3.28 million sq.km.
Statement II: It is about 10% of the total world area.
A. Statement (I) is correct and (II) is incorrect
B. Statement (I) is incorrect and (II) is correct
C. Both (I) and (II) are incorrect
D. Both (I) and (II) are correct
Answer: A. Statement (I) is correct and (II) is incorrect
Very short answer type questions
1. Name the southernmost point of the Indian mainland.
Answer: The southernmost point of the country is Indira Point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
2. What is the land area of India?
Answer: India covers a land area of 3,287,263 sq km.
3. Which are the three main physical regions of India?
Answer: The three main physical regions of India are:
i. The Himalayas and Karakoram mountains, the Himalayan foothills, and the Naga Hills.
ii. The plains of the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers.
iii. The Deccan plateau.
4. Why is the ‘Indian subcontinent’ called so?
Answer: It is called “the Indian subcontinent” because of its isolation from the rest of Asia due to mountain ranges.
Short answer type questions
1. Write a note on the middle Himalayas.
Answer: Himachal, or the Middle Himalayas, lies to the south of the Himadri, extending over an average width of 50 km and about 370 to 4500 m high. The important ranges of Himachal are the Mahabharat, the Dhauladhar, and the Pir Panjal. The most popular hill stations in North India, namely Shimla, Dalhousie, Nainital, Darjeeling, and Dharamshala, are located in Himachal.
2. Define (i) Khadar (ii) Bangar (iii) Tarai and (iv) Bhabar.
Answer: (i) Khadar: Khadar is the younger alluvium deposit soil of the flood plains.
(ii) Bangar: Bangar is the older alluvium deposit.
(iii) Tarai: Tarai is a wet and marshy area having a thick forest and a variety of wildlife.
(iv) Bhabar: Bhabar is an 8 to 16 km wide belt that forms a pebbled bed which is parallel to the slope of the river bed.
3. Write about the western coastal plains.
Answer: Stretching from Kerala to Gujarat is the Western Coastal Plain, which is rather narrow except for the Gujarat part. This highly rugged and dissected coastal plain is called the Konkan Coast in the northern part. Drowned valleys formed due to some rise in sea levels are called estuaries. Such estuaries are formed by the rivers of the western coast. This area is a land of small fishing villages, coconut, palms and spice gardens. Many ancient ports dot the coastline.
Long answer type questions
1. The vast latitudinal and longitudinal extent of India is unique. Discuss.
Answer: From south to north, India’s mainland extends between 8° 4’N and 37° 6’N latitudes. It is located in the Northern Hemisphere. The Tropic of Cancer (23½°N) passes roughly through the middle of the country. From west to east, India extends between 68°7 ‘E and 97°25’E longitudes. It is located in the Eastern Hemisphere. On account of the great east-west (longitudinal) extension of approximately 29°, a time difference of 1 hour and 56 minutes would be expected between the eastern and western limits of the country. So sunrise in Arunachal Pradesh would take place two hours earlier than in Gujarat. To solve the problem 82°30’ E longitude has been accepted as the Standard Meridian. The local time along this longitude has been recognised internationally as the Indian Standard Time.
2. What is the Standard Meridian of India? What is its importance?
Answer: 82°30′ E longitude has been accepted as the Standard Meridian of India.
From our knowledge about longitude and time, we are already aware that for each 1° of longitude local time is ahead by 4 minutes if we move eastwards. On account of the great east-west (longitudinal) extension of approximately 29°, a time difference of 1 hour 56 minutes would be expected between the eastern and western limits of the country. So, sunrise at Arunachal Pradesh would take place two hours earlier than in Gujarat. To solve the problem 82°30′ E longitude has been accepted as the Standard Meridian.
3. What do you know about (i) the Northern Plains and (ii) the Deccan Plateau (iii) the Thar Desert
Answer: (i) The vast Northern plains lie between the Himalayas in the north and the stable tableland of the Peninsula in the south. The Northern Plains are formed by deposition by the three main river systems – the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra. The Northern Plains are broadly divided into the Indus river system in the west and the Ganga-Brahmaputra river system in the east.
(ii) The Deccan plateau has its southward extension from the Satpura, the Mahadeo and the Maikal ranges to the southern tip of the peninsula. The northwestern part of the plateau is mainly a region formed by lava flows. The Western Ghats form a boundary towards the west and stretch without any obstacles along the coast of the Arabian Sea.
(iii) The Thar Desert is in Rajasthan, covering 805 km in length and 485 km in width. The desert terrain is marked by rolling sandhills, among which are found scattered vegetation and rock outcroppings. The area receives sparse rainfall, averaging 127 to 254 mm annually. The temperature in the area can be as high as 52.8°C in July. Most of the people in the Thar Desert are engaged in pastoral activities and the hide and wool industries.
Extra MCQs
1: What percentage of the world’s total land area does India occupy?
A. 2.2%
B. 2.3%
C. 2.4%
D. 2.5%
Answer: C. 2.4%
2: Which of the following is the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland?
A. Indira Point
B. Kanniyakumari
C. Rameswaram
D. Port Blair
Answer: B. Kanniyakumari
3: The longitude of 82°30′ E is significant for India because it is the:
A. Easternmost longitude of the country
B. Westernmost longitude of the country
C. Line dividing the country into two equal halves
D. Standard Meridian for Indian Standard Time
Answer: D. Standard Meridian for Indian Standard Time
4: The second highest peak in the world, Mount Godwin Austen (K2), is located in which mountain range?
A. Zaskar Range
B. Karakoram Range
C. Ladakh Range
D. Pir Panjal Range
Answer: B. Karakoram Range
5: The longitudinal valleys lying between the Lesser Himalayas and the Shiwaliks are known as:
A. Gorges
B. Passes
C. Doons
D. Ghats
Answer: C. Doons
6: The Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia hills are located in which state?
