Regional Geography of India
Answer: India is a large democratic country ǀ belongs to the Asian continent. India is a remarkable country in the northern hemisphere of the world ǀit is full of diversity. This diversity is due to its climate, natural environment and socio-economic differences. Just as the snow-covered Himalayas experience a very cold climate on one side of the country, a dry sandy desert region like Rajasthan experiences a very hot climate. Heavy rains cause floods in some areas while drought causes water shortages in other areas. Some areas of the country are covered with evergreen vegetation, while areas of deciduous thorny shrubs are also found in the country. The climate and vegetation vary from high mountain peaks to low plains. The territory of India is diverse with various topography including mountains, hills, plateaus, plains, floodplains etc. Such natural diversity has also created social and economic differences in the country.
In contrast to the backward tribal societies in this country, modern urban societies have developed in certain places. All over India today one sees different ethnic groups and societies with different languages, dresses, food habits and social customs. Such diversity is the main characteristic of Indian society and culture. However, despite these differences, India is established on the world map as an integral state.
2. Discuss the characteristics of India regarding its location and size.
Answer: India is located in the southern part of Asia, the largest continent in the world. It is bordered by the high Himalayas and China to the north and India to the south Ocean and Sri Lanka, the Bay of Bengal and Myanmar to the east and the Arabian Sea and Pakistan to the west. The territory of India extends from Kashmir to Kumarika in the north-south and from the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh to Saurashtra in the east-west.
The country is located between 8°4/28/ / north to 37 ̊ 17/53// north latitude and 68° 7/ 33// east to 97° 24/ 47/ east longitude. It should be noted that the 231 ̊2 North Latitude or Cancer Equinox passes through India to the right. This line divides the country into two equal parts, north and south. The southern part is located between the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west.
India covers an area of 3,214 km north-south and 2,933 km east-west. With the Bay of Bengal to the east, the Arabian Sea to the west and the Indian Ocean to the south, India has a coastline of about 6,100 km. Like long coastlines, India's territory also forms land borders with its neighboring countries. India shares a total land border of 15,200 km with Pakistan to the west, China, Nepal and Bhutan to the north, China to the east, Myanmar and Bangladesh to the southeast
India is the seventh largest country in the world. The country is 13 times larger than the United Kingdom and 4 times larger than Japan. India covers an area of 32,87,200 sq km. The country covers 2.2 percent of the world's land area
3) In how many regions can India be divided on the basis of geography? Explain with pictures ǀ
Answer: India can be divided into 4 regions based on its geography ǀ namely-
The northern Himalayan mountain range
The plains of northern India
Deccan Plateau region
coastal area
4. Briefly describe the geographical regions of India.
Answer: The geographical regions of India are:
(a) Northern Himalayan Mountains: The Himalayas are the highest mountains in the world. This mountain has many peaks. The Himalayan mountain range of India is adjacent to the northern border of India. It extends east-west from the Nanga Mountains of Kashmir to the eastern border of Arunachal Pradesh. The mountain range is about 2,500 km long and about 240 km to 500 km wide. The region covers an area of about 500,000 square kilometres. It has an altitude of more than 8,000 meters above sea level.
The Himalayas are composed of easily eroded soft rocks of the Tertiary period. Therefore, the rivers that flow from it carry more sediment. The high peaks of the Himalayas are covered with snow. This ice forms snow rivers. There are numerous such snow rivers in the Himalayan region. Most snow rivers are between 3-5 km in length. These snow rivers are the main source of water for the rivers flowing from the Himalayas.
The Himalayas are three almost parallel to east and west. They can be divided into rows, such as Upper Himalayas, Lower Himalayas and Outer Himalayas. The High Himalayas extend east-west in the northernmost part. The snow-capped mountain range has an average elevation of about 6,000 metres. It is very steep but its slope gradually decreases to the north. Finally, it meets the Tibetan Plateau in China. The Lower Himalayas are the southern mountain range adjacent to the Upper Himalayas. It has an average elevation of 4,000 metres. It is 60-80 km wide. The Lower Himalayas are bordered by the Outer Himalayas to the south. The range is relatively flat with an average elevation of 1,000 metres. It gradually flattens to the south and joins the Ganges-Brahmaputra plain. The Outer Himalayan Mountain Range, which is about 15 km to 50 km wide, also covers the southern part of the Himalayas
(b) Plains of North India: The plains of northern India are the vast plains between the Himalayan mountain ranges in the north and the plains in the south. The plain extends from Assam in the east to the Pakistani border in the west for about 2,400 km. It is mainly known as the Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain. The width of this plain varies from place to place. This plain region of northern India covers a total area of about 700,000 sq km.
