CBSE Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 Notes PDF Physical Features of India

India has a wide variety of landforms that make its geography unique and interesting. The chapter Physical Features of India helps Class 9 students understand the major landforms of the country, such as mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, and coastal areas. 

Today we will share the important notes of Class 9 Physical Features of India. These notes explain how these physical features were formed and why they are important, using simple language for easy learning and quick revision.

Physical Features Of India Class 9 Notes

These notes on the Physical Features of India are designed to make learning easy and well-structured for Class 9 students. All important topics and key points are covered in a clear and simple manner for quick revision. For the complete notes, download them from below.

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Physical Features of India Class 9 Summary

India is the seventh-largest country by area and the second-most populous in the world. It has a wide variety of physical features and diverse climates. 

These landforms were formed naturally through tectonic movements, erosion, deposition, earthquakes and volcanoes. Each physical feature has its unique importance and beauty.

1. Major physical features of India

• The Himalayan Mountains
• The Northern Plains
• The Peninsular Plateau
• The Indian Desert (Thar Desert)
• The Coastal Plains
• Islands

2. The Himalayan Mountains

The Himalayas are the youngest and highest mountains in the world, stretching from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh (about 2500 km). Formed by the collision of the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate, they have three parallel ranges:

a) Himadri (Greater Himalayas)

• Highest and northernmost range
• Covered with snow and glaciers all year
• Includes Kanchenjunga (India’s highest peak)
• Average height above 6000 meters

b) Himachal (Lesser Himalayas)

• Located south of Himadri
• Contains beautiful valleys and hill stations (Shimla, Manali, Kasol)
• Fertile valleys like Kullu and Kangra

c) Shiwalik (Outer Himalayas)

• Southernmost and youngest range
• Formed from sediments deposited by rivers
• Prone to landslides and earthquakes

3. The Northern Plains

• Located south of the Himalayas
• Formed by alluvial deposits from Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers
• Extremely fertile and densely populated
• Divided into Western, Central and Eastern parts
• Features: rivers, floodplains, riverine islands, deltas

Importance

• Ideal for agriculture (wheat, rice, sugarcane)
• Supports dense population and settlements

4. The Peninsular Plateau

• Located in southern India, the oldest and most stable landform
• Made of igneous and metamorphic rocks
• Divided into two parts:

a) Central Highlands

• North of Narmada River
• Includes Malwa Plateau, Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand
• Rivers like Chambal, Betwa flow here

b) Deccan Plateau

• South of Narmada River
• Covers Maharashtra, Karnataka andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
• Flanked by Western Ghats (higher, rainfall on west coast) and Eastern Ghats (lower, broken)

5. The Indian Desert (Thar Desert)

• Located in western Rajasthan
• Hot and dry climate with very little rainfall
• Covered with sand dunes
• Main river: Luni (may dry up in future)

Importance:

• Sparsely populated
• Pastoral activities and desert tourism

6. The Coastal Plains

India has two main coastal plains:

a) Western Coastal Plains

• Narrow and steep
• Between Western Ghats and Arabian Sea
• Important ports: Mumbai, Mangalore, Kochi
• Rivers form estuaries (narrow and deep)

b) Eastern Coastal Plains

• Wider and flatter
• Between Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal
• Rivers form large deltas: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri
• Important cities: Chennai, Amaravati, Trivandrum

7. Islands of India

India has two main island groups:

a) Lakshadweep Islands

• Located in Arabian Sea
• Smallest Union Territory
• Capital: Kavaratti

b) Andaman & Nicobar Islands

• Located in Bay of Bengal
• Larger and more numerous than Lakshadweep
• Capital: Port Blair
• Famous for forests, tribal people and volcanoes‍
• North Sentinel Island: Tribal community with minimal contact with outsiders

8. Major Rivers and Drainage

• India’s rivers form three main systems: Himalayan rivers, Peninsular rivers and inland drainage
• Himalayan Rivers: Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra – perennial, high volume, irrigation, hydropower
• Peninsular Rivers: Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri – seasonal, moderate flow, irrigation
• Rivers form deltas and floodplains, support agriculture

9. Climate and Vegetation

• Physical features influence climate and vegetation
• Himalayas: cold, snow-covered, alpine vegetation
• Northern Plains: fertile alluvial soil, tropical and subtropical crops
• Peninsular Plateau: deciduous forests
• Thar Desert: sparse vegetation, drought-resistant plants
• Coastal Plains and Islands: tropical climate, mangroves, coconut trees

These are your quick revision notes for Physical Features of India. Going through them will allow you to revise the entire chapter in a few minutes without opening the textbook.

Revising these notes gives you a step ahead in exams and helps you study faster while remembering key concepts easily.

FAQs

Q1. What are the main physical features of India?

Ans: Mountains (Himalayas), plains (Northern Plains), plateaus (Peninsular Plateau), deserts (Thar Desert), coastal plains and islands (Lakshadweep andaman & Nicobar).

Q2. How were the Himalayas formed?

Ans: The Himalayas were formed by the collision of the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate millions of years ago.

Q3. Why are the Northern Plains densely populated?

Ans: The Northern Plains are fertile and flat, making them ideal for agriculture and human settlement.

Q4. What is the difference between Western and Eastern Coastal Plains?

Ans: Western Coastal Plains are narrow and steep, while Eastern Coastal Plains are wider and flatter with large river deltas.

Q5. Which Indian islands are famous for tourism and tribal culture?

Ans: Andaman & Nicobar Islands are known for forests, tribal people and tourism; Lakshadweep is smaller and also a tourist spot.

Q6. Name the major rivers of India and their importance.

Ans: Himalayan rivers (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra) – perennial, irrigation, hydropower; Peninsular rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri) – seasonal, irrigation.