Indian and World Geography

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Indian and World Geography
[A complete book for competitors]

Prepared by http://www.developindiagroup.co.in/
By D.S. Rajput

{This book is very usefull for those competitors who appearing in
the Civil Services, State PSCs, Bank PO, SSC Exams, NDA, CDS,
Railway, and others oneday exams.}

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2 Indian and World Geography | http://www.developindiagroup.co.in/
Indian Geography
Geographical Location of India
Indian Geographical Location
Lying between latitude 4 N to 376 N and from longitude 687 E to 9725 E, the country is divided into almost
equal parts by the Tropic of Cancer (passes from Jabalpur in MP).
The southernmost point in Indian Territory, (in Great Nicobar Island) is the Indira Point (645), while
Kanyakumari, also known as Cape Comorin, is the southernmost point of Indian mainland. The country thus lies
wholly in the northern and eastern hemispheres.
The 8230 E longitude is taken as the Standard Time Meridian of India, as it passes through the middle of India
(from Naini, near Allahabad).
Area Geography & Boundaries Geography
1. India stretches 3,214 km from North to South & 2,933 km from East to West.
2. Geography Area of India : 32,87,263 sq. km. Accounts for 2.4% of the total world area and
roughly 16% of the world population.
3. Mainland India has a coastline of 6,100 km. Including the Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the
coastline measures about 7516.6 km.
4. In India, of the total land mass:
Plains Geography: 43.3%
Plateaus: 27.7%
Hills: 18.6%
Mountains Geography: 10.7%
5. In the South, on the eastern side, the Gulf of Mannar & the Palk Strait separate India from Sri Lanka.
6. Total land neighbours: 7 (Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar).
7. Indias Islands include the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep, Minicoy & Amindive
Islands in the Arabian Sea.
Physiography of India
Indian Physiography
Physiographically, India can be divided into 3 units:
1. Mountains in the North
2. Plains in the Northern India & the Coast
3. Plateau region of the South
To these can be added the fourth, namely, the coasts and islands
Mountains in North India
The Himalayas in India


Means Abode of Snow. They are one of the youngest fold mountain ranges in the world and comprise mainly
sedimentary rocks.
They stretch from the Indus River in the west to the Brahmaputra River in the east. Total length is about 5000 km. The
width of the Himalayas varies from 500 km in Kashmir to 200 km in Arunachal Pradesh. Their average height is 2000m.
The Eastern Himalayas-made up of Patkai Hills, Naga Hills, Mizo Hills and the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills-are also
known as Purvanchal.
The Pamir, popularly known as the Roof of the World, is the connecting link between the Himalayas and the high ranges
of Central Asia.
Can be divided into 3 parallel or longitudinal zones, each with separate features.
The Great Himalayas or The Himadri
Average elevation extends upto 6000m & some of the worlds highest peaks are here :
Mt Everest (or Sagarmatha or Chomo Langma) 8850 m (in Nepal)
Mt Kanchenjunqa 8598 m (in India)
Mt Makalu 8481 m (in Nepal)
Mt Dhaulaqiri 81 72 m (in Nepal)
Mt Cho Oyu 8153m (in Nepal)
Mt Nanga Parbat 8126m (in India)
Mt Annapurna 8078 m (in Nepal)
Mt Nando Devi 7817 m (in India)
There are few passes and almost all of them have a height above 4,500 m. they include Shipki La and Bara
Lapcha La in Himachal Pradesh, Burzil and Zozi La in Kashmir, Niti, Lipulekh and Thag La in Uttarankhand, and
Jelep La and Nathu La in Sikkim.
Lesser Himalayas or The Himachal
Average height of mountains is 3700 4500 m.
Mountains and valleys are disposed in all direction (mountains rising to 5000 m and the valleys touching 1000 m).
Its important ranges are : Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal, Nag Tibba, Mussoorie.
Important hill resorts are : Shimla, Chhail, Ranikhet, Chakrata, Mussoorie, Nainital, Almora, Darjeeling.
Outer Himalayas or The Shiwaliks
Lowest range (average elevation is 900-1200 m).
Forms the foothills and lies between the Lesser Himalayas and the plains. It is the newest range.


Trans Himalayan Zone
This range lies to the north of the Great Himalayas. It has some important ranges like Karakoram, Laddakh,
Zanskar, etc. the highest peak in this region is K2 or Godwin Austin (8611m, in Pak occupied Kashmir). Other
high peaks are Hidden Peak (8068 m), Broad Peak (8047 m) and Gasherbrum II (8035 m).
The longest glacier is Siachin in the Nubra valley, which is more than 72 km long (biggest glacier in the world).
Biafo, Baltaro, Batura, Hispar are the other important glaciers in this region.
This area is the largest snow-field outside the Polar Regions.
Peninsular Mountains
While the Himalayas are Fold Mountains, they are not.
The Aravalli Mountains (Rajasthan) : Worlds oldest. Guru Shikhar is the highest peak on which Mount Abu
(1,722 m) is situated.
The Vindhya Mountains
The Satpura Mountains (highest point at Dhupgarh [1,350 m] near Pachmarhi)
The Western Ghats or Sahyadris : Average height 1200mtrs, 1600km long. Its southern part is separated from
the main Sahyadri range by Palghat Gap (link between Tamil Nadu & Kerala). Other passes are Thalghat
(connects Nasik to Mumbai) and Bhorghat (connects Pune to Mumbai).
The Eastern Ghats (Highest peak : Mahendra Giri (1501 m)).
The Nilgiris or The Blue Mountains : Meeting place of the Western and the Eastern Ghats. Two highest peaks
are Dodda Betta and Makurti.
The highest peak of Peninsular India is Anaimudi (2695 m) in Anaimalai Hills.
Cardamom hills or Ealaimalai is the southernmost mountain range of India.
Facts about position of states
UP borders the maximum number of States-8 (Uttarakhand, HP, Haryana, Rajasthan, MP,
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar). After UP is Assam, which touches the border of 7 States.
Tropic of Cancer passes through 8 States : Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, WB, Tripuro,
Mizoram.
Indian Standard Meridian passes through 5 States : UP, MP, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, AP.
9 States form the coast of India. They are : Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu. Andhra
Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal.


2 Union Territories, viz. Daman & Diu and Pondicherry are also on the coast.
The Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep are made up of islands only.
The Plains of India
To the south of the Himalayas and to the north of the Peninsula lies the great plains of North India. They are
formed by the depositional works of three major river systems, Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra. The vast plains of
north India are alluvial in nature and the westernmost portion is occupied by the Thar Desert.
The thickness of the alluvium is maximum in the Ganga plains and minimum in the Western Plains.
In the Kerala plains are the backwaters or Kayak, which are the shallow lagoons or inlets of the sea, lying
parallel to the coastline. The largest among these is the Vembanad Lake.
The plains consist of four divisions:
Bhabar : Along the foothills of Shiwaliks. Highly porous
Tarai : Re-emergence of streams. Zone of excessive dampness
Bhangar : Older alluvium of the plains. Studded with calcareous formations called kankar
Khadar : New alluvium and forms the flood plains along the river banks.
Peninsular Plateau of India
Spreads south of the Indo-Gangetic plains flanked by sea on three sides. This plateau is shaped like a triangle
with its base in the north. The Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats constitute its eastern and western
boundaries, respectively.
Narmada, which flows through a rift valley, divides the region into two parts: The Malwa Plateau in the north & the
Deccan Plateau in the south.
Most of the rocks are of the igneous type.
Vindhya Plateau is situated south of Malwa plateau.
Chhota Nagpur Plateau lies to the west of Bengal basin, the largest and most typical part of which is the Ranchi
plateau.
The Deccan Plateau is the largest plateau in India. It is made up of lava flows in the Cretaceous-Eocene era
through the fissure eruptions.
Islands of India
Total coastline of India : 7516 km. Longest coastline: Gujarat (Second longest is of Andhra Pradesh).
Indian territorial limits include 248 islands:


The Andaman and Nicobar Group
Andamans is a group of 204 islands of which the largest is Middle Andaman.
The Andamans are believed to be extensions of mountains system in the N.E. part of the country.
Saddle Peak (737 m) in N.Andaman is the highest peak.
The Nicobars is a group of 19 islands of which the largest is Great Nicobar. Most of them are volcanic in nature.
Great Nicobar is the southernmost island and is only 147 km away from Sumatra island of Indonesia.
Volcanic Islands: Barren and Narcondam Islands. Barren is in the process of eruption these days after lying
dormant for 200 years.
The Arabian Sea Group
All the islands in the Arabian Sea (Total 25) are coral islands and are surrounded by Fringing Reefs (North :
Lakshadweep, South: Minicoy).
Note :
Ten Degree Channel separates Andamans from Nicobars (Little Andaman from Car Nicobar)
Duncan Passage lies between South Andaman and Little Andaman.
Nine Degree Channel separates Kavaratti from Minicoy Island.
Eight Degree Channel separates Minicoy Island (India) from Maldives.

Rivers of India
In India, the rivers can be divided into two main groups:
1. Himalayan Rivers
2. Peninsular Rivers
Himalayan Rivers of India
In this three major river systems are there:
The Indus System
It has a total length of 2880 km (709 km in India). Rises in Tibet (China) near Mansarovar Lake.
In Jammu and Kashmir, its Himalayan tributaries are: Zanskar, Dras, Gartang, Shyok, Shigar, Nubra, Gilgit, etc.


Its most important tributaries, which join Indus at various places, are: Jhelum (725 km), Chenab (1800 km), Ravi
(720 km), Beas (470 km) & Sutlej (1050 km).
Sources: Jhelum from Verinag (SE Kashmir), Chenab from Bara Lacha Pass (Lahaul-Spiti, H.R), Ravi from Kullu
Hills near Rohtang Pass in H. R, Beas from a place near Rohtang Pass in H.E and Satluj from Mansarovar
Rakas lakes in W. Tibet.
In Nari Khorsan province of Tibet, Satluj has created an extraordinary canyon, comparable to the Grand Canyon
of Colorado (US).
According to the Indus Water Treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, India can utilize only 20% of the
total discharge of Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.
The Ganga System
It is 2525 km long of which 1450 km is in Uttarakhand and UP, 445 km in Bihar and 520 km in West Bengal.
The Ganga, the head stream is constituted of two main rivers Bhagirthi and Alaknanda, which combine at
Devprayag to form Ganga.
Before Alaknanda meets Bhagirthi at Devprayag, Mandakini meets Alaknanda at Rudraprayag.
Sources: Bhagirthi from Gaumukh, Alaknanda from Badrinath, Mandakini from Kedarnath (all from Uttarakhand).
Yamuna (1375 km) is its most important tributary (on right bank). It rises at the Yamunotri glacier in Uttarakhand.
It runs parallel to Ganga for 800km and joins it at Allahabad. Important tributaries of Yamuna are Chambal (1050
km), Sind, Betwa (480 km) and Ken (all from south).
Apart from Yamuna, other tributaries of Ganga are Ghaghra (1080 km), Son (780 km), Gandak (425 km), Kosi
(730 km), Gomti (805 km), Damodar (541 km). Kosi is infamous as Sorrow of Bihar, while Damodar gets the
name Sorrow of Bengal as these cause floods in these regions.
Hooghli is a distributory of Ganga flowing through Kolkata.
The Brahmaputra system
It has a total length of 2900 km. It rises in Tibet (from Chemayungdung glacier), where it is called Tsangpo, and
enters the Indian territory (in Arunachal Pradesh) under the name Dihang.
Important Tributaries: Subansiri, Kameng, Dhansiri, Manas, Teesta.
In Bangladesh, Brahmaputra is known by the name of Jamuna while Ganga gets the name Padma. Their
combined stream is known as Padma only. Meghna is the most important distributory before it enters the Bay of
Bengal.
The combined stream of Ganga and Brahmaputra forms the biggest delta in the world, the Sundarbans, covering
an area of 58,752 sq. km. Its major part is in Bangladesh.
On Brahmaputra is the river island, Majuli in Assam, the biggest river island in the world.
Brahmaputra, or the Red River, is navigable for a distance of 1384 km up to Dibrugarh and serves as an excellent
inland water transport route.
Rivers of the Peninsula in India
Different from the Himalayan rivers because they are seasonable in their flow (while Himalayan rivers are
perennial).
They can be divided into two groups:
A. East Flowing Rivers of India (or Delta forming rivers)


Mahanadi River (858 km) : Rises in Raipur distt. in Chhatisgarh. Main tributaries: lb, Seonath, Hasdo, Mand,
Jonk, Tel, etc.
Godavari River (1465 km) : Also called Vriddha Ganga or Dakshina Ganga. It is the longest peninsular river.
Rises in Nasik. Main tributaries: Manjra, Penganga, Wardha, Indravati, Wainganga, Sabari, etc.
Krishna River (1327 km) : Rises in Western Ghats near Mahabaleshwar. Main tributaries: Koyna, Dudhganga,
Panchganga, Malprabha, Ghatprabha, Bhima, Tungabhadra, Musi, etc.
Cauvery River (805 km) : It is the largest peninsular river (maximum amount of water). Infact, it is the only
peninsular river which flows almost throughout the year. Known as the Ganga of the South. It rises from the
Brahmagir range of Western Ghats. Main tributaries: Hemavati, Lokpawni, Shimsa. It is less seasonal than others
as its upper catchment area receives rainfall during summer by the S.W monsoon and the lower catchment area
during winter season by the retreating N.E. monsoon. Its 90% 95% irrigation and power production potential is
already being harnessed.
Swarnarekha River (395 km) and Brahmani (705 km) : Rises from Ranchi Plateau.
B. West Flowing Rivers in India
Narmada River (1057 km) : Has only l/10th part in Gujarat. Rises in Amarkantak Plateau and flows into Gulf of
Khambat. It forms the famous Dhuan Dhar Falls near Jabalpur. Main tributaries: Hiran, Burhner, Banjar, Shar,
Shakkar, Tawa, etc.
Tapti River (724 km) : Rises from Betul distt in MR Also known as twin or handmaid of Narmada. Main
tributaries: Purna, Betul, Arunavati, Ganjal, etc.
Sabarmati River (416 km) : Rises from Aravallis in Rajasthan.
Mahi River (560 km) : Rises from Vindhyas in MR
Luni River (450 km) : Rises from Aravallis. Also called Salt River. It is finally lost in the marshy grounds at the
head of the Rann of Kuchchh.
Sharavati is a west flowing river of the Sahyadris. It forms the famous Jog or Gersoppa or Mahatma Gandhi Falls
(289 m), which is the highest waterfall in India.
Inland Drainage
Some rivers of India are not able to reach the sea and constitute inland drainage. Ghaggar (494 km) is the most
important of such drainage.
It is a seasonal stream which rises on the lower slopes of the Himalayas and gets lost in the dry sands of
Rajasthan near Hanumangarh. It is considered the old Saraswati of the Vedic times.
Note:
The largest man-made lake in India is Indira Sagar Lake, which is the reservoir of Sardar Sarovar Project,
Onkareshwar Project and Maheshwar Project in Gujarat-MP.


Chilka Lake (Orissa) is the largest brackish water lake of India. Otherwise also, it is the largest lake of India.
Wular Lake (J & K) is the largest fresh water lake of India. Dul Lake is also there in J & K.
From Sambhar and Didwana Lake (Rajasthan), salt is produced.
Other important lakes are Vembanad in Kerala and Kolleru & Pulicat in AP.
The three important Gulfs in the Indian Territory are:
Gulf of Kuchch (west of Gujarat) : Region with highest potential of tidal energy generation
Gulf of Cambay or Gulf of Khambat (Gujarat) : Narmada, Tapti, Mahi and Sabarmati drain into it.
Gulf of Mannar (south east of Tamil Nadu) : Asias first marine biosphere reserve.
Important River Valley Projects of India

Bhukra Nangal Project On Satluj in Punjab. Highest in India. Ht 226 m. Reservoir is called Gobind Sagar Lake
Mandi Project On Beas in H.P
Chambal Valley Project On Chambal in M.P & Rajasthan. 3 dams are there: Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap sagar Dam and Jawahar Sagar dam
Damodar Valley Project On Damodar in Bihar. Based on Tennessee Valley Project, USA
Hirakud On Mahanadi in Orissa. World's longest dam: 4801 m
Rihand On Son in Mirzapur. Reservoir is called Govind Vallabh Pant reservoir
Kosi Project On Kosi in N. Bihar
Mayurkashi Project On Mayurkashi in W.B
Kakrapara Project On Tapi in Gujarat
Nizamsagar Project On Manjra in A.P
Nagarjuna Sagar Project On Krishna in A.P
Tungabhadra On Tungabhadra in A.P & Karnataka

Shivasamudram Project On Cauvery in Karnataka
Tata Hydel Scheme On Bhima in Maharashtra
Sharavathi Hydel Project On Jog Falls in Karnataka
Kundah & Periyar Project In TN
Farakka Project On Ganga in W.B. Apart from power and irrigation it helps to remove silt for easy navigation
Ukai Project On Tapti in Gujarat
Mahi Project On Mahi in Gujarat
Salal Project On Chenab in J & K
Mata Tila Multipurpose Project On Betwa in U.P & M.P
Thein Project On Ravi, Punjab
Pong Dam On Beos, Punjab


The Climate of India
India has tropical monsoon type of climate. It is greatly influenced by the presence of the Himalayas in the north as
they block the cold the cold air masses from Central Asia. It is because of them only that the monsoons have a
watershed in India.
The Tropic of Cancer divides India into two almost equal climatic zones, namely, the northern zone and the
southern zone. The warm temperate or the subtropical climate of the northern zone gives it cold winter seasons
and the hot summer seasons.
The southern tropical climatic zone is warmer than the north and does not have a clear-cut winter season.
The northern zone does not have the midday sun vertically overhead during any part of the year; the southern
zone has the midday sun almost vertically overhead at least twice every year.
Climate Seasons in India
In India, the year can be divided into four seasons, resulting from the monsoons which occur mainly due to the
differential heating of land and movement of the suns vertical rays.
The vertical rays of the sun advance towards Tropic of Cancer from mid-March, due to which hot and dry weather
arrives. As temperatures rise over most of northern and Central India, a vast trough of low pressure is created.
The highest temperature experienced in South is in April while in North it is in May and June.
This part of the year is marked by a dry spell and the north-western parts of the country experience hot, dry
winds, called loo. In this period, the country also experience storms / dust storms at various places.
1. Tornado like dust storms in Punjab and Haryana, called Andhis in UP and Kalbaisakhis in West Bengal.
They involve strong convectional movements causing some precipitation.
2. The Norwesters originate over the Chhotanagpur Plateau and blow in the north-east direction which brings
about 50 cm of rainfall in Assam and about 10 cm rainfall in West Bengal and Orissa. This rainfall is very
useful for Assam tea and spring rice crops of West Bengal.
3. Similarly, Cherry Blossoms are there in Karnataka, beneficial to coffee plantation and
Mango showers in elsewhere South India, which are beneficial to mango crops.
This weather is followed by hot, wet weather from June to September. In May, the south west monsoon sets in.
The normal dates of onset of the monsoon are May 20 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, June 3 in the
Konkan, June 15 in Kolkata and June 29 in Delhi.
The south west monsoon enters the country in two currents, one blowing over the Bay of Bengal and the other
over the Arabian Sea. This monsoon causes rainfall over most of the country (except Tamil Nadu and Thar Desert
area). The S.W monsoon entering from Western Ghats causes heavy rainfall over Kerala coast, but Tamil Nadu
falls on the leeward side. In the Thar area, the winds blow parallel to the Aravallis and do not cause rain. The Bay
of Bengal current causes heavy rainfall in the north east parts of the country and a part of it turns west along the
Himalayas over the Indo-Gangetic plains causing rainfall in this region. But the Bay of Bengal current, by the time
it reaches W Rajasthan, runs out of moisture.
The Bay of Bengal branch after crossing the deltaic region enters the Khasi valley in Meghalaya and gets
entrapped in it due to funnel shape of the region. It strikes Cherrapunji in a perpendicular direction causing
heavies rainfall in Mawsinram (Approx. 1400 cm).


