India  Major Physical Divisions
Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains, Islands.
India  Major Physical Divisions
Physical Features of India
What you'll learn
- India's five major physical divisions: Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains, Islands.
- Formation, features, and importance of each.
- Major mountain ranges, rivers, and plains.
Key concepts
The five physical divisions
1. The Himalayan Mountains
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Formation | Collision of Indian and Eurasian plates (folded mountains) — still rising |
| Length | ~2400 km; width 150–400 km |
| Three ranges | Greater Himalayas (Himadri) — highest, permanent snow; Lesser Himalayas (Himachal) — hill stations; Outer Himalayas (Shiwaliks) — foothills |
| Highest peak | Kangchenjunga (8586 m) — highest in India; K2 (8611 m) in PoK |
| Rivers | Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra originate here |
| Importance | Barrier against cold Arctic winds; source of perennial rivers; biodiversity; tourism |
2. The Northern Plains
- Formed by alluvial deposits of Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers.
- Length ~3200 km; width 150–300 km.
- Most fertile land in India; densely populated.
- Three sections: Punjab Plains (Indus system), Ganga Plains (largest), Brahmaputra Plains (Assam).
- Features: Bhabar (coarse gravel near foothills), Terai (marshy, forested), Bhangar (older alluvium, upland), Khadar (newer alluvium, flood plains).
3. The Peninsular Plateau
- Oldest and most stable landmass in India (part of ancient Gondwana supercontinent).
- Made of hard crystalline rocks (granite, gneiss).
- Two parts: Central Highlands (north of Narmada; includes Vindhyas, Satpuras, Malwa Plateau, Bundelkhand) and Deccan Plateau (south of Narmada; bounded by Eastern and Western Ghats).
- Western Ghats (Sahyadri): continuous range; abrupt west face; avg 900–1600 m; highest peak Anamudi (2695 m — highest in peninsular India).
- Eastern Ghats: discontinuous; cut by rivers; lower (avg 600 m).
4. Coastal Plains
| Coast | Name | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| West coast | Malabar / Konkan / Coromandel | Narrow (50–80 km); steep; backwaters (Kerala); Konkan rocky |
| East coast | Coromandel / Northern Circar | Wider (100–130 km); lagoons; deltas of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri |
5. Islands
| Group | Location | Key islands |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar | Bay of Bengal | 572 islands; tropical forests; Indira Point — southernmost tip of India |
| Lakshadweep | Arabian Sea | 36 coral islands; smallest Union Territory; Minicoy is largest |
Key rivers from Himalayas (snow-fed, perennial)
Indus, Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Sutlej.
Key rivers from Peninsular Plateau (rain-fed, seasonal)
Narmada, Tapti (flow west → Arabian Sea); Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri (flow east → Bay of Bengal).
Quick check
- Name the five major physical divisions of India.
- How were the Himalayas formed? Name the three parallel ranges.
- What is the difference between Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar, and Khadar?
- What are the Western Ghats? What is the highest peak in peninsular India?
- Name two island groups of India and where they are located.
Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Physical Features of India.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- What you'll learn
- Key concepts
- Quick check
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