The vast plains of northern India are actually made up of five small and large plains. These five plains are the Western Plains, the Punjab Haryana Plains, the Ganges Plains, the North Bengal Plains and the Brahmaputra Plains. The Western Plains form the arid regions of Punjab and Haryana (the main rivers of the region are the Shatadru, Bipasha, and Rabi rivers). The Ganges Plain is formed by the plains of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal created by the rivers Ganges and Jamuna. Rivers descending from the Himalayas form the North Bengal Plain. Similarly, the Brahmaputra and many of its tributaries accumulate sediment to form the Brahmaputra Plain of Assam.
(c) Southern Plateau Region: The Southern Plateau lies to the south of the plains of northern India. It is shaped like a triangle. This plateau area consists of old hard rock. The vast plateau region is made up of the Malara Plateau and the Vindhya Mountains to the north and the Chhattisgarh Plateau to the northeast. The Vindhya, Satpura, Mahadeva and Mahakala mountains divide the entire plateau region into two parts, north and south. The northern part is less extensive and includes the Malwa Plateau and the Chhattisgarh Plateau. But the southern part is quite large. This section extends from the Satpura, Mahadev and Mahakal mountains to Kumarika in the south. The southern plateau region is bordered by the Western Ghats Range to the west and the Eastern Ghats Range to the east. The Southern Plateau is high towards the Western Ghats and flat and sloping towards the Eastern Ghats. According to this slope, almost all the rivers of southern India flow from west to east and flow into the Bay of Bengal. These rivers are the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Penar and Cauvery. However, the region between the Vindhya and Satpura mountains slopes from east to west and two rivers in this region, the Narmada and the Tapti, flow into the Gulf of Kambe
(d) Coastal region: The Southern Plateau region is bordered on the east and west by the coastal region of India along the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. It is between 30m and 50m above sea level. The coastal plains of India are long and steep. It can be divided into two parts as the east and west coasts. The east coast region is located between the Bay of Bengal on one side and the Eastern Ghats on the other. It extends from the mouth of the Ganges to Kumarika. The coastline is about 1,100 km long and 120 km wide on average. It is made up of plains and islands formed by all the major rivers of South India. It is therefore wider and more fertile than the west coast. There are three lakes on the coast namely Silka, Kolar and Policat. The northern and southern parts of the east coast are known by two different names. Its northern part from the Godavari estuary to the Ganges estuary is the 'Uttar Sarkar coast' and extends from the Godavari estuary to Kumarika. The southern part is known as the Karamandal Coast. The west coast region is located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats Mountains. It extends from the Gulf of Kambe in the north to Kumarika in the south. This coastline is long but steep. It is about 1,500 km long and between 10 km and 15 km wide. Like the east coast, the north and south parts have different names. The northern part between Mumbai and Mangalore is called the Kankan Coast and the southern part from Mangalore to Kumarika is called the Malawar Coast.
Apart from the four main geographical divisions mentioned above, the Indian islands can be considered as a separate division. The Indian islands are divided into two groups or archipelagos. One of these is known as the Laksha Islands and the other as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The capitals of the Lakshadweep Islands and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are Kawarati and Port Blair respectively. Being located in the marine environment, the topography, climate, flora, people and socio-economic conditions of these two archipelagos are different from the rest of the geographical parts of India
5. Briefly describe the climatic characteristics of India
Answer: India is a vast country. Its topography is also varied. The main climate components such as temperature, air pressure, wind and humidity vary from region to region in the country. Therefore, the country experiences a variety of climates. The climate of the country depends mainly on its vastness, distance from the equator (latitude), different topography, differences in altitude, distance from the sea and monsoon winds.
The climate also varies due to the temperature varies from latitude to latitude. The Cancer Revolution, which runs almost right through India, divides the country into two parts, North and South. The northern part lies in the stratosphere and the southern part in the tropics. Therefore, it is generally hotter in South India than in North India.
