SOCIAL SCIENCE -VII- CHAPTER 2:

UNDERSTANDING THE WEATHER

(LESSON NOTES)

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 v Introduction to Weather

Ø Weather refers to the state of the Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place.

Ø The atmosphere is the layer of gases (air) that surrounds the Earth.

§  The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere where:

·       Humans, animals, and plants live.

·       Almost all-weather phenomena occur.

Ø The height troposphere is 6 to 18 kilometres from the ground. Its thickness varies:

SOCIAL SCIENCE -VII

CHAPTER 1:

GEOGRAPHICAL DIVERSITY OF INDIA

(LESSON NOTES)

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v Introduction

Ø First Indian astronaut Rakesh Sharma remarked India as “Sāre jahān se achchha” for India from the space in 1984.

Ø India is a country with immense geographical diversity, which gives it a distinct national character.

Ø The geographical features of India have played a major role in shaping its climate, culture, economy, and history.

Ø India is the seventh-largest country in the world and is in the continent of Asia.

Ø Along with neighbouring countries, India forms a region known as the Indian Subcontinent.

Ø The country can be broadly divided into five major geographical regions for study and understanding.

v Location and Extent of India

Ø India lies in the northern hemisphere.

Ø India is surrounded by the Himalayas in the north.

Ø The Arabian Sea lies to the west of India.

Ø The Bay of Bengal lies to the east of India.

Ø The Indian Ocean lies to the south of India.

Ø These natural boundaries separate India from the rest of Asia and influence its climate and history.

v Major Physiographic Regions of India

Ø India is divided into the following major geographical regions:

§  The Himalayan Mountain Region

§  The Northern Plains (Gangetic Plains)

§  The Thar Desert

§  The Peninsular Plateau

§  The Coastal Plains

§  The Islands

§  The Hills of the Northeast

v The Himalayan Mountain Region

  Ø General Features

§  Himalaya means “abode of snow.”

§  The Himalayas form a massive mountain range in the northern part of India.

§  The Himalayan range stretches for about 2,500 kilometres.

§  Many Himalayan peaks rise above 8,000 metres and are known as the “Eight Thousanders.”

§  The Himalayas act as a natural barrier and protect India from cold winds.

§  The Himalayas are called the “Water Tower of Asia” because many major rivers originate here.