SET 2 Geography VAN Part 1.compressed
SET 2 Geography VAN Part 1.compressed
SET 2 Geography VAN Part 1.compressed
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Location:
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Hemispherical Location:
Northern Hemisphere- Between 8o4’ N and 37o6’ N
Eastern Hemisphere- Between 68o7’ E and 97o25’ E (It occupies almost the central part of
Eastern Hemisphere)
Indian Standard Time: 82o30’ E longitude is taken as the standard meridian to determine the
Indian Standard Time. According to the time zone it is 5 hour and 30 minutes ahead of the
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country dividing India into two halves-
the Southern half having the Torrid Zone while the northern half having the Sub-Tropical zone.
INDIA SIZE:
India is the seventh largest country in the world (by area)
Total landmass –3.29million square kms
Land boundary of India runs about – 15200 kms
Length of the coastline – 7,516.6 kms (including islands)
Northern most Point- Indira Col.
Southern Most point- Indira point (Nicobar islands); Cape comorin (Kanyakumari-
Mainland)
Western Most point- Guhar Moti in Kutch, near the Sir Creek, Gujarat
Eastern Most Point- Kibithu in Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh
Natural Location:
Naturally India lies in the northern part of the Indian Ocean. The Peninsula formed by India, or
the Indian peninsula divides the ocean into two flanking expanses of water – The Arabian Sea
and the Bay of Bengal. These two water bodies with a coastline of 6083 km have played an
important role in the international trade and cultural interaction of Indian people with rest of
the world.
(Note: A peninsula is a piece of land which is covered by water from three sides but still
connected to the mainland.)
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18 17.09
16
14
12
9.98 9.62 9.59
10
8.51
7.69
8
4 3.28
0
country
India’s Neighbours:
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Geological Structure:
No geographical description of a region would be complete unless it devotes sufficient
attention on its geological structure. The geological structure, which includes the arrangement
and deposition of rocks in the earth’s crust, plays a dominant role in determining the relief of
land and nature of soil. As such, study of geological structure plays a vital role in agricultural
and industrial development as well as overall growth of the country.
Geological History:
The geological records of the world are classified on the basis of geological scale devised in
Europe. On it basis, the geological history of earth is divided into-
The geological records of India do not fully confirm with the Europe. The Geological Survey of
India (GSI) has suggested four geological eras- Archean, Purana, Dravidian and Aryan
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Note: A direct question on geological history is highly unlikely. However, you might get an
objective question in prelims on this. For example:
Q.) Arrange the following rock formations according to their age in decreasing order:
1. Aryan
2. Dravidian
3. Purana
4. Archean
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a) 1>2>3>4
b) 4>3>2>1
c) 3>4>2>1
d) 3>2>1>4
Note: You can also use this information in questions related to resources and location of
industries and can earn a brownie mark.
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(Note: Differentiation has become one of the most favourite questions of UPSC. It has
frequently asked about the differences between western and eastern ghats, Rift valley and V-
shape valley etc. So a comparative study will help you to prepare yourself in a better way.
Now you know the differences between the Eastern and the Western Himalayas. )
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Note: The Ganga plain is divided into Upper Ganga, Middle Ganga and Lower Ganga plains as
shown in the map.
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The Second division is from North to South, Based on the coarseness of the deposits.
The Bhabar Plain: This is the northern most layer of the plains. It lies South of the Siwaliks from
west to east. The width of this region is not uniform and it is wider in west than in East. The
complete stretch is 8-15km wide.
As the rivers enter suddenly into the plains from Himalayas, the deposition starts and heavier
particles are deposited. Hence the sediments consist of gravel and unasserted particles. The
porosity of this region is so high that most of the small streams (Chos) disappear in the bhabar
tract.
It is not suitable for cultivation. Only big tress can thrive in the region.
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The Tarai Plain: Tarai lies South of Bhabar. It is 15-30km wide with its width increasing from
west to east.
This is a zone of excessive dampness, thick forests, rich wild life and malarial climate. In most of
the northen states, from Haryana to Bihar, the tarai forests have been cleared and plains are
used for agriculture now.
The bhangar plains: Bhangar is the upland alluvial tracts formed by the old alluvium. They lie
above the flood limits of the river and hence are now renewed yearly.
The soil is dark in colour, rich in humus and very productive. It contains nodules of Calcium
carbonates called ‘Kankars’.
The Khadar Plain: The new alluvium tracts along the course of river are known as ‘Khadar’ or
‘Bet’. Khadar tracts are enriched every year by flooding of the river. This is found in the mature
and old stage of the river. This is highly fertile. Most of this land is also reclaimed for
agriculture. Khadar plains are ecologically sensitive areas and support rich wildlife.
