NOT to be written in notebook:

Class IX Geography Chapter – 2 PHYSICAL FEATURES OF INDIA

1. Give an account of the coastal plains of India.

(i) The Peninsular plateau is bordered by narrow coastal strips, running along the Arabian Sea on the west
and the Bay of Bengal on the east.

(ii) The western coast, sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, is a narrow plain. It
consists of three sections from north to south – Konkan, Kannad and Malabar Coast.

(iii) The eastern coast, sandwiched between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal is comparatively wide
plain. It consists of two sections from north to south – Northern Circar and the Coromandal Coast.

(iv) Large rivers such as the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri have formed extensive delta
on eastern coast.

(v) Lake Chilika is an important feature along the eastern coast.

2. Distinguish between the Western coastal plain and Eastern coastal plain.

Western Coastal Plain Eastern Coastal Plain

(i)West Coast is a narrow alluvial plain with a (i)The Eastern Coast Is a wide plain with a width of 80
width of 50-80 kms. It is uneven and wet. to 120 km.

(ii)The short swift rivers do not make any deltas (ii)The large rivers make wide deltas on the Eastern
on the Western Coast. The Tapti and Narmada Coast. Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri make well-
make estuaries. developed deltas.

(iii)Kandla, Mumbai, Marmagao, Mangalore and (iii)Tuticorin, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Paradeep and
Cochin are major ports on West coast. Kolkata are major ports on the East coast.

3. Describe the main features of the Great Himalayas or Inner Himalayas or the Himadri.
(i) It has the loftiest peaks with an average height of 6000metres. It contains all the important
Himalayan peaks.
(ii) It is perennially covered with snow.
(iii) A number of glaciers descend from this range.
4. Describe the main features of the Himachal or lesser Himalayas.
(i) Its altitude varies between 3700 and 4500 metres and the average width is 50 km.
(ii) It is well known for hill stations, namely, Mussoorie, Nainital and Ranikhet.
(iii) Its prominent ranges are the Pir Panjal, the Dhaula Dhar and the Mahabharat.
 5. Distinguish between Terai and Bhabar region.

Terai Bhabar

(i) Terai is a broad long zone south of Bhabar plain. (i) Bhabar is a long narrow plain along the
(ii) It is a marshy, wet and marshy area covered with thick foothills.
forests. (ii) It is a pebble studded zone of porous beds.
(iii) It is 20-30 kms wide. (iii) It is 8-16 kms wide.
(iv) Many streams re-emerge here from the Bhabar area. (iv) Streams are lost in the region due to porous
(v) It is suitable for agriculture. rocks.
(v) It is unsuitable for agriculture.

6. What are Shiwaliks? Mention any two characteristics of it.

The outer most range of the Himalayas is called the Shiwaliks.
(i)They extend over a width of 10-50 Km and have an altitude varying between 900 and 1100 metres.
(ii)These ranges are composed of unconsolidated sediments brought down by rivers from the main
Himalayan ranges located farther north.
7. What are duns? Write examples from the Himalayan region.
The longitudinal valley lying between lesser Himalaya and the Shiwaliks are known as Duns.
Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun and Patli Dun are examples of the Duns.
8. Describe the Regional divisions of Himalayas demarcated by river valleys.
(i)The part of Himalayas lying between Indus and Satluj has been traditionally known as Punjab Himalayas
but it is also known regionally as Kashmir and Himachal Himalaya from west to east respectively.
(ii)The part of the Himalayas lying between Satluj and Kali rivers is known as Kumaon Himalayas.
(iii)The Kali and Tista rivers demarcate the Nepal Himalayas and the part lying between Tista and Dihang
rivers is known as Assam Himalayas.
9. Write a short note on Purvachal.
(a) The Hills spread along the eastern boundary of India in the north-eastern states are known as
Purvachal.
(b) They comprises the Patkai hills, the Naga Hills, the Manipur Hills and the Mizo Hills.
(c) They are covered with dense forests.
10. Write a short note on Deccan Plateau.
(a) The Deccan Plateau is triangular in shape that lies to the south of the river Narmada.
(b) Its northern boundary is formed by Satpura, Mahadev, Kaimur and Maikal Hill Ranges.
(c) The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats mark its western and the eastern edges respectively.
(d) The Deccan Plateau is higher in the west and slopes gently eastwards.
(e) Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Narmada and Tapi are the important rivers flowing in it.