A. Assam
B. Arunachal Pradesh
C. Nagaland
D. Meghalaya
Answer: D. Meghalaya
7: The younger alluvium deposits of the flood plains are referred to as:
A. Bangar
B. Khadar
C. Bhabar
D. Tarai
Answer: B. Khadar
8: Which of the following mountain ranges is an example of old fold mountains?
A. Himalayas
B. Western Ghats
C. Aravalli Range
D. Vindhya Range
Answer: C. Aravalli Range
9: The coastal strip of southern Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu is popularly known as the:
A. Konkan Coast
B. Malabar Coast
C. Coromandel Coast
D. Utkal Coast
Answer: C. Coromandel Coast
10: The Lakshadweep Islands are a group of islands formed by:
A. Volcanic activity
B. Submerged hill ranges
C. Coral deposits
D. Tectonic plate movement
Answer: C. Coral deposits
11: What is the approximate north-south extent of India’s mainland from Kashmir to Kanniyakumari?
A. 2933 km
B. 3214 km
C. 3500 km
D. 2400 km
Answer: B. 3214 km
12: Which body of water separates Sri Lanka from the Indian mainland?
A. Ten Degree Channel
B. Gulf of Mannar
C. Palk Strait
D. Andaman Sea
Answer: C. Palk Strait
13: The highest peak in the world, Mount Everest, is located in which range of the Himalayas?
A. Himadri
B. Himachal
C. Shiwalik
D. Purvachal
Answer: A. Himadri
14: The Brahmaputra river is known by what name in Tibet?
A. Dihang
B. Jamuna
C. Padma
D. Tsangpo
Answer: D. Tsangpo
15: The coast south of Goa is referred to as the:
A. Konkan Coast
B. Coromandel Coast
C. Malabar Coast
D. Circar Coast
Answer: C. Malabar Coast
16: Which of the following is the smallest Union Territory in India?
A. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
B. Puducherry
C. Daman and Diu
D. Lakshadweep
Answer: D. Lakshadweep
17: The famous hill stations of Mussoorie, Nainital, and Shimla are located in which Himalayan range?
A. The Himadri
B. The Himachal
C. The Shiwaliks
D. The Purvachal
Answer: B. The Himachal
18: The triangular-shaped delta formed at the mouth of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers is called the:
A. Mahanadi Delta
B. Godavari Delta
C. Sunderbans Delta
D. Kaveri Delta
Answer: C. Sunderbans Delta
19: (I) The Northern Plains of India are extremely fertile.
(II) These plains are formed by the alluvial deposits brought by the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems.
A. I is independent of II.
B. I is a contradiction of II.
C. II is the cause for I.
D. I is the cause for II.
Answer: C. II is the cause for I.
20: Statement 1: Landslides are a common occurrence in the Shiwalik ranges.
Statement 2: The Shiwalik ranges are composed of unconsolidated sediments like sand, clay, and rounded stones.
A. Statement 1 is true, and Statement 2 is false.
B. Statement 1 is false, and Statement 2 is true.
C. Both statements are true, and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.
D. Both statements are true, but Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1.
Answer: C. Both statements are true, and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.
21: (I) The sunrise in Arunachal Pradesh occurs about two hours earlier than in Gujarat.
(II) India has a vast east-west longitudinal extent of nearly 30 degrees.
A. I is the result of II.
B. II is the result of I.
C. I and II are unrelated.
D. I contradicts II.
Answer: A. I is the result of II.
22: (I) The land comprising India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh is collectively termed the Indian subcontinent.
(II) The lofty Himalayan mountain ranges isolate this landmass from the rest of Asia.
A. I is independent of II.
B. I is a contradiction of II.
C. I is an example of II.
D. II is the reason for I.
Answer: D. II is the reason for I.
23: Statement 1: The Western Ghats form a continuous mountain range along the western coast.
Statement 2: The Eastern Ghats are a discontinuous series of hills eroded by rivers flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
A. Both statements are true.
B. Both statements are false.
C. Statement 1 is true, and Statement 2 is false.
D. Statement 1 is false, and Statement 2 is true.
Answer: A. Both statements are true.
24: (I) The Himalayas are considered young fold mountains.
(II) Geologically, the Himalayas are still rising in height.
A. I is the cause for II.
B. II is evidence that supports I.
C. I is independent of II.
D. I is a contradiction of II.
Answer: B. II is evidence that supports I.
25: (I) The Deccan Plateau is a vast triangular tableland occupying most of peninsular India.
(II) The Deccan Plateau is made mostly of igneous and metamorphic rocks, which contain valuable minerals.
A. I is the cause for II.
B. II is an example of I.
C. I and II are independent descriptive statements.
D. I is a contradiction of II.
Answer: C. I and II are independent descriptive statements.
26: Assertion (A): The Peninsular plateau is separated from the Indo-Gangetic plain by many hill ranges.
Reason (R): The northwest part of the peninsular plateau is covered by vast lava flows.
A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
C. (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
D. (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
Answer: B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
27: Arrange the parallel ranges of the Himalayas in order from north to south.
(i) The Shiwalik Range
(ii) The Himadri (Great Himalayas)
(iii) The Himachal (Lesser Himalayas)
A. (ii) → (iii) → (i)
B. (i) → (iii) → (ii)
C. (iii) → (ii) → (i)
D. (ii) → (i) → (iii)
Answer: A. (ii) → (iii) → (i)
28: Select the option that lists the major physiographic divisions of India in the correct north-to-south sequence.
(i) The Peninsular Plateau
(ii) The North Indian Plains
(iii) The Great Mountains of the North
A. (i) → (ii) → (iii)
B. (iii) → (i) → (ii)
C. (ii) → (iii) → (i)
D. (iii) → (ii) → (i)
Answer: D. (iii) → (ii) → (i)
29: Arrange the following sections of the Himalayas in the correct order from west to east.