From mid-Sept to mid-Dec, the monsoon retreats. As the suns vertical rays start shifting towards the Tropic of
Capricorn, the low pressure area starts moving south and winds finally start blowing from land to sea. This is
called north-east monsoon. The withdrawal of monsoon is a much more gradual process than its onset. It causes
rainfall in Tamil Nadu as the winds pick some moisture from Bay of Bengal. This explains the phenomenon why
Tamil Nadu remains dry when the entire country receives rain and why it gets rain when practically the entire
country is dry.
The cold and dry weather starts in early December. In this, the average temperature in south is 24-25c, and while
in the north is 10-15c. In the latter part of December and in January, the dry spell is broken by the westerly
depressions (temperate cyclones) from Mediterranean Sea, which causes some rain in north-west India.
Almost all the precipitation in India is caused by the monsoons and it is primarily orographic in nature. Cyclonic
storms provide only a little rain, mainly in the north.
Climatic Regions of India
India can be divided into a number of climatic regions.
Tropical Rain Forests in India : Found in the west coastal plains, the Western Ghats and parts of Assam.
Characterized by high temperatures throughout the year. Rainfall, though seasonal, is heavy- about 200 cm
annually during May-November.
Tropical Savanna Climate : In most of the peninsula region except the semi-arid zone in the leeward side of the
Western Ghats. It is characterized by long dry weather throughout winter and early summer and high temperature
(above 18.2c); annual rainfall varies from 76 cm in the west to 150 cm in the east.
Tropical Semi-Arid Steppe Climate : It prevails in the rain-shadow belt running southward from
Central Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu in the leeward side of the Western Ghats and the Cardamom Hills. It is
characterized by low rainfall which varies from 38 cm to 80 cm, high temperature between 20 and 30.
Tropical and Subtropical Steppes : Large areas in Punjab, Haryana and Kutch region. Temperature varies from
12-35c. The maximum temperature reaches up to 49c. The annual rainfall, varying from 30.5-63.5 cm, is also
highly erratic.
Tropical desert : This climate extends over the western parts of Banner, Jaisalmer and Bikaner districts of
Rajasthan and parts of Kutch. It is characterized by scanty rainfall (30.5 cm), which is highly erratic. Rains are
mostly in the form of cloud-burst. Mean monthly temperature is uniformly high (about 35c).
Humid Subtropical Climate with Dry Winters : This area includes south of the Himalayas, east of the tropical
and subtropical steppes and north of tropical savannah. Winters are mild to severe while summers are extremely
hot. The annual rainfall varies from 63.5 cm to more than 254 cm, most of it received during the south west
monsoon season.
Mountain Climate : Such type of climate is seen in mountainous regions which rise above 6,000 m or more such
as the Himalayas and the Karakoram Range.


Soils in India
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has divided Indian soils into eight major groups:
Alluvial Soil in India
They are by far the largest and the most important soil group of India. They are composed of sediments deposited
by rivers and the waves. Their chemical composition makes them one of the most fertile in the world. Usually
deficient in nitrogen and humus (thus fertilizers are needed).
Occupy the plains (from Punjab to Assam) and also occur in the valleys of Narmada and Tapti in M.P. & Gujarat,
Mahanadi in the MP and Orissa, Godawari in A.R and Cauvery in T.N.
Can be divided into Khadar (new) and Bhangar (older, more clayey and kankary) alluvium.
Black Soil in India
Also called Regur and is ideal for cotton crop. These soils have been formed due to the solidification of lava
spread over large areas during volcanic activity in the Deccan Plateau, thousands of years ago.
They are black due to compounds of iron and aluminium (also because of titaniferous magnetite).
Mainly found in Deccan Plateau Maharashtra, Gujarat, M.P, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu.
Apart from cotton cultivation, these fertile soils are suitable for growing cereals, oilseeds, citrus fruits and
vegetables, tobacco and sugarcane.
They have high moisture retention level.
Lack in phosphorus, nitrogen and organic matter.
Red Soil in India
They are mainly formed due to the decomposition of ancient crystalline rocks like granites and gneisses and from
rock types rich in minerals such as iron and magnesium. The term red soil is due to the wide diffusion of iron
oxides through the materials of the soil.
Covers almost the whole of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, S.E. Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh, parts of
Orissa, Jharkhand and Bundelkhand.
Generally deficient in nitrogen, humus and phosphorus, but rich in potash.
Suitable for rice, millets, tobacco and vegetables (also groundnuts and potatoes at higher
elevations).
Laterite Soil in India
Found in typical monsoon conditions under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall with alternate wet
and dry periods. The alterations of wet and dry season leads to the leaching away of siliceous matter and lime of
the rocks and a soil rich in oxides of iron and aluminium compounds is left behind.


Found in parts of Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Rajmahal hills, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, West
Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, etc.
Poor in nitrogen and minerals.
Best for tea, coffee, rubber, cinchona, coconut and suitable for rice and millet cultivation if manured.
Forest and Mountain Soils
Such soils are mainly found on the hill slopes covered by forests. The formation of these soils is mainly governed
by the characteristic deposition of organic matter derived from forest growth.
In the Himalayan region, such soils are mainly found in valley basins, depressions and less steeply inclined
slopes. Apart from the Himalayan region, the forest soils occur in higher hills in south and the peninsular region.
Very rich in humus but are deficient in Potash, phosphorous and lime and needs fertilizers.
Plantation of tea, coffee, spices and tropical fruits.
Arid and Desert Soils
A large part of the arid and semi-arid region in Rajasthan and adjoining areas of Punjab and Haryana lying
between the Indus and the Aravallis receiving less than 50 cm of annual rainfall is affected by desert conditions.
This area is covered by a mantle of sand which inhibits soil growth.
The phosphate content of these soils is as high as in normal alluvial soils. Nitrogen is originally low but its
deficiency is made up to some extent by the availability of nitrogen in the form of nitrates. Thus the presence of
phosphates and nitrates make them fertile soils wherever moisture is available.
The changes in the cropping pattern in the Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area are a living example of the utility
of the desert soils.
Saline and Alkaline Soils
In the drier parts of Bihar, Up Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, are the salt-impregnated or alkaline
soils. Known by different names: Reh, kallar, USAR, etc.
Some of the salts are transported in solution by the rivers and canals, which percolates in the sub-soils of the
plains.
The accumulation of salts makes the soil infertile and renders it unfit for agriculture.
Peaty and Marshy Soils
Originate in the humid regions as a result of accumulation of large amounts of organic matter in the soil. They
contain considerable amounts of soluble salts and 10 40% of organic matter.


Peaty soils are found in Kottayam and Alappuzha districts of Kerala, where it is called Kari.
Marshy soils, high in vegetable matter, are found in northern Bihar, coastal parts of Orissa, Tamil Nadu and West
Bengal and parts of UP
Soil Erosion in India
Acute in hilly and dry regions
Causes depletion of forests, wrong use of lands such as cultivation on very steep slopes, cattle rearing. It
ultimately leads to Badland Topography.
Remedy Afforestation, contour cultivation etc.
Natural Vegetation in India
Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests
In areas over 250cm rainfall. In Western Ghats, hilly areas in N.E. India and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Trees are rosewood, shisham, ebony, ironwood, etc.
Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests
In areas having rainfall between 100 200 cm. In peninsular region and along the foothills of Himalayas in
Shivaliks, Bhabhar and Tarai.
The trees of these forests drop their leaves for about 6-8 weeks during the spring and early summer when
sufficient moisture isnt available.
Trees are teak, sal, bamboo, sandalwood, rosewood, etc.
Thorn Forests
In areas having rainfall between 25 and 80cm. In arid regions of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat.
Trees are palm, acacia, etc.
Hill Forests
In hills of S.India and the Himalayas.
The type of trees depends upon the height of the mountain : Sal and bamboo below 1000 m; oaks, chestnuts
and other fruit trees, and chir forests between 1000 and 2000 m; pine, deodar, silver fern and spruce between
1600 and 3300 m; above 3600 m alpine forests with trees like silver firs, pines, birches, etc. Alpine forests give
way to Alpine grasslands and scrubs as we move up further.
Tidal or Mangrove Forests
Also known as Littoral or Swamp Forests.


Occur along the sea coast and in the estuaries of rivers, especially in Sunderbans and the Andamans.
Most important tree is Sundari. It provides hard and durable timber which is used for construction and building
purposes as well as for making boats.
Note :
According to the National Forest Policy, the minimum desired area which is considered safe for a tropical country
like India is about 33%.
Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under forests followed by Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and
Arunachal Pradesh.
As per percentage of forest area to total area, first is Andaman and Nicobar Islands, followed by Mizoram,
Manipur, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Nagaland. They are in a very comfortable position
as more than half of their area is under forests.
Arunachal Pradesh has the highest per capita forest area.
In Mangrove forests, West Bengal holds the first position, followed by Gujarat and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The lowest forest percentage is in Haryana and Punjab, because of the extensive agriculture.
Biosphere Reserves in India
The biosphere reserve program was launched by the UNESCO in 1971 under the aegis of its Man and Biosphere
(MAB) Program, to provide a global network of protected areas for conserving natural communities.
In India, the first biosphere reserve Nilgiri biosphere reserve came into being in 1986. So far, 14 biosphere
reserves have been set up in the country.
Nilgiri (Western Ghats) Similipal (Orissa)
Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand) Dibru-Daikhowa (Asom)
Nokrek (Meghalaya) Dehong Dabang (Arunachal Pradesh)
Manas (Asom) Panchmarhi (MP)
Sunderbans (West Bengal) Kanchanjunga (Sikkim)
Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu) Agastyamalai (Kerala)
Great Nicobar (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) Achaanak maar-Amarkantak (Madhya Pradesh)
Note :
Out of these 14, Nilgiri, Sunderbans, Manas and Gulf of Mannar have been recognized on World Network of
Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO.
Project Tiger
It was launched on April 1, 1973 to ensure maintenance of viable population of the tigers in India.


There are 29 tiger reserves in the country:
Name of Tiger Reserve State
Bandipur Karnataka
Corbett Uttarakhand
Kanha Madhya Pradesh
Manas Asom
Melghat Maharashtra
Palamau Jharkhand
Ranthambhore Rajasthan
Similipal Orissa
Sunderbans West Bengal
Periyar Kerala
Sariska Rajasthan
Buxa West Bengal
Indravati Chattisgarh
Nagariunsagar Andhra Pradesh
Namdapha Arunachal Pradesh
Dudhwa Uttar Pradesh
Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tamil Nadu
Valmiki Bihar
Pencil Madhya Pradesh
Tadoba-Andhari Maharashtra
Bandhavgarh Madhya Pradesh
Panna Madhya Pradesh
Dampha Mizoram
Bhadra Karnataka
Pench Maharashtra
Pakhui-Nameri Arunachal Pradesh-Asom
Bori, Satpura, Pachmari Madhya Pradesh
Nagarhole Karnataka
Katarniaghat Uttar Pradesh
Nameri Asom
Kaziranga Asom
Note :
Nagarjunasagar Tiger Reserve in AP is the largest, while Pench in Maharashtra is the smallest. Bandipur
in Karnataka was the first (1973-74), while Kaziranga is the latest (2006).
Project Elephant


It was launched in February 1992, to assist States having wild elephants to ensure long term survival of identified
viable populations of elephants in their natural habitat.
There are 14 Elephant Reserves in India.
Agriculture in India
Cropping Seasons in India
Kharif Crops of India
Sown in summers between May and July, and harvested after the rains, in September and October.
Eg: Rice, Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Cotton, Jute, Sugarcane, Tobacco, Groundnut, Pulses, etc.
Rabi Crops of India
Sown at the beginning of winter and harvested before the onset of the summer season, between Feb and April.
Eg: Wheat, barley, oilseeds, gram, potatoes, etc.
Zayad Crops
They are raised between April and June.
E.g. : Melon, watermelon, cucumber, toris, leafy and other vegetables.
Cash Crops of India (Commercial Crops)
Grown mainly for the market, only a small portion of the product is consumed by the farmers themselves (cotton,
sugarcane etc.)

Mineral Resources of India
Coal Resources in India
West Bengal (Raniganj, Burdwan, Bankura, Purulio, Birbhum, Jalpaigudi, Darjeeling), Jharkhand (Jharia, Giridih,
Kharhawadi, Bokaro, Hazaribagh, Kamapura, Rampur, Palamau), Orissa (Rampur, Hindgir, Talcher, Sambal), Madbyo
Pradesh and Chhatisgarh (Rewa, Pench valley, Umaria, Korba, Sohagpur, Mand river area, Kanha valley, Betul), etc.
Power sector is the largest consumer of coal in India followed by steel industry, cement industry, etc.
Manganese
Orissa, Maharashtra (Nagpur, Bhandara, Ratnagiri), Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat, Chhindawara), Karnataka(Keonjhar,
Bonai, Kalahandi), Andhra Pradesh (Kadur, Garibadi).


Copper Minerals
Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat), Rajasthan (Khetri), Jharkhand (Singhbhum, Masobani, Surda), Karnataka (Chitradurg,
Hassan).
Mica Minerals
Jharkhand (Hazaribagh, Giridih, Kodarma), Bihar (Goya, Bhagalpur), Andhra Pradesh (Guntur, Vizag, Kurnool),
Rajasthan (Bhilwara, Udaipur, Jaipur).
Petroleum Resources in India
Assam (Digboi, Naharkatiya, Badarpur, Masinpur and Pallharia), Gujarat, (Ankleshwar, Khambat, Kalol), Mumbai High,
Bassein (south of Mumbai High), etc. Recently oil has been discovered in Cauvery basin, Krishna and Godavary basin,
Khambat basin, etc.
Iron Resources
India possesses Haematite, a very high-grade iron ore. In Madhya Pradesh (Bailadila, Jabalpur), Goa (North
Goa), Karnataka (Bababudan hills, Chikmagalur, Hospet), Jharkhand (Singhbhum, Naomundi), Andhra Pradesh,
Orissa.
India is the fifth largest exporter of iron ore in the world. Japan is the biggest buyer accounting for about 3/4th of
Indias total exports. Major ports handling iron ore export are Vishakhapatnam, Paradip, Marmagao and
Mangalore.
Bauxite Resources
Chief ore for producing aluminium. In Orissa (Kalahandi, Koraput, Sundargarh, Bolangir, Sambalpur), Jharkhand
(Lohardaga, Gumla), Madhya Pradesh (Jabalpur, Mandla, Shahdol, Kami, Balaghat), Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh,
Gujarat, Tamil Nadu.
Gold Resources in India
Karnataka (Kolar, Hutti, Raichur), Andhra Pradesh (Ramgiri and Yeppamanna goldfields in Chittor and Anantapur
districts).
Silver, Zinc & Lead
Rajasthan (Zawar mines near Udaipur), Andhra Pradesh (Mysore, Chitradurg), Karnataka (Kolar mines).
Uranium Resources in India
Jharkhand (Jaduguda), Rajasthan (Ajmer), Andhra Pradesh (Nellore, Nalgonda), Karnataka (Gulbarga).
Thorium Resources in India
Kerala coast (From Monazite sand), rocks of Aravallis in Rajasthan.


Oil Refineries
There are 19 refineries in India, 16 in public sector, one in joint sector and two in private sector. Public sector refineries
are located at Digboi, Guwahati, Bongaigaon, Barauni, Haldia, Koyali, Mathura, Kochi, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam,
Mumbai (2), Panipat, Narimanam, Numanigarh and Tatipaka. Joint sector refinery is at Mangalore. The private sector
refinery of Reliance Limited is at Jamnagar, Gujarat and Essar Refinery at Vadinar, Gujarat.
1. Haldia Refinery (IOC)
2. Mumbai Refinery (HPCL)
3. Panipat Refinery (IOC)
4. Vishakhapatnam Refinery (HPCL)
5. Digboi Refinery (IOC)
6. Mumbai Refinery Mahaul (BPCL)
7. Gujarat Refinery (IOC)
8. Nagapattnam Refinery (CPCL)
9. Barauni Refinery (IOC)
10. Kochi Refinery (Kochi Refineries Ltd)
11. Guwahati Refinery (IOC)
12. Numaligarh Refinery (NRL)
13. Mathura Refinery (IOC)
14. Mangalore Refinery (MRPL)
15. Bongaigaon Refinery (IOC)
16. Tatipaka Refinery (ONGC)
17. Manali Refinery (IOC)
18. Essar Refinery (Essar)
19. Jamnagar Refinery (Reliance Petroleum)
Industries in India
Cotton Textile Industry in India
Most important industry in terms of employment and production of export goods. In Maharashtra (Mumbai, Sholapur,
Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Wardha, Hajipur), Gujarat (Ahmedabad, Vododara, Rajkot, Surat, Bhavnagar),Tamil
Nadu (Coimbatore-Manchester of South India). Tamil Nadu has the largest number of cotton textile mills in India.
Silk Textile Industry in India
The location of silk industry is governed by two factors- prevalence of sericulture practices and availability of skilled
labour. Karnataka is the leading producer, followed by West Bengal, Bihar, etc.
Woolen Textile Industries
In Punjab (Dhariwai, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Ferozpur), Maharashtra (Mumbai), UP (Kanpur, Mirzapur, Agra, Tanakpur), etc.
Jute Industries India
India manufactures the largest quantity of jute goods in the world. Mainly located in West Bengal, followed by Andhra
Pradesh, Bihar, UP, MP.


