Physical Features of India

Class 9 > Social Science > Geography > Physical Features of India

NCERT Solutions for Chapter 2 Physical Features of India Class 9 Geography

Book Solutions

1(i)

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
A landmass bounded by sea on three sides is referred to as
(a) Coast
(b) Island
(c) Peninsula
(d) None of the above

Answer

(c) Peninsula
Exercise Page Number 15

1(ii)

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
Mountain ranges in the eastern part of India forming its boundary with Myanmar are collectively called
(a) Himachal
(b) Uttarakhand
(c) Purvachal
(d) None of the above

Answer

(c) Purvachal
Exercise Page Number 15

1(iii)

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
The western coastal strip, south of Goa is referred to as
(a) Coromandel
(b) Konkan
(c) Kannad
(d) Northern Circar

Answer

(c) Kannad
Exercise Page Number 15

1(iv)

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is
(a) Anai Mudi
(b) Kanchenjunga
(c) Mahendragiri
(d) Khasi

Answer

(c) Mahendragiri

Exercise Page Number 15

2(i)

Answer the following questions briefly.
What is the bhabar?

Answer

The Bhabar is that narrow belt of the plain which is covered with pebbles and lies along the foothills of the Shiwaliks from the Indus to the Tista.
Exercise Page Number 15

2(ii)

Answer the following questions briefly.
Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south.

Answer

The Great or the Inner Himalayas or the Himadri, the Middle Himalayas or the Himachal, and the Outer Himalayas or the Shivaliks.
Exercise Page Number 15

2(iii)

Answer the following questions briefly.
Which plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhyan ranges?

Answer

The Malwa plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhya Ranges.
Exercise Page Number 15

2(iv)

Answer the following questions briefly.
Name the island group of India having coral origin.

Answer

Lakshadweep Islands is the island group of India having coral origin.
Exercise Page Number 15

3(i)

Distinguish between
Bhangar and Khadar

Answer

Bhangar

Khadar

These are the older alluvium or old soil and form the largest part of the Northern Plains.

The newer and younger deposits of the flood plains. Renewed every Year.

Presents a terrace like feature.

Contains calcerous deposits locally known as Kankar.

Less fertile

More fertile

Exercise Page Number 15

3(ii)

Distinguish between
Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats

Answer

Western Ghats

Eastern Ghats

Mark the western edge of the Deccan Plateau

Mark the eastern edge of the Deccan Plateau

Continuous, can be crossed through the passes only.

Discontinuous, irregular and dissected by rivers draining into the Bay of Bengal.

Higher; average elevation is 900−1600 meters

Lower; average elevation is 600 meters

It experiences orographic rain mostly in summer due to the summer monsoons. The climate is hot and moist.

It receives rain mostly in winter through North-eastern monsoon. However, here the rain is lesser than the western strip.

Soil is highly fertile. Rice, spices, rubber and fruits like coconuts, cashew nuts etc. are grown

Soil is not as fertile as western ghats. Rice, ground nuts, cotton, tobacco, coconuts etc. are grown

Exercise Page Number 15

4

Which are the major physiographic divisions of India? Contrast the relief of the Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular plateau.

Answer

The major physiography divisions of India are:
(i) The Himalayan Mountains
(ii) The Northern Plains
(iii) The Peninsular Plateau
(iv) The Indian Desert
(v) The Coastal Plains
(vi) The Islands

The Himalayan Region

The Peninsular Plateau

Young fold mountains made from the uplift of the strata formed by the sedimentary rocks.

Ancient landmass created after splitting of Gondwanaland.

Consists of the loftiest mountains and deep valleys

Consists of broad and shallow valleys, and rounded hills

Composed of sedimentary rocks.

Composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks.

It is the origin of perennial rivers.

It has rainfed, seasonal rivers.

From the point of view of geology, this region forms an unstable zone

This region forms a stable zone

Exercise Page Number 15

5

Give an account of the Northern Plains of India.

Answer

The northern plain has been formed by the interplay of the three major river systems, namely the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra along with their tributaries. This plain is formed of alluvial soil which is suitable for agriculture. It spreads over an area of 7 lakh sq. km. The plain is a densely populated physiographic division. The Northern Plain is broadly divided into three sections, Punjab Plains, Ganga Plains and Brahpmputra plains. According to the variations in relief features, the Northern plains can be divided into four regions. Bhabar, a narrow belt of pebbles which lie at the foot of Shivaliks. Terai, lie next to Bhabar which a wet and marshy area with wildlife and forests. Bhangar is made up of older alluvium plain which rises above the level of the flood plains. Khadar is a younger alluvium of the flood plains.
Exercise Page Number 15

6(i)

Write short notes on the following.
The Indian Desert

Answer

The Indian desert lies towards the western margins of the Aravali Hills. It is an undulating sandy plain covered with sand dunes called barchans. This region receives very low rainfall below 150 mm per year. It has arid climate with low vegetation cover. Streams appear during the rainy season. Soon after they disappear into the sand as they do not have enough water to reach the sea. Luni is the only large river in this region.
Exercise Page Number 15

6(ii)

Write short notes on the following.
The Central Highlands

Answer

The part of the peninsular plateau lying to the north of the Narmada River covering a major area of the Malwa plateau is known as the Central Highlands. The Vindhyan range is bounded by the Central Highlands on the south and the Aravali range on the northwest. The flow of the rivers draining this region, namely the Chambal, the Sind, the Betwa and Ken is from southwest to northeast, thus indicating the slope. The Central Highlands are wider in the west but narrower in the east.  The eastward extensions of this plateau are locally known as the Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand. The Chotanagpur plateau marks the further eastward extension, drained by the Damodar River.
Exercise Page Number 15

6(iii)

Write short notes on the following.
The Island groups of India

Answer

India has two main island groups, namely Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar island. The Lakshadweep consists of many small islands located opposite the Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea. The islands of this group are formed of coral deposits. It covers small area of 32 sq km. Kavaratti island is the administrative headquarters of Lakshadweep. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, on the other hand, are larger in size. They are more in number and more widely scattered. These islands are an elevated portion of submarine mountains.
Exercise Page Number 15

1

On an outline map of India show the following.
(i) Mountain and hill ranges – the Karakoram, the Zaskar, the Patkai Bum, the Jaintia, the Vindhya range, the Aravali, and the Cardamom hills.
(ii) Peaks – K2, Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat and the Anai Mudi.
(iii) Plateaus, Chotanagpur and Malwa
(iv) The Indian Desert, Western Ghats, Lakshadweep Islands

Answer

Map Skills Page Number 15

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