(i) Assam Himalayas
(ii) Punjab Himalayas
(iii) Nepal Himalayas
A. (i) → (ii) → (iii)
B. (ii) → (iii) → (i)
C. (iii) → (i) → (ii)
D. (ii) → (i) → (iii)
Answer: B. (ii) → (iii) → (i)
30: Consider the formation of the North Indian Plains. Arrange the steps in the correct chronological order.
(i) Deposition of alluvium by rivers flowing from the Himalayas and the peninsula.
(ii) Formation of a large basin or depression south of the Himalayas.
(iii) The uplift of the Himalayas from the Tethys Sea.
(iv) Creation of a vast, fertile alluvial plain.
A. (iii) → (ii) → (i) → (iv)
B. (ii) → (iii) → (iv) → (i)
C. (i) → (iii) → (ii) → (iv)
D. (iii) → (i) → (ii) → (iv)
Answer: A. (iii) → (ii) → (i) → (iv)
31: Arrange these hills of the North-East, or Purvachal, in a general sequence from west to east.
(i) Naga Hills
(ii) Jaintia Hills
(iii) Garo Hills
(iv) Khasi Hills
A. (i) → (iv) → (ii) → (iii)
B. (iii) → (ii) → (iv) → (i)
C. (iii) → (iv) → (ii) → (i)
D. (iv) → (iii) → (i) → (ii)
Answer: C. (iii) → (iv) → (ii) → (i)
Extra questions and answers
1. When did the modern nation of India come into being?
Answer: The modern nation of India came into being only in 1947.
2. Which two nations was British India partitioned into?
Answer: British India was partitioned into the two nations of India and Pakistan.
3. What is the official name of India?
Answer: The official name of India is the Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic of India.
4. What is India’s rank in the world by area?
Answer: India is the world’s seventh largest country.
5. Which mountain range forms a geographical boundary in the north of India?
Answer: The lofty Himalayas form a geographical boundary in the north of India.
6. Name the three seas that surround the Indian peninsula.
Answer: The three seas that surround the Indian peninsula are the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal.
7. What is the approximate area of India in million sq. km?
Answer: India covers an area of 3.28 million sq. km.
8. What is the north-south extent of India’s mainland?
Answer: India’s mainland extends for about 3214 km from north to south.
9. What is the east-west extent of India?
Answer: India has an east-west extent of 2933 km.
10. What is the southernmost point of the Indian Union?
Answer: The southernmost point of the Indian Union is Indira Point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
11. What is the latitudinal extent of India’s mainland?
Answer: India’s mainland extends between 8°4′N to 37°6′N latitudes.
12. What is the longitudinal extent of India?
Answer: India extends between 68°7′E and 97°25′E longitudes.
13. Which important latitude passes through the middle of India?
Answer: The Tropic of Cancer (23½°N) passes roughly through the middle of India.
14. What is the Standard Meridian of India?
Answer: The Standard Meridian of India is 82°30′ E longitude.
15. What is the time difference between the eastern and western limits of India?
Answer: A time difference of 1 hour 56 minutes would be expected between the eastern and western limits of India.
16. What is the Palk Strait?
Answer: The Palk Strait separates the island nation of Sri Lanka from the mainland of India.
17. Name India’s southern island neighbours.
Answer: India’s southern island neighbours are Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
18. Name the six countries that are larger than India in area.
Answer: The six countries that are larger than India in area are Russia, Canada, China, USA, Brazil, and Australia.
19. What are fold mountains? Give an example.
Answer: When a large plate of the Earth’s surface is squeezed, the solid rocks gradually wrinkle and crumple to create wavy folds. The land surface is pushed up as a series of hills or mountains. If the folds rise quickly, they form high, jagged peaks. These are called fold mountains.
The Himalayas in Asia are an example of fold mountains.
20. What is the length of the Himalayan mountain wall?
Answer: The Himalayan mountain wall stretches over 2400 km.
21. Where is Mount Everest located?
Answer: Mount Everest is located in Nepal.
22. How was the North Indian Plain formed?
Answer: A depression or basin was formed south of the Himalayas millions of years ago. The alluvium from the rivers flowing from the south and north was deposited in this depression, which led to the formation of the fertile land of the North Indian Plain.
23. Name the six major physiographic divisions of India.
Answer: The six major physiographic divisions of India are:
- The Great Mountains of the North
- The North Indian Plain
- The Thar Desert
- The Peninsular Plateau
- The Coastal Plains
- The Islands.
24. What is the “Roof of the world”?
Answer: The Pamir knot is known as the “Roof of the world”.
25. Name the important ranges radiating from the Pamir knot.
Answer: The important ranges radiating from the Pamir knot are:
(i) Hindukush
(ii) Kunlun
(iii) Karakoram
(iv) Ladakh and Zaskar
26. Where is Mount-Godwin Austen (Mt. K2) located?
Answer: Mount-Godwin Austen (Mt. K2) is located in the Karakoram range in Kashmir.
27. Name two famous glaciers in the Himalayas.
Answer: Two famous glaciers in the Himalayas are the Baltoro and the Siachen.
28. What is another name for the Great Northern Himalayas?
Answer: The Great Northern Himalayas is also known as the Northern Himalayan Range or the Northern Arc.
29. What is the average altitude of the Himadri range?
Answer: The Himadri range has an average altitude of 6000 m.
30. Name two important Himalayan peaks in India besides Kanchenjunga.
Answer: Two important Himalayan peaks in India besides Kanchenjunga are Nanda Devi and Nanga Parbat.
31. What are Doons? Give an example.
Answer: The valley in the Shiwalik range is known as Doons. An example is Dehradun.
32. What are duns?
Answer: Duns are flat-bottomed valleys covered with thick deposits of alluvium and gravel.
33. What is another name for the North-East Himalayan Range?
Answer: Another name for the North-East Himalayan Range is Purvachal.
34. Name the hills that form the Purvachal.
Answer: The hills that form the Purvachal are the Patkai Bum, Naga Hills, and Mizo Hills.
35. Name the hills in Meghalaya.
Answer: The hills in Meghalaya are the Jaintia, Khasi, and Garo Hills.
