Physical Features of India

Physical features are understood quickly by identifying them on a map. For exams practice maps a little daily.

The Himalayas are young fold mountains formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates. For exams remember plate collision with Himalayas.

The Terai region is found south of the Shiwalik and is moist and marshy. For exams remember the Shiwalik Bhabar Terai sequence.

Black soil is found in the lava region of the Deccan Plateau and is useful for cotton. For exams remember Deccan Trap.

Deltas of rivers like Godavari Krishna Kaveri and Mahanadi are found on the Eastern Coastal Plain. For exams remember eastern coast and Bay of Bengal.

Anamudi is a high peak of the Western Ghats in Kerala. For exams remember it as the highest peak of Peninsular India.

The Mahanadi forms a delta near the Bay of Bengal in Odisha. For exams remember deltas of the eastern coast.

The Himalayas are young fold mountains so seismic activity is relatively higher there. For exams remember the link between young mountains and earthquakes.

The Brahmaputra plain extends in Assam and Kaziranga is linked with this region. For exams remember Assam Valley.

Lakshadweep and Andaman Nicobar are major island groups of India. For exams remember their different sea locations.

From north to south the order is Himadri Himachal and Shiwalik. For exams remember the Himalayan ranges with a map.

The Himalayas are young fold mountains formed by the collision of Indian and Eurasian plates. For exams remember plate collision.

Himadri is the highest range of the Greater Himalaya. For exams link high peaks and glaciers with Himadri.

Dun valleys occur between Shiwalik and Lesser Himalaya. For exams remember Dehradun as an example.

Bhabar has coarse pebbles so water sinks underground. For exams connect Bhabar with Himalayan foothills.

Terai is a moist and marshy belt south of Bhabar. For exams remember Bhabar as pebbly and Terai as moist.

Northern Plains are formed by alluvial deposition of rivers. For exams remember the Indus Ganga Brahmaputra river systems.

Khadar receives fresh alluvium from floods and is more fertile. For exams remember Khadar new and Bhangar old.

The alluvial land between two rivers is called a doab. For exams remember Punjab and Ganga Yamuna Doab.

The Peninsular Plateau is made of very ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks. For exams remember it as an old stable landmass.