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India and its physical features
The major physical features in India were a result of the geological formations, erosion, deposition as well as weathering. These factors tend to form and modify the physical features within India. As per the ‘theory of plate tectonics, the crust of the Earth is formed through seven major as well as several minor plates.
Mentioned below are the major physical features in India :
1.The Himalayas
The Himalayas is known to be one of the youngest landforms that was a result of the collision of the Indian plate with that of Eurasian plate.
The Himalayas contain three parallel ranges that are in their longitudinal extent: The Greater Himalayas, The lesser Himalayas and the Himachal Shiwaliks.
2.Northern Plains
The formation of the Northern plains took place with the help of 3 major river systems named: The Indus, The Ganga and The Brahmaputra, including their tributaries. The Northern plains are categorized into three parts that are :
- The Punjab Plains
- The Ganga plains
- The Brahmaputra Plains
3.The peninsular plateau
The peninsular plateau is defined as a tableland. This tableland is made of the old crystalline rocks, igneous rocks as well as metamorphic rocks. The peninsular plateau contains two broad divisions called the Central Highlands along with the Deccan Plateau.
4.The Indian Desert
The Indian desert is located on the western side of the Aravali Hills.
5.The coastal plains
The coastal plains run along with the Arabian sea located on the west and the Bay of Bengal located on the east side.
6.The Islands
The islands also form a part of the major physical features in India. The islands are :
- Lakshadweep Islands
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The river system in India
The major river systems in India consist of :
1.Indus River system
The Indus river arrives from the northern slopes of the Kailash range located in Tibet near Lake Mansarovar.
2.Brahmaputra River system
The Brahmaputra river system arrives from the Mansarovar lake. The Brahmaputra river is the source of the river Indus as well as the river Satluj.
3.Ganga River system
The Ganga River originates from the Gangotri glacier located in the Himalayas.
4.Yamuna River system
The Yamuna river arrives from the Yamunotri glaciers located at the Bandarpunch peak within the district of Uttarkashi.
5.Narmada River system
The Narmada river is one of the major rivers of peninsular India. The Narmada river is located in central India. It originates from Narmada kund in Amarkantak, Madhya pradesh.
6.Tapi River system
The Tapi River is also located in central India. The tapi river originates in the eastern Satpura range, situated in Southern Madhya Pradesh.
7.Godavari river system
The Godavari river is considered to be the second-largest river in India. Godavari river is also known as the Vriddhi Ganga or the Dakshin Ganga. It rises from Trimbakeshwar in Nashik district, Maharashtra.
8.Krishna river system
The Krishna river is known as one of the longest rivers in India. The Krishna river originates from the Mahabaleshwar region in Maharashtra.
9.Cauvery river system
The Cauvery river is also known as the greatest river in India. The river is considered to be the sacred river by the Hindus. It originates from Talakaveri in Brahmagiri range of Western Ghats in Karnataka.
10.Mahanadi river system
The Mahanadi river is considered the longest river in South-Central India. It originates in the west of Maharashtra.
Mountain system in India
The Himalayas are considered to be the highest mountain peak in the entire World. The Himalayas are known as the most well-known mountain ranges in India. Mentioned below are some of the eminent mountain ranges :
- Great Himalaya Range
- Middle Himalayas range
- Outer Himalayan Shivalik range
- Trans-himalaya karakoram range
- Trans-himalaya Ladakh range
- Trans-himalaya zanskar range
- Purvanchal Range
- Aravalli Range
- Vindhya Range
- Satpura Range
- the Western Ghats
- the Eastern Ghats
Conclusion
The major physical features in India were a result of the geological formations, erosion, deposition as well as weathering. These factors have tended to form and modify the physical features within India. The major physical features in India include – The Himalayas, the Northern plains, The peninsular plateau, the Indian desert, the coastal plains and the islands. The major river systems in India consist of the Indus River System, Brahmaputra River System, Ganga River System, Yamuna River System, Narmada River System, Tapti River System, Godavari River System, Krishna River System. The major mountain system in India includes – The great Himalaya Range, Middle Himalaya range, Outer Himalayas Shivalik range, Trans-Himalaya Karakoram range, Trans-Himalaya Ladakh range, Trans-Himalaya Zanskar range, Purvanchal Range, Aravalli Range, Vindhya Range, Satpura Range, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats.
