Physical Geography of India: Comprehensive Study

Discover the diverse physical geography of India, from the towering Himalayas and fertile Northern Plains to the ancient Peninsular Plateau and vibrant coastal plains. Explore India's major physiographic divisions, climate, river systems, and natural vegetation in this comprehensive guide. Ideal for students, researchers, and geography enthusiasts.

Physical  Geography  of India: Comprehensive Study

Physical  Geography  of India

(Article 1)

India: Its Physiographic Regions

India is the seventh-largest country in the area and the second highest populous country in the world. It is located at 804/28// N to 37017/53// N latitude and 6807/33// E to 97024/47// E  longitude. The Tropic of Cancer runs midway through the country and this line divides the country into two halves. The southern half is situated between the Arabian Sea in the west to the Bay of Bengal in the east. It extends north-south 3,214 km and east-west 2,933 km. It is 6,100 km. long coastal line. Pakistan is situated in the west, China, Nepal, and Bhutan in the north, China in the east, and Myanmar and Bangladesh in the southeast.  Its total geographical area is 3,287,263 km2, which covers  2.2%  of the world's land area. At present, it has 28 states and 9 union territories. 43.3% of land area is covered by plain, 18.6% by hills and hillocks, 27.7% by plateaus, and 10.7% by mountains. Five physiographic divisions are found in India, - (1) The northern Himalayas, (2) The northern plains, (3) The Deccan Plateau, (4) The Coastal Region, and (5) The Indian Islands.

(1) The Northern Himalayas: This region lies in the northern part of the country, extending from Nanga Parbat of Kashmir to the easternmost part of the border of Arunachal Pradesh in the east-west direction. Its length is about 2500 km and its breadth from about 240 km to 500km covering about 5,00,000 km2 area and its height is more than 8,000m from sea level. Geologists suggest that The Himalayas formed during the Tertiary period. The Himalayas can be divided into three parallel ranges viz- the higher Himalayas, the lesser Himalayas, and the outer Himalayas. The higher Himalayas are covered with snow and its average height is about 6,000m. The lesser Himalayas stand on the south of the higher Himalayas; its average height is about 4,000m and its width varies from 60 to 80 km. The outer Himalayas are adjacent parts of the lesser Himalayas and these ranges have an average height is 1,000m and width of about 15km to 50 km. These cover the foothill region.

Himalaya on the basis of Geographic location  

Name-------------Distance--------- Between

Assam Himalaya---720km---Tista and Dihang

Kumaom Himalaya---320 km---Sutlej and Kali

Nepal Himalaya---800km---Kali and Tista

Punjab Himalaya---560 km---Indus and Sutlej

(2) The Northern Plain: It extends from the Himalayan ranges in the north to the Deccan Plateau in the south. It is also known as the Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra plain. The Indo-Gganga plain has a width ranging from 240 km to 320 km whereas the average width of the Brahmaputra plain is 80 km, and it covers about 7,00,000 km2 land area. The three main Himalayan rivers, the Indus, the Ganges, and the Brahmaputra, and their tributaries have formed this vast fertile plain.  The desertic plain of Rajasthan is located on the west of this plain, dry and the sandy Thar Desert is a part of this area. 

(3) Deccan Plateau: It lies on the south of the northern plain. It includes Malwa Plateau and Vindya Mountain in the east and Chotnagpur in the northeast. The Vindya, Satpura, Mahadeva, and Mahakal mountains have divided it into northern and southern two parts,  bordered by The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats. There is a slope in the Western Ghats to the Eastern Ghats, because of this all the south Indian rivers flow from west to east towards the Bay of Bengal except two major rivers Narmada and Tapti. The Godavari is the longest river in this region.   

(4) The Coastal Region: It is lying along the Bay of Bengal on the eastern side and the Arabian Sea on the western side. It is long and narrow and can be divided into the eastern coastal region and the western coastal region. The Eastern Coastal region is situated between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal, extending from the mouth of the Ganges to the Cape Comorin, which is about 1,100 km. long and 120 km (average) wide. Coastal plains and deltas are found here. Chilka, Kolar, and Pulicate lakes are situated here. It has parts namely- North Circars (Mouth of Ganges to the Godavari), and Coromandel coast (the Godavari to Cape Comorin)West coastal region is situated between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, extending from the Gulf of Cambay in the north to the Cape of Comorin in the south, which is 1,500 km long and 10 to 15 km.
wide. It has two parts - the northern part lying between Mumbai and Mangalore is called the Kankan coast and the southern part of Mangalore to Cape  Comorin is called the Malabar coast.  

(5) Indian Islands: It consists of two groups of islands- Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Lakshadweep situated in the Arabian Sea just west of the Malabar coast has a group of 36 small islands. It is the smallest Union Territory of India with a 32 km2 area. Kavaratti is its capital. Andaman and Nicobar Islands situated in the Bay of Bengal, Andaman has 204 numbers islands and Nicobar has 11 numbers of islands covering an area of 8,249 km2 having 590 km length and 58 km breadth. Port Blair is its capital. Both the islands' groups' height is not more than 5m from sea level. o o o.