The territory of India consists of mountains, plateaus, deserts and plains. Such topography has brought about the difference in elevation between the places. Although located at the same latitude, the temperature, air pressure, rainfall and humidity vary due to differences in altitude. As a result, the climate also varies. For example, the climate of Agra and Darjeeling differs significantly due to the difference in altitude despite being located at the same latitude. On the other hand, the climate in northern India is not as cool as it should be because the Himalayas block the fresh winds from the north. Although South India is in the tropics, its topography is determined by plateaus. The climate is somewhat mild.
6. Explain how monsoon winds affect the climate of India
Answer: The climate of India is heavily influenced by monsoon winds. Monsoon winds blow in different seasons of the year, especially in summer and winter. The southwest monsoon blows in summer and the northeast monsoon winds in winter. The southwest monsoon winds flow over the Arabian Sea and enter India. This wind is called the southwest monsoon as it comes from the southwest. The wind, which carries large amounts of water vapor from the Arabian Sea, first intercepts the Western Ghats Mountains. Then it rises, cools, and rains. Thus, the coasts of Kankan and Malawar in the west coast region receive more than 300 cm of rainfall annually. Part of this air crosses the Western Ghats Mountains and moves towards the Bay of Bengal. As it passes over the Bay of Bengal, it again absorbs more water vapor and enters Assam and the North East. These winds are interrupted in the Meghalaya Plateau and cause heavy rains. Thus, Cherrapunji in Meghalaya receives about 1,250 cm of rainfall annually. This south-west monsoon causes heavy rains in Assam and the southern Himalayas. The northeast monsoon winds blow in winter. This wind is called the Northeast Monsoon Wind as it flows from Central Asia to India in a northeasterly direction. The northern Himalayas block these green winds so that India does not experience severe cold. A part of it, however, crosses the Himalayan region and enters India. The wind is dry because it comes from land. Therefore, it does not cause rain. However, as this wind moves over the Bay of Bengal, it absorbs some water vapour. When this wind containing water vapor comes and hits the Pubghat Mountains, it causes rain on the east coast of India
7. What types of plants are found in India? Draw and mention ǀ
Answer: The following types of plants are found in India ǀ
1) Evergreen plants
2) Seasonal plants
3) Thorny desert plants
4) Herbaceous plants
5) B insular plants
6) Mountain plants
8. Discuss the types of plants found in India.
Answer: The plants of India can be generally divided into six categories: evergreen plants, seasonal, thorny desert plants, herbaceous plants, bay-island plants and mountain plants.
Evergreen plants: Evergreen plants are found in areas with an annual rainfall of more than 200 cm and an average annual temperature of 25°C to 27°C. Evergreen forests are usually a collection of tall trees. Such forests have created dense forests. Its trees grow up to 45 m tall. In addition to tall trees, cane, bamboo, teak and creeper pressure plants are also found. The forest contains many valuable trees like bamboo, sandalwood and rubber. Such evergreen forests are found on the western slopes of the Western Ghats, the southern part of the Arunachal Himalayas, the mountainous regions of southern Assam, Manipur and Mizoram and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Seasonal plants: Seasonal plants are found in most parts of India. It is found in areas with an annual rainfall of 100 to 200 cm and an average temperature of about 20°C. The plant is dependent on monsoon rains. In the monsoon regions, rainfall is low in winter and temperatures decrease. So the soil becomes dry. Therefore, these trees usually lose their leaves in winter. Shal, teak, chiris, shishu, arjun, shimlu and various species of bamboo are the main plants of the monsoon forests. These forests are found in parts of Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, the eastern part of the Southern Plateau including the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and the southern Andaman and Nicobar Islands
B-Island plants: This plant is mainly found in the coastal Bay Islands. Despite the salinity of the seawater, the plant grows in some parts of the coastal areas due to the sediment accumulated by the tides and the sedimentary soil deposited by the rivers. Commonly called mangroves, it is found mainly in the coastal areas of the Gulf of Kachchh, in the bays of the Ganges and Brahmaputra ie Sundarbans and in the bays of the rivers Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery. is available. The vegetation of the Bay Islands includes sundari, palm and coconut trees.
