Question: Why is India called geographically diverse?
Answer: Varied landforms: India has mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts and islands. Different physical settings: These features create differences in climate, vegetation, wildlife and human life.
Question: Why are the Himalayas called the ‘Water Tower of Asia’?
Answer: Snow and glaciers: Snow and glaciers in the Himalayas provide a continuous source of water. Rivers: Their melting water feeds major rivers such as the Ganga, Indus and Brahmaputra.
Question: How were the Himalayas formed?
Answer: Collision: The Indian landmass moved northwards and collided with Eurasia. Folding: The land between them crumpled and rose, forming the Himalayan mountains.
Question: Name the three main ranges of the Himalayas.
Answer: Himadri: The Greater Himalayas, which are the highest and most rugged range. Himachal and Shivalik: The Lower Himalayas and the Outer Himalayas respectively.
Question: Why is Ladakh called a cold desert?
Answer: Low rainfall: Ladakh receives very little rainfall. Low temperature: Winter temperatures can fall below –30°C, making it a cold desert.
Question: Why are the Gangetic Plains highly fertile?
Answer: River deposits: The Ganga, Indus and Brahmaputra river systems bring minerals and sediments. Agriculture: These enrich the soil and make the plains highly suitable for farming.
Question: Why is the Gangetic Plains an important region for transportation?
Answer: Flat land: The plains provide suitable terrain for developing roads and railway networks. Rivers: Rivers such as the Ganga and Brahmaputra have also been used for travel and trade.
Question: How are sand dunes formed in the Thar Desert?
Answer: Wind action: Wind moves sand from one place to another. Deposition: The transported sand is deposited and shaped into hill-like formations called sand dunes.
Question: How have people adapted to life in the Thar Desert?
Answer: Lifestyle: Their food habits, clothing and way of life are suited to the harsh desert conditions. Water conservation: Traditional systems such as taanka or kunds are used to collect and store rainwater.
Question: Why are the Aravalli Hills important for northwestern India?
Answer: Natural barrier: The Aravallis help prevent the Thar Desert from expanding further eastward. Mineral resources: They are rich in minerals such as marble, granite, zinc and copper.
Question: What is a plateau?
Answer: Landform: A plateau is a raised area of land with a more or less flat surface. Slopes: Its sides are often marked by steep slopes.
Question: Why is the southern plateau called the Peninsular Plateau?
Answer: Peninsula: The southern landmass is surrounded by water on three sides. Location: It is bordered by the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean.
Question: Differentiate between the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.
Answer: Western Ghats: They are taller and form a more continuous range along the western coast. Eastern Ghats: They are lower and broken into smaller hills along the eastern coast.
Question: Why are rivers of the Peninsular Plateau important?
Answer: Agriculture: Rivers such as the Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri provide water for farming. Power and people: They also support hydroelectric power generation and provide water to millions of people.
Question: What are the two major island groups of India?
Answer: Lakshadweep: It lies in the Arabian Sea and consists of coral islands. Andaman and Nicobar Islands: They lie in the Bay of Bengal and have features such as coral reefs and volcanoes.
Question: What is special about the deltas of the east coast of India?
Answer: Formation: Deltas form when rivers deposit sediments at their mouths. Fertility: The deltas of rivers such as the Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri and Mahanadi are fertile and suitable for farming.
Question: Why does the west coast have many estuaries?
Answer: Swift rivers: Many rivers on the west coast originate in the Western Ghats and flow swiftly. River mouths: These rivers commonly form estuaries instead of large deltas.
Question: How do geographical features influence human life in India?
Answer: Livelihoods: Landforms influence activities such as farming, mining, transport and tourism. Culture: Geographical conditions also influence food, clothing, settlements and traditions.
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