36. Which river marks the easternmost boundary of the Himalayas?
Answer: The Dihang, popularly known as the Brahmaputra river, marks the easternmost boundary of the Himalayas.
37. What are the four main sections of the Himalayas in an east-west direction?
Answer: The main sections of the Himalayas in an east-west direction include the Punjab Himalayas (between the Sutlej and the Indus), the Nepal Himalayas (between the Kali and the Tista), and the Assam Himalayas (between the Tista and the Dihang).
38. What is the Sunderbans Delta?
Answer: The Sunderbans Delta is a triangular-shaped delta formed at the mouth of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers where they meet the sea. It is the biggest delta in the world.
39. What are alluvial fans?
Answer: Alluvial fans are triangular-shaped deposits with their base facing the plain. They are formed when the Himalayan rivers flow down the slopes of the mountains to reach the plains.
40. What is Khadar?
Answer: Khadar is the younger alluvium deposit soil of the flood plains.
41. What is Bangar?
Answer: Bangar is the older alluvium deposit.
42. What is the Tarai region?
Answer: The Tarai is a wet and marshy area with a thick forest and a variety of wildlife.
43. What is the Bhabar belt?
Answer: The Bhabar is an 8 to 16 km wide belt that forms a pebbled bed parallel to the slope of the river bed. It is a narrow belt covered with pebbles, lying along the foot of the Shiwaliks from the Indus to the Tista.
44. What is another name for the Thar Desert?
Answer: Another name for the Thar Desert is the Great Indian Desert.
45. What are the Deccan Traps?
Answer: The Deccan Traps were created by successive lava flows. They look like giant staircases and are step-like, flat-topped hills.
46. Name the two main divisions of the peninsular plateau.
Answer: The two main divisions of the peninsular plateau are the Deccan Plateau and the Central Highlands.
47. Name the local hill names for the Western Ghats.
Answer: The local hill names for the Western Ghats are the Cardamom and Anaimalai hills along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, the Nilgiri in Tamil Nadu, and the Sahyadri in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
48. What is the northern part of the Western Coastal Plain called?
Answer: The northern part of the Western Coastal Plain is called the Konkan Coast.
49. What is the southern part of the Western Coastal Plain called?
Answer: The southern part of the Western Coastal Plain, south of Goa, is called the Malabar Coast.
50. What are estuaries?
Answer: An estuary is a body of water formed where fresh water from rivers and streams flows into the ocean, mixing with the seawater.
51. What are lagoons? Where are they formed?
Answer: Lagoons are saltwater lakes. They are formed on the Kerala coast in the far-south.
52. What is the Coromandel Coast?
Answer: The coast of southern Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu is popularly known as the Coromandel Coast.
53. What is another name for the Kaveri river?
Answer: Another name for the Kaveri river is Dakshina Ganga, or Ganga of the South.
54. How many islands are in the Andaman and Nicobar group?
Answer: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of more than 300 islands.
55. What are the Lakshadweep Islands formed of?
Answer: The Lakshadweep Islands were formed of coral deposits called atolls.
56. What are atolls?
Answer: Atolls are coral deposits that enclose shallow lagoons. The term has its origin in the Malayalam word ‘atolu’.
57. Define Peninsula.
Answer: A peninsula is an area of land that is almost surrounded by water but is joined to a larger piece of land.
58. Define Subcontinent.
Answer: A subcontinent is a large land mass that forms part of a continent, especially the part of Asia that includes India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
59. Define Mainland.
Answer: The mainland is the main area of land of a country, not including any islands near to it.
60. Define Meridian.
Answer: A meridian is one of the lines that is drawn from the North Pole to the South Pole on a map of the world.
61. Define Plateau.
Answer: A plateau is an area of flat land that is higher than the land around it.
62. Define Standard Time.
Answer: Standard Time is the official time of a country or an area.
63. Define Lithosphere.
Answer: The lithosphere is the earth’s solid exterior crust.
64. Define Folding.
Answer: Folding is a bending of rock strata, caused by compression of the earth’s crust.
65. Define Spit.
Answer: A spit is a thin projection of land into the sea, lake or river; or a shell or reef extending from the shore.
66. Define Desert.
Answer: A desert is a dry, often sandy region of little rainfall, extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation.
67. Define Island.
Answer: An island is a land mass, especially one smaller than a continent, entirely surrounded by water.
68. Define Coral.
Answer: Coral is the hard, variously coloured, calcareous skeleton secreted by certain marine polyps.
69. Define Coral Reef.
Answer: A coral reef is an underwater structure made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals.
70. How did the British leave their mark on India after their rule?
Answer: The British left their mark in many ways, including the popular and widespread use of the English language and a parliamentary system of government.
71. Describe the locational setting of India in South Asia.
Answer: India is located in South Asia. The lofty Himalayas form a geographical boundary in the north and cut India off from the rest of Asia. The southern part of the country is in the form of a peninsula, surrounded by seas on three sides: the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal.
This locational setting gives India and its immediate neighbouring countries a unique geographical entity separated from the rest of Asia.
72. Why is the southern part of India considered a peninsula?
Answer: The southern part of India is considered a peninsula because it is an area of land that is almost surrounded by water. It is surrounded by seas on three sides: the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal.
73. Why is the land comprising India and its neighbours called the Indian subcontinent?
Answer: The land comprising India and its neighbours is called the Indian subcontinent because of its isolation from the rest of Asia due to the mountain ranges. The ‘Indian subcontinent’ is a geographical name for the plain and plateau region south of the Himalayas and adjoining mountain ranges in southern Asia.
This region has a unique and separate physical and cultural identity that makes it entirely different from the rest of Asia.
74. What is the significance of India’s latitudinal and longitudinal extent?
Answer: India’s mainland extends between 8°4′N to 37°6′N latitudes, which locates it in the Northern Hemisphere. The Tropic of Cancer (23½°N) passes roughly through the middle of the country, dividing it into two equal halves.
