← Indian Geography
Physical Features of India
Six Physiographic Divisions
India’s physical geography can be divided into six distinct regions:
1. The Himalayan Mountains
- Length: ~2,400 km from Indus bend in NW to Brahmaputra bend in SE
- Width: 150–400 km
- Three parallel ranges:
| Range | Altitude | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Himalaya (Himadri) | 6,000+ m | Highest peaks, permanent snow, glaciers |
| Lesser Himalaya (Himachal) | 3,500–4,500 m | Hill stations: Shimla, Darjeeling, Mussoorie |
| Outer Himalaya (Shivalik) | 900–1,100 m | Dun valleys: Dehradun, Kotli Dun, Patli Dun |
Trans-Himalayan Region
- Includes Karakoram, Ladakh, and Zanskar ranges
- K2 (Godwin-Austen) — highest peak in Indian subcontinent (8,611 m)
- Cold desert conditions; sparse vegetation
2. The Northern Plains
- Formed by alluvial deposits of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems
- Length: ~2,400 km; Width: 150–320 km
- One of the most fertile and densely populated regions in the world
- Divided into:
- Bhabar — Pebble zone at foothills (8–16 km wide)
- Terai — Marshy zone south of Bhabar
- Bhangar — Older alluvium, slightly elevated
- Khadar — Newer alluvium, flooded annually
3. The Peninsular Plateau
- One of the oldest landmasses on Earth (Precambrian)
- Triangular in shape, tapering towards the south
- Average elevation: 600–900 m
Major Divisions:
- Central Highlands — North of Narmada; includes Malwa, Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand
- Deccan Plateau — South of Narmada; bounded by Western and Eastern Ghats
- Chota Nagpur Plateau — Rich in minerals (coal, iron, mica, copper)
4. The Indian Desert (Thar Desert)
- Located in western Rajasthan
- Area: ~200,000 sq km
- Arid climate with less than 150 mm annual rainfall
- Luni River — only significant river; inland drainage
5. The Coastal Plains
| Coastal Plain | Location | Rivers | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Coastal Plain | Between Western Ghats and Arabian Sea | Narmada, Tapti, Mandovi | Narrow (50–80 km), Konkan coast in north, Malabar coast in south |
| Eastern Coastal Plain | Between Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal | Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri | Wide (100–120 km), Coromandel coast in south |
6. The Islands
Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
- Total 572 islands (only 38 inhabited)
- Volcanic origin (Barren Island — only active volcano in India)
- Indira Point — southernmost point of India (6°45’ N)
Lakshadweep Islands:
- 36 coral islands
- Northernmost: Bitra; Southernmost: Minicoy
- Separated from Maldives by 8° Channel
Major Mountain Passes in India
| Pass | State | Connects |
|---|---|---|
| Khardung La | Ladakh | Leh to Nubra Valley (world’s highest motorable pass) |
| Zoji La | Ladakh | Srinagar to Leh |
| Bara-Lacha La | Himachal | Lahaul to Ladakh |
| Nathu La | Sikkim | India to Tibet (China) |
| Palakkad Gap | Kerala | Kerala to Tamil Nadu (widest gap in Western Ghats) |
Important Facts
- Highest peak (India): Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) — Sikkim
- Largest saltwater lake: Chilika Lake (Odisha)
- Largest freshwater lake: Wular Lake (Jammu & Kashmir)
- Longest river: Ganga (2,525 km in India)
- Southernmost point: Indira Point (Great Nicobar Island)