Chapter 2

NCERT
Class 9
Geography
Solutions
4. Which are the major physiographic divisions of India? Contrast the relief of the Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular plateau.
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Question:

Which are the major physiographic divisions of India? Contrast the relief of the Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular plateau.

Answer:

The physical features of India can be divided into 6 parts based on physiographic features:

(i) The Himalayan Mountains

(ii) The northern Plains

(iii)The Peninsular Plateau

(iv)The Indian Desert

(v) The Coastal Plains

(vi)The Islands

The contrast between the Himalayan region and Peninsular Plateau: Himalayan Region:

  • Mountains of the Himalayas stretch over the northern borders of India. These mountain ranges cover the west-east direction from the Indus to the Brahmaputra.
  • The Himalayas represent the most elevated and one of the roughest mountain barriers in the world.
  • They cover a distance of about 2400 km and form an arc. Their width varies from 400 Km in Kashmir to 150 Km in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • In its longitudinal extent, the Himalayas consists of 3 parallel ranges. Between these ranges, several valleys lie.
  • This range consists of the most elevated peaks with an average height of 6,000 metres.
  • These mountain ranges of the Himalayas are always covered with snow. That's why this mountain range is called the Himalayas.

Peninsular Plateau:

  • The Peninsular plateau is a high-level flat plateau composed of the old crystalline, igneous and metamorphic rocks.
  • It was formed due to the breaking and drifting of the Gondwana land and making it a part of the oldest landmass.
  • This plateau is spread over an area of 16 lakh sq. km. The plateau consists of broad and shallow valleys and rounded hills.
  • In the north of this plateau, Satluj- Brahmaputra plains and the Arabian sea are located.
  • This Plateau can be divided into two parts: the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.

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