India’s longitudinal extent is between 68°7′E and 97°25′E, which locates it in the Eastern Hemisphere. This great east-west extension of approximately 29° causes a time difference of 1 hour and 56 minutes between the eastern and western limits of the country.
75. Why was the Standard Meridian of 82°30′ E chosen for India?
Answer: Due to the great east-west longitudinal extension of India, a time difference of nearly two hours would be expected between its eastern and western limits. For example, sunrise at Arunachal Pradesh would take place two hours earlier than in Gujarat.
To solve this problem, the 82°30′ E longitude has been accepted as the Standard Meridian. The local time along this longitude is recognised internationally as the Indian Standard Time.
76. Why is India known as a tropical country despite the Tropic of Cancer?
Answer: Although the Tropic of Cancer divides India into two equal halves, India is essentially known as a tropical country because its climate is dominated by the tropical monsoon.
77. Name India’s land neighbours.
Answer: India’s land boundaries are shared with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Myanmar.
78. Describe the three major physical regions of India.
Answer: India has three major physical regions:
In the north are the Himalayas and Karakoram mountains, the Himalayan foothills, and the Naga Hills.
South of the Himalayas are the plains of the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers.
On the southern peninsula of the Indian subcontinent is the Deccan plateau.
79. How are fold mountains formed?
Answer: Fold mountains are formed by the sliding plates and drifting continents that shape the Earth’s major landscape features. As a large plate of the Earth’s surface is squeezed, the solid rocks gradually wrinkle and crumple to create wavy folds. The land surface is pushed up as a series of hills or mountains.
If the folds rise more quickly, they form high, jugged peaks, which are called fold mountains.
80. Describe the Alpine-Himalayan system.
Answer: The Himalayas are part of the Alpine-Himalayan system, which is a great curving chain of ranges running east-west for more than 9,700 km across Asia and Europe. At one end of the system are the Alps that occupy most of Switzerland and parts of Austria, Italy, and France.
At the other end are the Himalayas, located along the border between India and China.
81. How did the Arabian Sea form?
Answer: As the Himalayas were being formed, an extensive volcanic eruption occurred in the northwestern part of the plateau. The plateau’s western part subsided, and the Indian Ocean moved in to occupy the depression that was caused, forming the Arabian Sea.
82. What are the main characteristics of the Himalayas?
Answer: The Himalayas are the highest, youngest, and one of the most active mountain systems in the world. They are located in the north and comprise the highest peaks in the world. They are made of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The Brahmaputra, the Indus, and the Ganga rivers rise in the Himalayas.
83. What are the main characteristics of the Deccan plateau?
Answer: The Deccan plateau is a vast triangular tableland occupying most of peninsular India. It is made mostly of igneous and metamorphic rocks, which contain valuable minerals.
This generally rocky region is marked by low mountain ranges and deep valleys. The Deccan is bordered by the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats.
84. Describe the North-West Range of the Himalayas.
Answer: The North-West Range is a series of mountain ranges radiating from the Pamir knot, known as the “Roof of the world”. Important ranges are:
(i) Hindukush: South-West
(ii) Kunlun: East
(iii) Karakoram: South-East
(iv) Ladakh and Zaskar: Parallel to the Great Northern wall.
Mount-Godwin Austen (Mt. K2), at the height of 8611 metres, is located in the Karakoram range in Kashmir and is the second highest peak in the world.
85. Why are mountain passes important in the Himalayas? Name some important passes.
Answer: Because of the great height of the mountains, there are only a few passes through which people can travel, making them important routes.
Some of the important passes of the Himalayas from west to east are Shipkila, Nathula, and Bomdila. The Karakoram pass in the Karakoram range is of great importance in this region of high altitude.
86. Describe the Himadri range. Mention its prominent peaks.
Answer: The Himadri, also known as the Great or Inner Himalayas, is the northernmost range of the Himalayas. It has an average altitude of 6000 m and contains all the prominent peaks of the Himalayas.
Prominent peaks include:
- Mount Everest (8848 m), the highest peak in the world, located in Nepal.
- Khangchendzonga or Kanchanjunga (8598 m), the third highest peak, located in Sikkim.
- Other important peaks in India are Nanda Devi (7817 m) and Nanga Parbat (8126 m).
87. Write a note on the Middle or Lesser Himalayas.
Answer: The Himachal or the Middle Himalayas lies to the south of the Himadri. It extends over an average width of 50 km and is about 3700 to 4500 m high. Important ranges of Himachal are the Mahabharat, the Dhauladhar, and the Pir Panjal.
The most popular hill stations of North India, namely Mussoorie, Shimla, Dalhousie, Nainital, Darjiling, and Dharamshala, are located in the Himachal.
88. What are the features of the Shiwalik Range?
Answer: The Shiwalik Range, or the Outer Himalayas, is the southernmost range. It is 900 to 1100 metres high and 10-50 km wide. It is a chain of low-lying hills made of sand, clay, and rounded stones. The valleys in this range are known as Doons, such as Dehradun.
These ranges are formed of unconsolidated sediments, so landslides are common. Flat-bottomed valleys covered with thick deposits of alluvium and gravel form duns.
89. Describe the North-East Himalayan Range or Purvachal.
Answer: The Purvachal is a series of hills running through Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, and Mizoram. It consists of the Patkai Bum, Naga Hills, and Mizo Hills.
Running along the Bangladesh-India border, these hills move westwards to Meghalaya, where they are known as the Jaintia, Khasi, and Garo Hills. The Dihang river, also known as the Brahmaputra, marks the easternmost boundary of the Himalayas.
90. How are the Himalayas divided from west to east?
Answer: The Himalayas are divided into four main sections in an east-west direction:
The Punjab Himalayas is the western section between the Sutlej and the Indus rivers, covering Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
The Nepal Himalayas is the area between the Kali and the Tista rivers.
