kalhana academy indian geography

130 Pages·2017·8.57 MB·English

KALHANA ACADEMY
An Institute for IAS Examination
GENERAL STUDIES
INDIAN GEOGRAPHY
E U R A S I A N P L A T E
INDIA
TODAY
10 milion
years ago
SRI LANKA
38 million
years ago
Equator
55 million
years ago
INDIAN
OCEAN
71 million
years ago
“INDIA”
Land Mass
SRI LANKA
.
: www.kalhanaacademy.com Email : [email protected]
INDEX
S.NO. CHAPTER NAME PAGE NUMBER
CHAPTER-I INDIA-LOCATION 01-02
CHAPTER-II PHYSIOGRAPHY OF INDIA 03-13
CHAPTER-III DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF INDIA 14-21
CHAPTER-IV INDIAN CLIMATE 22-32
CHAPTER-V SOILS 33-39
CHAPTER-VI NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE 40-58
CHAPTER-VII AGRICULTURE 59-77
CHAPTER-VIII GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF INDIA 78-87
CHAPTER-IX MINERAL AND ENERGY RESOURCES 88-98
CHAPTER-X INDUSTRY 99-110
CHAPTER-XI WATER RESOURCES 111-114
CHAPTER-XII TRANSPORT 115-122
CHAPTER-XIII POPULATION 123-128
CHAPTER
I INDIA-LOCATION
(cid:32) India is an ancient country, known Andaman and Nicobar has longest
as Bharatvarsh. It is surrounded by coastal line.
the sea on three sides and (cid:32) The southernmost point of the
separated from the rest of Asia by country as a whole lies further
lofty mountain chain. south in Andaman and Nicobar
(cid:32) The Arabian Sea lies to its Islands. It is now called Indira Point.
southwest, the Bay of Bengal to its It is situated at 6°45’N latitude. The
southeast and the Indian Ocean to westernmost point of India lies in
its south. This well-defined South Gujarat and the eastern most in
Asian landmass is called Indian Arunachal Pradesh.
sub-continent (consists of the (cid:32) The Tropic of Cancer passes almost
countries of India, Pakistan, halfway through the country. Thus
Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri half of the country to the south of
Lanka). the Tropic of Cancer is situated in
(cid:32) India lies wholly in the Northern the Tropical or Torrid Zone and the
Hemisphere, it extends between other half lying north of the Tropic
6°45’N to 37°6'N latitudes and from of Cancer falls in the Sub-tropical
68°7' E to 97°25' E longitudes. zone.
(cid:32) In area India is the seventh largest (cid:32) India has common boundary with
country in the world but in many neighboring countries like
population it stands next only to Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan,
China. Myanmar, Bangladesh and Sri
(cid:32) In area Rajasthan is the largest Lanka.
state but in population Uttar (cid:32) The border between India and
Pradesh has first position in India. Pakistan is known as Radcliffe line.
The Indian states Gujarat,
(cid:32) It measures about 3,214 km from
Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu and
north to south, and 2,933 km from
Kashmir shares boundary with
east to west. The northern most
Pakistan.
point of the Indian mainland lies in
the state of Jammu and Kashmir (cid:32) The Indian states Jammu and
and the southernmost point is Kashmir, Himanchal Pradesh,
Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Uttrakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal
Pradesh shares its boundary with
(cid:32) Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa,
China. The boundary line is known
Karnataka, Kerala are along the
as Mac Mohan line.
western coast and West Bengal,
Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil (cid:32) The Nepal shares boundary with
Nadu are along the eastern coast. Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,
Sikkim and West Bengal.
(cid:32) Gujarat has longest coast line and
Goa has smallest coast line in (cid:32) The Bhutan shares boundary with
mainland but when Union Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam
territories of India are included the and West Bengal.
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(cid:32) The Indian states Arunachal and Mizoram share its boundary
Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and with Bangladesh.
Mizoram shares its boundary with (cid:32) The Palk Strait separates Indian
Myanmar. mainland from Sri Lanka.
(cid:32) The India has longest sharing Structurally, Sri Lanka is an
border with Bangladesh. West extension of the peninsular block of
Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura India.
(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:79)
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CHAPTER
II PHYSIOGRAPHY OF INDIA
‘Physiography’ of an area is the outcome of (1) The Northern and North-eastern Mountains
(2) The Northern Plain
structure, process and the stage of
(3) The Peninsular Plateau
development. Based on the macro
(4) The Indian Desert
variations, India can be divided into the
(5) The Coastal Plains
following physiographic divisions:
(6) The Islands.
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(1) The Northern and North-eastern (cid:32) The folds of Great Himalayas are
Mountains: Geographically the entire asymmetrical in nature. The core of
Northern mountain system can be divided this part of Himalayas is composed
into- of granite.
(cid:32) Important mountain peaks of the
(a)The Himalayan Ranges Great Himalayas are- Mount Everest
(b) The Trans-Himalayas (8848m :Highest peak of the world),
(c) The Poorvanchal Kanchenjunga(8598m), Lhotse
(8516m), Makalu(8481m), Dhaulagiri
The Himalayan Ranges- The Himalayas, (8172m), Nanga Parbat (8126m),
geologically young and structurally fold Annapurna(8076m), Nandadevi
mountains stretch over the northern (7817m), Badrinath, Kedarnath
borders of India. (cid:32) The Ganga and the Yamuna, two
rivers originate from this Himalaya.
