### **Chapter 2 – Physical Features of India**
#### 1. Diversity of India's Physical Features
* India is a land of great physical diversity.
* It has **mountains, plateaus, plains, deserts, and islands**.
* These variations influence climate, lifestyle, agriculture, and economic activities.
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#### 2. Major Physiographic Divisions of India
India's physical features can be grouped into **six divisions**:
1. **The Himalayan Mountains**
2. **The Northern Plains**
3. **The Peninsular Plateau**
4. **The Indian Desert**
5. **The Coastal Plains**
6. **The Islands**
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#### 3. The Himalayan Mountains
* Located in the **north of India**, extending from **Indus (west) to Brahmaputra (east)**.
* World's **youngest and highest mountain range**.
* About **2,400 km long**, average width: **400 km in Kashmir** to **150 km in Arunachal Pradesh**.
* Divided into **three parallel ranges**:
1. **Great/Inner Himalayas (Himadri)** – highest peaks (Mt. Everest 8,848 m, Kanchenjunga 8,598 m, Nanga Parbat, Nanda Devi, Kamet, etc.), permanently snow-covered, many glaciers.
2. **Lesser Himalayas (Himachal)** – average height 3,700–4,500 m, famous valleys (Kashmir, Kangra), hill stations (Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital).
3. **Outer Himalayas (Shiwaliks)** – lowest range (900–1,100 m), 10–50 km wide, made of unconsolidated sediments. Contains narrow valleys (*duns*).
* Eastern part of Himalayas (Purvanchal) includes Patkai Hills, Naga Hills, Manipur, and Mizo Hills.
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#### 4. The Northern Plains
* Formed by **Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers** along with their tributaries.
* Made up of fertile alluvial soil, highly populated and agriculturally productive.
* Covers about **7 lakh sq. km**, length about **2,400 km**, width 240–320 km.
* Divided into:
* **Bhabar** – narrow belt of pebbles, along foothills of Himalayas.
* **Terai** – wet, marshy, forested belt next to Bhabar.
* **Bhangar** – older alluvium, terraces with *kankar* (calcareous deposits).
* **Khadar** – newer alluvium, very fertile, renewed annually.
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#### 5. The Peninsular Plateau
* Oldest landmass of India, formed of **igneous and metamorphic rocks**.
* Broadly divided into:
* **Central Highlands** – between the Aravallis (west) and Chotanagpur Plateau (east); rivers Chambal, Betwa, Son.
* **Deccan Plateau** – triangular landmass, bounded by Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats; rivers Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Mahanadi.
* Rich in **minerals and resources**, basis of India's industrial development.
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#### 6. The Indian Desert (Thar Desert)
* Lies in the western part of India (Rajasthan).
* Very dry climate, rainfall less than **150 mm per year**.
* Sandy soil, little vegetation, streams disappear before reaching the sea.
* **Luni River** – only significant river.
* Sand dunes are common.
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#### 7. The Coastal Plains
* Alongside the **Arabian Sea (west)** and **Bay of Bengal (east)**.
* **Western Coast:** narrow, divided into Konkan (Mumbai–Goa), Kannad Plain, and Malabar Coast.
* **Eastern Coast:** wider, divided into Northern Circars and Coromandel Coast.
* Many **deltas** (especially Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, Kaveri).
* **Chilka Lake** is located here.
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#### 8. The Islands
* **Andaman and Nicobar Islands** – in the Bay of Bengal; volcanic origin; strategic location.
* **Lakshadweep Islands** – in the Arabian Sea; made of coral deposits; smaller in size.
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✅ **In short:**
India's physical features are diverse, including **Himalayan mountains, fertile plains, mineral-rich plateaus, deserts, long coastlines, and island groups**. This diversity has shaped India's climate, agriculture, resources, and cultural development.
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