India is geographically and strategically an important country. It is mostly an agro-based economy, and most industries depend upon it. Agriculture feeds its millions of population, and poultry, fishing, and animal rearing also play an important role in the economy. The land in India is vital for such activities.
Land formations vary from region to region. These formations protect the country’s frontiers and supply abundant food to feed the population. The land is used to grow crops, cultivate fruits and develop fisheries. Many minerals are also available. Which are the major landforms of India?
Landform Type | Description | Examples |
---|---|---|
Mountains | Elevated landforms with significant height and steep slopes | Himalayas, Western Ghats |
Plateaus | Elevated flatlands that are higher than the surrounding areas | Deccan Plateau, Chota Nagpur Plateau |
Plains | Large, flat expanses of land | Indo-Gangetic Plain, Coastal Plains |
Deserts | Arid regions with very little rainfall and sparse vegetation | Thar Desert |
Coastal Areas | Regions where the land meets the sea, characterized by beaches, cliffs, and deltas | Eastern Coast, Western Coast, Sunderbans |
Islands | Landforms surrounded by water | Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep |
River Valleys | Lowland areas through which rivers flow with fertile soil | Ganges Valley, Brahmaputra Valley |
Glaciers | Large, slow-moving masses of ice | Siachen Glacier, Gangotri Glacier |
Hills | Elevated areas that are lower and less steep than mountains | Aravalli Hills, Nilgiri Hills |
Major Landforms of India
1. Mountains
The Himalayan mountain range is a major landform in India. It borders the Northern part of India and protects the country from foreign invasions. The timber industry thrives there, and many fruits are grown nearby. The climate is extremely cold during winter. It snows during the summer; it is a pleasant place to visit. Tourists visit many hill stations during summer to enjoy the cool weather. They go there to have fun participating in winter sports activities in winter. Mount Everest is located in the Himalayan range. The Aravalli range – This is situated in the western part of India and runs about 800 km from the northeast to the southwest, traversing Rajasthan. The northern end of the range forms isolated hills in Haryana, nearing Delhi. The southern end touches Gujarat near Ahmedabad. It is mostly bare and has less population. The Himalayas are also home to diverse flora and fauna, including rare species like the snow leopard.
Comparative Table of Major Mountain Ranges
Mountain Range | Highest Peak | Height (meters) | States Covered |
---|---|---|---|
Himalayas | Kangchenjunga | 8,586 | Sikkim, West Bengal |
Western Ghats | Anamudi | 2,695 | Kerala, Tamil Nadu |
Eastern Ghats | Arma Konda | 1,680 | Andhra Pradesh |
Aravalli Range | Guru Shikhar | 1,722 | Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat |
2. Volcanoes
These are found in the Andaman Islands, such as the Barren Islands, Baratang, Narcondam and Deccan Traps. The volcanoes are dormant and active. These volcanic formations contribute significantly to the geological diversity of the region.
3. Glaciers
These are found in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim. The Siachen Glacier is the largest glacier outside the polar region. It is the largest in the Himalayas -Karakoram. It is in Jammu and Kashmir. The glaciers are crucial sources of freshwater and significantly influence the region’s hydrology.
Examples of Glaciers
Glacier | Length (km) | Height (meters) | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Siachen Glacier | 76 | 5,753 | Karakoram Range |
Gangotri Glacier | 30 | 4,100 | Uttarakhand |
4. Valleys
The Damodar Valley in Jharkahand and West Bengal. It contains a lot of mineral deposits, which include coal and mica. It is developed industrially. The Araku Valley in Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh attracts a lot of tourists. It is endowed with luscious green trees and plants and bounties of nature. The Kashmir valley is very beautiful. It has eye-catching scenic beauty. These valleys are not only important for their natural beauty but also for their role in agriculture and human settlement.
River Valleys and Their Features
River Valley | Major River | Length (km) | States Covered |
---|---|---|---|
Ganges Valley | Ganga | 2,525 | Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal |
Brahmaputra Valley | Brahmaputra | 2,900 | Assam, Arunachal Pradesh |
5. Deserts
The Thar Desert is the Great Indian Desert and lies in Rajasthan. It also extends into Haryana, Punjab and Gujarat. It is full of dunes. Several species of lizards and snakes are found. Not many inhabitants live there. The climate is extremely hot. Despite its harsh conditions, the Thar Desert supports a unique and diverse ecosystem.
6. Islands
The Andaman Islands are very famous. They are in the Bay of Bengal. The climate is that of tropical islands. It is quite warm, accompanied by sea breeze. The Nicobar Islands are in the eastern Indian Ocean. They are situated in the southeast of the Indian subcontinent. These islands are known for their rich biodiversity and unique cultural heritage.
Significant Islands and Their Features
Island Group | Total Islands | Area (sq km) | Major Islands |
---|---|---|---|
Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 572 | 8,249 | North Andaman, South Andaman, Little Andaman |
Lakshadweep | 36 | 32 | Kavaratti, Minicoy, Agatti |
7. Waterfalls
A famous waterfall is Chitrakot, which is 100 feet long and is in Chattisgarh. Then you have the Kuntala Falls in Andhra Pradesh. The Dudhsagar Falls is 1,017 feet. Situated in Goa. The Jog Falls in Karnataka are very famous. India’s waterfalls are major tourist attractions and offer spectacular views and recreational opportunities.
8. Beaches
These are several beaches in India which are famous for their scenic beauty. In Goa, one comes across several beaches. Here, Arambol Beach is famous, as well as Anjuna Beach and many more; Vizag Beach is famous in Andhra Pradesh. In Chennai, the Marina beach and the Adyar beach are very popular. The beaches serve as vital spots for leisure, tourism, and coastal ecosystems.
9. Plains
the Indo-Gangetic plain is very famous. It is extremely fertile and is in the northern part of India. The Eastern Coast and Western Coastal are other regions that are part of India’s plains. These plains play a significant role in India’s agriculture, supporting a large population with various crops.
Major Plains and Their Characteristics
Plain | Region | Major Rivers | Economic Activities |
---|---|---|---|
Indo-Gangetic Plain | North India | Ganga, Yamuna | Agriculture, Industry |
Coastal Plains | Eastern and Western Coasts | Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri | Agriculture, Fishing, Ports |
India has several spectacular landforms. They enhance its greatness and make it a tourist’s delight. Many of these tourists come to see these great formations and appreciate the grandeur that India has to offer.
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