Peninsular plateau
The Peninsular plateau is a flat land which was formed when the Gondwana land moved and
was broken due to Tectonic activityOldest landmass
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Correction: River Mahi does not originate from Aravallis. It originates from Malwa plateau in
Madhya Pradesh and flows towards Gulf of Khambat. It takes a loop and flows through
Rajasthan. Mahi is also the only river in India, which cuts the Tropic of Cancer twice!!
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Correction: In hill ranges, it’s given Mahadev and Makala. It’s not Makala- It is “Maikal” Ranges.
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Correction: The highest peak of Western Ghats is Anai Mudi in Annamalai hills. Kalsubai is the
highest peak of Maharashtra.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMNrhQabGmM
The above link will help you understand the formation and positioning of Peninsular plateau of
India.
The complete peninsular flank is surrounded by Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats. They are the
block mountain chains that run from north to south on both western and eastern side of the
plateau.
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Correction: Konkan coast consists of coastal districts of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra.
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Indian Islands:
The major islands groups of India are Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago (A chain of islands
similar in origin) in Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep islands in Arabian Sea.
The Andaman and Nicobar islands archipelago consists of approximately 265 small and large
islands.
Andaman Islands:
The Andaman Islands are divided into three main islands i.e. North, Middle and South.
Duncan passage separates Little Andaman from South Andaman.
The Andaman group of islands in the north is separated by the Ten Degree Channel from the
Nicobar group in the south [Prelims 2014].
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Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the ‘Ten Degree
Channel’?
Port Blair, the capital of Andaman Nicobar Islands lies in the South Andaman.
Nicobar Islands:
Among the Nicobar islands, the Great Nicobar is the largest. It is the southernmost
island and is very close to Sumatra island of Indonesia. The Car Nicobar is the
northernmost.
Most of these islands are made of tertiary sandstone, limestone and shale resting on
basic and ultrabasic volcanoes [Similar to Himalayas].
THE BARREN AND NARCONDAM ISLANDS, north of Port Blair, are volcanic islands
(Note: Barren Island is the only active volcano of India.)
Some of the islands are fringed with coral reefs. Many of them are covered with thick
forests. Most of the islands are mountainous.
Saddle peak (737 m) in North Andaman is the highest peak.
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Barren Island
Lakshadweep Islands:
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The Lakshadweep Islands are a group of 25 small islands.They are widely scattered about 200-
500 km south-west of the Kerala coast.
Amendivi Islands are the northern most while the Minicoy island is the southernmost.
All are tiny islands of coral origin {Atoll} and are surrounded by fringing reefs. (Corals
and atolls will be discussed in detail in Oceanography.)
The largest and the most advanced is the Minicoy island with an area of 4.53 sq km.
Most of the islands have low elevation and do not rise more than five metre above sea
level (Extremely Vulnerable to sea level change).
Their topography is flat and relief features such as hills, streams, valleys, etc. are absent.
Lakshadweep islands
Q.) Since now you already know, how we distinguish between the two landforms, here is an
assignment for you. Write a note on the differences between Andaman and Nicobar
Archipelago, and Lakshadweep islands.
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The drainage system is an integrated system of tributaries and trunk streams which collects and
funnels surface water to the sea, lake or some other water body acting as a sink.
The total area that contributes water to a single drainage system is known as a drainage
basin.
This is a basic geomorphic unit of a river system, distinguished from a neighbouring basin by
ridges and highlands that form divides. They are considered as fundamental hydrological unit
because of three reasons:
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The committee on runoff of the American Geophysical Union treats the micro-unit within a
river basin as the watershed, while the sum of all the micro, meso and macro tributaries of a
river is known as river basin.
Drainage Pattern:
A geometric arrangement of streams in a region, determined by slope, differing rock resistance
to erosion, climate, hydrological variability and structural controls of the landscape is known as
a drainage pattern.
In simple terms, drainage pattern refers to the design which a river and its tributaries form
together from source to its mouth.
Antecedent Drainage: the Rivers that existed before the upheaval of the Himalayas and cut
their courses southward by making gorges in the mountain are known as antecedent rivers. In
antecedent drainage, a river's vertical incision ability matches that of land uplift due to tectonic
forces. Eg. Indus, Satluj, Ganga, Tista, Brahmaputra, Kali etc.
Consequent Drainage: the Rivers which follow the general direction of slope as known as
consequent rivers. Most of the Peninsular Rivers are consequent rivers eg. Godavari, Krishna,
Kaveri etc.