Thorny desert plants: Thorny shrubs usually grow in deserts or semi-desert areas with less than 50 cm of annual rainfall. Such areas are hot and the soil is sandy. It lacks the water needed by the plants. To survive in this condition, the leaves of the plant become round and thorny instead of widening. This species is found mainly in the Thar Desert in western Rajasthan and southwestern Punjab. Acacia, various types of cacti, dates, melons etc. are the main plants of the desert region.
Mountain plants: In India, mountainous areas have different vegetation according to altitude ǀ arc mountain ranges with an average altitude of 1,000 m including the Silk Mountains of the outer Himalayas are covered with thick monsoon forests. There are many valuable trees including shal trees. The area is dominated by bamboos ǀ broadleaf oaks and simple evergreens are found in the mountainous regions immediately north at 1,000 m to 2,000 m. In the mountainous regions of the North East, however, simple trees are more common. In addition, there are forests of various species of simple trees including cedar in the Himalayas of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Northern Region, Darjeeling and Sikkim at an altitude of 1,600 m to 3,000 m. Only alpine plants grow in mountainous areas at higher elevations.
Herbaceous plants: Extensive grasslands are not found in India. Herbaceous plants are found in areas where the annual rainfall is 50 cm to 100 cm. Such plants include arched shrubs, grasses and thorny trees. The plant is mainly found in Punjab, eastern part of Rajasthan, parts of the plains of Uttar Pradesh and parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra in the central southern plateaus of northern India. In addition, bamboo plants such as nal, khagri, ikra etc. grow in the arid environment of the Tarai region of the southern Himalayas. These grasses grow to a height of 2-3 m. However, trees such as khayer and shimlu are also seen among them.
9. Write a note on the population growth of India ǀ
Answer: India is the second most populous country in the world. According to the 2001 census, India has a population of 1,02,70,15,2 This population is about 16% of the world's total population. The population of India has changed significantly over time. From the beginning of the last fortieth century to the beginning of the present century, between 1901 and 2001, the population of India increased manifold. The population of India was 238.4 million in 1901 and this population increased rapidly to 1027 million in However, during the decade 1911–21 alone, the population increased while declining slightly. The main reasons for population decline and growth are birth and death rates and population migration. Similarly, the population increases due to migration from other countries to India. India's population has grown rapidly especially since independence. India's population growth rate is higher than that of the developed countries of the world. India is the second most populous country in the world due to its rapid population growth.
Population Growth in India (1901-2001)
Year =
1901
1911
1921
1941
1951
1961
1971
1981
1991
2001
Population (in billions) =
23.84
25.21
25.13
31.86
36.11
43.92
54.82
68.33
84.63
102.70
10. Explain why the distribution of population is not equal all over India.
Answer: Population distribution in India varies from state to state. States that are advanced in transportation, trade and industry usually have higher population densities. For example, the arid desert region of Rajasthan in western India is sparsely populated due to being uninhabitable. Similarly, the snow-capped Himalayas in the north and the central and southern parts of the Western Ghats in southern India have low population densities due to adverse natural conditions. Other river valleys in the country, including the Ganges-Brahmaputra valleys, are naturally highly populated. These river valleys, especially the fertile plains, require easy transportation and improved economic conditions for the people to survive. Similarly, the snow-capped Himalayas in the north and the central and southern parts of the Western Ghats in southern India have low population densities due to adverse natural conditions. According to the 1991 census, 25.7 per cent of the country's population lives in urban areas and 74.3 per cent in rural areas. According to the 2001 census, Uttar Pradesh (166 million) is the most populous state in India
11. Discuss how the population density of India varies ǀ
Answer: Population is not equal everywhere in India. Some areas are densely populated, ie, the population is high, and some places are sparsely populated, ie, the population is low. According to the 2001 census, the average population density of India is 324 people per sq km. Mr. The average population is 324 people. Population density varies as the population of the country is not the same everywhere. In general, areas with unfavorable natural environment or poor economic and transportation systems are sparsely populated. Rajasthan, located in the western part of India, is sparsely populated due to its arid desert region being uninhabitable. Similarly, the snow-capped Himalayas in the north and the central and southern parts of the Western Ghats in southern India have low population densities due to adverse natural conditions. In contrast, the fertile plains are densely populated mainly due to easy transportation and agricultural facilities. Therefore, other river valleys of the country including the Ganga-Brahmaputra valleys are naturally highly populated. These river valleys, especially the fertile plains, require easy transportation and improved economic conditions for the people to survive. The facilities are easily accessible. For these reasons, more people settled in the fertile, plain areas of the river valleys and the population density gradually increased.
