CBSE Class 9 - Geography - Physical Features of India (Short Questions and Answers)

Physical Features of India

Q & A

Physiographic divisions

Q1: Discuss the geological structure of India.

Answer: Geological structure of India:

1. India is part of ancient continent called Gondwanaland which is divided into many plates. One such Indo-Australian plate moved towards the north and collided with Euro-asian plate and thus resulted in rising to the present day Himalayas. 
2. To the south of Himalayas a basin was formed. It was filled with alluvium brought by the rivers and thus forming North Indian plains.
3. During Himalayas formation, two major events affected the plateau. An extensive volcanic eruption took place in the north-west part of the plateau.
4. The western part subsided and the Indian Ocean advanced and occupied the depression. It led to the rise to the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian sea.

Q2: Describe the physiographic divisions or physical features of India.

Answer: Physiographic division of India is:

1. The Himalayan Mountains: Geologically young and fold mountains stretch over the northern borders of India. These are the one of the most rugged mountain barriers of the world.
2. The Northern Plain: It is about 2400km long and 240-320km wide. Formed by interplay of three major river systems - the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahamputra. It is rich in fertile alluvial soil.
3. The Peninsular Plateau: The tableland composed of old crystalline igenous and metamorphic rocks. It is abundant with shallow valleys and rounded hills.
4. The Indian Desert: It lies towards the western margins of the Aravalli Hills and has arid climate with low vegetation cover.
5. The Coastal Plains: These plains are stretched along the eastern and the western edges of the peninsular plateau.
6. The Islands: Two island groups - The Lakshadweep Islands and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Q3: Write three important features of Aravalli Hills.

Answer:

1. The Aravalli Hills lie on the western and the north-western margins of the peninsular plateau.
2. Highly eroded and broken hills.
3. Extend from Gujarat to Delhi in southwest-northeast direction.

Q4: Which plateau lies between the Aravalli and the Vindhyan ranges?

Answer: The Malwa plateau

Q5(CBSE 2007): What is bhabar?

Answer: The Himalayan rivers while descending from mountains, deposit pebbles in a narrow belt of 16km width running parallel to the slopes of Shivaliks is called bhabar.


Q6: Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south.

Answer: Three major divisions of the Himalayas:

1. The Greater Himalayas or the Inner Himalayas or Himadri
2. The Middle Himalayas or Himachal
3. The Outer Himalayas or "Shiwaliks"

Q7: Name the island group of India having coral origin.

Answer: Lakshadweep Islands.


Q8: Write a short note on The Indian Desert.

Answer:

1. The Great Indian Desert lies to the west of the Aravalli range.
2. It largely covers a major region of the state of Rajasthan.
3. It receives very low rainfall i.e. below 150 mm per year and therefore it is a dry region.
4. The soil is generally sandy to sandy-loam in texture.
5. It has arid climate with low vegetation cover.

Q9: Name the landmasses that were included in the Gondwanaland.

Answer: India, Australia, Southern Africa, South America


Q10: What are the relief features that are found in the Northern Plains?

Answer: Relief features in the Northern Plains are:

1. Bhabar 
2. Terai
3. Bhangar 
4. Khadar