Iron and Steel Industries
Located near the sources of raw materials and fuel (coal). In Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), Durgapur, Burnpur (W.B.),
Bhadrawati (Karnataka), Bokaro (Jharkhand), Rourkela (Orissa), Bhilai (Chhatisgarh), Salem (T.N.), Vishakhapatnam
(A.P.).
Aluminium Smelting in India
Located mainly near the sources of raw materials, means of transport and cheap electricity. In Hirakud, Koraput (Orissa),
Renukoot (UP), Korba (MP), Ratnagiri (Maharashtra), Mettur (TN), Alwaye
Copper Smelting Industry
In Khetri, Alwar, Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan), Singhbhum (Jharkhand), Agnigundala (A.P.).
Heavy Machinery Industry
In Ranchi, Vishakapatnam, Durgapur, Tiruchirapalli, Mumbai, Kami.
Machine Tools Industry
It forms the basis for the manufacturing of industrial, defence equipments, automobiles, railway engines and electrical
machinery.
In Bangalore, Pinjore (Haryana), Kalamassery (Kerala), Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Srinagar, Ajmer.
Heavy Electrical Equipments
Power generation equipments. In Bhopal, Tiruchirapalli, Jammu, Ramchandrapuram (Hyderabad), Hardwar, Bangalore
and Jogdishpur (UP).
Railway Equipments
Locomotives in Indian Railways: In Chittaranjan (WB), Varanasi, Jamshedpur, Bhopal. Coaches: Perambur (TN),
Kapurthala (Punjab), also at Bangalore and Kolkata.
Ship Building India
Hindustan Shipyard at Vishakhapatnam, Cochin Shipyard, Mumuai (Mazgaon Dock) and Kolkata (Garden Reach
Workshop). For Indian Navy, only at Mazgaon.
Cycles India
In Mumbai, Asansol, Sonepat, Delhi, Chennai, Jalandhar and Ludhiana.
Tractors in India
At Faridabad, Pinjore, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai.


Fertilizers in India
The location of fertilizer industry is closely related to petro-chemicals. About 70% of the plants producing
nitrogenous fertilizers use naphtha as raw material.
Naphtha is a by-product of oil refineries. Phosphate plants are dependent on mineral phosphate found in UP and
MP. Now natural gas based fertilizer plants are also being set up.
The Fertilizer Corporation of India (FCL) was set up in 1961. National Fertilizer Limited (NFL) was set up in 1974.
In Sindri (Bihar), Nangal, Trombay, Gorakhpur, Durgapur, Namrup, Cochin, Rourkela, Neyveli, Varanasi,
Vadodara, Vishakhapatinam, Kota and Kanpur.
Pharmaceuticals and Drugs
Antibiotics are prepared at Pimpri and Rishikesh. The Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited has 5 plants at
Hyderabad, Rishikesh, Chennai, Gurgaon and Muzaffarpur. A number of other units are concentrated in Mumbai, Baroda,
Delhi, Kolkata and Kanpur.
Pesticides in India
Delhi and Alwaye
Sugar Industry
JP, Maharashtra, AP, TN, Karnataka and Bihar.
Aircraft Industry in India
Hindustan Aeronautics India Ltd. was formed by merging two aircraft factories at Bangalore and Kanpur. Four other
factories are at Nasik, Hyderabad, Koraput (Orissa), Lucknow.
Rubber Industry in India
Bareilly (UP), Baroda (Gujarat Synthetic Rubber Units, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Amritsar-Reclaimed Rubber Units.
Nuclear Power Stations in India

Tarapur Maharastra
Kalpakkam Tamil Nadu, called Indra Gandhi Nuclear Power Station
Narora UP
Rawatbhata Kota, Rajasthan
Kaiga Karnataka
Kakrapara Gujarat
Kundnkulam (TN) Under construction with the assistance of Russia.


Major Thermal Power Plants

Neyveli Tamil Nadu
Korba Chhatisgarh
Obra UP
Harduaganj UP
Rihand UP
Singrauli UP
Parichha UP
Talcher Orissa
Farakka West Bengal
Satpura MP
Ramagundam AP
Vindhyanchal MP
Railways in India
Indian railway system is the largest in Asia and the fourth largest in the world. It is the biggest departmental public
undertaking in the country.
The first train ran in India between Bombay and Thane, a stretch of 34 km. on April 16 1853.
The Indian Railways celebrated its 150th anniversary on April 16, 2003. To commemorate the occasion, 16
January Shatabadi inter city express trains were announced to be inducted.
The second train ran between Howrah and Hooghly in 1854.
The headquarters of Indian Railway is in New Delhi.
The first electric train in India was Deccan Queen. It was introduced in 1929 between Bombay and Poona.
Indian Railways has the second biggest electrified system in the world after Russia.
The fastest train in India is the Shatabadi Express whose maximum speed is 140 km/hr.
The total route covered is approx 63,000 km.
The total number of railway stations in India is 7,100.
The longest railway platform in India is at Kharagpur (W.B.).
Mumbai is the destination where maximum number of trains in India head for.
The longest train route is of Himsagar Express from Jammu Tavi to Kanyakumari. It covers a distance of 3,726
km and passes through ten states.
The first Metro Rail was introduced in Kolkata (W.Bengal) on October 24, 1984. The two stations connected were
Dumdum and Belgachhia.
The Indian Railways operate in three different gauges :
1. Broad Gauge Railway (Distance between rails is 1.67 m).
2. Metre Gauge Railways (Distance between rails is 1.00 m).
3. Narrow Gauge Railways India (Distance between rails is 0.762 or 0.610 m).
The broad gauge accounts for nearly 50% route followed by metre gauge (43%) and the remaining by narrow gauge.
Indian railways are divided into 16 zones, headed by a General Manager who is responsible to the Railway Board, for all
matters.


Railway Zones Head Quarters
Central Mumbai VT
Eastern Kolkata
Northern New Delhi
North Eastern Gorakhpur
North-East Frontier Maligaon-Guwahati
Southern Chennai
South Central Secunderabad
South Eastern Kolkata
Western Mumbai Churchgate
East Coast Bhubaneshwar
East Central Hajipur
North Central Allahabad
North Western Jaipur
South Western Bangalore (Hubli)
West Central Jabalpur
South-East Central Bilaspur
Northern Railway (NR) is the largest railway zone having length of 10,995 km.
North East Frontier (NEF) is the smallest railway zone having just 3,860 km route length.
Konkan Railways India : It is a project to shorten the distance between Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. The
total route length is 786 km between Apta (Maharashtra) and Mangalore (Karnataka).
Railway Manufacturing Units :
Chittaranjan Locomotive Works : Located in Chittaranjan (W.B) and manufactures electric engines.
Diesel Locomotive Works : Located in Varanasi (U.P) and manufactures diesel engines.
Integral Coach Factory in India : Located in Perambur (TN) and manufactures rail coaches.
Wheel and Axle Plant : Locatedat Yalahaka (Bangalore, Karnataka) and manufactures wheels and axles.
Diesel Component Works : Locatedat Patiala (Punjab) and manufactures components of diesel engines.
Rail Coach Factory in India : Located at Kapurthala (Punjab) and manufactures rail coaches.
Road Transport in India
Indias road network is one of the largest in the world. The total length of roads is more than 33 lakh km.


For the purpose of maintenance and construction, roads are classified into National Highways, State Highways,
District Highways, Village Roads, Border Roads, etc.
National highways are maintained by the Central Government, State highways by the respective state
government while District highways by the respective District Board. Border roads and International highways are
also die responsibility of Central Government.
The present length of the National Highways in India is approx. 45,000 km. They constitute only 2% of the total
road length and carries nearly 40% of the road traffic.
Some of the Important National Highways are:
NH 1: New Delhi Ambala Jalandhar Amritsar.
NH 2: Delhi Mathura Agara Kanpur Allahabad Varanasi Kolkata.
NH 3: Agra Gwalior Nasik Mumbai
NH 4: Thane and Chennai via Pune and Belgaun.
NH 5: Kolkata Chennai
NH 6: Kolkata Dhule
NH 7: Varanasi Kanyakumari
NH 8: Delhi Mumbai (via Jaipur, Baroda and Ahmedabad)
NH 9: Mumbai Vijaywada
NH 10: Delhi Fazilka
NH 11: Agra Bikaner
NH 12: Jabalpur Jaipur
NH 24: Delhi Lucknow
NH 27: Allahabad Varanasi
NH 28: Barauni Lucknow
NH 29: Gorakhpur Varanasi
NH 56: Lucknow Varanasi
NH 7 is the longest highway of India.
Note:
The Golden Quadrilateral Project connecting the four Metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata
covering a total distance of 5846 km is currently being processed. It is the first phase of the National Highways
Development Project (NHDP). Total cost of the project is Rs 300 billion, funded largely by the governments
special petroleum product tax revenues and government borrowing. As of June 08, 5669 km of the intended road
has been 4-laned.
The North South East West Corridor (NS-EW) is the largest ongoing expressway project in India. It is the
second phase of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP), and consists of building 7300 kilometers of
four/six lane expressways connecting Srinagar, Kanyakumari, Porbandar and Silchar. The final completion date of
the project has been set as December 2009.
Maharashtra has the maximum length of surfaced roads in India.
Air Transport in India
J.R.D. Tata was the first person to make a solo flight from Mumbai to Karachi in 1931.


1. In 1935, the Tata Air Lines started its operation between Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram and in 1937 between
Mumbai and Delhi.
2. In 1953, all the private Airline companies were nationalised and Indian Airlines and Air India came into existence.
3. Air India administers international flights while Indian Airlines caters to the domestic circuit.
4. Indian Airlines is now known by the name of Indian.
5. Vayudoot Limited started in 1981 as a private air carrier and later on it merged with Indian Airlines.
6. Pawan Hans Limited operates helicopter support services to oil sector, hill stations and remote areas.
7. A number of private airlines also operates is India. They are Jet Airways, Sahara, etc.
8. The Civil Aviation Centre in Fursatgarh near Allahabad provided, among other things, ground
training to the pilots.
Airports in India :
There are 12 International Airports in India :
Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad
Calicut International Airport, Calicut
Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai
Chennai International Airport, Chennai
HAL Airport, Bangalore
Goa Airport in Vasco da Gama city, Goa
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordolio International Airport, Guwahati
Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata
Rja Sansi International Airport, Amritsar
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad
Thiruvananathapuram International Airport, Thiruvananathapuram
The Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport handle more than half of the air
traffic in South Asia. Besides these airports several other domestic airports are located in India.
In total, there are more than 334 civilian airports in India 238 with paved runways and 108 with unpaved runways.
Water Transport in India
Most efficient, least costly and environment friendly means of transportation. The total length of navigable waterways in
Indian comprising rivers, canals, backwaters, etc, is 14,500 km out of which 3700 km is navigable by mechanised boats.
The government has recognised the following National Waterways of India:
NW 1: Allahabad to Haldia 1,629 km
NW 2: Sadia to Dhubari (on Brahmaputra river) 819 km
NW 3: Kollam to Kottapuram 186 km
NW 4: Kakinada to Marakkanam (Along Godawari and Krishna river) 1,100 km
Ports in India
The Waterways Authority in India divides Indian ports into three categories, major, minor and intermediate.


India has about 190 ports in all, with 12 major and the rest intermediate and minor.
The 12 Major Ports are:
Port State
Kolkata (including Haldia) West Bengal
Paradip Orissa
Vishakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh
Chennai Tamil Nadu
Ennore Tamil Nadu
Tuticorin Tamil Nadu
Cochin Kerala
New Mangalore Karnataka
Mormugao Goa
Jawaharlal Nehru Maharashtra
Mumbai Maharashtra
Kandla Gujarat
All these ports are administered by the respective Port Trusts, except the newly constructed Ennore port which is under
the Ennore Port Ltd. Company.
Salient Features :
Kolkata Port (including Haldia) : Kolkata is a riverine port, located about 128 km from the Bay of Bengal on the
banks of river Hooghly. Haldia was developed because excessive silting prevented the entry of large marine
vessels in Kolkata.
Paradip Port : Located on the Orissa coast along the Bay of Bengal. India exports raw iron to Japan from here.
Vishakhapatnam Port : The deepest port, located in Andhra Pradesh. It serves the Bhilai and Rourkela steel
plants.
Chennai Port : Oldest artificial harbour. This port ranks only second after Mumbai in terms of the traffic handling
capacity.
Ennore Port : Declared a major port in 2001. It is the first port with corporate participation. Provided with all the
modern facilities for handling the thermal coal required for Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Power Station.
Tuticorin Port : It came into existence during the reign of Pandya kings. It has an artificial deep sea harbour.
Cochin Port : A fine natural harbour located on Kerala coast. Handles the export of tea, cofee and spices and
import of petroleum and fertilisers.
New Mangalore Port : The Gateway of Karnataka. Handles the export of iron-ore of Kudremukh.
Marmugao Port : It has a naval base. Indias leading iron-ore port.


Mumbai Port : A natural port, Indias busiest. A new port, Nhava Sheva, is being developed near Mumbai port.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port : Occupies the 5th position in the worlds faster growing ports.
Kandla Port : Called the offspring of partition as it was developed after the partition as a substitute of Karachi
port. It is a tidal port and a free trade zone located in the Rann of Kachchh.
Nick Names of Important Indian Places
Nick Name Place
Golden City Amritsar
Manchester of India Ahmedabad
City of Seven Islands Mumbai
Queen of Arabian Sea Cochin
Space City Bangalore
Garden City of India Bangalore
Silicon Valley of India Bangalore
Electronic City of India Bangalore
Pink City Jaipur
Gateway of India Mumbai
Twin City Hyderabad - Sikandarabad
City of Festivals Madurai
Deccan Queen Pune
Nick Name Place
City of Buildings Kolkata
Dakshin Ganga Godavari
Old Ganga Godavari
Egg Bowls of Asia Andhra Pradesh
Soya Region Madhya Pradesh
Manchester of the South Coimbatore
City of Nawabs Lucknow
Venice of the East Cochin
Sorrow of Bengal Damodar river
Sorrow of Bihar Kosi river
Blue Mountains Nilgiri
Queen of the Mountains Mussoorie (Uttarakhand)
Sacred river Ganga
Hollywood of India Mumbai
City of Castles Kolkata
State of Five Rivers Punjab
City of Weavers Panipat


Nick Name Place
City of Lakes Srinagar
Steel City of India Jamshedpur (Called Tatanagar)
City of Temples Varanasi
Manchester of the North Kanpur
City of Rallies New Delhi
Heaven of India Jammu & Kashmir
Boston of India Ahmedabad
Garden of spices of India Kerala
Switzerland of India Kashmir
Abode of the God Prayag (Allahabad)
Pittsburg of India Jamshedpur
Important Indian Towns on Rivers
Town River
Allahabad At the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna
Patna Ganga
Varanasi Ganga
Kanpur Ganga
Hardwar Ganga
Badrinath Alaknanda
Agra Yamuna
Delhi Yamuna
Mathura Yamuna
Ferozpur Satluj
Ludhiana Satluj
Srinagar Jhelum
Lucknow Gomti

Town River
Jaunpur Gomti
Ayodhya Saryu
Bareilly Ram Ganga
Ahmedabad Sabarmati
Kota Chambal
Jabalpur Narmada
Panji Mandavi
Ujjain Kshipra
Surat Tapti
Jamshedpur Swarnarekha


Town River
Dibrugarh Brahmaputra
Guwahati Brahmaputra
Kolkata Hooghly
Sambalpur Mahanadi
Cuttack Mahanadi
Seriranganatnam Cauvery
Hyderabad Musi
Nasik Godavari
Vijayvada Krishna
Curnool Tungabhadra
Tiruchirapalli Cauvery
Famous Hill Stations in India
Hill Stations Height From Sea Level (m) States
Gulberga 2550 J & K
Ooty (Ootacamund) 2290 Tamil Nadu
Shimla 2210 H.P
Pahalgam 2200 J & K
Darjeeling 2135 West Bengal
Kodaikanal 2120 Tamil Nadu
Lansdowne 2120 Uttarkhand
Dalhousie 2035 H.P
Mussoorie 2006 Uttarkhand
Mukteshwar 1975 Uttarkhand
Nainital 1940 Uttarkhand
Kasauli 1985 H.P

Coonoor 1860 Tamil Nadu
Gangtok 1850 Sikkim
Manali 1830 H.P
Ranikhet 1830 Uttarkhand
Ranchi 1800 Jharkhand
Srinagar 1770 J & K
Almora 1650 Uttarakhand
Shillang 1500 Maghalaya
Mahabaleshwar 1370 Maharashtra
Kalimpong 1250 West Bengal
Mt. Abu 1220 Rajastan


Kullu Valley 1200 H.P
Panchgani 1200 Maharastra
Mannar 1160 Kerala
Panchmarhi 1065 M.P
Periyar 915 Kerala
Mandi 709 H.P
Lonawala 620 Maharastra
Khandala 620 Maharastra
Tribal Groups of India
Tribal Groups Found in
Abhors North-East
Adivasis MP (Bastar distt.)
Angami Manipur
Apatamis Arunachal Pradesh
Badagas Tamil Nadu
Baigas M.P
Bakkarwals J & K
Bhils M.P & Rajastan
Bhotias Uttarakhand
Bhuia M.P
Birhors M.P and Bihar
Chang North - East
Chenchus A.P and Orissa
Chutia Assam
Gaddis Himachal Pradesh
Gallong North-East
Garos Assam and Meghalaya
Gonds M.P and Bihar
Gujlars J & K and H.P
Irula Tamil Nadu
Jaintias Meghalaya
Jarawas Little Andamans
Kanikar Tamil Nadu
Katkari M.P
Kharia M.P
Khond M.P
Khas U.P


Khasis Assam and Meghalaya
Khonds Orissa
Kol M.P
Kolam A.P
Kotas Tamil Nadu
Kuki Manipur
Lahaulas Himachal Pradesh
Lepchas Sikkim
Lushai Tripura
Murias M.P
Minas Rajastan
Moplahs Kerala
Mundas Bihar
Murias M.P
Nishi North - East
Nagas Nagaland
Oarons Bihar and Orissa
Onges Andaman & Nicobar
Pho North - East
Santhals WB, Orissa and Bihar
Sangtam North-East
Sema Nagaland
Sentinelese Andaman & Nicobar
Shompens Andaman & Nicobar
Todas Tamil Nadu
Uralis Kerala
Wancho North - East
Warlis Maharashtra
Indian Towns Associated with Industries
Town State Industries
Ahmedabad Gujarat Cotton Textiles
Agra U.P Leather, Marble, Carpet
Aligarh U.P Locks, Cutlery
Ankleshwar Gujarat Oil Fields
Ambernath Maharashtra Machine Tools
Amritsar Punjab Woolen Clothes
Anand Gujarat Milk and its Products
Alwaye Kerala Fertilizer, Monazite Factory


