Legacy IAS · NCERT Class 7 · Exploring Society: India and Beyond
Chapter 1
Geographical Diversity of India
India and the World: Land and the People · Comprehensive Study Notes + MCQ Practice
"To us, by its very geography, the country [India] appears to be quite distinct from other countries, and that itself gives it a certain national character."
— Sri Aurobindo
Content based on NCERT Class 7 — Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Part 1, Chapter 1 (Reprint 2026–27). All credit to NCERT. Compiled & formatted by Legacy IAS, Bengaluru for UPSC / State PCS preparation.
00
Quick Facts at a Glance
🗺️ India — By the Numbers
7th
Largest country in the world
7,500+ km
Indian coastline length
2,500 km
Himalayan range length
8,000 m+
Height of 'Eight Thousanders'
5 cm/yr
Rate India pushes into Asia
5 mm/yr
Rate Himalayas grow taller
2.5 billion yrs
Age of Aravalli Hills
36
Islands in Lakshadweep
500+
Islands in Andaman & Nicobar
−30°C
Winter temperature, Ladakh
150 m
Max height of Thar sand dunes
1,700 m+
Mount Abu (highest Aravalli)
⚠️ UPSC / State PCS — Chapter Importance
This chapter is foundational for Geography GS Paper I. Questions appear in Prelims (rivers, mountains, islands, national parks) and Mains. Every 'Don't Miss Out', 'Let's Remember', and 'Let's Explore' box is covered below.
01
Introduction & India's Position
Fig. 1.1 · Jog Falls in Karnataka — Notice the plateau and the waterfalls. The power of the waterfall is converted into electricity (hydroelectricity; hydro means water) through special turbines.
In 1984, astronaut Rakesh Sharma — the first Indian to go to space — was asked by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi "How does India look from space?" He replied: "Sāre jahān se achchha" — better than the whole world.
🔖 Let's Remember
- India is the 7th largest country in the world; part of Asia.
- Forms the Indian Subcontinent with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
- Discussed under five regions: great mountain zone; Ganga–Indus plains; desert region; southern peninsula; islands.
| North | Himalayan Mountain Range — natural barrier |
| West | Thar Desert and Arabian Sea |
| South | Indian Ocean |
| East | Bay of Bengal |
02
The Himalayas
📌 Etymology
Himalaya = Sanskrit hima (snow) + ālaya (abode) = "Abode of Snow"
📖 How Were the Himalayas Formed?
- India was part of Gondwana — neighbour was Africa!
- Broke away; moved north; collided with Eurasia ~50 million years ago.
- Land crumpled and rose — like a carpet pushed from one end. → Himalayas formed.
- India still pushes into Asia at ~5 cm/year; Himalayas still grow ~5 mm/year.
Fig. 1.4 · India's journey to Eurasia — from Gondwana (near Africa), drifting northward over 71 million years, colliding with Eurasia ~50 million years ago.
Fig. 1.5 · Folded layers of Himalayan rock — evidence of the India–Eurasia tectonic collision.
🔖 Key Himalayan Facts
- Peaks >8,000 m = 'Eight Thousanders'; range spans 6 countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan.
- Called 'Water Tower of Asia' — feeds Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra.
- Brahmaputra = 'son of Brahma'; gets bigger in summer (snowmelt); only masculine-named major Indian river.
| Himadri (Greater Himalayas) | Highest; Everest & Kanchenjunga; snow-covered all year; very few settlements. |
| Himachal (Lower Himalayas) | South of Himadri; moderate climate; Nainital, Darjeeling, Shimla, Mussoorie. |
| Shivalik Hills (Outer Himalayas) | Lowest; rolling hills; dense forests; transition zone to Gangetic Plains. |
📌 Gaumukh & Gangotri Glacier
Bhagirathi River (Ganga tributary) originates at Gaumukh ('Cow's Mouth'), Uttarakhand — edge of Gangotri Glacier. Sacred; popular trekking destination.
📌 Kath-kuni Architecture
Kath-kuni / dhajji-dewari style: locally available stone + wood — warm, earthquake-resistant. Western Himalayan region.
Fig. 1.6 · Kath-kuni House, Himachal Pradesh — stone-and-wood construction; thermally warm and earthquake-resistant.
📌 Great Himalayan National Park
In Himachal Pradesh; UNESCO World Heritage Site. Preserved by govt and village communities. Species: Snow Leopard, Himalayan Monal, Rhododendron.
03
The Cold Desert — Ladakh
Fig. 1.8 · Moonland, Ladakh — eroded sand-clay terrain resembling the moon's surface.
Fig. 1.10 · Pangong Tso, Ladakh — has salty water due to minerals dissolving from surrounding mountains.
| Type | Cold desert; winter drops below −30°C |
| Pangong Tso | Has salty water (tso = lake); minerals from surrounding mountains |
| Moonland | Folded oceanic rocks (sand + clay) eroded by wind & rain into moon-like shapes |
| Wildlife | Snow leopards, ibex, Tibetan antelopes |
| Culture | Ancient monasteries; festivals: Losar, Hemis Festival |
| Yaks | Milk, meat, wool, dung (fuel), transport |
Fig. 1.9 · Yaks in the Himalayas — reared for milk, meat, wool, dung, and transport. Essential to Himalayan life.
