IX Geo Ch.2

Divisions of Himalayas

Based on height, width, region and other factors the various divisions of Himalayas are identified.

Divisions of Himalayas

Formation...

Formation

• The northern plain has been formed by the interplay of three major river systems namely- the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra along with its tributaries.

• It is formed of Alluvial soil. The vast basin lying at the foothills of the Himalaya is deposited with alluvium (fine particles of silt and clay and larger particles of sand and gravel) over a million of years and formed this plain.

Composition...

Composition

• It is a densely populated region. It is an agriculturally very productive region of India due to rich soil cover combined with adequate water supply and favorable climate.

• The rivers coming from the northern mountains brought a huge amount of eroded soil which helped the depositional work.

• In the lower course, due to gentle slope, the velocity of the river decreases which results in the formation of riverine islands (An Island formed by the river).

Divisions...

• Also, in lower course rivers split into numerous channels due to the deposition of silt known as distributaries.

• There are two different divisions based on River system and Region

Divisions

The Central Highlands

The Central Highlands

• It lies to the north of the Narmada river covering a major area of the Malwa plateau.

• The Vindhya range is bounded by the Central Highlands on the south and the Aravalis on the northwest.

• The further westward extension gradually merges with the sandy and rocky desert of Rajasthan

• Rivers in this area: the Chambal, the Sind, the Betwa and the Ken.

• The Central Highlands are wider in the west but narrower in the east.

• The eastward extensions of this plateau are locally known as the Bundelkhand and Baghelk

• The Chota Nagpur plateau marks the further eastward extension, drained by the Damodar river

The Deccan Plateau

The Deccan Plateau

• It is a triangular landmass that lies to the south of the river Narmada.

• The Satpura range bound its broad base in the north while the Mahadev, the Kaimur hills and Maikal range form its eastern extensions.

• It is higher in the west and slopes gently eastwards.

• An extension of Deccan Plateau is also visible in the northeast - locally known as the Meghalaya, Karbi-Anglong Plateau and North Cachar Hills.

• It is separated by a fault from the Chotanagpur Plateau.

• Three Prominent hill ranges from the west to east are the Garo, the Khasi and the Jaintia Hill

Western...

The western coast consists of three sections:

• Northern part of the coast is called the Konkan (Mumbai – Goa)

• Central stretch is called the Kannad Plain

• Southern stretch is called the Malabar coast.

Eastern...

The plains along the Bay of Bengal (east part) are wide and level.

• The northern part is known as the Northern Circar, while the southern part is known as the Coromandel Coast.

• Large rivers such as the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri have formed an extensive delta on eastern coast.

• Lake Chilika is an important feature along the eastern coast.

Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep

This Island group in the Arabian Sea is close to Kerala.

• This group of islands is composed of small coral islands.
• The Lakshadweep Islands were earlier known as Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi.
• It covers a small area of 32 sq km.
• Kavaratti island is the administrative headquarters of Lakshadweep.
• The Pitti island, which is uninhabited, has a bird sanctuary.

Andaman and Nicobar

Andaman and

Nicobar

These Islands are an elongated chain of islands located in the Bay of Bengal

• They are bigger in size and are more numerous and scattered.
• The entire group of islands is divided into two broad categories
• The Andaman in the north and the Nicobar in the south.
• These islands are an elevated portion of submarine mountains.