The Assam Himalayas is the area between the Tista and the Dihang (Tsangpo) rivers.
91. How were the Northern Plains formed?
Answer: The Northern Plains were formed by deposition from the three main river systems: the Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra. Sand, silt, and clay brought down from the Himalayas by these permanent rivers formed the vast alluvial plains.
The tributaries of these rivers also contributed to the formation of the Northern Plains.
92. Name the main river systems of the Northern Plains.
Answer: The main river systems of the Northern Plains are the Indus river system in the west and the Ganga-Brahmaputra river system in the east.
93. Describe the Thar Desert’s location and boundaries.
Answer: The Thar Desert, also called the Great Indian Desert, is located in the northwestern part of India and also covers eastern Pakistan. It is bound on the northwest by the river Sutlej, has the Aravali Range to the east, the salt marsh called Rann of Kachchh to its south, and the Indus river plain on the west.
94. What are the main features of the Peninsular Plateau?
Answer: The Peninsular Plateau is a triangular region that is rocky and uneven. It extends to a number of hilly ranges in the far south.
The northwest part of the plateau is covered by vast lava flows which created the Deccan Traps, which are step-like, flat-topped hills. The plateau is divided into the Deccan Plateau and the Central Highlands.
95. Differentiate between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.
Answer: The Western Ghats form a continuous boundary towards the west and stretch without any obstacles along the coast of the Arabian Sea. They are relatively higher, especially in the southern parts.
The Eastern Ghats, on the eastern boundary, are discontinuous hill ranges with heights less than 900 metres. The region’s general slope is towards the southeast and east, as indicated by the flow of most rivers into the Bay of Bengal.
96. Describe the Central Highlands of the peninsular plateau.
Answer: The Central Highlands form the northern part of the Peninsular plateau. The region has a number of plateaus, denuded mountain ranges, and low hills made of igneous rocks. The Aravalli ranges occupy the northwestern part.
The southern boundary is formed by the Vindhya Range and its eastern extension, the Kaimur hills. The Malwa Plateau is located between the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges. The eastern part of the Central Highlands is known as Bundelkhand.
97. Describe the Western Coastal Plains.
Answer: The Western Coastal Plain stretches from Kerala to Gujarat and is rather narrow, except for the Gujarat part. This rugged and dissected plain is called the Konkan Coast in the northern part and the Malabar Coast south of Goa. It features estuaries, which are drowned valleys formed by rivers of the western coast.
The area has small fishing villages, coconut and spice gardens, and ancient ports like Mumbai and Marmagao. Saltwater lakes called lagoons are formed on the Kerala coast, and spits and sand bars are common depositional features.
98. Describe the Eastern Coastal Plains.
Answer: The Eastern Coastal Plains are part of the coastal plains that stretch from Odisha. The coast of southern Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu is popularly known as the Coromandel Coast.
There is much farming activity in the fertile deltas of the east coast due to its rich alluvial deposits.
99. Write a note on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Answer: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of more than 300 islands in the Bay of Bengal, of which 265 are uninhabited. The Andaman Islands consist of five large islands called the Great Andamans and the island of Little Andamans to its south. The Nicobar Islands are a group of 19 islands south of the Andamans.
These numerous, scattered islands are actually submerged hill ranges, and some have volcanic origins. They are larger than the Lakshadweep Islands.
100. Write a note on the Lakshadweep Islands.
Answer: The Lakshadweep Islands lie scattered off the coast of Kerala in the Arabian Sea. It is the smallest Union Territory in India and consists of 36 coral islands with a total land area of only 32 sq km. These islands were formerly called Laccadives.
The Lakshadweep Islands were formed of coral deposits called atolls.
101. Differentiate between Khadar and Bangar soils.
Answer: Khadar is the younger alluvium deposit soil of the flood plains. Bangar is the older alluvium deposit.
102. Describe the formation of a delta.
Answer: In the lower course of a river, the slope is much gentler, causing the river to become sluggish. The river deposits its mud and silt load in its channels, forming islands. The river then splits into channels called distributaries to go around these obstructions.
Through these channels, the river gets distributed over a large area. This vast, triangular-shaped alluvial plain formed by deposition is called a delta.
103. How are distributaries different from tributaries?
Answer: A tributary joins the main river and adds water from its basin. On the other hand, a distributary takes away water from the main river.
104. Explain India’s location and size with respect to the world.
Answer: India is located in South Asia. It is the world’s seventh largest country. From south to north, India’s mainland extends between 8°4′N to 37°6′N latitudes, placing it in the Northern Hemisphere. From west to east, it extends between 68°7′E and 97°25′E longitudes, which means it is located in the Eastern Hemisphere. The Equator passes just a few degrees below the southern tip of India.
In terms of size, India covers an area of 3.28 million sq. km, which is about 2.4% of the total world area. It is the seventh largest country in the world, after Russia, Canada, China, USA, Brazil, and Australia. The mainland extends for about 3214 km from north to south and has an east-west extent of 2933 km. The coastline is about 7500 km long. With a population of over 1000 million, India is the second most populous country in the world after China.
105. Describe the geographical features that give India a distinct identity in Asia.
Answer: India has a unique geographical identity that separates it from the rest of Asia. The lofty Himalayas form a geographical boundary in the north, and their long range cuts India off from the rest of the continent, forming an insulated compartment.
The southern part of the country is a peninsula, bounded on three sides by water: the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal. This locational setting gives India and its immediate neighbouring countries a unique geographical entity. This land, comprising India and its neighbours, is collectively termed the Indian subcontinent because of its isolation from the rest of Asia due to the mountain ranges. The subcontinent has a unique and separate physical and cultural identity that makes it entirely different from the rest of Asia.
106. Explain the impact of India’s great east-west longitudinal extension on its time zones.
Answer: India extends from 68°7′E to 97°25′E longitudes. On account of this great east-west longitudinal extension of approximately 29°, a time difference of 1 hour and 56 minutes would be expected between the eastern and western limits of the country.
