Class 9 Geography Physical Features of India
Q: What are the major physical features of India?
The major physical features of India include mountains, plains, deserts, plateaus, and islands.
Q: Which part of India is geologically considered one of the ancient landmasses?
The Peninsular Plateau in India is considered one of the ancient landmasses on Earth’s surface.
Q: What are the two most recent landforms in India?
The Himalayas and the Northern Plains are the most recent landforms in India.
Q: Describe the characteristics of the Himalayan Mountains.
The Himalayas are geologically young and structurally fold mountains. They stretch over the northern borders of India and form an arc covering a distance of about , km. The Himalayas consist of three parallel ranges: the Great or Inner Himalayas (Himadri), the Himachal or Lesser Himalaya, and the Shiwaliks. The Great Himalayas are the most continuous range with the loftiest peaks, while the Shiwaliks are the outermost range composed of unconsolidated sediments.
Q: What are the regional names of the Himalayas?
The regional names of the Himalayas include Punjab Himalaya (between Indus and Satluj rivers), Kashmir Himalaya (in the Kashmir Valley), Himachal Himalaya (in Himachal Pradesh), Kumaon Himalayas (between Satluj and Kali rivers), Nepal Himalayas (between Kali and Teesta rivers), and Assam Himalayas (between Teesta and Dihang rivers).
Q: What are the major rivers involved in the formation of the Northern Plains in India?
The major rivers involved in the formation of the Northern Plains are the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra, along with their tributaries.
Q: What is the soil type in the Northern Plains?
The Northern Plains are formed of alluvial soil, which is rich and fertile due to the deposition of alluvium over millions of years.
Q: What are the three sections of the Northern Plains?
The Western part is referred to as the Punjab Plains, dominated by the Indus and its tributaries. The Ganga Plain extends between Ghaggar and Teesta rivers. In the East lies the Brahmaputra Plain.
Q: What are the relief features of the Northern Plains?
The Northern Plains have diverse relief features. They include the bhabar belt, which is a narrow pebble deposit belt at the foothills, the terai region, characterized by wet and swampy areas, the bhangar region, which is an older alluvial terrace-like feature, and the khadar region, which is the younger floodplain with fertile soil.
Q: Where is Dudhwa National Park located?
Dudhwa National Park is located in the terai region of the Northern Plains.
Q: What are the major physiographic divisions of India based on its physical features?
Answer: The major physiographic divisions of India based on its physical features are as follows:
The Himalayan Mountains
The Northern Plains
The Peninsular Plateau
The Indian Desert
The Coastal Plains
The Islands
Q: Describe the Himalayan Mountains and their composition.
Answer: The Himalayan Mountains are geologically young and structurally fold mountains that stretch over the northern borders of India. They run in a west-east direction from the Indus to the Brahmaputra. The Himalayas consist of three parallel ranges. The northern-most range is known as the Great or Inner Himalayas, with the highest peaks and composed of granite. The range south of the Himadri is called Himachal or lesser Himalaya, composed of compressed and altered rocks. The outer-most range is called the Shiwaliks, composed of sediments. The Himalayas are characterized by high peaks, deep valleys, and fast-flowing rivers.
Q: Describe the Northern Plains of India and their major rivers.
Answer: The Northern Plains of India have been formed by the three major river systems: the Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra, along with their tributaries. It is a vast plain formed of alluvial soil. The western part of the Northern Plain, known as the Punjab Plains, is dominated by the doabs formed by the Indus and its tributaries. The Ganga Plain extends between the Ghaggar and Teesta rivers and is spread over North India in states like Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The Brahmaputra Plain is located in Assam. The Northern Plains exhibit diverse relief features, including the bhabar (narrow belt of pebbles), terai (wet and swampy region), bhangar (older alluvium), and khadar (newer floodplain deposits).
Q: Where is Dudhwa National Park located?
Answer: Dudhwa National Park is located in the terai region of the Northern Plains in India.
Q: What are the three parallel ranges of the Himalayas?
Answer: The three parallel ranges of the Himalayas are the Great Himalayas or Himadri, the Himachal or lesser Himalaya, and the Shiwaliks.
Q: Which region of the Himalayas is known for its hill stations?
Answer: The Himachal or lesser Himalaya region is known for its hill stations, including the famous valley of Kashmir, Kangra Valley, and Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh.
Q: What are the major river systems that have contributed to the formation of the northern plains?
Answer: The major river systems that have contributed to the formation of the northern plains are the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra, along with their tributaries.
Q: What are the distinctive features of the terai region in the northern plains?
Answer: The terai region in the northern plains is a wet, swampy, and marshy area. It was originally covered with thick forests and abundant wildlife. However, much of the forests have been cleared for agriculture and settlement.
Q: What is the difference between bhangar and khadar in the northern plains?
Answer: Bhangar refers to the older alluvium in the northern plains, which lies above the floodplains of the rivers and presents a terrace-like feature. It contains calcareous deposits known as kankar. On the other hand, khadar refers to the newer and younger deposits of the floodplains that are renewed almost every year. Khadar soils are fertile and suitable for intensive agriculture.
