Geographical Landforms and Their Significance

Geographic landforms are incredibly important for understanding the landscape and its history. They can help identify areas with other natural hazards. Additionally, they can provide clues about the climate and the environment that existed at different points in time.

There are a variety of different geographical landforms, and in this article, we will focus on major landforms. They are mountains, plains, and plateaus.

Mountains

Mountains cover over 27% of the world’s geographical surface.

Mountains provide up to 80% of the world’s fresh surface water. According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), roughly 12% of the world’s population lives in the mountains. Still, more than 50% of the population is directly or indirectly reliant on mountain resources.

Classification Of Mountains

Mountains can be categorised into the following categories based on their development mode:

• Fold Mountains
• Block Mountains
• Volcanic Mountains/ Accumulated Mountains
• Residual Mountains/ Relict Mountains

Significance of landforms: Mountains

A storehouse of resources: Mountains are a natural resource repository. Mountains include abundant mineral resources such as petroleum, coal, and limestone. The mountains are the primary source of timber, lac, medicinal plants, and other natural resources.

Generation of hydroelectricity: The majority of hydroelectricity is generated by the waters of alpine, perennial rivers.

An abundant water source: One of the most significant water sources is perennial rivers in snow-fed or strongly rain-fed mountains. They help in irrigation and provide water for a variety of other uses.

Formation of fertile plains: The rivers that flow down from the high peaks beings fertile soil.

Plateaus

It’s a high region with land that’s more or less level on top. It has a steep side slope and a large top-level space.

It is also known as tablelands or high plains. Plateaus cover about 18 percent of the earth’s land surface.

Classification Of Plateaus

Plateaus are classed as follows based on their geographical position and geological structure:

• Intermontane Plateaus
• Piedmont plateaus
• Continental plateaus
• Volcanic plateaus
• Dissected plateaus
• Importance of Plateaus

Significance of landforms: Plateaus

A storehouse of minerals: Plateaus contain most of the world’s minerals. Mineral extraction is simpler on plateaus than it is in the mountains. Plateaus provide the vast majority of industrial raw resources. We receive gold from Western Australia’s plateau; diamond, gold and copper from Africa’s plateaus; and coal, iron, manganese, and mica from India’s Chotanagpur Plateau.

Generation of hydel power: Plateaus’ margins generate waterfalls, which are great locations for generating hydel electricity.

Cool climate: Even in tropical and sub-tropical climates, the highest sections of the plateaus have a chilly climate.

Animal rearing and agriculture: large grassland regions, especially for sheep, goats, and cattle, can be found on plateaus. Compared to new plateaus, lava plateaus are rich in minerals and are employed for agriculture since the soil is particularly profitable.

Plains

The most essential landforms on the planet’s surface are plains. A plain is a low-lying, generally level surface with minimal local topography with a gentle slope.

Plains cover over 55% of the earth’s land surface. The plain was produced mostly by the deposition of sediments carried down by rivers. Besides rivers, wind, shifting glaciers, and tectonic activity have contributed to plains formation.

Classification Of Plains

Plains are classed as follows based on their creation mode:

• Structural plain
• Erosional plains
• Depositional plains

Significance of landforms: Plains

Fertile soil: The soil on the plains is often deep and productive. Because they have a flat surface, irrigation systems may be created. The plains are known as the “Food Basket of the World”.

The growth of industries: Agro-based companies have benefited from the abundance of agricultural resources, particularly on alluvial plains. Because the plains are densely inhabited, there is sufficient labour for intensive farming and supplying the personnel for the industries.

Expansion of means of transportation: Plains’ flat surface facilitates the construction of roadways, airports, and railway lines.

Centres of civilisation: Plains are centres of large civilisations.

Setting up cities and towns: Cities and towns have been established and expanded due to easy land transportation and the spread of agriculture and industry on the plains. Only the plains have the world’s most sophisticated commerce centres and ports, and they are home to up to 80% of the world’s population.

Conclusion

Mountains are typically high and steep and often constitute a cool climate. The significance of landforms is that they can provide a diverse ecosystem. Hills are formed when mountains are compressed over time, and they are usually lower in height than mountains.

Plains are areas that are flat and have a medium amount of elevation. They are found in areas with a temperate climate, and they are often the most common type of landform.