Physical division of India ?

India’s geography is diverse, and the country is divided into six major physical divisions based on its landforms and topographical features. Here’s an overview:

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1. The Northern Mountains (Himalayas)

• Location: Extends across the northern boundary of India, from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh.

• Features:

• The Himalayas are divided into three parallel ranges:

• Himadri (Greater Himalayas): Highest peaks like Mount Everest (8,848 m) and Kanchenjunga (8,586 m).

• Himachal (Lesser Himalayas): Hill stations like Shimla, Manali, and Darjeeling.

• Shivaliks (Outer Himalayas): Low foothills with fertile valleys (e.g., Dehradun).

• Important rivers: Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra.

• Significance: Acts as a natural barrier, affects monsoon, and provides water resources.

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2. The Northern Plains

• Location: Lies south of the Himalayas, stretching across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.

• Formation: Formed by the deposition of silt by rivers like the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus.

• Features:

• Highly fertile, supports intensive agriculture.

• Divided into three regions:

• Punjab Plains (formed by Indus and its tributaries).

• Ganga Plains (between Yamuna and Ganga rivers).

• Brahmaputra Plains (in Assam).

• Known as the “Granary of India” for its agricultural importance.

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3. The Peninsular Plateau

• Location: Covers central and southern India, bordered by the Western and Eastern Ghats.

• Features:

• Oldest landmass of India, part of the Gondwana land.

• Divided into:

• Deccan Plateau (southern part).

• Central Highlands (north of the Narmada River, includes Malwa and Chotanagpur Plateaus).

• Rivers: Narmada, Tapi, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri.

• Rich in minerals like coal, iron, and manganese.

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4. The Coastal Plains

• Location: Stretches along the eastern and western coasts of India, between the peninsular plateau and the sea.

• Features:

• Western Coastal Plains: Narrow, lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Divided into Konkan, Kanara, and Malabar coasts.

• Eastern Coastal Plains: Wider, lies between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal. Includes the Coromandel and Northern Circar coasts.

• Fertile deltas of rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri are found here.

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5. The Thar Desert (Great Indian Desert)

• Location: Western Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab.

• Features:

• Arid region with sandy soil and sparse vegetation.

• Low rainfall (<200 mm annually).

• Important rivers: Luni (seasonal).

• Features include sand dunes, oases, and salt lakes like Sambhar Lake.

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6. The Islands

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands:

• Located in the Bay of Bengal.

• Volcanic origin; includes India’s only active volcano (Barren Island).

• Rich biodiversity and tropical rainforests.

• Lakshadweep Islands:

• Located in the Arabian Sea.

• Coral origin, known for lagoons and atolls.