Ambala Haryana Scientific Instruments
Bokaro Jharkhand Steel Plant
Bangalore Karnataka Telephones, Aircrafts, Motors, Cotton Textiles, Toys
Batanagar West Bengal Shoes
Bareilly U.P Resin Industries, Match Factory
Bhilai Chhattisgarh Steel Plant
Barauni Bihar Chemical Fertilizer
Burnpur West Bengal Steel Plant
Bhurkunda Jharkhand Glass Industries
Bhagalpur Bihar Silk industries
Bhandara Maharashtra Explosives
Bhadravati Karnataka Iron & Steel
Bongaigaon Assam Petroleum
Bhadoi U.P Carpets
Churk M P Cement
Cyberabad Andhra Pradesh Electronics, Computers, Information technology
Chitranjan West Bengal Locomotive
Kolkata West Bengal Jute, Leather, Electric goods
Cochin Kerala Ship building, coconut oil, rubber
Calicut Kerala Coffee, coconut
Coimbatore Tamil Nadu Cotton industries
Dhariwal Punjab Woolen clothes
Durgapur West Bengal Steel
Digboi Assam Petroleum
Delhi Delhi Textiles, Electronics, D.D.T
Dalmianagar Bihar Cement
Darjeeling W. Bengal Tea
Dindigul Tamil Nadu Cigar, Tobacco
Frozabad M.P Bangle works
Guntur Andhra Pradesh Cotton industries
Gwalior Madhya Pradesh Pottery, Tobacco
Gomia Jharkhand Explosives
Hardwar Uttarakhand Heavy electricals
Hatia Jharkhand Heavy Engineering Corporation
Haldia W. Bengal Chemical fertilizer
Hazira Gujarat Artificial Rayon
Jamshedpur Jharkhand Iron & Steel, Locomotives, Railway coaches


Jallundhur Punjab Surgical goods and sports articles
Jaipur Rajasthan Cloth Printing, Brass
Jharia Jharkhand Coal mines
Jabalpur Madhya Pradesh Bidi industry
Jainakot Jammu & Kashmir H.M.T watch
Japla Jharkhand Cement
Kanpur U.P Cotton and Woollen mills, Leather, Sugar
Katni M.P Cement
Korba Chattisgarh Aluminium factory, Thermal plant
Koyna Maharashtra Aluminium factory
Koyali Gujarat Petrochemical industries
Kolar Karnataka Gold mining centre
Kota Rajasthan Atomic power plant
Kanchipuram Tamil Nadu Silk clothes
Karnal Haryana Dairy product
Kandla Gujarat Chemical fertiliser, famous port
Khetri Rajasthan Copper industries
Ludhiana Punjab Hosiery
Lucknow U.P Embroidery work, Chicken work
Chennai Tamil Nadu Leather, cigarette, Integral coach factory
Madurai Tamil Nadu Cotton and Silk Weaving
Mirzapur U.P Carpet, Pottery, Brass industries
Muradabad U P Brassware, cutlery
Mathura U.P Oil refinery
Mysore Karnataka Sandalwood oil, Silk goods
Meerut U.P Publication work, Sports goods, Scissors making
Mumbai Maharashtra Cinema industries, Cotton textiles
Modinagar U.P Nylon thread
Moorie Jharkhand Aluminium
Majhagaon Maharashtra Ship building
Nagpur Maharashtra Cotton mills, Oranges
Nepanagar Madhya Pradesh Newsprint
Nasik Maharashtra Security Printing Press
Neyveli Tamil Nadu Lignite industries
Nunamati Assam Oil refineries
Narora U.P Atomic Power Plant
Nangal Punjab Fertilisers
Panna M.P Diamond mining


Pinjore Haryana Hindustan Machines Tools
Perambur Tamil Nadu Integral coach factory
Pimpri Maharashtra Penicillin factory
Raniganj W. Bengal Coal mining
Rourkela Orissa Steel plant, Chemical fertiliser
Rana Pratap Sagar Rajasthan Hydro Power Plant
Renukoote U.P Aluminium Plant
Roopnarayanpur W. Bengal Cables
Rishikesh Uttarakhand Antibiotic Plant
Saharanpur U.P Cigarette factory, News print
Sindri Jharkhand Chemical fertilizers
Srinagar Jammu & Kashmir Woolen shawls, Silk, Woodwork
Surat Gujarat Cotton textiles, Diamond Cutting
Surajpur Haryana Cement factory
Suratgarh Rajasthan Agriculture implements
Singhbhum Jharkhand Copper, Iron
Singreni Andhra Pradesh Cool mining
Salem Tamil Nadu Iron and Steel
Samastipur Bihar Jute, Paper, Tobacco, Sugar
Tarapur Maharashtra Atomic Power Plant
Titagarh W. Bengal Paper & Jute
Thiruvananthapuram Kerala Coir matting
Trombay Maharashtra Oil refinery
Tiruchirapalli Tamil Nadu Cigar
Tirupati Andhra Pradesh Scooter
Tanjore Tamil Nadu Silk clothes
Thumba Kerala Rocket launching Station
Vijaypur M.P Fertilizers
Viiaynagar Karnataka Steel Plant
Vishakhapatnam A.P Ship building, Iron and Steel, Oil refinery
Varanasi U.P Rail Engines and Saari industries
Worli Maharashtra Baby food
Zainkot J & K HMT Watches
Largest Longest Highest and Smallest in India
Longest River Ganges
The Longest Tributary River of India Yamuna
The Longest River of the South Godavari
Highest Mountain Peak Godwin Austin (K2)


Largest Lake (Fresh Water) Wular Lake (Kashmir)
Highest Dam Bhakra Dam (Punjab)
Largest Mosque Jama Masjid, Delhi
Longest Road Grand Trunk Road
State with Longest Coastline Gujarat
Longest Railway Route From Jammu to Kanyakumari
Longest Tunnel Jawahar tunnel (Jammu & Kashmir)
Longest National Highway NH - 7 which runs from Varanasi to Kanyakumari
Longest Dam Hirakud Dam (Orissa)
Longest River Bridge Mahatma Gandhi Setu, Patna

Largest Populated City Mumbai (1.60 crore)
Largest Museum National Museum, Kolkata
Largest Delta Sunderban Delta, W. Bengal
Largest Dome Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur (Karnataka)
Largest Zoo Zoological Gardens, Alipur, Kolkata
Largest Man - made Lake Govind Vallabh Pant Sagar (Rihand Dam)
Largest Desert Thar (Rajasthan)
Highest Tower Pitampura Tower, Delhi
Smallest State (Area) Goa
Smallest State (Population) Sikim
Highest Waterfall Gersoppa waterfall (Karnataka)
Longest Electric Railway Line From Delhi to Kolkata via Patna
Densest Populated State West Bengal
Largest Cave Temple Kailash temple, Ellora (Maharashtra)
Largest Animal Fair Sonepur (Bihar)
Highest Gateway Buland Darwuza, Fatehpur Sikri (Agra)
Biggest Hotel Oberai-Sheraton (Mumbai)
Largest State (Area) Rajasthan
Largest State (Population) Uttar Pradesh
Place of Heaviest Rainfall Mausinram (Meghalaya)
Largest Corridor Rameshwaram temple corridor (Tamil Nadu)
Largest Cantilever Span Bridge Howrah Bridge (Kolkata)
Largest Forest State Madhya Pradesh
Highest Straight Gravity Dam Bhakra Dam
Longest Railway Platform Kharagpur (W. Bengal)
Largest Stadium Salt Lake (Yuva Bharti), Kolkata


Largest Port Mumbai
Highest Lake Devatal (Garhwal)
Largest Lake (Saline Water) Chilka Lake, Orissa
Highest Award Bharat Ratna
Highest Gallantry Award Paramveer Chakra
Largest Gurudwara Golden Temple, Amritsar
Deepest River Valley Bhagirathi & Alaknanda
State with Longest Coastline of South India Andhra Pradesh
Longest River which forms estuary Narmada
Largest Church Saint Cathedral (Goa)
Longest Beach Marina Beach, Chennai
Highest Battle Field Siachin Glacier
Highest Airport Leh (Laddakh)
Largest River Island Majuli (Brahmaputra River, Assam)
Largest Planetarium Birla Planetarium (Kolkata)
Important Monuments in India
Name Place Built by
Ajanta - Ellora Caves Aurangabad (Mah.) Gupta rulers
Aram Bagh Agra (UP) Babur
Agra Fort Agra (UP) Akbar
Akbar's Mausoleum Sikandra (UP) Akbar
Itmod - ud - daula Fort Agra (UP) Noorjahan
Anand Bhawan Allahabad (UP) Motilal Nehru
Bada Imambara Lucknow (UP) Asaf-ud-daula
Bharatpur Fort Bharatpur (Raj.) Raja Surajmal Singh
Bibi Ka Maqbara Aurangabad (Mah.) Aurongzeb
Char - Minor Hyderabad (AP) Quli Qutub Shah
Charar - e - Sharif Jammu & Kashmir Zainul Abedin
Chhota Imambara Lucknow (UP) Muhammad Ali Shah
Name Place Built by
Dargah Ajmer Sharif Ajmer (Raj.) Sultan Shyasuddin
Dilwara's Jain Temple Mount Abu (Raj.) Siddharaja
Deewan - e - Khas Agra Fort (UP) Shahjahan
Adhai Din Ka Jhopra Ajmer (Raj.) Qutubuddin Aibak
Elephanfa's cave Mumbai (Mah.) Rashtrakuta rulers
Fatehpur Sikri Agra (UP) Akbar
Ferozshah Kotla Delhi Ferozshah Tughlaq
Golghar Patna (Bih.) British Government


Name Place Built by
Gateway of India Mumbai (Mah.) British Government
Hauz Khas Delhi Alauddin Khilji
Hawa Mahal Jaipur (Raj.) Maharaja Pratap Singh
Humayun's Tomb Delhi Hymayun's wife
Jama Masjid Agra (UP) Shahjahan
Jama Masjid Delhi Shahjahan
Jagannath Temple Puri (Ori.) Anantvarmun Ganga
Jantar - Mantar Delhi Sawai Jai Singh
Jaigarh Fort Jaipur (Raj.) Sawai Jai Singh
Jim Corbett Park Nainital (Uttar.) Sir Malcom Hqilley
Jodhpur Fort Jodhpur (Raj.) Rao Jodhoji
Kanheri's Fort Mumbai (Mah.) Buddhists
Khirki Masjid Delhi Ghyasuddin Tughlaq
Lai Bagh Bangalore (Kar.) Hyder Ali
Lakshmi Narayan Temple Delhi Birla Family
Makka Masjid Hyderabad (AP) Quli Qutub Shah
Moti Masjid Agra Fort (UP) Shahjahan
Moti Masjid Delhi Fort Aurangzeb
Nahargarh Fort Jaipur (Raj.) Sawai Jai Singh
Nishat Garden Srinagar (J & K) Asaf Ali
Parana Qila Delhi Shershah Suri
Pathar Ki Masjid Patna (Bih.) Pervez Shah
President House Delhi British Government
Qutub Minor Delhi Qutubuddin Aibak
Red Fort Delhi Shahjahan
Safdar Jung Tomb Delhi Shuja-ud-daula
Sabarmati Ashram Ahmadabad (Guj.) Mahatma Gandhi
Shantiniketan West Bengal Rabindra Nath Tagore
Shish Mahal Agra (UP) Shahjahan
Shalimar Garden Srinagar (J & K) Jahangir
Shershah's Tomb Sasaram (Bih.) Shershah's son
Saint George Fort Chennai (TN) East India Company
Sati Burj Mathura (UP) Raja Bhagwan Das
Sun Temple Konark (Ori.) Narsimhadeva
Swarna Mandir (Golden Temple) Amritsar (Pun.) Guru Ramdas
Taj Mahal Agra (UP) Shahjahan
Vellure Math Kolkata (WB) Swami Vivekanand
Victoria Memorial Kolkata (WB) British Government


Name Place Built by
Vishnupad Temple Gaya (Bih.) Rani Ahiliabai
Viiaya Stambha Chittorgarh (Raj.) Maharana Kumbha

States in India
India, a union of states, is a Sovereign, Secular, Democratic Republic with a Parliamentary system of Government.
The President is the constitutional head of Executive of the Union. In the states, the Governor, as the
representative of the President, is the head of Executive.
The system of government in states closely resembles that of the Union. There are 28 states and 7 Union
territories in the country. Union Territories are administered by the President through an Administrator appointed
by him.
From the largest to the smallest, each State / UT of India has a unique demography, history and culture, dress,
festivals, language etc.
List of States in India
Andhra Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh Asom or Assam
Bihar Chattisgarh Goa
Gujarat Haryana Himachal Pradesh
Jammu & Kashmir Jharkhand Karnatatka
Kerala Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra
Manipur Megalaya Mizoram
Nagaland Orissa Punjab
Rajasthan Sikkim Tamil Nadu
Tripura Uttarkhand Uttar Pradesh
West Bengal
Union Territories of India
Andaman & Nicobar Islands India
Capital Port Blair
Area 8.249 sq km
Population 356,152
Sex Ratio 846
Growth Rate 26.94%
Literacy 81.30%
Districts 2
Languages Hindi, Nicobarese, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telegu


Andamans is a group of 204 islands, while Nicobars is a group of 19 islands. Out of these only 36 islands in
Andamans and 12 islands in Nicobars are inhabited.
Indias southern-most location, Indira Point, is located in Nicobars only.
These islands are mostly inhabited by tribals. Important tribes are the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawas and
Sentinalese in Andamans and Nicobarese and Shompens in Nicobars.
Tourism and agriculture is the mainstay of economy.
Mangrove forests are found in abundance in these islands.
Chandigarh in India
Capital Chandigarh
Area 114 sq. km
Population 900,914
Sex Ratio 773
Growth Rate 40.33%
Literacy 81.94%
Languages Hindi, Punjabi, English
It is one of the most beautiful and well-planned places in India. It was designed by a French architect, Le
Corbusier.
Chandigarh serves as a joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.
Many large and small scale industries are here which give Chandigarh its revenue.
Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Capital Silvassa
Area 491 sq. km
Population 220,490
Sex Ratio 811
Growth Rate 59.20%
Literacy 57.63%
Languages Gujarati, Hindi
It is predominantly a rural area having about 79% population of tribals.
Forests cover about 40% of the total area.
Daman & Diu India
Capital Daman
Area 112 sq. km
Population 158,204
Sex Ratio 989
Growth Rate 55.59%


Capital Daman
Literacy 78.18%
Districts 2
Languages Gujarati
Agriculture and small-scale industries are the back-bone of economy.
Delhi Union Territory
Capital Delhi
Area 1,483 sq. km
Population 1,37,82,976
Sex Ratio 821
Growth Rate 46.31%
Literacy 81.67%
Districts 9
Languages Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English
Delhi is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population.
Delhi is the largest commercial centre of northern India and is the largest centre of small industries.
Delhi has greater number of vehicles than the total vehicles of Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai put together.
Lakshadweep in India
Capital Kavaratti
Area 32 sq. km
Population 60,595
Sex Ratio 947
Growth Rate 17.19%
Literacy 86.66%
Languages Jeseri (Dweep Bhasha) and Mahal
Lakshadweep is group of 25 coral islands. It is the smallest Union Territory.
Coconut is the only major crop.
Fishing is another major activity.
Puducherry Union Territory
Capital Puducherry
Area 492 sq. km
Population 973,829
Sex Ratio 1001


Capital Puducherry
Growth Rate 20.56%
Literacy 81.24%
Districts 4
Languages Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam, English, French
It is a former French colony, consisting of four districts, and named after the largest. In Sept 2006, the territory
changed its name from Pondicherrry to the vernacular original, Puducherry, which means, New Village.
It is basically an agriculture based economy.
Sanctuaries and Parks in India
Name Location Reserves for
Achanakmar Sanctuary Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh Tiger, bear, chital, sambar, bison
Bandhavgarh National Park Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh Tiger, panther, chital, nilgai, wild bear
Bandipur Sanctuary Border of Karnataka and Tamil
Nadu
Elephant, tigers, panther, sambar, deer, birds
Banarghatta Bangalore Elephant, chital, deer, gray
National Park Karnataka Partridges, green pigeon
Bhadra Sancturary Chikmagalur, Karnataka Elephant, chital, panther, sambar, wild bear
Bhimabandh Sanctuary Monghyr, Bihar Tiger, leopard, sambar, wild bear, chital, water
birds
Bori Sanctuary Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh Tiger, panther, sambar, chital, wild boar,
barking deer
Borivli National Park Mumbai Panther, sambar, langur, wild boar, chinkara
Chandraprabha Sanctuary Near Varanasi Uttar Pradesh Famous for Gir lions, chital and sambar
Corbett National Park named in memory of Jim Corbett, famous
sportsman
Nainital, Uttaranchal Tiger, leopards, elephants, sambar

Dachigam Sanctuary Dachigam, Kashmir Kashmiri stag
Datma Sanctuary Singbhum, Uttaranchal Elephants, leopard, wild bear, barking deer
Dandeli Sanctuary Dharwar, Karnataka Tiger, panther, elephant, chital, sambar, wild bear
Dudhwa National Park Lakhimpurkheri U.P. Tiger, panther, sambar, chital, nilgai, barking deer
Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary Mandsaur, M.P. Chital, sambar, chinkara, barking deer, wild birds
Garampani Sanctuary Diphu, Assam Elephant, leopard, wild buffalo, langur
Ghana Bird Sanctuary Bharatpur, Rajasthan Water birds, black-buck, chital, sambar
Gir Forest Junagarh, Gujarat India's biggest wild life sanctuary famous for Gir lions
Gautam Buddha Sanctuary Gaya, Bihar Tiger, leopard, sambar, chital, barking deer
Hazaribagh Sanctuary Hazaribagh, Jharkhand Tiger, leopard, chital, nilgai, sambar, wild cat
Intangki Sanctuary Kohima, Nagaland Elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, barking deer, wild boar
Jaldapara Sanctuary West Bengal Rhinoceros


