Physical Features of India

1. Major Physiographic Divisions

A) The Himalayan Mountains

• Young Fold Mountains (Formed by Indo-Eurasian plate collision).
• Three Parallel Ranges:
  1. Greater Himalayas (Himadri): Highest peaks (Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga).
  2. Lesser Himalayas (Himachal): Hill stations (Shimla, Darjeeling).
  3. Shiwaliks: Outer foothills (prone to landslides).
• Key Passes:
  • Khardung La (Highest motorable road).
  • Nathu La (Indo-China trade route).

B) The Northern Plains

• Formed by: Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus rivers (alluvial deposits).
• Divisions:
  • Punjab Plains (Indus tributaries).
  • Ganga Plains (Fertile → “Rice Bowl of India”).
  • Brahmaputra Plains (Prone to floods).

C) The Peninsular Plateau

• Oldest Landmass (Formed from Gondwana land).
• Subdivisions:
  1. Deccan Plateau (Volcanic basalt rocks → Black soil).
  2. Central Highlands (Vindhyas, Satpuras).
  3. Chota Nagpur Plateau (Mineral-rich → “Ruhr of India”).

D) The Indian Desert

• Thar Desert (Rajasthan):
  • Features: Sand dunes, low rainfall (<25 cm).
  • Cities: Jaisalmer, Bikaner.

E) The Coastal Plains

• Western Coast: Narrow, rocky (Konkan, Malabar coasts).
• Eastern Coast: Wider, deltas (Coromandel, Northern Circar).

F) The Islands

• Andaman & Nicobar: Volcanic origin (Indira Point → Southernmost tip).
• Lakshadweep: Coral origin (Smallest UT).