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A place’s geography primarily consists of its geographical position, area- and region-wise divisions, rivers, climate, soil, crops, topography, and flora and fauna. Maharashtra is a state in the western peninsular region of India, covering a large part of the Deccan plateau. The geographical area of Maharashtra is around 307,713 square kilometres. Maharashtra is among India’s largest industrial and economic centres and has had a considerable social and political impact on the country.
Geographical Location of Maharashtra
The geographical area of Maharashtra includes a large portion of the famed Deccan plateau and has a wide spectrum of physical diversity. Maharashtra, located on the map of India, is a triangular-shaped state bordered by Madhya Pradesh on the north and by Karnataka on the south. Maharashtra has Chattisgarh to its east, Telangana in the southwestern part and Gujarat in the northwestern part. The Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is positioned between the borders of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
On the west, the Western Ghats (also known as the Sahyadri Mountain Range) serve as a physical backbone, while the Bhamragad-Chiroli-Gaikhuri ranges to the east and the Satpura Hills on the north serve as natural borders. Kalsubai is the highest peak of the Sahyadri range in Maharashtra. It is located between Nashik and Ahmednagar borders and is also called the Everest of Maharashtra.
Landscape of Maharashtra
The coastline of Maharashtra extends approximately up to 725 kilometres. The state’s west coast comprises the Arabian Sea. The upturned edges in the west ascend to make the Sahyadri Range and gently slope towards the southeast and east.
The plateaus of Buldana, Ahmednagar, and Yavatmal have been shaped into elevated interfluves and alternate broad-river valleys by the major rivers and their tributaries.
The Satpuras, the Bhamragad-Chiroli-Gaikhuri Ranges to the east, and hills on the northern boundary constitute physical obstacles that impede simple migration. They also serve as natural boundaries for the state and have been the site of several earthquakes, such as in the Latur district.
The Konkan, which stretches between the Sahyadri Range and the Arabian Sea, is a small coastal plain with a width of approximately 50 kilometres. The Konkan is highly dissected and fractured. It alternates between the low laterite plateaux and small, steep-sided valleys.
As mentioned earlier, the Sahyadri range is the physical backbone of Maharashtra. It reaches a height of 1000 metres on average. It drops steeply to the west into the Konkan. The hill land descends in steps eastwards to the plateau level, passing through a transitional region known as Maval. The Sahyadri Range is distinguished by several crowning plateaux on the mountain’s crest.
Climate of Maharashtra
The climate is primarily influenced by the northern hills and the Western Ghats, which divide the wet Konkan Coast and the dry interior upland, known as the Desh. Rainfall in the Konkan is exceptionally heavy, around 100 inches on average. Some of the wettest locations receive up to 250 inches of rainfall. The eastern sides of the Ghats receive less than 250 inches of rainfall. Precipitation in the extreme east is high, ranging from 40 to 80 inches.
Usually, the climate of Maharashtra is tropical to subtropical (varying with elevation) and wet-dry, with regional differences. The southwest monsoons in India arrive on the Mumbai coast during June’s first week. It usually lasts till September, accounting for around four-fifths of the yearly precipitation.
Soil
Black soils formed from degraded lava rocks cover a large portion of the geographical area of Maharashtra. This soil is used extensively to grow cotton. Therefore, it is sometimes known as “black cotton soils”. Moreover, drifts have eroded into light-coloured and medium brown sandy soils along the slopes. In the river valleys, saline soils are formed due to obstructed soil drainage and excessive evaporation.
Forest Area
Approximately 17 percent of the total geographical area of Maharashtra is covered in forests. The Sahyadri Range and the eastern section of the state are covered in forests, while the plateaux are covered with open scrub jungle. The western shore and adjacent ridges include tall trees like mango and coconut trees, and variegated shrubs. Bamboo, teak, myrobalan, etc., can also be found in these forests. Thorny savanna-like flora can be found in locations with less rainfall, such as upper Maharashtra.
Higher plateaus with heavy precipitation and warmer temperatures are home to subtropical vegetation. Common trees include magnolia and chestnut. Wild dates can be found in semiarid areas. Along the shore, mangrove vegetation can be found in estuaries and marshes.
Conclusion
Maharashtra is the third-largest state in India and the second-most populous among other states. Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra and the commercial centre of India, is the country’s growth engine. The geographical area of Maharashtra covers a significant portion of the famous Deccan Plateau. The Sahyadri Range, a part of the Western Ghats, is the central mountain range of Maharashtra. The state has 3 railway headquarters, 3 international airports, and 2 major and 48 minor seaports.