Kawal Sanctuary Adilabad, A.P. Tiger, panther, gaur, chital, wild bear
Kaziranga National Park Jorhat, Assam Horned rhinoceros, gaur, elephant, leopard, wild buffalo
Khangchandzendra National Park Gangtok, Sikkim Snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan bear
Kinnersani Sanctuary Khamrsan, A.P. Tiger, panther, gaur, chital, sambar, nilgai
Kolleru Pelicanary Elluru A.P. Pelicans, painted stork
Nagerhole National Park Coorg, Karnataka Elephant, tiger, panther, sambar, chital
Namdafa Sanctuary Tirap, Arunachal Pradesh Elephant, panther, sambar, tiger, chital, king cobra
Nawegaon National Park Bhandara, Maharashtra Tiger, panther, sambar, chital, nilgai
Pachmarhi Sanctuary Hoshangabad, M.P. Tiger, panther, bear, sambar, nilgai, barking deer
Pakhal Sanctuary Warangal A.P. Tiger, panther, sambar, chital, nilgai
Parambikulam Sanctuary Palghat, Kerala Tiger, leopard, gaur, elephant, nilgai, chital
Pench National Park Nagpur, Maharashtra Tiger, panther, gaur, sambar, chital, nilgai
Periyar Sanctuary Idukki, Kerala Elephant, tiger, panther, gaur, nilgai, sambar, wild bear
Ranganthittoo Bird Sanctuary Islands in Cauvery river in Karnataka Important bird sanctuary
Rohla National Park Kulu, H.P. Snow leopard, brown bear, musk deer, snow cock, snow pigeon
Sariska Sanctuary Alwar, Rajasthan Tiger, panther, sambar, nilgai, chital, chinkara
Sharaswathy Valley Sanctuary Shimoga, Karnataka Elephant, tiger, panther, sambar, gaur chital, wild bear
Shikari Devi Sanctuary Mandi, H.P. Black bear, musk deer, panther, leopard, partridge
Shivpuri National Park Shivpuri, M.P. Tiger, panther, sambar, hyena, hyena, sloth bear, nilgai
Similipal Sanctuary Mayurbhanj, Orissa Elephant, tiger, leopard, gaur, chital
Someshwara Sanctuary Canara, Karnataka Tiger, panther, wild boar, leopard
Sunderban Tiger Reserve South 24 parganas, West Bengal Tiger, deer, wild boar, crocodile, Gangetic dolphin
Important Indian Towns on Rivers
Town River
Allahabad At the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna
Patna Ganga
Varanasi Ganga
Kanpur Ganga
Hardwar Ganga
Badrinath Alaknanda
Agra Yamuna
Delhi Yamuna
Mathura Yamuna
Ferozpur Satluj
Ludhiana Satluj
Srinagar Jhelum

Town River


Town River
Lucknow Gomti
Jaunpur Gomti
Ayodhya Saryu
Bareilly Ram Ganga
Ahmedabad Sabarmati
Kota Chambal
Jabalpur Narmada
Panji Mandavi
Ujjain Kshipra
Surat Tapti
Jamshedpur Swarnarekha
Dibrugarh Brahmaputra
Guwahati Brahmaputra
Kolkata Hooghly
Sambalpur Mahanadi
Cuttack Mahanadi
Seriranganatnam Cauvery
Hyderabad Musi
Nasik Godavari
Vijayvada Krishna
Curnool Tungabhadra
Tiruchirapalli Cauvery
Heights of Some Important Indian Peaks
S No Peak Height in metres above mean Sea Level
1 K2 8,611
2 Kanchen Junga 8,598
3 Nanga Parvat 8,126
4 Gasher Brum 8,068
5 Broad Peak 8,047
6 Disteghil Sar 7,885
7 Masher Brum E 7,821
8 Nanda Devi 7,817
9 Masher Brum W 7,806
10 Rakaposhi 7,788
11 Kamet 7,756
12 Saser Kangri 7,672
13 Skyang Kangri 7,544
14 Sia Kangri 7,422


S No Peak Height in metres above mean Sea Level
15 Chaukhamba (Badrinath Peak) 7,138
16 Trisul West 7,138
17 Nunkun 7,135
18 Pauhunri 7,128
19 Kangto 7,090
20 Dunagiri 7,066
Lengths of Some Important Indian Rivers
S No River Length (km)
1 Indus 3,000
2 Brahmaputra 2,900
3 Ganga 2,510
4 Godavari 1,450
5 Narmada 1,290
6 Krishna 1,290
7 Mahanadi 890
8 Cauvery 760
Major Ports in India
SI. No. Western Coast Eastern Coast
1 Kandla (Child of Partition) Kolkata - Haldia (Riverine Port)
2 Mumbai (busiest and Biggest) Paradip (Exports Raw Iron into Japan)
3 Jawahar Lal Nehru (Fastest Growing) Vishakhapatnam (Deepest Port)
4 Marmugao (Naval base also) Chennai (Oldest and Artificial)
5 Mangalore (Exports Kudremukh Iron - ore) Ennore (Most Modern in Private Hands)
6 Cochin (Natural Harbour) Tuticorin (Southernmost)
World Geography
Cosmology Important Facts
The Universe or the Cosmos, as perceived today, consists of millions of Galaxies. A galaxy is a huge congregation of
stars held together by the forces of gravity.
Edwin Hubble in 1924 first demonstrated existence of galaxies beyond Milky Way. He proved that these galaxies
are flying away from each other and that the farther they are, the faster they fly. This means that the universe is
expanding like a balloon that is being blown up.
In the ancient times, the knowledge about the universe was vague and confined to mystery and religious
perceptions.


In 140 AD, Ptolemy propounded the theory that the earth was the centre of the universe and the sun and other
heavenly bodies revolved around it. In 1543, Copernicus argued that the sun and not the earth was the centre of
the universe.
However, he still equated the universe with the solar system. Kepler supported Copernicus but said that the sun
was the centre of the solar system and not the universe. In 1805, Hershel made it clear that the solar system was
a part of the much larger system of stars called galaxy.
Our galaxy is Milky Way Galaxy (or the Akash Ganga). It is spiral in shape. It consists of over a 100 billion stars
rotating and revolving about its centre. Nearest galaxy to ours is Andromeda.
The Big Bang Theory evaluates that 15 billion years ago, cosmic matter (universe) was in an extremely
compressed state, from which expansion started by a primordial explosion. This explosion broke up the super-
dense ball and cast its fragments far out into space, where they are still traveling at thousands of miles per
second.
It is from these speeding fragments of matter that our galaxies have been formed. The formation of galaxies and
stars has not halted the speed of expansion. And, as it happens in all explosions, the farthest pieces are flying the
fastest.
Later, Pulsating (Oscillating) Universe Theory was given which says that universe periodically expands from the
explosion of the primordial body, then contracts back and explodes again, over immensely long cycles, ad
infinitum.
Measurement Units of Space are :
Light Year : It is the distance covered by light in one year in vacuum at a speed of 3 105 km/s.
Astronomical Unit (A.U) : It is the mean distance between the earth and the sun. One light year is equal to
60,000 A.U.
Parsec : It represents the distance at which the mean radius of earths orbit subtends an angle of one second of
an arc. It is equal to 3.26 light years.
Stars are self luminous bodies that account for 98 per cent of the material in the galaxy. The rest 2 per cent
consists of interstellar or galactic gas and dust in an attenuated form.
Stars are formed by gravitational contractions from these vast clouds of galactic gas and dust. Star forming clouds
are thousands of times denser than the normal interstellar gas. Star forming matter is richer in hydrogen and
helium.
A stars colour indicates the temperature of its surface. Blue colour denotes maximum temperature. Then comes
yellow, then red, etc.
The life of a star is spread over billions of years. It begins to form by compression of galactic gas and dust.
Compression generates heat which in turn causes hydrogen to be converted into helium in nuclear fusion, thereby
emitting large amount of heat and light.
Continued nuclear fusion over a period of time starts depletion of hydrogen and the helium core becomes
increasingly heavy, resulting into swelling and reddening of outer regions. Such stars of gigantic dimensions are
termed as Red Giants.
If the star is of suns size, it becomes a White Dwarf. Their central density can reach up to 10 grams per cubic
cm.
If die star is bigger than the sun but not more than twice as big, it will turn into a Neutron Star or Pulsar. Their
central density is 1014 grams per cubic cm. They are formed due to Novae or Super novae explosion.
Stars having mass greater than three times that of the sun, because of their great gravitational power, have
contracted so much that they have developed super density of 1016 grams per cubic cm. It is so dense that
nothing, not even light, can escape from its gravity and hence called Black Hole.
Brightest star outside our Solar System is Sirius, also called Dog Star.
Closest star of Solar System is Proxima Centauri (4.2 light years away). Then come Alpha Centauri (4.3 light
years away) and Barnards Star (5.9 light years away).


Earth Solar System
Earth solar system consists of :
The Sun
The Planets
Dwarf Planets
and countless fragments of left overs called asteroids, meteors, comets and satellites of the planets (Called small solar
system Bodies).
Origin of Solar System
Various theories have been given by different persons to explain the origin of Solar System.
Gaseous Hypothesis Kant
Nebular Hypothesis Laplace
Planetesimal Hypothesis Chamberlin and Moulton
Tidal Hypothesis James Jeans & Harold Jeffrey
Binary Star Hypothesis H. N. Russel
Fission Hypothesis Ross Gun
Cepheid Hypothesis A.C. Banerji
Nova Hypothesis Hoyle & Lyttleton
Electromagnetic Hypothesis H. Alfven
Interstellar Dust Hypothesis Schmidt
Nebular Cloud Hypothesis Dr. Von Weizsacker
Protoplanet Hypothesis G. Kuiper

Solar System Some Facts
Biggest Planet Jupiter
Smallest Planet Mercury
Nearest Planet to Sun Mercury
Farthest Planet from Sun Neptune
Nearest Planet to Earth Venus
Brightest Planet Venus
Brightest star after Sun Sirius
Planet with maximum satellites Jupiter
Coldest Planet Neptune
Hottest Planet Venus
Heaviest Planet Jupiter
Red Planet Mars
Biggest Satellite Gannymede


Solar System Some Facts
Smallest Satellite Deimos
Blue Planet Earth
Morning/Evening Star Venus
Earth's Twin Venus
Green Planet Neptune
Planet with a big red spot Jupiter
Lord of the Heavens Jupiter
Greatest Diurnal Temperature Mercury
Earth Movements
The Earth also called Blue Planet. It is the densest of all planets.
Earth Circumference : 40,232 Kilometers.
Earth Area : 510 million Square Kilometers Average distance from sun: 149 million-Kilometers.
Earth Perihelion : Nearest position of earth to sun. The earth reaches its perihelion on January 3 every year at a distance
of about 147 million-Kilometers.
Aphelion : Farthest position of earth from sun. The earth reaches its aphelion on July 4, when the earth is at a distance of
152 million Kilometers.
The shape of the earth is oblate spheroid or oblate ellipsoid (i.e. almost spherical, flattened a little at the poles with a slight
bulge at the centre).
2 Types of Earth Movements:
1. Rotation or daily movement.
2. Revolution or annual movement.
Earth Rotation
Spins on its imaginary axis from west to east in 23 hrs, 56 min and 40.91 sec.
Rotational velocity at equator is 1667 Kilometers/h and it decreases towards the poles, where it is zero.
Earths rotation results in
i . Causation of days and nights;
ii . A difference of one hour between two meridians which are 15apart;
iii. Change in the direction of wind and ocean currents;
Rise and fall of tides everyday.
The longest day in North Hemisphere is June 21, while shortest day is on 22 Dec (Vice-versa in S. Hemisphere).
Days and nights are almost equal at the equator.


Earth Revolution
It is earths motion in elliptical orbit around the sun. Earths average orbital velocity is 29.79 Kilometers/s.
Takes 365 days, 5 hrs, 48 min and 45.51 sec. It results in one extra day every fourth year.
Revolution of the earth results in
i . Change of seasons
ii . Variation in the lengths of days and nights at different times of the year
iii . Shifting of wind belts
iv . Determination of latitudes.
Inclined Axis: The axis is an imaginary line running from north to south and passing through the centre of the
earth. It always remains inclined at an angle of 66to the plane of the earths orbit, and is tilted 23from a line
perpendicular to this plane. The two facts, i.e., a fixed angle of the earths axis to the plane of the orbit and the
axis always pointing in the same direction, when combined with the earths movements, results in varying lengths
of days and nights, seasonality and changes in the altitude of sun at different times of the year.
Earth Seasons are periods into which the year can be divided as a result of the climatic conditions, largely due to
the changes in the duration and intensity of solar radiation.
The 4 Earth Seasons are:
Spring: On March 21, the sun is directly overhead the equator. This is the season of spring in the northern
hemisphere.
Summer: On June 21, the sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer. Thus, the northern hemisphere
experiences summer.
Autumn: On September 23, the sun returns to the equator, and the northern hemisphere experiences autumn.
Winter: On December 22, the sun is at the Tropic of Capricorn, and the northern hemisphere experiences winter.
Earth Movements
The Earth also called Blue Planet. It is the densest of all planets.
Earth Circumference : 40,232 Kilometers.
Earth Area : 510 million Square Kilometers Average distance from sun: 149 million-Kilometers.
Earth Perihelion : Nearest position of earth to sun. The earth reaches its perihelion on January 3 every year at a distance
of about 147 million-Kilometers.
Aphelion : Farthest position of earth from sun. The earth reaches its aphelion on July 4, when the earth is at a distance of
152 million Kilometers.
The shape of the earth is oblate spheroid or oblate ellipsoid (i.e. almost spherical, flattened a little at the poles with a slight
bulge at the centre).


2 Types of Earth Movements:
1. Rotation or daily movement.
2. Revolution or annual movement.
Earth Rotation
Spins on its imaginary axis from west to east in 23 hrs, 56 min and 40.91 sec.
Rotational velocity at equator is 1667 Kilometers/h and it decreases towards the poles, where it is zero.
Earths rotation results in
i . Causation of days and nights;
ii . A difference of one hour between two meridians which are 15apart;
iii. Change in the direction of wind and ocean currents;
Rise and fall of tides everyday.
The longest day in North Hemisphere is June 21, while shortest day is on 22 Dec (Vice-versa in S. Hemisphere).
Days and nights are almost equal at the equator.
Earth Revolution
It is earths motion in elliptical orbit around the sun. Earths average orbital velocity is 29.79 Kilometers/s.
Takes 365 days, 5 hrs, 48 min and 45.51 sec. It results in one extra day every fourth year.
Revolution of the earth results in
i . Change of seasons
ii . Variation in the lengths of days and nights at different times of the year
iii . Shifting of wind belts
iv . Determination of latitudes.
Inclined Axis: The axis is an imaginary line running from north to south and passing through the centre of the
earth. It always remains inclined at an angle of 66to the plane of the earths orbit, and is tilted 23from a line
perpendicular to this plane. The two facts, i.e., a fixed angle of the earths axis to the plane of the orbit and the
axis always pointing in the same direction, when combined with the earths movements, results in varying lengths
of days and nights, seasonality and changes in the altitude of sun at different times of the year.
Earth Seasons are periods into which the year can be divided as a result of the climatic conditions, largely due to
the changes in the duration and intensity of solar radiation.
The 4 Earth Seasons are:
Spring: On March 21, the sun is directly overhead the equator. This is the season of spring in the northern
hemisphere.


Summer: On June 21, the sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer. Thus, the northern hemisphere
experiences summer.
Autumn: On September 23, the sun returns to the equator, and the northern hemisphere experiences autumn.
Winter: On December 22, the sun is at the Tropic of Capricorn, and the northern hemisphere experiences winter.
Earth Some Important Facts

Age 4,60,00,00,000 years
Total surface area 51,01,00,500 Square Kilometers
Land area (29.08%) 14,89,50,800 Square Kilometers
Water area (70.92%) 36,11,49,700 Square Kilometers
Mean density 5.52 gm. per cc
Equatorial diameter 12,755 Kilometers
Polar diameter 12,712 Kilometers
Escape velocity 11.2 Kilometers/sec
Mass 5.880 1024 kg

Volume 10,83,20,88,40,000 kg3
Distance from Moon 3,82,200 Kilometers
Highest place on Earth Mount Everest (8,850 m)
Deepest point in Ocean Challenger Deep in Mariana Trench in Pacific Ocean near Philippines (11,033 m deep)
Deepest point on Land Dead Sea (396 m deep)
Rotation time 23 hrs, 56 min, 40.91 sec
Revolution time 365 days, 5 hrs, 48 min, 45.51 sec
Satellite 1 (Moon)
Tilt of axis from Orbital Plane 2327
Distance from Sun 14,94,07,000 Kilometers
Equatorical circumference 40,075 Kilometers
Polar circumference 40,024 Kilometers
Average Ocean depth 3,554 m
Date of perihelion (minimum distance from Sun) Jan 3
Date of aphelion (maximum distance from Sun) July 4
Orbital circumference 924,375,700 Kilometers
Average Orbital speed 29.783 Kilometers/sec. (107,218 Kilometers/h)
Minimum surface temperature 88C
Mean surface temperature 14C
Maximum surface temperature 58C


Earth Latitude and Longitude
Earth Latitude
Imaginary lines drawn parallel to the equator. Measured as an angle whose apex is at the centre of the earth
The equator represents 0latitude, while the North Pole is 90N and the South Pole 90S
23N represents Tropic of Cancer while 23S represents Tropic of Capricorn.
66N represents Arctic Circle while 66S represents Antarctic Circle.
There are total 181 latitudes including the equator. Each parallel of latitude is a circle, but they are not equal.
The circle becomes smaller towards the poles. Equator is the Greatest Circle that can be drawn on the earths
surface.
The distance between any two parallels of latitude is always equal.
Earth Longitude
It is the angular distance measured from die centre of the earth. On the globe the lines of longitude are drawn as
a series of semicircles that extend from the North Pole to the South Pole through the equator. They are also
called meridians.
The distance between any two meridians is not equal. At the equator, 1 degree = 111 km. At 30N or S, it is 96.5
km. It goes on decreasing this way until it is zero at the poles.
There are 360 meridians of longitude. The prime meridian is a longitude of 00, passing through the Royal
Observatory at Greenwich near London.
This meridian is taken by geographers to divide the earth into the eastern and the western hemispheres.
Each meridian of longitude is a semi-circle. 180 meridian (International Date Line) lies exactly opposite to
meridian. Such points are called Antipodl Points.
The earth is divided into 24 longitudinal zones, each being 15or 1 hour apart in time (4 minutes / degree).
Longitude and Time
Places that are on the same meridian have the same local (sun) time. Since the earth makes one complete
revolution of 360in 24 hours, it passes through 15in one hour or 1in 4 minutes.
The earth rotates from west to east, hence places east of Greenwich see the sun earlier and gain time whereas
places west of Greenwich see the sun later and lose time.
A suitable memory acronym can be: East-Gain-Add (E.G.A.) and West-Lose-Subtract (W.L.S.). So, if it is noon in
London (near 0), 15east will be one hour ahead of London or 1 p.m. and Chennai of 80E will be 5 hours 20
minutes ahead. To avoid confusion about having many local times within one country, a particular Meridian is
chosen for the whole country whose time is known as standard time.
Generally, the standard meridians are chosen to differ from the Greenwich meridian by the multiples of fifteen
degree or seven and a half degree, i.e., by exact number of hours or half hours. The world is thus divided into a
number of time zones. Larger countries like Russia, Canada, USA etc., have greater east-west extension, so they
adopt several time zones. Russia has 11 time zones while USA and Canada have 5 time zones.
India, whose longitudinal extent is approx. 30, has adopted only one time zone, selecting the 82.5E for the
standard time which is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
International Date Line
It is the 180 meridian running over the Pacific Ocean, deviating at Aleutian Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Gilbert
Islands.