12. Give a brief overview of the urban population of India and also present the urban population growth data of some major cities.
Answer: Population density in cities and urban areas in any country or state has increased significantly due to easy transportation, industrial development and urbanization ǀ India's urban population (in 1991) was 25.7 per cent of the total population. This means that 25.7 per cent of the country's population lives in urban areas and the remaining 74.3 per cent in rural areas. It is worth mentioning that the number of urban population in India is increasing every year. The number of cities in India increased from 3,245 in 1981 to 3,768 in Of these, 23 are large cities with a population of 1 million or more. Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai are the most populous cities in India. Table 2 shows the top ten countries in terms of population.
Mumbai is the largest city in India by population. Mumbai is followed by Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai respectively. On the other hand, the urban population of the states of India shows that the urban population is increasing in each state and the number of cities is also increasing. For example, the number of cities in Assam increased from 62 in 1981 to 87 in Guwahati is the largest city in Assam. The city is the capital of Assam and is an important administrative and commercial centre. Therefore, a large number of people from different parts of Assam as well as different states of India have come to settle in this city. According to the 1991 census, the population of Guwahati was 5.84 lakh. Guwahati city accounts for 23.5 per cent of the total urban population of Assam
13. Discuss the characteristics of the major agricultural regions of India.
Answer: The major agricultural regions of India can be divided into 7 categories ǀ namely-
(a) Fruit and vegetable agricultural areas: This region extends from Kashmir to the northeast. The annual rainfall is less than 60 cm in the northwestern part and 200 cm in the eastern part. They are up to meters. In the hills of the Western Himalayas. Temperate fruits (e.g. apples, melons, cherries, melons, apricots, etc. are grown. East. Fruits in the Himalayan region mainly produce oranges and vegetables include potatoes, peppers and various vegetables.
(b) Paddy-cotton-tea agricultural areas: This region covers Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Orissa, northern and eastern parts of Bihar and the Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh. The entire region consists of vast low plains, river islands and valleys with alluvial soils suitable for agriculture. The rainfall is about 180 cm. m to 250 cm. They are up to meters. It receives mainly rainfall due to the south-west monsoon. The region produces abundant paddy due to its loamy soil, abundant rainfall and high summer temperatures. The southern Brahmaputra Valley, Tripura and North Bengal of Assam are famous for tea cultivation. Cotton is also grown mainly in Assam, the Ganges Plain and Bay Islands and the East Coast. The entire agricultural region produces mainly paddy, cotton and tea but also fruits like coconut, jackfruit, pineapple, mango and oranges besides soybeans and pulses.
(c) Wheat and maize agricultural areas: The northern part of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, western Madhya Pradesh, and northeastern Rajasthan belong to this agricultural region. The soil in this area is loamy but black and red soil is also found in places. Although there is moderate rainfall, the dry areas of the region are irrigated. The main crops in this agricultural region are wheat and maize. However, paddy is also grown here. Wheat and maize are the main crops in Uttar Pradesh, the plains of Bihar and the north bank of the Ganges. Wheat is widely grown mainly in the Ganges-Jamuna Dawab region, the Punjab plains, Haryana and northern Rajasthan. In addition to wheat and maize, maize and various pulses are grown in this agricultural area
(d) Millet and oilseed crop areas: This agricultural region covers the Karnataka Plateau, parts of Tamil Nadu, southern Andhra Pradesh and eastern Kerala. The region has relatively less fertile soil and broken topography. In addition, the rainfall is low, about 75 cm. m to 125 cm. meters of rainfall. The millets produced here include Baja, Ragi and Jowar. Oilseed crops include nuts, soybeans and other pulses. However, mangoes and bananas are also widely grown in the area.