For each 1° of longitude, local time is ahead by 4 minutes if we move eastwards. This means that sunrise at Arunachal Pradesh would take place two hours earlier than in Gujarat. To solve this problem, the 82°30′ E longitude has been accepted as the Standard Meridian. The local time along this longitude has been recognised internationally as the Indian Standard Time.
107. Describe India’s neighbouring countries and its international borders.
Answer: India’s borders are both natural and man-made. In the north, northwest, and northeast, its international boundaries are formed by the lofty Himalayas and their offshoots. In the south, southwest, and southeast, India’s coast is washed by the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal.
India’s land boundaries are shared with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. In the north, across the Indian border is the Tibet plateau. Along the northern part of the boundary are the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal and China. East of Nepal, across Sikkim, is Bhutan. To the east of the Himalayas’ eastern offshoots lies Myanmar, and to the west is Pakistan. The island country of Sri Lanka lies to the south of India, separated from the mainland by the Palk Strait, while the Maldives is also a southern island neighbour.
108. Explain the geological processes that led to the formation of India’s major landforms.
Answer: It took millions of years for the landforms of India to attain their present forms, with many geological changes leading to their formation. The sliding plates and drifting continents shaped the Earth’s major landscape features. When a large plate of the Earth’s surface is squeezed, the solid rocks gradually wrinkle and crumple to create wavy folds, pushing up the land surface into a series of hills or mountains. These are called fold mountains, and the Himalayas in Asia are examples of such mountains.
South of the Himalayas, a depression or basin was formed millions of years ago. Alluvium from rivers flowing from the south and north was deposited in this depression, leading to the formation of the fertile North Indian Plain.
Even as the Himalayas were being formed, an extensive volcanic eruption occurred in the northwestern part of the plateau. The plateau’s western part also subsided, and the Indian Ocean moved in to occupy the depression, forming the Arabian Sea. Due to this subsidence, the Western Ghats became prominent.
109. Describe the formation and key features of the North Indian Plain.
Answer: The North Indian Plains are formed by deposition from the three main river systems: the Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra. Sand, silt, and clay brought down from the Himalayas by these permanent rivers formed this vast alluvial plain. The tributaries of these rivers also contributed to its formation. Geologically, a depression or basin formed south of the Himalayas was filled with alluvium from rivers, leading to the creation of this fertile land.
The North Indian Plains, also called the Indo-Gangetic lowland, lie between peninsular India and the Himalayas, stretching in a great arc from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal. This region is the most productive and densely settled part of India. Most of the area is a large, flat plain with no major changes in relief, and its rich soil, suitable climate, and ample water supply aid in agriculture. The plains cover an area of about 3200 km and are between 300 km and 150 km wide, narrowing towards the east. They are broadly divided into the Indus river system in the west and the Ganga-Brahmaputra river system in the east.
110. The Himalayas are divided into three distinct parallel ranges. Describe each of them.
Answer: The Great Himalayan range comprises three distinct parallel ranges. These are:
(i) Himadri: The northernmost range of the Himalayas is known as Great or Inner Himalayas or the Himadri. It has an average altitude of 6000 m and contains all the prominent peaks of the Himalayas. The world’s highest peak, Mount Everest (8848 m), is located in Nepal in this range. The third highest peak, Khangchendzonga or Kanchanjunga (8598 m), is in Sikkim. Other important Himalayan peaks in India are Nanda Devi (7817 m) and Nanga Parbat (8126 m).
(ii) The Middle or Lesser Himalayas: Himachal or the Middle Himalayas lies to the south of the Himadri. It extends over an average width of 50 km and is about 370 to 4500 m high. Important ranges of Himachal are the Mahabharat, the Dhauladhar, and the Pir Panjal. The most popular hill stations of North India, such as Mussoorie, Shimla, Dalhousie, Nainital, Darjiling, and Dharamshala, are located in the Himachal.
(iii) The Shiwalik Range: The Shiwalik ranges or the Outer Himalayas are 900 to 1100 metres high and 10-50 km wide. They are a chain of low-lying hills made of sand, clay, and rounded stones. This is the southernmost range. The valley in this range is known as Doons, for example, Dehradun.
111. Write a detailed note on the Shiwalik Range. How are duns formed?
Answer: The Shiwalik Range, also known as the Outer Himalayas, is the southernmost range of the Himalayas. It is a chain of low-lying hills, 900 to 1100 metres high and 10-50 km wide, made of sand, clay, and rounded stones. The Shiwaliks are known by different names in various regions: Jammu Hills in Jammu; Dolfa, Miri, Abor, and Mishri Hills in Arunachal Pradesh; and the Dhang Range, Dundrara, and Churia Ghat hills in Nepal. Landslides are common in these ranges because they are formed of unconsolidated sediments.
Duns are flat-bottomed valleys covered with thick deposits of alluvium and gravel. These duns, such as Dehra Dun and Patli Dun, separate large areas of the Shiwaliks from the Middle Himalayas. The valley within the Shiwalik range itself is known as a Doon.
112. Briefly describe the six major physiographic divisions of India.
Answer: The six major physiographic divisions of India are:
The Great Mountains of the North: This division includes the Himalayas, which are the highest, youngest, and one of the most active mountain systems in the world. They are located in the north and are made of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
The North Indian Plain: These are fertile, alluvial central plains formed by the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers, which rise in the Himalayas. It is the most densely populated part of India.
The Thar Desert: Also called the Great Indian Desert, it is an extensive region of sandy desert that covers most of Rajasthan.
The Peninsular Plateau: South of the plains lies the Deccan plateau, a vast triangular tableland made mostly of igneous and metamorphic rocks containing valuable minerals. This rocky region is marked by low mountain ranges and deep valleys and is bordered by the Eastern and Western Ghats.
The Coastal Plains: The coasts from Odisha to Gujarat are plains, referred to as the eastern and western coastal plains.
The Islands: This division includes the two main island groups: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea.