Travelers crossing the Date Line from west to east (i.e., from Japan to USA) repeat a day and travelers crossing it
from east to west (i.e., from USA to Japan) lose a day.
Earth Eclipses
Earth Lunar Eclipse
When earth comes between sun and moon.
Occurs only on a full moon day. However, it does not occur on every full moon day because the moon is so small
and the plane of its orbit is tilted about 5with respect to the plane of the earths orbit. It is for this reason that
eclipses do not occur every month.
Can last up to one hour 40 minutes. The moon does not become completely dark during most lunar eclipses. In
many cases, it becomes reddish.The earths atmosphere bends part of the suns light around the earth and
towards the moon.
This light is red because the atmosphere scatters the other colors present in sunlight in greater amounts than it
does red.
Earth Solar Eclipse

When moon comes between sun and earth.
Can be partial or total.
Occurs only on a new moon day when the moon is in line with the sun. However, due to the inclination of the
moons orbit, a solar eclipse doesnt occur on every new moon day.
Earth Climate
Earth Climate
The average weather conditions over a large area is called the climate of a place. Weather conditions over a specific
length of time, usually a period of 31 years, are taken into consideration.
On a large scale, the climate of a particular region is determined by:
i. Latitude and tilt of the earths axis, which determines the amount of solar radiation received by the area
ii. The distribution of land and sea and proximity of ocean currents
iii. The altitude and topography of the area
iv. The location of the area in relation to the main circulation belts of the earth.
Climate can be classified on the basis of temperature, rainfall, evaporation, evapotranspiration and water balance. One of
the universally accepted climate classifications is by Koeppen which is being described here.
Types of Climates
1. Tropical Rain Forest Climate


Also called equatorial type of climate or Selvas.
5 10of equator, nights and days equal.
Average monthly temperature is 24 27c, annual range least. Diurnal range of temperature far greater than the
annual range. Here night is the winter.
Called Belt of Calm or Doldrums.
Convectional rainfall. Annual rainfall is 250 cm.
Broad-leaved evergreen dense forests. Trees are gregarious and there is competition for sunlight. Have more
species of plants and animals than in all others combined.
In Amazon basin, Congo basin, Indonesia.
2. Tropical Monsoon Climate
Complete seasonal reversal of winds.
Rainfall seasonal (generally in summers). Due to this vegetation is deciduous.
Approx. 200 cm of rainfall.
Occurs in Western Guinea coast of Africa, South-Eastern Asia, Northern Australia, some parts of Amazon valley
and West Indies.
3. Tropical Grasslands/Savanna Climate
Average annual temperature is 23c. Annual rainfall is about 150 cm. Area- Africa, East and Central South
America.
Bounded by tropical rain forest climate towards the equator and dry climate towards the poles, the Savannah type
is characteristic of grasslands in tropical and subtropical latitudes. Grasslands are dotted with scattered trees and
bushes that can survive the drought season.
Rainfall in summer owing to convectional ascent of air. Distinct dry season in winter. Trees with longer roots, fire-
resistant.
4. Tropical-Subtropical hot Desert
Situated in the trade wind belt. Occupy the western margins of continents. The area includes North America
Colorado Desert, Mexican Desert; Africa-Sahara, Kalahari, Namib Desert; S W.Asia-Arabian, Iranian, Thar
Desert; S.America-Atacama; Australia-Great Australian Desert.
Average annual temperature is 38c; annual summer temperature is 40c, annual winter temperature is 15c.
average annual rainfall is about 25-40 cm. Greatest diurnal temperature.
Highest insolation, as there is no clouds cover to scatter the insolation.
Vegetation is xerophytic.
5. Middle Latitude Desert Climate
Found between 35-50N and S.
Area: Tarim, Gobi, Russian Turkistan and C. Iran. In Southern Hemisphere, only in Patagonia.
Unlike the hot deserts, they have very cold winters because of their interior location.
6. Tropical and Subtropical Steppes
Transition belt between hot deserts and humid climates. Occupy pole-ward margins of the tropical and subtropical
deserts.
Average annual temperature is 21c.


Semi-arid climate characterized by abundance of shrubs and grasses.
Known by different names:
Prairies North America
Pampas South America
Veldt South Africa
Downs Australia
Steppes Eurasia
Canterbury New Zealand
Postaz Hungary
Manchurian Russia
7. Mediterranean Climate
In the western coast of continents between 30-45 N & S; Around the Mediterranean Sea, in South Europe,
North Africa, California coast, Central Chile, Cape of Good Hope and South East Australia.
Characterized by dry summer and humid winter. Off-shore trade winds blow in summer; they are dry and give no
rainfall. Cyclonic rainfall in winter.
Average annual temperature is 16c. average winter temperature, 10c, summer 25c annual rainfall is 40-60
cm.
Olives, grapevine and citrus family fruits are the chief products of these regions which are also known for grain
farming.
8. China Type Climate
Average annual temperature is 19c, annual rainfall 120 cm.
In the eastern coasts of continents between 25- 45N & S. Areas- China, South East USA, South Brazil, Eastern
Argentina, South East Africa, South East Australia, South Japan. It is the eastern counterpart of the
Mediterranean type.
Characteristics-Hot summers and mild winters. Rainfall throughout the year.
9. West European Type Climate
On the western side of continents between 40-65N & S. Areas- North West Europe including British Isles, West
coat of Canada, South Chile, Southern New Zealand.
Summers are moderate to cool (15-18); winters mild (2-10). Average annual temperature is 10c.
Annual Rainfall: 75-100 cm. No dry season as the westerly winds blow from the ocean throughout the year.
Rainfall is mostly of cyclonic origin.
10. Cool East Coast Climate
The Corn Belt of US has this type of climate; that is why it is known as Corn-Belt climate.
Average summer temp is 21-24c; it is long, warm and humid.
Winter temp average-4to 1.7for a period of 3-5 months.
11. Continental Type Climate
Coldest winter month average -12to -6.7c.
Hottest summer months average 18c to 21c.


In the interior parts of big continents.
12. Taiga Climate
Taiga means snow forests or coniferous forests; needle shaped leaves, composed of evergreen spruce, fir and
pine. Extends in two large belts in east-west direction from Alaska to Newfoundland in North America and
from Norway to Kamchatka Peninsula in Eurasia.
Cool and short summers (around 10c) and very cold and long winters (below 0c).
Annual range of temperature highest. (In Verkhoyansk, Jan temp is -50, annual range being 64c)
Total annual precipitation below 50 cm.
These forests are the most important source of softwood and fur bearing animals.
13. Tundra Climate
Summers are warm enough to melt the thin snow cover or small water bodies, with the result that land is water
soaked and marshes, swamps are common.
Precipitation less than 30 cm.
Blizzards blow.
Lichens and mosses common.
14. Highland Climate
Experienced in the mountainous regions.
Determined by elevation, shape of the highland, exposure to winds and location.
Here winds are much stronger than at low levels.
Vegetation varies as we move up.
Important Deserts of the World:
Sahara N. Africa (Includes the Libyan and the Nubian Desert)
Australian Australia (Includes Gibson, Simpson, Victorian, Great Sandy)
Arabian Arab Countries (Includes Rubal Khali & An-Nafad of S. Arabia and Dast-e-Lut & Dast-e-Kavir of Iran)
Kalahari Africa (mainly in Botswana)
Gobi Mongolia
Atacama Central Chile
Patagonian Argentina
Nabib Namibia
TaklaMakan Sinkiang, China
Karakum Turkmenistan
Sonoran Arizona and California (USA)
Thar India
Isopleth
Lines drawn on map along which the value of a particular phenomenon is uniform.
Some Important Isopleths are:


Isopleth Reactions
Isobars Equal pressure
Isobaths Equal depth in sea
Isobronts Thunder-storm at the same time
Isohaline Salinity
Isohels Sunshine
Isohyets Rainfall
Isohypse (or Contour Lines) elevation above sea-level
Isonif Snow
Isotherms Temperature
Isoneph Cloudiness
Isodapan Equal transportation cost distance
Isocline Slope

The Earth Hydrosphere
The Earth Hydrosphere
Earth Hydrosphere is the name given to the mass of water that covers about 71% of the earths surface.
The average depth of oceans is about 4 km.
Earth Ocean Floor
It is very irregular as the surface of the continents.
Four major units of Earth ocean floor are:
Continental Shelf of India
It is the coastal part of the ocean which is not very deep and the slope of the bottom is very gentle.
Extends to a depth of 100 fathoms (1 fathom = 1.8 m).
In regions where the mountains extend along the coast, the shelf is narrower.

About 20% petrol and gas found here. They also provide the richest fishing ground in the world. Marine life exists entirely
here.
They occupy about 7% of the total ocean area.
Continental Slopes
Extends seawards from the Continental Shelf. The continent blocks are supposed to end at the site of continental
slope.
The boundary between shelf and slope is known as Andesite Line, named after the andesite rock.
Depth is up to 2000 fathoms.


They cover about 8.5% of the total ocean area.
Continental Rises
At the foot of slope is found an area slightly rising due to the accumulation of debris transported over the slope.
Oil deposits occur here.
Abyssal or the Deep Sea Plains
It is the deepest and the most extensive part of the ocean floor and accounts for about 40% of the total ocean
floor.
Parts of the abyssal plains are occupied by raised ridges or submarine mountains and by very deep trenches or
canyons.
Ridges are the raised areas in sea. E.g., Mid-Adantic ridge (S-shaped), Indian Ocean ridge (inverted Y-shaped).
A ridge rising more than 1000m above the ocean floor is called Seamount. Flat topped seamounts are called
Guyots (maximum in Pacific Ocean)
Some parts of the ridge or volcanic peaks reach the surface of the oceans and form islands (E.g. Hawaii Islands).
Trenches are narrow and steep sided depressions. They occur where two plates of the earths crust are moving
together and one is being pushed down below the other. Deepest is. Challenger Deep, a part of Mariana Trench
in Pacific Ocean, near Philippines, is more than 11 km deep.
Submarine canyons are the deep gorges on the ocean floor and are restricted to the continental shelves, slopes
and rises.
Salinity of Water
The proportion of dissolved salts to pure waster is called salinity. The average salinity in the oceans and seas is 350/00,
i.e., 35 grams of salt in one litre of water.
Salinity in decreasing order is: NaCl, MgCl, MgSO4, CaSO4, KSO4, etc. Chlorine is the most abundant element.
Max salinity: Lake Van (Turkey) 3330/00. Then Dead Sea 2400/00. Most saline sea is Red Sea.
The main source of salinity is dissolution of the rocks of oceanic crust, which contains salts.
It is maximum at the tropics, because here temperature is high. Equatorial regions come second because
although they have high temperatures, they have high rainfall also. Poles have minimum salinity because of
addition of fresh water in the form of icebergs and excessive snowfall.
It causes vertical circulation of water.
Earth Waves
They are caused due to the friction with the winds.
There is no forward movement of water in a wave. When a wave enters shallow water, it breaks. The top of it is
thrown forward and this is when water moves forward. Water from the breaking wave runs up the shore as swash
and back down the shore as backwash
The maximum height of waves in most oceans is about 12 m but they may be as high as 15 m. Seismic waves or
tsunamis are the waves caused by earthquakes in volcanic eruptions in the sea bottom. The tsunamis which hit
the coasts in the SE Asia on Dec 26, 2004, caused havoc in that region.
Coral Reefs in India


Corals are a kind of calcareous rocks chiefly made of the skeletons of minute sea organisms called polyps. They
are formed due to accumulation and compaction of skeletons of these lime secreting organisms.
Corals are found mainly in the tropical oceans and seas because they require high mean annual temperature
ranging around 20c. They cannot survive at a greater depth than 60-77m below sea level. Muddy or very saline
water is injurious for their growth.
The coral reefs are classified on the basis of nature, shape and mode of occurrence into the following three:
1. Fringing Reef: Coral reefs that develop along the continental margins or along the islands are called fringing
reefs. The seaward slope is steep and vertical while the landward slope is gentle. Sometimes there is a
lagoon or shallow channel between the fringing reef and the land. Such reefs are found near Rameshwaram
in the Gulf of Mannar.
2. Barrier Reef: They are the largest, most extensive, highest and widest reefs of all. They are formed off the
coastal platforms and parallel to them. There is an extensive but shallow lagoon between the coastal land and
the barrier reef. The Great Barrier Reef of Australia is the largest barrier reef in the world.
3. Atoll: A reef of narrow growing corals of horse shoe shape and crowned with palm trees is called an atoll. It is
generally formed around an island or in an elliptical form on a submarine platform. There is a lagoon in the
middle of the coral ring. E.g. Fiji Atoll.
Earth Tides
Earth Tides
Refer to the phenomenon of regular rise and fall of the sea water. Though both sun and moon exert gravitational
force on earth, resulting in the production of tides, the moon, by nature of its closeness to the earth, has greater
control over the timings of the tidal rises and falls.
The interval between two tides is 12 hrs and 26 minutes.
Spring Tide
When the sun, moon and the earth are in a straight line, the gravitational force is at its greatest because tide
producing forces of both sun and moon complement each other and they pull together. This produces tides of
unusually great range, called the spring tide.
These occur about twice a month: at new moon when the sun and the moon are in conjugation and at full moon
when they are in opposition.
Neap Tide
Lowest magnitude as the tide producing forces of sun and moon act opposite to each other, as they form a
triangle.
This happens during phases of first and third quarter, i.e., at half moon, the suns tide producing force tends to
balance the tide producing force of the moon., resulting in tides of unusually small range known as neap tides.
Internal Structure of Earth
The Crust of Earth


It is the outermost and the thinnest layer of the earths surface, about 8 to 40 km thick. The crust varies greatly in
thickness and composition as small as 5 km thick in some places beneath the oceans, while under some
mountain ranges it extends up to 70 km in depth.
The crust is made up of two layers- an upper lighter layer called the Sial (Silicate + Aluminium) and a lower
density layer called Sima (Silicate + Magnesium).
The average density of this layer is 3 gm/cc.
The Mantle of Earth
This layer extends up to a depth of 2900 km.
Mantle is made up of 2 parts: Upper Mantle or Asthenosphere (up to about 500 km) and Lower Mantle.
Asthenosphere is in a semi-molten plastic state, and it is thought that this enables the lithosphere to move about
it. Within the asthenosphere, the velocity of seismic waves is considerably reduced (Called Low Velocity Zone).
The line of separation between the mantle and the crust is known as Mohoviricic Discontinuity.
The Core of Earth
Beyond a depth of 2900 km lies the core of the earth.
The outer core is 2100 km thick and is in molten form due to excessive heat out there. Inner core is 1370 km thick
and is in plastic form due to the combined factors of excessive heat and pressure. It is made up of iron and nickel
(Nife) and is responsible for earths magnetism. This layer has the maximum specific gravity.
The temperatures in the earths core lie between 2200c and 2750c.
The line of separation between the mantle and the core is called Gutenberg-Wiechert Discontinuity.
Note:
Temperature Inside the Earth: In the first 100 km, 12increase per km. In the next 300 km, 2increase per km. After
that it is 1increase per km.
Composition of Earth
Made up of over 100 elements.
The following 8 are important:
Oxygen 46.5%
Silicon 27.72%
Aluminium 8.13%
Iron 5 01%
Calcium 3.63%
Sodium 2.85%
Potassium 2.62%
Magnesium 2.09%
Magnesium 2.09%
Earth Rocks


Rocks of Earth

Any aggregate of material particles that forms part of the earths crust is called a rock.
There are 3 major types of rock types :
Igneous Rocks
Formed by the solidification of molten magma from the interior of the earth.
Most abundant of the three types of rocks (95%).
They do not occur in layers. Most of them are crystalline and do not contain fossils.
All other types of rocks originate from these rocks, thus called Primary rocks.
They are classified on several grounds as mentioned below:
1. On the basis of mode of occurrence
Intrusive Igneous Rocks: They are formed by the solidification of magma beneath the earths surface. They are
further divided into plutonic and hypabyssal igneous rocks. Plutonic rocks cool deep beneath the earth. E.g.,
Granite. Hypabyssal rocks cool just beneath the earths surface. E.g., Batholith, laccolith, phacolith, sills, dykes,
etc.
Extrusive Igneous Rocks: They are formed due to cooling and solidification of hot and molten lava at the earths
surface. E.g., Basalt, gabbro, etc.
2. On the basis of Silica Content
Acidic igneous rocks having more silica. E.g. Granite.
Basic igneous rocks having less silica. E.g. Gabbro.
Sedimentary Rocks
Made up of weathered remains of igneous rocks. Also contains fossils of plants and animals.
Comprise only about 5% of the earths crust but cover about 75% of the total land surface.
The layers of sedimentary rocks hold all reserve of coal, oil and natural gas.
Also known as Stratified Rocks because of the layers.
Sedimentary rocks fall into three main groups:
1. Mechanically Formed: These are called clastic sedimentary rocks; the sediments are largely derived from
pre-existing rocks that have been broken down and then transported by water, wind or ice to form rocks.
2. Organically Formed Rocks: These rocks are derived from remains of plants (e.g. peat, lignite, bituminous
coal), or animals (e.g., chalk and coral).
3. Chemically Formed: E.g., Gypsum, salt rock, etc.
Metamorphic Rocks
Sometimes igneous or sedimentary rocks metamorphize or change due to great pressure, intense temperature or
the action of water and chemical activity.
Examples of metamorphic rocks formed from different rocks are:


Metamorphic Rock Made From
Slate Shale and mudstone
Quartzite Sandstone
Gneiss Aranite
Marble Limestone, dolomite or chalk
Schist Shale
Anthracite Coal

Earthquakes
Earthquakes
Tremors or vibrations of earths surface produced by internal forces.
The point of origin of earthquake is called Seismic focus. Most of the earthquakes originate at the depth of 50-100
km inside the earth.
The point on the earths surface vertically above the earths surface is called Epicentre.
The passage of earthquake waves is recorded by Seismograph.
The magnitude of waves is measured on Richters scale. For measurement of the intensity of the earthquake
(damage caused), the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale is used.
Types of Waves Earthquakes
1. Primary Waves (P-Waves): Travel from the point of happening by the displacement of surrounding particles.
They are transmitted through solids, liquids and gases. Travels fastest.
2. Secondary Waves (S-Waves): Travels through solids only. Thus they cannot pass through core.
3. Surface Waves or Long Waves (L-Waves): Travels on earths surface and causes maximum destruction. They
are recorded after the P and S waves.
Distribution of Earthquakes
Around the Pacific Ocean along a belt of volcanoes known as the Ring of Fire. 68 per cent of the volcanoes are
experienced in this region.
From the middle of Asia (Himalayas, Caspian Sea) through the Mediterranean Sea to West Indies. 21 per cent
earthquakes are experienced in the region.
Mid-Atlantic ridge belt which accounts for 11 per cent of the earthquakes.
Earth Volcanoes
A volcano is a vent or opening usually circular in form through which heated materials consisting of gases, water, liquid
lava and fragments of rocks are ejected from the highly heated interiors to he surface of the earth.
Volcanic eruptions are closely associated with several interconnected processes such as
The gradual increase in temperature with increasing depth at a rate of 1c per 32 m due to heat generated by
degeneration of radioactive elements inside the earth
Origin of magma because of lowering of melting point caused by reduction in pressure of overlying rocks due to
fractures caused by splitting of plates