Physical  Geography  of India

(Article 2)

India, the seventh-largest country in the world by land area, is renowned for its diverse physical geography. Stretching from the towering peaks of the Himalayas in the north to the tropical coastal regions in the south, India boasts a wide range of geographical features. This diversity shapes the country's climate, natural resources, and habitats, making it one of the most geographically varied nations. This article provides a detailed overview of India's physical geography, including its major physiographic divisions, climate, rivers, and natural vegetation.

Major Physiographic Divisions

India's physical geography can be broadly categorized into six major physiographic divisions:

1. The Northern Mountains

2. The Northern Plains

3. The Peninsular Plateau

4. The Indian Desert

5. The Coastal Plains

6. The Islands

The Northern Mountains

The Northern Mountains primarily comprise the Himalayas, which stretch across five Indian states: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The Himalayas are divided into three parallel ranges:

The Great Himalayas (Himadri): The highest range, home to some of the world's tallest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.

The Lesser Himalayas (Himachal): Situated south of the Great Himalayas, these ranges include popular hill stations like Shimla and Mussoorie.

The Shivaliks: The outermost range, known for its relatively lower altitudes and fertile valleys.

The Himalayas play a crucial role in India's climate, acting as a barrier to the cold winds from Central Asia and bringing monsoon rains to the country.

The Northern Plains

The Northern Plains, also known as the Indo-Gangetic Plains, are formed by the alluvial deposits of three major river systems: the Indus, the Ganges, and the Brahmaputra. These plains extend across several states, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. The region is characterized by fertile soil, making it one of the most agriculturally productive areas in the world.

The Peninsular Plateau

The Peninsular Plateau is a large, triangular landmass that lies to the south of the Northern Plains. It is one of the oldest landforms in India and consists of two major plateaus:

The Central Highlands: Situated to the north of the Narmada River, this area includes the Malwa Plateau and the Chotanagpur Plateau.

The Deccan Plateau: Located south of the Narmada River, it covers a significant portion of southern India and includes the Western and Eastern Ghats.

The plateau is rich in minerals and has several important rivers, including the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.

The Indian Desert

The Indian Desert, also known as the Thar Desert, is located in the northwestern part of India, primarily in the state of Rajasthan. It is characterized by sandy terrain, sparse vegetation, and extreme temperatures. Despite the harsh conditions, the Thar Desert supports a unique ecosystem and a vibrant cultural heritage.

The Coastal Plains

India's extensive coastline stretches over 7,500 kilometers and is divided into two main regions:

The Western Coastal Plains: Stretching from Gujarat to Kerala, these plains are narrow and interspersed with numerous rivers and backwaters.

The Eastern Coastal Plains: Extending from West Bengal to Tamil Nadu, these plains are broader and include fertile deltas formed by rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.

The Islands

India has two major groups of islands:

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Located in the Bay of Bengal, these islands are known for their tropical rainforests, diverse wildlife, and indigenous tribes.

The Lakshadweep Islands: Situated in the Arabian Sea, these coral islands are renowned for their pristine beaches and marine biodiversity.

Climate of India

India's climate is influenced by its diverse topography and geographical location. The country experiences six major climatic seasons:

1. Winter (January to February)

2. Summer (March to May)

3. Monsoon (June to September)

4. Post-Monsoon (October to November)

5. Autumn (October to November)

6. Spring (February to March)

The monsoon season is particularly significant, as it brings the majority of the annual rainfall and is crucial for agriculture.

Major River Systems

India's rivers are vital for its agriculture, economy, and cultural heritage. The major river systems include:

The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna System: One of the largest river systems in the world, it supports a vast population and extensive agricultural activities.

The Indus River System: Originating in Tibet, it flows through India and Pakistan, providing water for agriculture and industry.

The Peninsular Rivers: Including the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, these rivers are crucial for southern India's water supply and agriculture.

Natural Vegetation

India's natural vegetation varies widely due to its diverse climate and geography. Major vegetation types include:

Tropical Rainforests: Found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Western Ghats, and parts of the northeastern states.

Deciduous Forests: Widespread in central and northern India, these forests shed their leaves seasonally.

Thorn Forests: Found in arid regions like Rajasthan, these forests have xerophytic vegetation.

Mangrove Forests: Located in coastal areas, particularly in the Sundarbans, they are crucial for coastal protection and biodiversity.

Conclusion

The physical geography of India is a tapestry of diverse landscapes, each contributing to the country's unique natural and cultural heritage. From the majestic Himalayas to the fertile plains and from the arid deserts to the lush coastal regions, India's geography plays a vital role in shaping its climate, ecosystems, and way of life. Understanding this diversity is essential for appreciating the complexities and richness of India as a nation. 0 0 0