(e) Maize and coarse grain crop areas: This agricultural region includes the semi-desert and desert areas of western Rajasthan and northern Gujarat. The eastern part of the area is somewhat silty but the western part is sandy. Rainfall is 50 cm. It is less than a meter. Agriculture is done with the help of irrigation. Its Mewar plateau is mainly cultivated with maize but wheat and ragi crops are also grown. The southern part of the region is cultivated with cotton, maize and rice. Millet is produced in more or less quantities throughout the region.
(f) Cotton agricultural areas: The northwestern region of the Southern Plateau of India is famous for cotton cultivation. Its river-valley areas are covered with black soil and this black soil is excellent for cotton cultivation. This agricultural area covers parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra. This maize area is a rain shadow area with an annual rainfall of 75 cm. m to 100 cm. There are meters. The area is known as a cotton growing area, but there are also sporadic cultivations of sorghum, or, buckwheat, maize and wheat.
(g) Spice and plantation crop areas: This agricultural region covers the eastern and western coastal plains, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The region receives abundant rainfall, with an average annual rainfall of 250 cm. more than meters. Spice and plantation crops grown include coffee, rubber, topia, garlic and cardamom. Paddy is grown in places in the area.
14. Mark the major industrial regions of India on a map and give a brief description of each region
Answer:
(a) Hooghly Industrial Zone: This area is formed on the banks of the Hooghly River. It includes Kolkata and the adjoining city of Howrah. The major industrial centers of the region are Nayahati, Jagatdal, Chamnagar, Tribeni, Belur, Liluah, Andul etc. This industrial area dates back to the British rule. Its cotton and engineering industries are very old. After the partition of India, the cotton industries faced shortage of raw materials. The industrial zone has not developed as expected due to labor movements, energy supply problems and lack of capital.
(b) Mumbai-Pune Industrial Zone: This industrial zone is centered on the textile industry. Major textile centers like Mumbai, Ville Parle, Thane, Bhandup and Pune are located in the region. Industries in this region fell short of raw material ‘cotton after the partition of India. However, the presence of petroleum in the region has enabled the development of petroleum-based chemical industries and synthetic yarn manufacturing industries. Pune is now a major center of chemical and machinery manufacturing industries. Lack of capital and labor problems have enabled the development of diversified industries in the region.
(c) Ahmedabad
Surat Industrial Zone: The Ahmedabad-Surat industrial zone is developing
rapidly. The main industries are petrochemicals, chemical fertilizers,
synthetic fibers, other chemicals and textiles. Initially, the industrial area
was based on the textile industry but later several chemical factories were
established for the natural gas and oil found there.
(d) Madurai Coimbatore Bangalore Industrial Area: The region is also famous for its textile industry. However, besides the textile industries, the region has been able to develop in the field of industry due to the government sponsored machinery industry, Indian telephone industry, aviation industry etc.
(e) Chotanagpur Industrial Zone: Several industries have developed in the region based on the minerals found in the Chotanagpur Plateau region ǀ mining industry, metal industry, engineering industry and chemical industry are the major industries in the region ǀ
15. Write short notes ǀ
(a) The plains of northern India
The plains of northern India are the vast plains between the Himalayan mountain ranges in the north and the plains in the south. The plain extends from Assam in the east to the Pakistani border in the west for about 2,400 km. It is mainly known as the Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain. The width of this plain varies from place to place. This plain region of northern India covers a total area of about 700,000 sq km.
The vast plains of northern India are actually made up of five small and large plains. These five plains are the Western Plains, the Punjab Haryana Plains, the Ganges Plains, the North Bengal Plains and the Brahmaputra Plains. The Western Plains form the arid regions of Punjab and Haryana (the main rivers of the region are the Shatadru, Bipasha, and Rabi rivers). The Ganges Plain is formed by the plains of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal created by the rivers Ganges and Jamuna. Rivers descending from the Himalayas form the North Bengal Plain. Similarly, the Brahmaputra and many of its tributaries accumulate sediment to form the Brahmaputra Plain of Assam.
(b) Importance of agriculture in the Indian economy
India is an agricultural country. The country has a vast plain area, fertile soil and favorable climate suitable for agriculture. Therefore, agriculture has become the main occupation of Indians. India's economy is mainly dependent on agriculture. More than two-thirds of the population of the country depends on agriculture as their main occupation. Agriculture contributes significantly to the national income of the country. Agriculture provides food crops for the growing population of the country as well as raw materials for industries. In addition, a large number of unemployed people have been employed in agriculture-based industries. The country has also earned foreign exchange through exports of agricultural products. Along with the development of agriculture, other sectors such as industry, transportation and commerce have also improved. Therefore, agriculture is the mainstay of the Indian economy.
