MAJOR PHYSICAL DIVISIONS OF INDIA

MAJOR PHYSICAL DIVISIONS OF INDIA

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR PHYSICAL DIVISIONS OF INDIA?

• India is one of the oldest and advanced civilizations.
• It spreads from the snow-capped Himalayas in the north to seaside coasts and Ghats in the south.
• It has the lush Brahmaputra river in the east, while Thar Desert in the west.
• The length lies is between 8°4′ and 37°6′ north Latitudes.
• The width is between 68°7′ East and 97°25′ East Longitudes.
• East-West extension of 2933 km and North-South extension of 3214 km.

WHAT CONSTITUTES AS MAJOR PHYSIOGRAPHIC DIVISIONS OF INDIA?

• India has six physiographic divisions:

1. Northern and North-eastern Mountain
2. Northern Plain
3. Peninsular Plateau
4. Indian Desert
5. Coastal Plains
6. Islands

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSIOGRAPHY OF INDIA?

1. Northern and North-eastern Mountain:

• It consists of Himalayan mountains and the Northeastern hills.
• The Himalayas act as a physical barrier for the Indian subcontinent
• Also acts as a climatic, drainage and cultural divide.
• The Himalayas are present in many Asian nations.
• The lowlands are renowned for their fertility due to alluvial soils.

2. Northern Plains:

• The Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra made the Northern plains.
• These rivers deposit alluvial deposits as fertile soil.
• It has level topography good for the construction of roads and railroads.
•  Various divisions of the Northern plains:

3. Peninsular Plateau:

• The peninsular plateau is oldest structure of Indian subcontinent.
• It has the central highlands in the north and the Deccan plateau in the south.
•  The Plateau is abundant of minerals.

4. Indian Desert:

• Despite an extreme climate, it provides development opportunities.
• It has various mines- as feldspar, phospherite, gypsum and kaolin.
• These minerals are valuable from cement to fertilisers.

5. Coastal Plains:

• These are the narrow coastal strips along the Western and Eastern Ghats.
• They act as crucial hinterlands for important ports.
• They act as focal points for both domestic and foreign trade.
• Variety of crops grown on the rich fertile soil.

6. Islands:

• India also has two islands sets: Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
• India is able to protect its distinct lands due to the island territories.
• Various pirate attacks are deterred by the presence of military troops.
• These islands increase the security of India’s marine assets.