SOCIAL SCIENCE -VII CHAPTER 1: GEOGRAPHICAL DIVERSITY OF INDIA (LESSON NOTES)

 

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.

Ø Formation of the Himalayas

§  India was once part of an ancient landmass called Gondwana.

§  The Indian landmass slowly moved northward and collided with the Eurasian plate.

§  This collision caused the land to fold and rise, forming the Himalayan mountains.

§  The Himalayas are still growing due to the continued movement of the Indian plate.

Ø Divisions of the Himalayas

§  Himadri or Greater Himalayas

·       The Himadri is the highest and most rugged range.

·       It includes peaks such as Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.

·       The region remains covered with snow throughout the year.

·       Human settlements are very limited in this region.

§  Himachal or Lesser Himalayas

·       The Himachal range lies south of the Himadri.

·       The climate is moderate and suitable for human habitation.

·       Famous hill stations like Shimla, Nainital, Darjeeling, and Mussoorie are located here.

·       This region supports rich biodiversity.

§  Shivalik or Outer Himalayas

·       The Shivalik range is the outermost and lowest Himalayan range.

·       It consists of rolling hills and dense forests.

·       It forms a transition zone between the Himalayas and the Northern Plains.

Ø Cultural and Economic Importance

§  The Himalayas are considered sacred in many religions.

§  Many temples and monasteries are in the Himalayan region.

§  Rivers originating from the Himalayas provide water for agriculture, drinking, and industries.

 

v The Cold Desert of India (Ladakh)

Ø Ladakh is a cold desert located in the northern part of India.

Ø Temperatures in winter fall below –30°C.

Ø The region receives very little rainfall.

Ø The landscape is rocky, rugged, and resembles the surface of the moon.

Ø Ladakh has lakes such as Pangong Tso, which has salty water.

Ø Despite harsh conditions, Ladakh supports wildlife such as snow leopards and yaks.

Ø The region is known for ancient monasteries and festivals like Losar and Hemis.

v The Northern Plains (Gangetic Plains)

Ø Formation

§  The Northern Plains are formed by rivers originating in the Himalayas.

§  Rivers such as the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra deposit fertile alluvium.

§  These plains are flat and highly fertile.

Ø Importance

§  The fertile soil makes the region ideal for agriculture.

§  A large part of India’s population lives in these plains.

§  Rivers provide water for irrigation, drinking, and hydroelectric power.

§  The flat terrain supports extensive road and railway networks.

§  Rivers have historically been used for trade and transport.

v The Thar Desert (Great Indian Desert)

Ø Location and Features

§  The Thar Desert lies in western India.

§  It spreads across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.

§  The desert is characterised by sand dunes and extreme temperatures.

§  Sand dunes are formed by the action of wind.

Ø Life in the Desert

§  Water is scarce in the desert.

§  People have adapted their lifestyle, clothing, and food habits to desert conditions.

§  Traditional water conservation methods like taanka and kunds are used.

§  Camels are commonly used for transport.

v The Aravalli Hills

Ø The Aravalli Hills are among the oldest mountain ranges in the world.

Ø The range is about 2.5 billion years old.

Ø Mount Abu is the highest peak of the Aravalli range.

Ø The Aravallis act as a natural barrier preventing the spread of the Thar Desert.

Ø The region is rich in minerals like marble, zinc, copper, and granite.

Ø Several historic forts such as Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, and Ranthambore are in the Aravalli range.

v The Peninsular Plateau

Ø A plateau is a raised area of land with a relatively flat surface.

Ø Features of the Peninsular Plateau

§  The Peninsular Plateau is a very old landmass.

§  It is triangular in shape.

§  It is surrounded by water on three sides and is therefore called a peninsula.

§  The plateau is bordered by the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.

v Western Ghats

Ø The Western Ghats are tall and continuous.

Ø They receive heavy rainfall.

Ø They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ø Many rivers originate from the Western Ghats.

v Eastern Ghats

Ø The Eastern Ghats are lower and discontinuous.

Ø They run along the eastern coast of India.

v Rivers and Resources

Ø Rivers such as Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, and Mahanadi flow eastward.

Ø Rivers like Narmada and Tapi flow westward.

Ø The plateau is rich in minerals, forests, and waterfalls.

Ø Tribal communities such as Gond, Santhal, Bhil, and Baiga live here.

v Coastal Plains of India

Ø General Features

§  India has a coastline of over 7,500 kilometres.

§  The coastal plains are narrow in the west and wide in the east.

Ø Western Coastal Plains

§  The Western Coast stretches from Gujarat to Kerala.

§  Rivers are short and form estuaries.

§  Many important ports and cities are located here.

Ø Eastern Coastal Plains

§  The Eastern Coast stretches from the Ganga delta to Kanyakumari.

§  Rivers form large fertile deltas.

§  Lakes such as Chilika and Pullicat are found here.

§  The plains are suitable for agriculture.

v Indian Islands

Ø Lakshadweep Islands

§  Lakshadweep is located in the Arabian Sea.

§  It is an archipelago made up of coral islands.

§  Fishing and marine resources are important here.

Ø Andaman and Nicobar Islands

§  These islands are in the Bay of Bengal.

§  They are volcanic in origin.

§  Barren Island is the only active volcano in India.

§  The islands are strategically important.

§  Cellular Jail is a historic site located here.

v The Sundarbans Delta

Ø The Sundarbans are in the delta of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers.

Ø The region is shared by India and Bangladesh.

Ø It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ø The Sundarbans are famous for mangrove forests.

Ø The Royal Bengal Tiger is found here.

v The Hills of the Northeast

Ø The hills of the Northeast include the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills.

Ø These hills are part of the Meghalaya Plateau.

Ø The region receives very heavy rainfall.

Ø It has dense forests, waterfalls, and fertile soil.

Ø Living root bridges are a unique feature of this region.

Ø Mawlynnong village is known as the cleanest village in Asia.

v Summary of the Lesson (Bullet Points)

Ø India has vast geographical diversity that shapes its climate, culture, and economy.

Ø The Himalayas protect India and provide water through major rivers.

Ø The Northern Plains are fertile and densely populated.

Ø The Thar Desert is a hot arid region where people adapt to scarce water.

Ø The Aravalli Hills prevent desert expansion and are rich in minerals.

Ø The Peninsular Plateau is an ancient landmass rich in resources.

Ø The coastal plains support trade, fishing, and agriculture.

Ø The islands are important for biodiversity, security, and history.

Ø The Sundarbans are a unique delta region with mangrove forests.

Ø The hills of the Northeast are known for heavy rainfall, forests, and unique culture.