(c) Seasonal plants
Seasonal plants are found in most parts of India. It is found in areas with an annual rainfall of 100 to 200 cm and an average temperature of about 20°C. The plant is dependent on monsoon rains. In monsoon regions, rainfall is low in winter and temperatures drop. So the soil becomes dry. Therefore, these trees usually lose their leaves in winter. Shal, teak, chiris, shishu, arjun, shimlu and various species of bamboo are the main plants of the monsoon forests. These forests are found in parts of Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, the eastern part of the Southern Plateau including the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and the southern Andaman and Nicobar Islands
(d) Monsoon winds and rains in India
The climate of India is heavily influenced by monsoon winds. Monsoon winds blow in different seasons of the year, especially in summer and winter. The southwest monsoon blows in summer and the northeast monsoon winds in winter. The southwest monsoon winds flow over the Arabian Sea and enter India. This wind is called the southwest monsoon as it comes from the southwest. The wind, which carries large amounts of water vapor from the Arabian Sea, first intercepts the Western Ghats Mountains. Then it rises, cools, and rains. Thus, the coasts of Kankan and Malawar in the west coast region receive more than 300 cm of rainfall annually. Part of this air crosses the Western Ghats Mountains and moves towards the Bay of Bengal. As it passes over the Bay of Bengal, it again absorbs more water vapor and enters Assam and the North East. These winds are interrupted in the Meghalaya Plateau and cause heavy rains. Thus, Cherrapunji in Meghalaya receives about 1,250 cm of rainfall annually. This south-west monsoon causes heavy rains in Assam and the southern Himalayas. The northeast monsoon winds blow in winter. This wind is called the Northeast Monsoon Wind as it flows from Central Asia to India in a northeasterly direction. The northern Himalayas block these green winds so that India does not experience severe cold. A part of it, however, crosses the Himalayan region and enters India. The wind is dry because it comes from land. Therefore, it does not cause rain. However, as this wind moves over the Bay of Bengal, it absorbs some water vapour. When this wind containing water vapor comes and hits the Pubghat Mountains, it causes rain on the east coast of India
(e) Causes of population growth in India
The main reasons for population decline and growth are birth and death rates and population migration. Population increases when birth rate is higher than death rate ǀ Attempts have been made to raise awareness among the public about population explosion through birth control at private level, various government schemes but it has not been reflected in reality ǀ India's population has grown rapidly. Similarly, the population of India has increased due to migration from other countries. Migration from neighboring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc. has had a far-reaching impact on India's economy ǀ India's population growth rate is much higher than that of the developed countries of the world. India is the second most populous country in the world due to its rapid population growth.
(f) Causes of inequality in population distribution in India
Population distribution in India varies from state to state. States that are advanced in transportation, trade and industry usually have higher population densities. For example, the arid desert region of Rajasthan in western India is sparsely populated due to being uninhabitable. Similarly, the snow-capped Himalayas in the north and the central and southern parts of the Western Ghats in southern India have low population densities due to adverse natural conditions. Other river valleys in the country, including the Ganges-Brahmaputra valleys, are naturally highly populated. These river valleys, especially the fertile plains, require easy transportation and improved economic conditions for the people to survive. Similarly, the snow-capped Himalayas in the north and the central and southern parts of the Western Ghats in southern India have low population densities due to adverse natural conditions.
(g) Lava soil
Soil formed from lava deposition is called lava soil ǀ Lava soil is commonly known as black soil ǀ Black soil is formed by crushing lava deposits in western Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and adjacent areas of Andhra Pradesh. Black muddy and sticky soils can retain pepper and are therefore suitable for cultivation. This soil is called cotton soil as it is especially good for cotton cultivation.
(h) Hooghly Industrial Zone
This area is formed on the banks of the Hooghly River. It includes Kolkata and the adjoining city of Howrah. The major industrial centers of the region are Nayahati, Jagatdal, Chamnagar, Tribeni, Belur, Liluah, Andul etc. This industrial area dates back to the British rule. Its cotton and engineering industries are very old. After the partition of India, the cotton industries faced shortage of raw materials. The industrial zone has not developed as expected due to labor movements, energy supply problems and lack of capital.
i) Characteristics of rivers in North India
The rivers of northern India flow throughout the year as they originate from high snow-capped mountains.
