Notes-NCERT-Class-7-Social Science-Part : 1-Chapter-1-Geographical Diversity of India-CBSE

Introduction :

India – Location and Regions :

• India is the seventh-largest country in the world.
• It is located in the continent of Asia.
• India and its neighbours — Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar — together form the Indian Subcontinent.
• It is called a subcontinent because it is a large part of Asia with distinct features.

Major Physical Regions of India :

India can be divided into five main regions.

These regions are:

• The great mountain zone (Himalayas)
• The plains of the Ganga and Indus
• The desert region
• The southern peninsula
• The islands

These regions show the diversity of India’s landforms.

Natural Boundaries of India :

• The Himalayan Mountains form a natural barrier in the north.
• The Thar Desert and the Arabian Sea lie on the western side.
• The Indian Ocean is to the south.
• The Bay of Bengal is to the east.

Importance of These Features :

• These natural features separate India from other parts of Asia.
• They have influenced India’s climate.
• They have also shaped India’s culture and history.

The Himalayas :

• The Himalayan Range is very long and looks like a huge wall on the map.
• In summer, snow melts from these mountains and forms rivers like the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra.
• These rivers provide water for drinking, farming, and industries.
• Millions of people depend on these rivers for their daily life.
• Therefore, the Himalayas are called the “Water Tower of Asia.”
• The Himalayas are also sacred and important in many religions.
• Many temples and monasteries are built here.
• People from around the world come here to pray and meditate.

Formation of the Himalayas :

• Long ago, India was part of a large landmass called Gondwana.
• It later broke away and slowly moved north.
• About 50 million years ago, India collided with the Eurasian landmass.
• This collision caused the land to fold and rise, forming the Himalayas.
• This process is like a carpet wrinkling when pushed.

Growth of the Himalayas :

• India is still slowly moving north even today.
• It moves about 5 centimetres every year.
• Because of this, the Himalayas are still rising slowly.
• They grow about 5 millimetres each year.

The Cold Desert of India :

• The word “desert” usually means a hot place.
• But India also has a cold desert.
• Ladakh is a cold desert in India.
• In winter, temperatures here fall below –30°C.
• The region gets very little rainfall.
• The land is rough with rocky mountains, deep valleys, and lakes like Pangong Tso.

Special Features of the Land :

• The land in Ladakh looks like the surface of the moon.
• So, it is called “moonland.”
• This land was formed when India collided with Eurasia.
• The area was once under an ocean.
• The rocks are mainly made of sand and clay.
• Wind and rain have shaped the mountains over time.

Wildlife and Life of People

• Even in harsh conditions, Ladakh has unique animals.
• Animals like snow leopards, ibex, and Tibetan antelopes are found here.
• The people of Ladakh live a simple life.
• The region is famous for ancient monasteries.
• Colourful festivals like Losar and Hemis Festival are celebrated here.

The Gangetic Plains :

• As we move south from the Himalayas, we reach the wide Gangetic Plains.
• These plains are very fertile and important for India.
• They have played a major role in India’s history and civilisation.

Importance of Rivers :

• These plains are fed by rivers coming from the Himalayas.
• Major rivers include the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra.
• These rivers provide water for daily life.
• They also bring minerals that make the soil rich and fertile.
• This makes the region ideal for farming.
• Rivers are also used to produce electricity.

Population and Life :

• A large number of people live in the Gangetic Plains.
• The fertile land supports agriculture and livelihoods.

Transport and Trade :

• The land here is flat, which makes transport easy.
• Roads and railways are well developed in this region.
• These help in moving people and goods over long distances.
• Rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra have been used for travel and trade for thousands of years.

The Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert) :

• To the west of India lies the Thar Desert.
• It appears as a yellowish area on the map.
• It has vast stretches of golden sand dunes and open sky.

Formation of Sand Dunes :

• Sand dunes are formed by the action of wind.
• The wind shapes sand into hill-like structures.
• Some dunes can rise up to 150 metres high.

Climate and Region :

• The Thar Desert is a dry and arid region.
• Most of it lies in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.
• It has very hot days and cold nights.
• Water is very scarce in this region.
• The harsh climate acts as a natural barrier.

Life in the Desert :

• People have adapted their lifestyle to the desert conditions.
• Their food, clothing, and habits suit the environment.
• Women often travel long distances to fetch water.

Water Conservation :

• Water is used very carefully in the desert.
• Utensils are cleaned with sand and then lightly rinsed with water.
• The used water is reused for other purposes like watering plants.
• Rajasthan is famous for water-saving methods like taanka or kunds.
• These systems collect and store rainwater for daily use.

The Aravalli Hills :

• The Aravalli Hills are among the oldest mountains in the world.
• They are about 2.5 billion years old.
• The range has many peaks and ridges.
• The highest peak is Mount Abu, which is over 1700 metres high.
• Most hills in this range are between 300 and 900 metres high.

Importance of the Aravallis :

• The Aravallis play an important role in the geography of northwestern India.
• They act as a natural barrier.
• They prevent the Thar Desert from spreading towards the east.
• They also influence the climate of the region.

Minerals and Resources :

• The Aravallis are rich in minerals like marble, granite, zinc, and copper.
• Mining and construction have been carried out here for many years.
• Ancient mines at Zawar show early zinc extraction in India.
• Indians mastered zinc extraction more than 800 years ago.