Origin of gases and water-vapour due to heating of water
Ascent of magma due to pressure from gases and vapour
Occurrence of volcanic eruptions. These eruptions are closely associated with plate boundaries.
Classification of Volcanoes
1. Classification on the basis of Periodicity of Eruptions:
Active Volcano: Volcano which erupt periodically. E.g. Maona Loa in Hawaii, Etna in Sicily, Vesuvius in Italy,
Stromboli in Mediterranean Sea, etc.
Dormant Volcano: Volcano which has been quiescent for a long time but in which there is a possibility of
eruption. E.g. Fujiyama in Japan, Krakatoa in Indonesia, Barren island Volcano in Andamans, etc.
2. Classification on the basis of Mode of Eruption
Central Eruption Type or Explosive Type: E.g. Hawaiian type, Strombolian type, Volcanian type, Pelean type,
Vesuvius type, etc.
Fissure Eruption or Quiet Eruption Type: Large quantities of lava quietly flow up from fissures and spread out
over the surrounding areas. Successive lava flow results in the growth of a lava plateau. E.g. Deccan Plateau,
etc.
Distribution of Volcanoes in the World
About 15% of worlds active volcanoes are found along the constructive or divergent plate margins, whereas
80% volcanoes are associated with the destructive or convergent plate boundaries.
1. The Circum-Pacific belt or the Ring of Fire. It extends across the Kamchatka Peninsula, Kurile Islands, the
Islands of Japan, Philippines, New Guinea, New Zealand and the Soloman Islands. It also passes through the
Antarctica and the western coast of America.
2. The Mid-Continent belt includes volcanoes of Alpine mountain chain, the Mediterranean Sea and the fault zone of
eastern Africa. E.g. Stromboli, Vesuvius, Etna, Kilimanjaro, etc.
3. The Mid-Atlantic belt in which the volcanoes are fissure eruption type. E.g. Iceland, Canary Islands, Cape Verde,
Azores, etc.
Earth Mountains
Types of Mountains
Fold Mountains of the World
They are formed when the rocks of the crust of the earth folded under stress, mainly by forces of compression (as a result
of series of earthquakes).
E.g. All big mountain systems: Himalayas, Alps, Andes, Rockies, Atlas, etc.
On the basis of age, fold mountains are grouped into: Young / New Fold Mountains


Came into existence after the continental drift. E.g. Himalayas, Andes, Rockies, Alps. Himalayas are regarded the
youngest mountains in the world.
Old Mountains
They belong to pre-drift era, then subjected to denudation and uplift; many faults were formed; occur as relict mountains
today. E.g. Pennines (Europe), Appalachians (US), Aravallis (India).
Block Mountains of the World
These are formed when great blocks of earths crust may be raised or lowered. During the uplift of structural mountains,
sometimes magma flows upwards into the crust.
On its cooling and hardening beneath the surface, it contracts and the overlying rock may crack into large blocks moving
up or down. An intense folding of rocks is generally followed by faulting of strata due to horizontal forces of tension.
The land between the two parallel faults either raises forming Block Mountains or Horsts, or subsides into a depression
termed as Rift Valley or Graben.
Eg: Narmada, Tapti and Damodar valley in India, the Vosges in France and Black forest in Germany (through which
Rhine River flows).
Volcanic Mountains of the World
Formed as a result of volcanic eruption & the outflow of lava (through crater, the opening). Also called Mountains of
Accumulation. Have a gentle slope.
E.g: Cotopaxi in Andes, Vesuvius and Etna in Italy, Fujiyama in Japan, Mauna Loa and Kilauea (Most active volcano) in
Hawaii, Ojos del Salado in Argentina / Chile (Highest active volcano), Popocatepeti in Mexico, Raineer of Washington,
Stromboli in Mediterranean (called Lighthouse of the Mediterranean), Mirapi and Krakatao in Indonesia, etc.
Relict Mountains
Sometimes, the mountains are carved out as a result of erosion of plateaus & high planes by various agents of erosion.
E.g., Highlands of Scotland, Sierras of Spain, Catskill mountains of New York and Nilgiri, Parasnath, Girnar, Rajmahal of
India.
Major Mountain Ranges of the World

Andes South America 6,960
Himalayas-Karakoram-Hindukush South Central Asia 8,850
Rockies North America 4,401
Great Dividing Range East Australia 2,228
Western Ghats Western India 2,637
Caucasus Europe, Asia 5,642
Alaska USA 6,194


Alps Europe 4,808
Apennines Europe 2,912
Ural Asia 1,895
Pennines Europe 893
Pyrenees Europe 3,404
Appalachian North America 2,040

Earth Pressure and Winds
Air moving in a particular direction is called wind. The principal cause of winds is difference in pressure. Air always moves
from areas of high pressure to those with low pressure. The slope of the pressure from high to low is known as Pressure
Gradient and the direction of this direction decides the direction of winds.
Wind velocity is directly related to the steepness of the pressure gradient.
In addition, the direction of winds is affected by the Coriolis Force, which is caused by the rotation of the earth.
Under the influence of this effect, winds are deflected to their right in the Northern Hemisphere and to their left in
the Southern Hemisphere.
This is referred to as Parrels Law. Coriolis force is absent at the equator and increases towards the poles. Due to
this, the winds, which would blow at right angles to the isobars under the pressure gradient, blow obliquely to
them.
Global Pressure Belts
Equatorial Low Pressure Belt (or Doldrums)
From 5N to 5S.
Tremendous heat, thus warm air rises creating low pressure. Also, the centrifugal force is very high at the
equator, where the velocity of rotation is high. Hence, the air masses tend to be thrown out, resulting in low
pressure.
Wind speed low, thats why called Doldrums (Belt of Calm).
Tropical High Pressure Belt (or Horse Latitudes)
From 30to 35N and S.
Apart from 2 months, usually high temperature.
Here the pressure is high, although high temperature, because here pressure depends on the rotation and
movement of air (as winds from Doldrums belt rises up and accumulate here. Also winds from Sub-Polar Low
Pressure Belt accumulate here).
Sub-Polar Low Pressure Belt
From 60to 65N and S
Here the low pressure is created because of intense high pressure at the poles.
Winds and Their Types
3 broad categories are:


1. Regular Winds/Prevailing Winds/Planetary Winds: (E.g.: Trade winds, Westerlies and Polar Easterlies).
2. Periodical Winds (which blow seasonally): Monsoons
3. Variable Winds: Cyclones and other local winds
Trade Winds
Trade in German means Track. To blow trade means to blow steadily in the same direction and in a constant
course.
These are steady currents of air blowing from the sub-tropical high pressure belts towards the equatorial low
pressure areas (doldrums). Under the influence of the Coriolis force they blow from the north-east in the northern
hemisphere and from the south-east in the southern hemisphere.
Westerlies
Blows from subtropical high pressure to sub-polar low pressure belt.
In the northern hemisphere, land masses cause considerable disruption in the westerly wind belt. But between
40 and 60 S lies the almost unbroken ocean belt. Westerlies are strong and persistent here, giving rise to
mariners expressions- Roaring Forties, Furious Fifties and Shrieking Sixties.
Polar Easterlies
Move from high pressure poles to sub-polar low pressure areas.
These are deflected by the Earths rotation to become east winds, or the polar easterlies.
Local Winds
Land and Sea
Breeze
They are experienced in coastal areas. Due to differential heating, the atmospheric pressure over the land mass is lower than over the
neighboring sea during the day. Therefore, winds blow from sea to land (sea breeze). At night the air pressure over land is higher due to
a lower temperature than over the adjacent ocean and the wind starts blowing from land to sea (land breeze). Land breeze is not as
strong as sea breeze.
Chinook Hot, dry wind in Rockies, also called 'snow eater'.
Foehn Hot, dry wind in the Alps.
Khamsin Hot, dry wind in Egypt.
Sirocco Hot, moist wind from Sahara to Mediterranean Sea.
Solano Hot, moist wind for Sahara towards Iberian Peninsula.
Harmattan Hot, dry wind blowing outwards from the interior of West Africa, also called 'Guinea Doctor'.
Bora Cold, dry wind blowing outwards from Hungary to the north of Italy (near AdriaticSea).
Mistral Very cold wind, which blows down from the Alps over France.
Punas Cold, dry wind blowing down towards the western side of Andes.
Blizzard Very cold winds in Tundra region.
Brickfielder Hot wind in Australia.
Purga Cold wind in Russian tundra.
Levanter Cold wind in Spain.
Norwester Hot wind in New Zealand.
Santa Ana Hot wind in Southern California in USA.
Cyclones & Anticyclones


Cyclones in World
It is a system of very low pressure in the center surrounded by increasingly high pressure outwards.
In this, the winds blows in a circular manner in Anticlockwise direction in Northern Hemisphere. Clockwise
direction in Southern Hemisphere.
In the temperate region, they occur due to the coming close and imperfect mixing of two masses of air of
contrasting temperature and humidity conditions. Cycles of this type are also known as Wave Cyclones or
Temperate Cyclones.
On the other hand, in the tropical regions, they occur due to intense heating up of air in some regions causing
very low pressure in these locations. Tropical seas and oceans are most conducive to the development of tropical
cyclones.
These are known as :
Cyclones in the Indian Ocean
Hurricanes in the Caribbean Islands
Typhoons in the China Sea
Willy-Willies in the North West Australia
Tornadoes in coastal US.
Twisters in Mississippi Valley, USA
Tornadoes are very strong tropical cyclones of a smaller size. They are especially feared in the Mississippi Valley in US
and here they are called Twisters. They differ from cyclones in that they generally develop over land. They are more
destructive than cyclones as the speed of winds is very high, exceeding 320 km per hour.
Anticyclones
They are opposite to cyclones in all respects. They are the centers of high pressure with gentle outward flow of
air.
The air circulation is clockwise in the northern hemisphere and anticlockwise in the southern hemisphere.
Weather associated with an anticyclone is fair weather.
Earth Humidity
Earth Humidity refers to the amount of water vapour present in the air.
The ratio between the amount of water vapour actually present in the air mass and the maximum amount that the
air mass can hold at that temperature is called relative humidity. It is expressed as a percentage. It varies
inversely with temperature, given a fixed amount of water vapour.
Absolute humidity denotes the actual quantity of water vapour present in the air and it is defined as the weight of
water vapour (grams) in a given volume of air (cubic meter).
The term specific humidity is applied to express the ratio of weight of water vapour to the weight of moist air
(including water vapour). It is stated as grams of water vapour per kilogram of moist air.
Earth Humidity is measured by an instrument called hygrometer. Another instrument used for the same purpose is
sling psychrometer.
Condensation, Dew Point and Related Aspects


The physical process of transformation from the vapour to the liquid state is condensation. This is the basis of all
types of precipitation- the fall of water from the atmosphere to the ground in any form.
Dew point is the temperature at which the air is fully saturated and below which condensation normally occurs.
Dew is the deposition of water droplets on the ground. It occurs when the temperature of the ground surface falls
and the air in contact with it is cooled below its dew point. Dew is likely to occur on clear and calm nights.
Frost is a weather condition that occurs when the air temperature is at or below 0c moisture on the ground
surface and objects freezes to form an icy deposit.
Fog is made of the droplets of water suspended in the lower layers of the atmosphere, resulting from the
condensation of water vapour around nuclei of floating dust or smoke particles. A visibility of less than 1 km is the
internationally recognized definition of fog. Fog is not considered as a form of precipitation.
Smog (Smoke + Fog) is a form of fog that occurs in areas where the air contains a large amount of smoke.
Mist is the term for reduction of visibility between 1-2 km, caused by condensation producing water droplets within
the lower layers of atmosphere.
Haze is formed by water particles that have condensed in the atmosphere and the visibility in this case is more
than 1 km but less than 2 km. Haze may also be produced by presence of dust and smoke, which reduce
visibility.
Earth Clouds
Earth Clouds are masses of minute water droplets and / or ice crystals formed by the condensation of water vapour and
held in suspension in the atmosphere. Condensation, which results from cooling, usually takes place around nuclei such
as dust, smoke particles and salt. Such particles are called condensation nuclei.
Earth Clouds are of different types and they can be classified on the basis of their form and altitude.
On the basis of form, there are two major groups:
1. Stratiform or layered types, and
2. Cumuliform or massive types.
Stratiform Clouds
These clouds, which are fairly thin and blanket like, are sub-divided into three main categories on the basis of
altitude.
High Clouds (mean ht 5-13 km)
o Cirrus Clouds: Indicates fair weather.
o Cirrocumulus Clouds: Forms the mackerel sky.
o Cirrostratus Clouds: Produces a halo around sun and moon.
Middle Clouds (mean ht 2-7 km)
Altocumulus Clouds: Indicate fine weather.
Alto-stratus Clouds: Associated with development of bad weather.
Low (mean ht up to 2 km)
o Stratus Clouds: Brigs dull weather, usually accompanied with a drizzle.
o Nimbostratus Clouds: If rain or snow is falling from a stratus cloud, it is called nimbostratus.


o Stratocumulus Clouds: Indicators of fair or clearing weather.
Cumulus Clouds
They are massive clouds having a vertical extent from 1,500 to 9,000 m. They resemble the head of a cauliflower.
When these clouds are sunlit, they are brilliantly white and are called wool-clouds. They occur mainly in summer
and are produced by convection.
Cumulonimbus Clouds: Under different weather conditions, a cumulus cloud may develop into cumulonimbus,
the thunderstorm cloud mass of enormous size which brings heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning and gusty
winds.
Precipitation Clouds
It refers to falling of water, snow or hail from the clouds and results when condensation is occurring rapidly within
a cloud.
The most common form of precipitation is rain and it is formed when many cloud droplets coalesce into drops too
large to remain suspended in the air. Rainfall occurs when the dew point of air is above the freezing point.
Sometimes the raindrops freeze before reaching the ground and precipitation occurs in the form of ice pellets,
called sleet.
Snow is produced when condensation takes place at a temperature below freezing point, so that the minute
crystals (spicules) of ice form directly from the water vapour.
Hail consists of masses of ice with a layered structure. It occurs when there are very strong updrafts in the clouds
carrying raindrops up to a high altitude, causing them to freeze. Hail stone is a rounded lump of ice having
concentric layers.
Conditions for Precipitation
There are three possible ways by which precipitation is produced.
Convectional Precipitation
It is caused by heating of moist air in the lower layers of atmosphere which rises, expands, and is cooled
adiabatically to its dew point. Convection rain is often accompanied by lightening and thunder. It occurs in regions
near the equator in the afternoon as a result of the constant high temperature and high humidity.
Orographic Precipitation
In this, precipitation is caused by moisture-laden air being forced to rise over a relief barrier (mountain ranges). As
the air rises in the windward side, it is cooled at the adiabatic rate. If sufficiently cooled, precipitation results; when
the air descends on the leeward side, it gets warmed and dry, having no source from which to draw up moisture.
A belt of dry climate, often called a rain shadow, may exist on the leeward side.
Cyclonic frontal Precipitation
When the air is caused to rise upwards due to cyclonic circulation, the resulting precipitation id said to be of the
cyclonic type.


Earth Ocean Currents
Actual transportation of water from one part of ocean to another. Because of differences in density, salinity, temperature
of ocean waters, rotation of earth, shape of coastline and the prevailing winds.Currents circulate in clockwise direction in
Northern Hemisphere and in anti-clockwise direction in Southern Hemisphere.
Currents in Pacific Ocean
a. North-Equatorial Current (Warm): Flows across from east to west, i.e., from North America it reaches the Philippines.
b. Kuroshio Current (Warm): N. Eq. current along the Philippines, Taiwan & Japan coast form this current. From the
S.E. Japan the current, under the influence of prevailing westerlies, flows right across the ocean.
c. After reaching the west coast of N. America, it bifurcates into 2 branches :
i. Alasca Current (Warm): Along the coast of British Columbia & Alasca.
ii. California Current (Cold): It moves southward along the coast of California
d. Oyashio Current (Cold): Flows along the east coast of Kamchatka peninsula.
e. Okhotsk Current (Cold): Comes from the N. Pole & merges with the Oyashio current.
f. East Australian Current (Warm): Flows from east to west in S. Pacific Ocean.
g. Peru Current (Cold): Cold current near the west coast of S. America.
Currents of Atlantic Ocean
a. Guinea Current (Warm): Flows off the W. African coast (hot).
b. Florida Current (Warm): Along the coast of US up to the cape Hatterus.
c. Gulf Stream (Warm): Beyond the Cape Hatterus up to the Grand Banks of New Found Land, florida current is known
as Gulf Stream. From the Grand Banks the Gulf Stream moves eastward across the Atlantic as the Atlantic Drift.
d. Atlantic Drift divides into 2 branches:
i . Norwagian Current: The main current passes along the Norway coast & enters the Arctic Ocean.
ii . Canary Current: The south branch of N. Atlantic drift flows near Spain by this name.
e. 2 Cold Currents: The East Greenland Current & the Labrador Current flows from the Arctic Ocean into the Atlantic
Ocean.The Labrader Current meets the Gulf Stream. The influence of these 2 currents produces the famous fogs around
New Found Land. [Most busy fishing ground of the world].
f. Brazil Current (Warm): Flows along the S. American coast from North to South


g. Benguela Current (Cold): Cold current from S. to N near the Cape of Good Hope,
h. Falkland Current (Cold): Cold flowing along the S.E. coast of S. America from S. to N. (meets the Brazil current)
Currents of the Indian Ocean
The currents in the N. Indian Ocean differ entirely from the general pattern of circulation. They change their
direction from season to season in response to the seasonal rhythm of the monsoons.
In winters the N. Equatorial current & the S. Equatorial current flows from East to West.
Mozambique Current: Warm current flowing through the Mozambique Channel.
Agulhas Current: Warm current at the South-East coast of Africa.
Continents of the World
World Continents
Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, Australia and Antarctica are the seven continents of the world.
These seven continents were believed to be part of Pangaea which was a single landmass around 250 million years ago.
Due to the tectonic movement, the landmass broke up and the component continents separated and moved away to its
present position. All these took around 1 million years to complete.
Pangaea was surrounded by a sea, the Panthalassa.
The continents of the world map will give you information about the geographical positions of the continents as well as
their political divisions.
The Continents of the World,

Asia Continents Countries
Africa Continents Countries
North America Continents Countries
South America Continents Countries
Europe Continents Countries
Australia Continents Countries
Antarctica Continents Countries
World Continents: Some Facts
Continents Biggest Country Highest Peak Longest River
Asia China Mt. Everest (8850 m) Yangtze Kiang
Africa Sudan Mt. Kilimanjaro (5895 m) Nile
North America Canada Mt. Mckinley (6194 m) Mississippi Missouri
South America Brazil Mt. Aconcagua (6960 m) Amazon