113. Explain the divisions of the Northern Plains based on the difference in soil.
Answer: The Northern Plains can be divided into four distinct regions based on the difference in soil. These regions are:
(i) Khadar: This is the younger alluvium deposit soil found in the flood plains.
(ii) Bangar: This is the older alluvium deposit.
(iii) Tarai: This is a wet and marshy area with a thick forest and a variety of wildlife.
(iv) Bhabar: This is an 8 to 16 km wide belt that forms a pebbled bed parallel to the slope of the river bed. It is a narrow belt covered with pebbles, lying along the foot of the Shiwaliks from the Indus to the Tista, and is laid down by numerous streams flowing down the hills.
114. Write a note on the Thar Desert. Include its location, climate, and economic activities.
Answer: The Thar Desert, also called the Great Indian Desert, is an extensive region of sandy desert located in the northwestern part of India and also covering eastern Pakistan. It is bound on the northwest by the river Sutlej, has the Aravali Range to the east, the salt marsh called Rann of Kachchh to its south, and the Indus river plain on the west. The Thar Desert is in Rajasthan, covering 805 km in length and 485 km in width. Its terrain is marked with rolling sandhills, among which are found scattered vegetation and rock outcroppings.
The area receives sparse rainfall, averaging from 127 to 254 mm annually. The temperature in the area can be as high as 52.8°C in July.
Most of the people in the Thar Desert are engaged in pastoral activities and hide and wool industries.
115. Describe the Deccan Plateau. Include its formation, boundaries, and major hill ranges.
Answer: The Deccan plateau extends southward from the Satpura, Mahadeo, and Maikal ranges to the southern tip of the peninsula. The northwestern part of the plateau is mainly a region formed by lava flows. Successive lava flows created the Deccan Traps, which look like giant staircases and are actually step-like, flat-topped hills.
The Western Ghats form a boundary towards the west, stretching without any obstacles along the coast of the Arabian Sea. On the eastern boundary are discontinuous hill ranges with heights less than 900 metres, known as the Eastern Ghats.
The Western Ghats are known by different local hill names. They are the Cardamom and Anaimalai hills along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, the Nilgiri in Tamil Nadu, and the Sahyadri in Maharashtra and Karnataka. The Western Ghats are relatively higher in the southern parts.
116. Describe the Central Highlands. Mention the plateaus and ranges within this region.
Answer: The Central Highlands form the northern part of the Peninsular plateau. The region has a number of plateaus, denuded mountain ranges, and low hills, and is made up of igneous rocks.
The Aravalli ranges occupy the northwestern part of the peninsular plateau. These ranges are part of the old fold mountains and form a rugged ridge running in a southwest-northeast direction from Gujarat to Delhi. The southern boundary of the Central Highlands is formed by the Vindhya Range and its eastern extension, the Kaimur hills.
The Malwa Plateau is located between the Aravalli and the Vindhya ranges. The eastern part of the Central Highlands is known as Bundelkhand. Geologically, the Shillong plateau is also an extension of the Peninsular Plateau.
117. Compare and contrast the Western and Eastern Coastal Plains of India.
Answer: The coastal plains of India stretch from Odisha to Gujarat and are referred to as the Eastern and Western Coastal Plains.
The Western Coastal Plain stretches from Kerala to Gujarat. It is rather narrow except for the Gujarat part. It is a highly rugged and dissected coastal plain. The northern part is called the Konkan Coast, and the coast south of Goa is called the Malabar Coast. Estuaries are formed by the rivers of the western coast. This area has small fishing villages, coconut, palms, and spice gardens, along with ancient ports and natural harbours like Mumbai and Marmagao. Lagoons are formed on the Kerala coast, and spits and sand bars are common features.
The Eastern Coastal Plain includes the coast of southern Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which is popularly known as the Coromandel Coast. There is much farming activity in the fertile deltas of the east coast due to its rich alluvial deposits.
In contrast, the Western Coastal Plain is narrow and rugged, while the Eastern Coastal Plain is wider and marked by fertile deltas. The Western coast has estuaries and natural harbours, whereas the Eastern coast is known for its agricultural productivity in the deltas.
118. Describe the two main island groups of India. What are their origins?
Answer: The two main island groups of India are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of more than 300 islands in the Bay of Bengal, out of which 265 are uninhabited. The Andaman Islands consist of five large islands called the Great Andamans and the island of Little Andamans to its south. The Nicobar Islands are a group of 19 islands south of the Andamans. The origin of these numerous, scattered islands is that they are actually submerged hill ranges, and some have volcanic origins.
The Lakshadweep Islands lie scattered off the coast of Kerala in the Arabian Sea. It is the smallest Union Territory in India and consists of 36 exquisite coral islands. These islands have many untouched beaches and green coconut groves in a total land area of only 32 sq km. The origin of the Lakshadweep Islands is that they were formed of coral deposits called atolls.
119. Explain the formation of the Himalayas and the North Indian Plains as a result of tectonic movements and subsequent depositional work.
Answer: The formation of the Himalayas and the North Indian Plains is a result of geological processes spanning millions of years.
The sliding plates and drifting continents cause the shaping of the Earth’s major landscape features. The Himalayas were formed when a large plate of the Earth’s surface was squeezed, causing the solid rocks to gradually wrinkle and crumple to create wavy folds. The land surface was pushed up as a series of hills or mountains. Because the folds rose quickly, they formed high, jugged peaks. These are called fold mountains, and the Himalayas in Asia are examples of such mountains. The Himalayas are a geographically complex range which are still rising.
A depression or basin was formed south of the Himalayas millions of years ago. The Northern Plains were then formed by the depositional work of rivers. The alluvium from the rivers flowing from the south and north was deposited in this depression. This led to the formation of the fertile land of the North Indian Plain, located between the Himalayas and the Peninsular Plateaus. The three main river systems—the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra—brought down sand, silt and clay from the Himalayas and formed this vast alluvial plain.
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