Geography Quiz: Structure and Relief: Physiographic Divisions of India |1 Feb, 2021

Pichavaram mangrove is one of the largest mangroves in India, situated at Pichavaram near Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu.

Pichavaram ranks among the one of the most exquisite scenic spots in Tamil Nadu and home of many species of Aquatic birds.

Source: ICSE – Total Geography and The Hindu

Palni Hills, range of hills, an eastward extension of the Western Ghats, in southwestern Tamil Nadu state, southern India.

· The range is a continuation of the Anaimalai Hills in Kerala state. The Palnis are about 45 miles (70 km) wide and 15 miles (23 km) long.

· In the south the hills terminate abruptly in steep slopes. The upper Palnis, in the west, consist of rolling hills covered with coarse grasses; dense forests grow in the valleys.

· Peaks include Vandaravu, 8,376 feet (2,553 metres); Vembadi Shola, 8,221 feet (2,505 metres); and Karunmakadu, 8,042 feet (2,451 metres).

· The town of Kodaikanal is located in a high basin about 7,000 feet (2,150 metres) above sea level.

· Potatoes, beans, root crops, pears, and peaches are cultivated in and around the hill villages.

Source: NCERT XI India Physical Environment

Gondwanaland or “Gondwana” is the name for the southern half of the Pangaean supercontinent that existed some 300 million years ago.

· Gondwanaland is composed of the major continental blocks of South America, Africa, Arabia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, India, Antarctica, and Australia.

· The name “Gondwana” is derived from a tribe in India (Gonds) and “wana” meaning “land of.”

· Gondwanaland is superficially divided into a western half (Africa and South America) and an eastern half (India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Antarctica, and Australia).

Source: NCERT XI India Physical Environment

The Barail is the highest hill range in Assam. It includes the North Cachar Hill Reserve Forest (RF) of Cachar district, Barail RF of Cachar and North Cachar Hills districts and the unclassified forests stretching from the Simleng river valley in the west to Laike in the east (in North Cachar Hills district).

The Barail Range is the watershed between the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers. The terrain ranges from flat and undulating in the river valleys, to mountainous with steep slopes.

Source: NCERT XI India Physical Environment

Parasnath Hills are a range of hills located in Giridih district of Jharkhand. The highest peak is 1350 metres. It is one of the most important pilgrimage centre for Jains. They call it Sammed Sikhar.

· The hill is named after Parasnath, the 23rd Tirthankara. Twenty of the twenty-four Jain Tirthankaras attained salvation on this hill.

· According to some, nine Tirthakaras attained salvation on this hill. For each of them there is a shrine (gumti or tuk) on the hill. Some of the temples on the hill are believed to be more than 2,000 years old.

· However, although the place is habited from ancient times, the temples may be of more recent origin.

· The Santhals call it Marang Buru, the hill of the deity. They celebrate a hunting festival on the full moon day in Baisakh (mid-April).

Source: NCERT XI India Physical Environment

Satpura Range, range of hills, part of the Deccan plateau, western India.

· The hills stretch for some 560 miles (900 km) across the widest part of peninsular India, through Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh states.

· The range, the name of which means “Seven Folds,” forms the watershed between the Narmada (north) and Tapti (south) rivers.

Source: NCERT XI India Physical Environment

Taptapani hot spring famous for a perennial hot spring of “Medicinal Sulfuric Water” which is located on the State Highways that connects Berhampur with Western Odisha.

Source: ForumIAS Factly

Kalsubai Peak is located in Akole taluka of Ahmednagar district.

· The Kaslubai temple is situated at the topmost peak of Sahyadri mountain range of Maharashtra, its commands a beautiful view. The natural peak of Kalsubai is located 10 km away from Bhandardara dam.

· Kalsubai height is of 1646 meters and is known as one of the highest peaks in Maharashtra state.

Source: NCERT XI India Physical Environment

The Rajasthan Bagar region (Bagar refers to the semi-desert area which is west of Aravallis.

· Bagar has a thin layer of sand. It is drained by Luni in the south whereas the northern section has a number of salt lakes) have a number of short seasonal streams which originate from the Aravallis.

· These streams support agriculture in some fertile patches called Rohi.

Source: ICSE Total Geography

The World Records has declared Majuli in Assam as the largest river island in the world. It has toppled Marajo in Brazil to clinch the record. The beautiful river island is situated on the Brahmaputra River.

1. It is formed by Brahmaputra River in the south and Kherkutia Xuti, an anabranch of the Brahmaputra, joined by the Subansiri River in the north.

2. The island is inhabited by Mising tribes, Deori and Sonowal Kachri tribes.

3. The people of the island speak Mising, Assamese and Deori language.

4. It covers an area of around 880 sq km.

5. Due to the frequent flooding of the Brahmaputra River, Majuli suffers heavy erosion. In the last 30-40 years it is estimated that it has lost about one third of its area.

Source: ICSE Total Geography and The Hindu