General Characteristic: (cid:32) Important passes-
Burzil pass- in Jammu and Kashmir,
(cid:32) These mountain ranges run in a
connects Srinagar and Gilgit.
North west/South east direction
Zoji La- in Jammu and Kashmir, connects
from the Indus to the Brahmaputra.
Srinagar and Leh.
(cid:32) They form an arc, which covers a
Shipki La- in Himachal Pradesh, connects
distance of about 2,400 Km. Their
shimla with Gartok town in Tibet and is an
width varies from 400 Km in Kashmir
important trade route.
to 150 Km in Arunachal Pradesh.
Lipu Lekh- in Uttarakhand, Indian pilgrims
(cid:32) These ranges are separated by deep
visit Masarovar through this pass.
valleys.
Niti pass- in Uttarakhand
(cid:32) The individual ranges have very steep
Raxaul and Jogabani passes- in Bihar
gradient towards the south but they
Nathu La- in Sikkim, important trade pass.
present a much gentler slope towards
Jelep La- in Sikkim
the north.
Bumla- in Arunachal Pradesh, between
(cid:32) The altitudinal variations are greater
Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet
in the eastern half than those in the
Diphu pass- in Arunachal Pradesh, gateway
western half.
from Arunachal Pradesh into Mayanmar
The Himalaya consists of three parallel
(ii) The Middle or Lesser Himalaya:
ranges in its longitudinal extent.
(cid:32) Lies between the Shivaliks in the
(i) Himadri or the Greater Himalayas: south and the Great Himalyas in the
north.
(cid:32) Greater Himalayas or Himadri or (cid:32) The altitude varies between 3,700
Himagiri extends from the gorge of and 4,500 metres and the average
Indus river in the west to the bend width is of 50 Km.
at Namcha Barva in the east. (cid:32) While the Pir Panjal range forms the
(cid:32) It is the most continuous range. The longest and the most important
average height of these mountains is range, the Dhaula Dhar, Mussorie, Nag
6000 m and average width is around Tiba and the Mahabharat ranges are
120 – 190 km. also prominent ones.
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FIG. The Himalayas
(cid:32) This range consists of the famous varying between 900 and 1100
valley of Kashmir, the Kangra and metres.
Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh. (cid:32) These ranges are composed of
(cid:32) This region is well known for its hill unconsolidated sediments brought
stations like Shimla, Dalhousie, down by rivers from the main
Dharamshala are on Dhaula Dhar Himalayan ranges located farther
range and Lansdowne, Nanital, north.
Mussorie etc on Mussorie range. (cid:32) It is an almost unbroken succession
(cid:32) Important passes include Banihal of low hills for 2400 km from the
pass, in Pir Panjal range, which potwar plateau to Brahmaputra
connects Jammu and Srinagar. valley, except for a gap of 80 kms which
(cid:32) Kishanganga, Chenab, Jhelum rivers is occupied by valley of river Tista.
cut through Pir Panjal range. (cid:32) The shivaliks are known by different
(cid:32) Kashmir valley lies between Pir names in different areas. Thay are
Panjal range and Greater Himalayas. called Jammu hills in Jammu and
(cid:32) Sona-Pani glacier is in Pir Panjal Dafla, Miri, Abor, Mismi in Arunachal
range. Pradesh.
(cid:32) Duns and Duars like Dehra Dun are
(iii) The Shivalik Range: its chief characteristic.
(cid:32) It is the outermost range of the (b) The Trans- Himalaya:
Himalayas. They extend over a width
of 10-50 Km and have an altitude (cid:32) The Himalayan Ranges immediately
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north of the Great Himalayan range (cid:32) Rakaposhi is the important peak.
are called trans-Himalaya. (cid:32) Chorbat and Digarla are important
(cid:32) Also called Tibetan Himalyas as most passes.
of it lies in Tibet. Zaskar Range
(cid:32) It includes Karakoram, Zanskar,
(cid:32) This part of Trans Himalayas is
Ladakh, and Kailash mountain
situated in the Indian state of Jammu
ranges.
and Kashmir.
Karakoram Range:
(cid:32) It branches off from the Great
(cid:32) This mountain range extends across Himalayan range from Nanga Parbat.
the borders of India, Pakistan, and (cid:32) Mount Kamet is the highest peak.
China. The northwest extremity of (cid:32) Satluj cut the Zaskar range when it
this range extends to Afghanistan enters India.
and Tajikistan. (c) The Purvanchal:
(cid:32) The average width of this range is 120
(cid:32) Beyond the Dihang gorge, the
– 140 km. Most peaks hardly ever fall
Himalayas bend sharply to the south
below 5,500 m. Some of the peaks are
and spread along the eastern
more than 8,000 m above sea level.
boundary of India. They are known as
(cid:32) Four highest peaks (each over 8000
the Purvanchal or the Eastern hills and
meters height), named K2 (second
mountains.
highest peak in the world),
(cid:32) These hills running through the
Gasherbrum-l, Gasherbrum-ll,
north-eastern states are mostly
and Broad Peak are situated very
composed of strong sandstones
closely.
which are sedimentary rocks.