Subsequent Drainage: A tributary Stream that has eroded along an underlying belt of non-
resistant rock after the main drainage pattern has been established is known as subsequent
river. For example, Chambal, Sind, Ken, Betwa flows northward and meet Yamuna. They are the
subsequent drainage of Yamuna.
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When the primary tributaries of rivers flow parallel to each other and secondary
tributaries join them at right angles
Develops in folded topography (E.g. Appalachian Mountains of North America)
Known as ‘Potomac System’
In India it is found in Chotanagpur plateau.
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When the rivers discharge their waters from all directions in a lake or depression, the
pattern is known as ‘centripetal’.
Opposite of the ‘Radial Pattern’ as streams flow toward a central depression
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On the basis of catchment area, there can be major river basins, medium river basins and minor
river basins.
(Note: The theory for origin of these drainage systems is important for geography optional.
That’s why it is not being covered here. If you want to read it in detail, you can refer, Indian
Geography by Majid Hussain Sir, Or Indian Geography by K. Siddharta Sir.)
The following table illustrates the major differences between Himalayan and the Peninsular
River system −
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On the basis of the orientation to the sea, the Indian River system has been divided into two
major drainage systems:
About 77% of the drainage area of the country is oriented towards the Bay of Bengal. Most of
the major rivers of Himalayan and Peninsular drainage flow towards Bay of Bengal. For
example- Ganga, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri etc.
23% of the country’s surface flow flows towards the Arabian Sea. Some important west flowing
rivers are Indus, Narmada, Tapi, Mahi, Sabarmati and numerous Rivers and streams which
originates in Western Ghats.
Figure showing the watershed between Bay of Bengal Drainage and Arabia Sea Drainage.
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Watershed:
The boundary line separating one drainage basin from the other
Catchments of small rivulets and rills
Cover smaller areas
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(Note: We know that it is difficult to remember all this factual information. The best way is to
open google earth and watch the satellite images of these rivers. The more you can connect
with them, the easier it will be for you to remember them. Since the exam is becoming more
and more factual and map based, these tributaries can be asked in Prelims.)
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The probably the most important river for India, as it got its name from this very river. Indus
has been a cradle for one of the earliest civilizations, known to us as the Indus valley civilization.
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Activity: Kishanganga Project, on Kishanganga River has become a point of conflict between
Indian and Pakistan. Try to find out what the conflict is and write pros and cons for the project.
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West-Flowing Rivers
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East-Flowing River
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Rivers Confluence
Bhagirathi and Alaknanda Devprayag
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River Regimes:
The regime of a river is defined as the variability in its discharge throughout the course
of a year in response to precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration, and drainage
basin characteristics.
In simple terms, the variation in the quantity of water flowing in a river throughout the
year.
The variability in discharge over the course of a year is commonly represented by a
hydrograph with mean monthly discharge variations plotted over the annual time scale.
When interpreting such records of discharge, it is important to factor in the time scale
over which the average monthly values were calculated. It is particularly difficult to
establish a typical annual river regime for rivers with high inter-annual variability in
monthly discharge and/or significant changes in the catchment's characteristics (e.g.
tectonic influences or the introduction of water management practices).
Climate: Rivers that pass through Mediterranean climate tend to have more than one peak
periods, while rivers like Nile tend to have more water in summer because of melting of glacier
in Mount Kilimanjaro.
Geology: Rivers flowing over porous beds tends to have low changes in peaks while a river
flowing over hard non-porous rock will have sharp changes.
Human Activities: Anthropogenic activities like urbanization, deforestation etc. leads to more
runoff and effects regimes by changing the peak and low flow of the channel.
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Kayals:
Kerela Back waters
Also known as Kari
Traditional Boat Race: Vallam Kaliduring Onam
Major Dams
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National
Extent Kilometer River
Waterways
NW 1 Allahabad-Haldia stretch Ganga-Bhagirathi-
1620km
Hoogly
NW 2 Sadiya-Dhubri stretch 891km Brahmaputra
Kottapuram-Kollam
NW3 205km West Coast Canal
stretch
Kakinada Puducherry
NW 4 Canal 1995km Krishna, Godavari
+ Godavari + Krishna
NW 5 TalcherDhamra 585km Brahmani
(Note: National Waterways is one of the most important topics. It can be asked in paper I as
well as Paper 3. A lot of emphasis is being given on water transport, especially for
transporting goods. A question of Waterways is highly expected. We have covered these
waterways in our Transportation value Add (Set 1) )
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EUREKA EUREKA!!!
Points that we have leant after Part II of this Document
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