Continents Biggest Country Highest Peak Longest River
Europe Russia Mt. Elbrus (5642 m) Ob
Australia Australia Mt. Coscuisco (2228 m) Darling
Antarctica - Vinson Massif (5140 m) -

Moon Important Facts
Earth Moon
Moon Circumference: 11,000 km. Diameter: 3475 km. Gravitational pull: 1/6th of Earth.
Its orbit around earth is elliptical. The maximum distance (Apogee) of the moon from the earth is 406,000 km and
the minimum distance (Perigee) is 364,000 km. the average distance is 3,82,200 km.
All other satellites (except Charon) have sizes below 1/8th the size of mother planets. But moon is about 1/4th the
size of earth.
Takes 27 days, 7 hrs, 43 min and 11.47 sec to complete one revolution around earth.
Rotates on its axis in exactly the same time as it takes to complete one revolution. That is why we see only one
side of the moon (only 59% of its surface).
To our unaided vision, moon seems to be made-up of bright and dark patches. The bright parts are the mountains
and highlands, while the darker patches are low lying planes.
The highest mountains on moon are Liebnitz Mountains, which are 10,660 m high. They are situated at moons
South Pole.
Moon has no atmosphere, no twilight and no sound.
Moonlight takes 1.3 sec to reach earth.
It has a low albedo (amount of sunlight reflected). It reflects only 7% and the rest is absorbed (Earth : 30%,
Venus: 70%)
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin reached moon on July 20, 1969 on Apollo XI and set the foot on. July 21, 1969
(landing spot is called Sea of tranquility).
Moon Some Important Facts
Moon Distance from Earth 3,82,200 km
Moon Diameter 3,475 km
Moon Mass (with respect to Earth) 1 : 8.1
Ratio of Gravitational Pull of Moon and Earth 1 : 6
Part of Moon not visible from Earth 41%
Maximum distance from Earth (Apogee) 4,06,000 km
Minimum distance from Earth (Periqee) 3,64,000 km
Revolution period around Earth 27 days, 7 hrs, 43 min and 11.47 sec
Rotation period 27 days, 7 hrs, 43 min and 11.47 sec
Atmosphere Absent
Highest mountain 35,000 ft (Leibnitz Mts)
Time taken by moonlight to reach Earth 1.3 sec
Rotation speed 3,680 kmph
Speed of revolution around Earth 3,680 kmph


Principal Rivers of the World

River
Origin Falls in Length
Nile Victoria lake Mediterranean Sea 6,650
Amazon Andes (Peru) Atlantic Ocean 6,428
Yangtze Tibetan Kiang Plateau China Sea 6,300
Mississippi Missouri Itaska lake (USA) Gulf of Mexico (USA) 6,275
Yenisei Tannu-Ola Mts Arctic Ocean 5,539
Huang Ho Kunlun Mts Gulf of Chibli 5,464
Ob Altai Mts., Russia Gulf of Ob 5,410
Congo Lualaba & Luapula rivers Atlantic Ocean 4,700
Amur Northeast China Sea of Okhotsk 4,444
Lena Baikal Mts Laptev Sea 4,400
Mekong Tibetan.Highlands South China Sea 4,350
Mackenzie Great Slave Lake Beaufort Sea 4,241
Niger Guinea Gulf of Guinea 4,200
Major Lakes of the World
Largest Lake Caspian Sea
Highest lake Lake Titicaca in Bolivia
Largest saline water lake Caspian Sea
Deepest lake Lake Baikal in Siberia
Largest fresh water lake Lake Superior
India's largest lake Chilka lake in Orissa
Oceans of the World
Names Area (Sq.Km) Greatest Depth
Pacific 166,240000 Mariana Trench
Atlantic 86,560000 Puerto Rico Trench
Indian 73430000 Java Trench
Arctic 13230000 -
Principal Plateaus of the World

Plateau Situation
Tibetan Plateau Between Himalayas and Quinloo Mountains
Deccan Plateau Southern India
Arabian Plateau South - West Asia
Plateau of Brazil Central - Eastern South America
Plateau of Mexico Mexico
Plateau of Colombia USA
Plateau of Madagascar Madagascar


Plateau Situation
Plateau of Alaska North - West North America
Plateau of Bolivia Andes Mountain
Great Basin Plateau South of Colombia Plateau, USA
Colorado Plateau South of Great Basin Plateau, USA

Major Gulfs of the World

Names Area (Sq. Km)
Gulf of Mexico 15,44,000
Gulf of St. Lawrence 2,37,000
Gulf of Hudson 12,33,000
Gulf of California 1,62,000
Arabian Gulf 2,38,000
English Channel 89,900

Major Peninsulas of the World

Peninsulas Areas (Sq. Km)
Arabia 32,50,000
Labrador 13,00,000
Southern India 20,72,000
Scandinavia 8,00,000
Alaska 15,00,000
Iberian 584,000
Important Straits of the World

Straits Water Bodies joined Area
Bab-al-Mandeb Red Sea & Arabian Sea Arabia & Africa
Bering Arctic Ocean & Bering Sea Alaska & Asia
Bosphorus Black Sea & Marmara Sea Turkey
Dover North Sea & Atlantic Ocean England & Europe
Florida Gulf of Mexico & Atlantic Ocean Florida & Bahamas Islands
Gibralter Mediterranean Sea & Atlantic Ocean Spain & Africa
Malacca Java Sea & Bay of Bengal India & Indonesia
Palk Bay of Bengal & Indian Ocean India & Sri Lanka
Magellan South Pacific & South Atlantic Ocean Chile
Sunda Java Sea & Indian Ocean Indonesia

Smallest and Biggest Countries


Biggest Nations (Area - Wise) Biggest Nations (Population - Wise)
Russia China
Canada India
China USA
USA Indonesia
Brazil Brazil
Australia Pakistan
India Bangladesh
Argentina Nigeria
Kazakhstan Russia
Sudan Japan

Smallest Nations (Area - Wise) Smallest Nations (Population - Wise)
Vatican City Vatican City
Monaco Tuvalu
Nauru Nauru
Tuvalu Palau
San Marino San Marino
Liechtenstein Monaco
Marshall Islands Liechtenstein
Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis
Maldives Antigua and Barbados
Malta Dominica

Important Cities on River Banks (World)

Adelaide Australia Torrens
Amsterdam Netherlands Amsel
Alexandria Egypt Nile
Ankara Turkey Kazil
Bangkok Thailand Chao Praya
Basra Iraq Eupharates and Tigris
Baghdad Iraq Tigris
Berlin Germany Spree
Bonn Germany Rhine
Budapest Hungary Danube
Bristol UK Avon

Buenos Aires Argentina Laplata
Chittagong Bangladesh Majyani


Buenos Aires Argentina Laplata
Canton China Si-Kiang
Cairo Egypt Nile
Chung King China Yang-tse-king
Cologne Germany Rhine
Dandzing Germany Vistula
Dresden Germany Elbe
Dublin Ireland Liffy
Hamburg Germany Elbe
Kabul Afghanistan Kabul
Karachi Pakistan Indus
Khartoum Sudan Confluence of Blue & White Nile
Lahore Pakistan Ravi
Leningrad Russia Neva
Lisbon Portugal Tagus
Liverpool England Messey
London England Thames
Moscow Russia Moskva
Montreal Canada St. Lawrence
Nanking France Yang-tse-kiang
New Orleans USA Mississipi
New York USA Hudson
Ottawa Canada Ottawa
Paris France Seine
Philadelphia USA Delaware
Perth Australia Swan
Prague Czech Republic Vitava
Quebec Canada St. Lawrence
Rome Italy Tiber
Rotterdam The Netherlands New Mass
Stalingrad Russia Volga
Shanghai China Yang-tse-kiang
Sidney Australia Darling
Saint Louis USA Mississipi
Tokyo Japan Arakava
Vienna Austria Danube
Warsaw Poland Vistula
Washington D.C USA Potomac
Yangoon Myanmar Irrawaddy


World Islands
In decreasing order of size: Greenland, New Guinea, Borneo, Madagascar, Baffin, etc.
Largest River Island is Majuli (Asom).
Most populated island is Java (Indonesia).
Largest island of India is Middle Andaman.
Famous Industrialised Countries of the World
Country Associated Industry
Afghanistan Carpets, wool and dry fruits
Australia Wheat, wool, meat
Austria Machinery, Textiles
Belgium Glass, Textiles
Brazil Coffee
Canada Wheat, Newsprint
Chile Copper
China Rice, Wheat, Silk
Cuba Sugar, Tobacco
Denmark Dairy Products

England Textiles, Machinery
Finland Textiles
France Textiles, Wine
Germany Machinery
India Mica, Tea, Jute, Textiles
Indonesia Rubber, Cinchona
Iran Petroleum, Carpets
Iraq Petroleum, Dates
Japan Electronics, Automobiles
Italy Mercury, Textile
Kuwait Petroleum
Malaysia Tin, Rubber
Mexico Silver
Netherlands Electrical goods
Russia Heavy Machinery, Petroleum
Saudi Arabia Oil and Dates
Spain Lead
Sweden Matches
Switzerland Watches
Taiwan Camphor


England Textiles, Machinery
South Africa Gold and Diamond Mining
U.S.A Automobiles, Machinery

Foreign Towns Associated with Industries

Town (Country) Associated Industry
Baku (Azerbaijan) Petroleum
Bangkok (Thailand) Ship building
Belfast (Ireland) Ship building
Buenos Aires (Argentina) Meat
Cadiz (Portugal) Cork
Chicago (U.S.A) Agricultural implements, Meat
Cologne (Germany) Cotton and woollen Industries
Dhaka (Bangladesh) Jute
Detroit (U.S.A) Motor cars
Dresden (Germany) Optical and photographic apparatus

Glasgow (Great Britain) Machinery
Havana (Cuba) Tobacco, Cigars
Hollywood (U.S.A) Film Industry
Johannesburg (S. Africa) Gold mines
Kimberlay (S. Africa) Diamond mining
Leeds (England) Woollen Goods
Lyons (France) Silk Industries
Manchester (England) Cotton Industry
Mauritius (Indian Ocean) Fishing, Shipping, Sugar
Milan (Italy) Silk
Morocco (North Africa) Leather
Munich (Germany) Lenses
New Orleans (U.S.A.) Cotton industry
Osaka (Japan) Cotton fabrics
Pittsburg (U.S.A.) Iron and Steel
Plymouth (England) Ship-building
Sheffield (England) Cutlery
Venice (Italy) Glass manufacturing
Vienna (Austria) Glass manufacturing
Wellington (New Zealand) Dairy Product



Worlds Geographical Surnames

Surname Name
Bengal's Sorrow Damodar River
Blue Mountains Nilgiri Hills
City of Sky-scrapers New York
City of Seven Hills Rome
City of Dreaming Spires Oxford
City of Palaces Kolkata
City of Golden Gate San Francisco
Gity of Magnificent Buildings Washington D.C
City of Eternal Springs Quito (S. America)
China's Sorrow Hwang Ho

Belgium
Africa
Emerald Isle Ireland
Eternal City Rome
Empire City New York
Forbidden City Lhasa (Tibet)
Garden City Chicago
Gate of Tears Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb
Gateway of India Mumbai
Gift of the Nile Egypt
Granite City Aberdeen (Scotland)
Hermit Kingdom Korea
Herring Pond Atlantic Ocean
Holy Land Jerusalem
Island Continent Australia
Island of Cloves Zanzibar
Isle of Pearls Bahrein (Persian Gulf)
Key to the Mediterranean Gibralter
Land of Cakes Scotland
Land of Golden Fleece Australia
Land of Maple Leaf Canada
Land of Morning Calm Korea
Land of Midnight Sun Norway
Land of the Thousand Lakes Finland
Land of the Thunderbolt Bhutan


Belgium
Land of White Elephant Thailand
Land of Five Rivers Punjab
Land of Thousand Elephants Laos
Land of Rising Sun Japan
Loneliest Island Tristan De Gunha (Mid-Atlantic)
Manchester of Japan Osaka
Pillars of Hercules Strait of Gibraltar
Pearl of the Antilles Cuba
Playground of Europe Switzerland
Quaker City Philadelphia
Queen of the Adriatic Venice
Roof of the World The Pamirs, Central Asia
Rose Pink City Jaipur
Sugar bowl of the world Cuba
Venice of the North Stockholm
Windty City Chicago
Whiteman's grave Guinea Coast of Africa
Yellow River Huang Ho (China)

Famous Tribes of the World

Abhors People of Mongolian blood living between Assam and Eastern tribes
Afridis Tribes residing in the North-west Frontier (Pakistan)
Bantus Negroes living in the Central and South Africa
Boers The Dutch settlers of South Africa
Cossacks People living in the southern and eastern frontiers of Russia
Eskimos Inhabitants of Greenland and of Arctic regions
Flemings A term used for the people of Belgium
Hamites Inhabitants of North-West Africa
Khirgiz People Living in Central Asia
Kurds Tribes living in Kurdistan (Iraq)
Magyars Inhabitants of Hungary

Maoris Inhabitants of New Zealand
Negroes Mostly found in Africa
Pygmies Short sized people found in Congo basin in Africa
Red Indians Original inhabitants of North America
Semites Caucasian people of ancient times
Zulus People of South Africa living in certain part of Nata



World Famous Sites

Site Location
Bastille Prison Paris
Brandenburg Gate Berlin
Big Ben London
Broadway New York
Buckingham Palace London
Colosseum Rome
Downing Street London
Eiffel Tower Paris
Empire State Building New York
Fleet Street London
Grand Canyon Arizona (U.S.A)

Harley Street London
Hyde Park London
India House London
Jodrell Bank Manchester (U.K)
Kaaba Mecca (Saudi Arabia)
Kremlin Moscow (Russia)
Leaning Tower Pisa (Italy)
Louvre Paris
Merdeca Palace Djakarta
Oval London
Pentagon Washington D.C
Porcelain Tower Nanking
Potala Lhasa
Red Square Moscow
Pyramids Egypt
Scotland Yard London
Shiwe Dragon Pagoda Yangoon
Sphinx Egypt
Statue of Liberty New York
Vatican City Rome
Wall Street New York
Wailing Wall Jerusalem
Wambley London


Harley Street London
White Hall London
White House Washington D.C

Biggest, Highest, Largest, Longest in the World

Tallest Animal in the World Giraffe
Largest Archipelago in the World Indonesia
Fastest Bird in the World Swift
Largest Bird in the World Ostrich
Smallest Bird in the World Humming Bird
Longest Railway Bridge in the World Huey P. Long Bridge, Louisiana (U.S.A)
Tallest Building in the world Burj Dubai, UAE
Canal, Longest Irrigational The Kalakumsky Canal
Longest Canal in the World Suez Canal
Highest Capital in the World La Paz (Bolivia)
Biggest City in Area in the World Mount Isa (Australia)
Largest City in Population in the World Tokyo

Costliest City in the World Tokyo
Highest City in the World Van Chuan (China)
Largest Continent in the World Asia
Smallest Continent in the World Australia
Biggest Country in the World by Area Russia
Largest Country in the World by Population China
Largest Country in the World by Electorate India
Largest Creature in the World Blue whale
Largest Delta in the World Sunderban (Bangladesh & India)
Largest Desert in the World Sahara (Africa)
Largest Desert in Asia Gobi
Largest Dam in the World Grand Coulee Dam (U.S.A)
Dam Highest in the World Hoover Dam (U.S.A)
Diamond Largest in the World The Cullinan
Largest Dome in the World Astrodome, in Housten (U.S.A)
Largest Epic in the World Mahabharat
Largest Irrigation Scheme in the World Lloyd Barrage, Sukkhur (Pakistan)
Largest Island in the World Greenland
Largest Sea in the World Mediterranean Sea
Deepest Lake in the World Baikal (Siberia)
Largest Lake (Artificial) in the World Lake Mead (Boulder Dam)


Costliest City in the World Tokyo
Highest Lake in the World Titicaca (Bolivia)
Largest Lake (Fresh water) in the World Superior
Largest Lake (Salt water) in the World Caspian
Largest Library in the World United States Library of Congress, Washington D.C
Highest Mountain Peak in the World Everest (Nepal)
Longest Mountain Range in the World Andes (S. America)
Largest Museum in the World British Museum, London
Largest Ocean in the World Pacific
Biggest Palace in the World Vatican (Italy)
Largest Park in the World Yellow Stone National Park (U.S.A)
Largest Peninsula in the World Arabia
Coldest Place (Habitated) in the World Verkhoyansk (Siberia)
Dryest Place in the World Iqique (in Atacama Desert, Chile)
Hottest Place in the World Azizia (Libya, Africa)
Rainiest Place in the World Mausinram (Meghalaya, India)
Biggest Planet in the World Jupiter
Brightest Planet in the World Venus
Smallest Planet in the World Mercury
Highest Plateau in the World Pamir (Tibet)
Longest Platform in the World Kharagpur (India)
Longest Railway in the World Trans-Siberian railway
Largest Railway Station in the World Grand Central Terminal, Chicago (U.S.A)
Longest River in the World Nile (Africa)
Largest River in the World Amazon (S. America)
Largest Sea-bird in the World Albatross
Brightest Star in the World Sirius
Tallest Statue in the World Statue of Motherland, Volgograd (Russia)
Largest Telescope Radio in the World New Mexico (U.S.A)
World's Tramway first in the World New York
Longest Tunnel (Railway) in the World Tanna (Japan)
Longest Tunnel (road) in the World Mont Blanc Tunnel between France and Italy
Highest Volcano Ojos del Salado (Andes, Ecuador)
Most Volcano Active in the World Maunaloa (Hawaii - U.S.A)
Longest Wall in the World Great Wall of China
Highest Waterfall in the World Angel (Venezuela)
Lowest Water body in the World Dead Sea
Largest Zoo in the World Kruger National Park, South Africa

Agriculture : Top 5 Producers



Rice China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam
Wheat China, India, USA, Russia, France
Maize USA, China, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina
Groundnut China, India, Nigeria, USA, Indonesia
Tea India, China, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Turkey
Cotton China, USA, India, Pakistan, Brazil
Rubber Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, India, China
Coffee Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Colombia, Mexico
Pulses Total Brazil, India, China, Myanmar, Mexico

Mineral : Top 3 Producers

Iron Ore China, Brazil, Australia
Copper Ore Chili, Peru, USA
Tin China, Indonesia, Peru
Lead China, Australia, USA
Zinc China, Australia, Peru
Manganese South Africa, USA, Brazil
Aluminium China, Russia, Canada
Cement China, India, USA
Petroleum Saudi Arabia, Russia, USA
Natural Gas Russia, USA, Canada
Silver Peru, Mexico, China
Coal China, USA, India

Important Boundaries

Durand Line Pakistan & Afghanistan
MacMohan Line India & China
Radcliffe Line India & Pakistan
Maginot Line France & Germany
Oder Niesse Line Germany & Poland
Hindenberg Line Poland & Germany (at the time of First World War)
38th Parallel North & South Korea
49th Parallel USA & Canada



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