(cid:32) K2 is the 2nd highest peak in the
Covered with dense forests, they
world & the highest in India. It is also
mostly run as parallel ranges and
known as Godwin Austin.
valleys.
(cid:32) This range is the most heavily
(cid:32) The Purvanchal comprises the Patkai
glaciated part of the world except the
hills, the Naga hills, Manipur hills and
polar regions. The Siachen glacier
the Mizo hills.
(the world’s largest non polar glacier
(cid:32) In the north is the Patkai Bum which
is in this range. Other glaciers
forms the International boundary
include Fed Chanko, Biafo, Baltoro).
between India and Myanmar. After
(cid:32) Khunjareb, Aghil and Karakoram are
running for some distance
the important passes in this range.
southward it merges with the Naga
Important peaks : Hills where Saramati (3826m) is the
highest peak. South of Naga hills are
(cid:32) K2 or Godwin Austin (8,611 m)
the Manipur hills. Barail range
(cid:32) Gasherbrum l (8,080 m)
separates Naga Hills and Manipur
(cid:32) Gasherbrum ll (8,035 m)
hills. Mikir hill is another famous hill.
(cid:32) Broad peak (8,051 m)
South of Manipur hills are the Mizo
Ladakh Range
hills where Blue Mountain (2157m)
(cid:32) This part of the Trans Himalayan is the highest peak.
Ranges lies to the north of the Leh. (cid:32) Elevation of the eastern hills
(cid:32) This range merges with the Kailash decreases as we move from north to
range in Tibet. south.
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(cid:32) Although comparatively low these between Indus and Satluj has been
hills are rather forbidding because traditionally known as Punjab Himalaya but
of the rough terrain, dense forests it is also known regionally as Kashmir and
and swift streams. Himachal Himalaya from west to east
respectively. The part of the Himalayas lying
Besides the longitudinal divisions, the
between Satluj and Kali rivers is known as
Himalayas have been divided on the basis
Kumaon Himalayas. The Kali and Tista
of regions from west to east. These divisions
rivers demarcate the Nepal Himalayas and
have been demarcated by river valleys. For
the part lying between Tista and Dihang
example, the part of Himalayas lying
rivers is known as Assam Himalayas.
FIG. India : Relief
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(2) The Northern Plains: (cid:32) Most of the streams and rivers re-
emerge without having any properly
(cid:32) Formation: The northern plains are
demarcated channel, thereby,
formed by the alluvial deposits
creating marshy and swampy
brought by the rivers – the Indus, the
conditions known as the Tarai.
Ganga and the Brahmaputra and
(cid:32) This has a luxurious growth of natural
their tributaries.
vegetation and houses a varied wild
Features: life.
(cid:32) But today the Tarai region has been
(cid:32) These plains have characteristic reclaimed for agriculture causing
features of mature stage of fluvial loss of forest.
erosional and depositional landforms
such as sand bars, meanders, oxbow Bhangar:
lakes and braided channels.
(cid:32) The Brahmaputra plains are known (cid:32) The south of Tarai is a belt consisting
for their riverine islands (like Majuli of old alluvial deposits known as the
island) and sand bars. Bhangar.
(cid:32) Most of these areas are subjected to
(cid:32) They form the largest part of
periodic floods and shifting river
northern plain.
courses forming braided streams.
(cid:32) These river valley plains have a fertile (cid:32) They lie above the flood plains of rivers
alluvial soil cover which supports a and present terrace like structure.
variety of crops like wheat, rice,
(cid:32) They contain calcareous deposit
sugarcane and jute, and hence,
locally known as kankar.
supports a large population.
Khadar:
Sub- Division: From the north to the south,
these can be divided into three major zones:
(cid:32) A belt consisting of new alluvial
the Bhabar, the Tarai and the alluvial plains.
deposits known as the Khadar.
The alluvial plains can be further divided into
(cid:32) They are renewed almost every year and
the Khadar and the Bhangar.
so are very fertile.
Bhabar:
(3) The Peninsular Plateau
(cid:32) Bhabar is a narrow belt ranging
between 8-10 km parallel to the (cid:32) Origin: It is formed due to the
Shiwalik foothills. breaking and drifting of the
(cid:32) Due to the break-up of the slope, the Gondwana land and thus making it
streams and rivers coming from the a part of the oldest landmass.
mountains deposit heavy materials
Extent:
of rocks and boulders, and at times,
disappear in this zone.
(cid:32) Delhi ridge in the northwest,
Tarai: (extension of Aravalis), the Rajmahal
hills in the east, Gir range in the west
(cid:32) South of the Bhabar is the Tarai belt, and the Cardamom hills in the south
with an approximate width of 10-20
constitute the outer extent of the
km.
Peninsular plateau.
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