Historical Importance :

• Many famous forts are located in the Aravalli Hills.
• Important forts include Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, and Ranthambore.
• These forts show the historical importance of the region.

The Peninsular Plateau :

• A plateau is a raised land with a flat surface and steep sides.
• India has many plateaus, but the most important is the Peninsular Plateau.
• It is triangular in shape and lies in the middle and south of India.
• It is a very old land formation.
• It is called a peninsula because it is surrounded by water on three sides — the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean.

Surrounding Mountain Ranges : The plateau is bordered by the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.

(i) Western Ghats :

• The Western Ghats are higher and run along the western coast.
• They look like a wall and have many waterfalls during the monsoon.
• They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• They are rich in plants, animals, and rivers.
• The northern part is also called the Sahyadri Hills.

(ii) Eastern Ghats

• The Eastern Ghats are lower and broken into small hills.
• They lie along the eastern coast.

The Deccan Plateau :

• Between the two ghats lies the Deccan Plateau.
• It is a large area of flat highland.

Rivers of the Plateau :

• Many rivers flow across this plateau.
• Rivers like Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri flow from west to east.
• These rivers are important for farming and water supply.
• Some rivers like Narmada and Tapti flow west into the Arabian Sea.
• These rivers also help in generating hydroelectric power.

Waterfalls :

• Many beautiful waterfalls are found on the plateau.
• They are formed because rivers flow over rocky surfaces.
• These waterfalls attract tourists.
• They also help in irrigation and electricity generation.

Resources and Importance :

• The plateau is rich in minerals, forests, and fertile land.
• It plays an important role in India’s economy.

Tribal Life

• Dense forests are home to many tribal communities.
• Tribes like Santhal, Gond, Baiga, Bhil, and Korku live here.
• They have their own languages, traditions, and lifestyles connected to nature.

India’s Amazing Coastlines :

• India has a long coastline of more than 7500 km.
• It has beautiful beaches, rocky cliffs, and green forests.
• Some beaches have golden sand, while others have black rocks.
• Some islands have coral reefs, and others have thick jungles.
• India’s coasts are very diverse and full of natural beauty.

(i) The West Coast of India :

• The west coast stretches from Gujarat to Kerala.
• It passes through Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka.
• Rivers here start from the Western Ghats and flow quickly.
• These rivers form estuaries where they meet the sea.
• The coastline has features like coves, creeks, and estuaries.
• The Narmada and Tapti estuaries are the largest.
• This coast has many important ports and cities.
• These ports have been centres of trade and business for a long time.

(ii) The East Coast of India :

• The east coast lies between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal.
• It stretches from the Ganga delta to Kanyakumari.
• It has wide plains and large river deltas.
• Major rivers here include Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.
• Important water bodies like Chilika Lake and Pulicat Lake are found here.

Deltas and Their Importance :

• Deltas are formed when rivers deposit sediments at their mouths.
• They usually have a triangular or fan shape.
• Rivers like Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, and Mahanadi form fertile deltas.
• These areas are very good for farming.

Indian Islands :

• Indian Islands are groups of islands in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal.
• They are an important part of India’s territory.
• India has two main island groups — Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• These islands have beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and rich wildlife.
• Some islands also have volcanoes.
• Ancient tribes have lived here for thousands of years.

(i) Lakshadweep Islands :

• Lakshadweep is a group of islands in the Arabian Sea.
• It is located near the coast of Kerala.
• It consists of 36 islands made of coral.
• Not all islands are inhabited by people.
• The region is important for fishing and marine resources.
• It also helps in protecting the marine environment.

(ii) Andaman and Nicobar Islands :

• This group has more than 500 islands.
• It is divided into two parts — Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands.
• These islands are very important because of their location in the sea.
• They act like outposts, helping India keep watch over the ocean.
• The islands have rich plants and animal life.

Historical Importance :

• The Andaman Islands are important in India’s history.
• Many freedom fighters were kept in Cellular Jail.
• This jail reminds us of their sacrifices for India’s freedom.

Special Feature :

• Barren Island is located here.
• It is the only active volcano in India.
• It sometimes erupts and releases smoke and lava.

The Delta in West Bengal and the Sundarbans :

• The Sundarbans are located in the delta of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers.
• This delta is formed by rivers and their tributaries.
• It is a unique place where river, sea, and land meet.
• About half of the Sundarbans is in India and the rest is in Bangladesh.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Sundarbans are home to many animals, including the Royal Bengal Tiger.

The Hills of the Northeast :

• The Northeast region has many beautiful hills.
• Important hills include Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia.
• These hills are part of the Meghalaya Plateau.
• The region is full of greenery and natural beauty.
• It receives very heavy rainfall, among the highest in the world.
• The area has dense forests, rich wildlife, and fertile land.

Mawlynnong Village :

• Mawlynnong Village is located in Meghalaya.
• It is known as the “cleanest village in Asia.”
• The village is very clean and well maintained.
• People use bamboo dustbins and follow eco-friendly practices.
• It is famous for living root bridges made by tree roots over many years.

Other UNESCO World Heritage Sites :

• Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area: Recognized for its wide diversity of flora and fauna in Himachal Pradesh.
• Jaisalmer Fort: Located in the "Golden City" in the heart of the Thar Desert.
• The Western Ghats: A mountain range running along the western coast known for its high biodiversity and beautiful waterfalls.

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