The three movements of the rivers of North India are clearly visible: high, medium and low.
The rivers of northern India have wide valleys and are slow and therefore navigable as they flow through distant plains.
The rivers of northern India are relatively new in nature and change course frequently. Therefore, they have a wide floodplain.
Rivers in northern India are not very fast flowing but carry more sediment. Therefore, these rivers are not suitable for hydropower generation.
The river basins of northern India are densely populated due to their sedimentation and fertility
Because the rivers of northern India are navigable, many large cities have been built on their banks.
The rivers of northern India are longer and have extensive deltaic areas in their estuaries.
j) Characteristics of rivers in South India
Rivers in South India often dry up during the dry season as they flow from relatively arched mountains or plateaus.
The high, medium and low flows of the rivers of South India are not clearly visible.
The valleys of the rivers of South India are somewhat steep and usually fast flowing. Therefore, these rivers are not navigable.
The rivers of South India were formed many centuries ago and flow through the hard rocks of the Southern Plateau. The rivers of South India do not flow frequently and their floodplains are shallow.
Rivers in South India are suitable for hydropower generation as they are fast flowing and carry less sediment.
The river basins of South India are not so fertile. Therefore, the population is sparse.
The rivers of South India are not navigable and therefore no large cities have been built on their banks.
The rivers of South India are relatively short and some of them have formed small islands in their estuaries.
(k) Indian Islands:
The Indian islands are divided into two groups or archipelagos. One of these is known as the Laksha Islands and the other as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Both these islands are two union territories of India. The capitals of the Lakshadweep Islands and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are Kawarati and Port Blair respectively. The Laksha Islands are located in the Arabian Sea west of the coast of Malawi. The archipelago consists of three main islands namely Lakshadweep, Minikay and Amindwip, but it is actually a collection of 25 small and large islands. The average elevation of these islands is 3-5 m above sea level. As a union territory, the Lakshadweep Islands covers an area of 32 sq km. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal, far from the Karamandal coast. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are made up of 215 islands, including 204 in the Andaman and 11 in the Nicobar region. The archipelago is about 590 km long and 58 km wide. It covers an area of 8,24 sq km. The islands are not more than 5 meters above sea level. Being located in the marine environment, the topography, climate, vegetation, people and socio-economic conditions of these two islands are different from those of other regions
(l) Himalayan Hill Region:
The Himalayas are the highest mountains in the world. This mountain has many peaks. The Himalayan mountain range of India is adjacent to the northern border of India. It extends east-west from the Nanga Mountains of Kashmir to the eastern border of Arunachal Pradesh. The mountain range is about 2,500 km long and about 240 km to 500 km wide. The region covers an area of about 500,000 square kilometres. It has an altitude of more than 8,000 meters above sea level.
The Himalayas are composed of easily eroded soft rocks of the Tertiary period. Therefore, the rivers that flow from it carry more sediment. The high peaks of the Himalayas are covered with snow. This ice forms snow rivers. There are numerous such snow rivers in the Himalayan region. Most snow rivers are between 3-5 km in length. These snow rivers are the main source of water for the rivers flowing from the Himalayas.
The Himalayas are three almost parallel to east and west. They can be divided into rows, such as Upper Himalayas, Lower Himalayas and Outer Himalayas. The High Himalayas extend east-west in the northernmost part. The snow-capped mountain range has an average elevation of about 6,000 metres. It is very steep but its slope gradually decreases to the north. Finally, it meets the Tibetan Plateau in China. The Lower Himalayas are the southern mountain range adjacent to the Upper Himalayas. It has an average elevation of 4,000 metres. It is 60-80 km wide. The Lower Himalayas are bordered by the Outer Himalayas to the south. The range is relatively flat with an average elevation of 1,000 metres. It gradually flattens to the south and joins the Ganges-Brahmaputra plain. The Outer Himalayan Mountain Range, which is about 15 km to 50 km wide, also covers the southern part of the Himalayas
Editing By:- Lipi Medhi