04
The Gangetic Plains (Northern Plains)
Fig. 1.16–1.18 · Satellite image of the Gangetic Plains (bright lights = high population density); Northern Plains grey langur at Bandhavgarh NP, MP; Bengal Tiger — saved by Project Tiger.
| Rivers | Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra + extensive tributaries |
| Soil | Mineral-rich river deposits — highly fertile; ideal for agriculture |
| Population | A large proportion of India's population lives here |
| Transport | Flat terrain → elaborate road & railway networks; rivers used for trade for millennia |
| Energy | Hydroelectric power from rivers |
Fig. 1.19–1.20 · Indian Gharial (2.5–4.5 m; on verge of extinction; hunting prohibited by law) and Indian Peacock — national bird of India.
📌 Project Tiger
The tiger was on the verge of extinction. Project Tiger successfully supported its return to habitats. India now has the world's largest wild tiger population.
05
The Great Indian Desert — Thar Desert
Fig. 1.22 · Jaisalmer — the 'Golden City' in the middle of the Thar Desert. The Jaisalmer Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
| States | Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana |
| Sand Dunes | Rise up to 150 metres; shaped by wind |
| Role | Natural barrier — harsh conditions deter movement |
| Jaisalmer | 'Golden City'; fort = UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Pushkar Mela | Famous camel fair at the edge of Thar |
📌 Water Conservation in Thar
- Women travel long distances to fetch water; utensils scoured with sand; rinse water reused for plants.
- Taanka / kunds — traditional rainwater harvesting systems for drinking water.
06
The Aravalli Hills
Fig. 1.26 · Kumbhalgarh Fort surrounded by the Aravallis — the strategic hill location proved an excellent deterrent to the enemy.
| Age | ~2.5 billion years old — among world's oldest mountains |
| States | Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat |
| Highest Peak | Mount Abu — over 1,700 m |
| Ecological Role | Prevents Thar Desert expanding eastward |
| Minerals | Marble, granite, zinc, copper |
| Zawar Mines | India was first in the world to master zinc extraction — over 800 years ago |
| Historic Forts | Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore |
⚠️ UPSC Alert — Zawar Zinc Mines
Zawar mines (Aravallis, Rajasthan) = India was first in the world to master zinc extraction, 800+ years ago. Frequently tested UPSC Prelims fact.
07
The Peninsular Plateau & Ghats
🔖 Key Definitions
Plateau = landform rising from surrounding land with flat top and steep sides. | Peninsula = land surrounded by water on three sides.
| Surrounded by | Arabian Sea (west) · Bay of Bengal (east) · Indian Ocean (south) |
| Main Plateau | Deccan Plateau — flat highlands between Western & Eastern Ghats |
| Tilt | Slightly east → most rivers flow east into Bay of Bengal |
| East-flowing Rivers | Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, Kaveri → Bay of Bengal; form fertile deltas |
| West-flowing Rivers | Narmada, Tapti → Arabian Sea; form estuaries |
| Resources | Minerals, forests, fertile land. Coal mines — vital for electricity; coal is a fossil fuel → global warming. |
| Tribal Communities | Santhal, Gond, Baiga, Bhil, Korku in dense plateau forests |
| Western Ghats | Taller; continuous wall; heavy monsoon rainfall; UNESCO World Heritage Site; northern part = Sahyadri Hills; Lion-tailed macaque, King cobra, insectivorous plants |
| Eastern Ghats | Lower; broken/discontinuous; smaller hills along eastern coast |
Figs. 1.28–1.32 · Powerhouse Waterfalls near Munnar, Kerala; Lion-tailed macaque; King cobra; Insectivorous plant (catches insects in sticky traps); Coal mines of the Peninsular Plateau.
08
India's Amazing Coastlines
India's coastline is over 7,500 km long — beaches, rocky cliffs, forests, coral reefs.
| West Coast | Gujarat → Kerala via Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka; rivers form estuaries; Mumbai = India's financial centre; Narmada & Tapti estuaries = largest |
| East Coast | Ganga Delta → Kanyakumari; rivers form fertile deltas; Chilika Lake; Pulicat Lake (lagoon) |
| Delta | Triangular/fan-shaped landform at river mouth — sediment deposits; ideal for farming |
| Lagoon | Water body separated from sea by a natural barrier |
| Estuary | Tidal, funnel-shaped river mouth where freshwater meets saltwater |
09
Indian Islands
Figs. 1.36–1.38 · Coral reef in Lakshadweep (Arabian Sea); Coral reef in Andaman Islands (Bay of Bengal); Floating dock of the Indian Navy near Andaman Islands — strategic importance.
| Lakshadweep — Location | Arabian Sea, close to Malabar coast of Kerala |
| Lakshadweep — Islands | 36 coral islands; not all inhabited |
| Andaman & Nicobar — Location | Bay of Bengal |
| Andaman & Nicobar — Islands | More than 500 large and small volcanic islands |
| Active Volcano | Barren Island — India's only active volcano; sometimes erupts |
| Cellular Jail | Freedom fighters imprisoned here (colonial era); preserved as national reminder |
⚠️ UPSC Alert
Barren Island = India's only active volcano (Andaman & Nicobar, Bay of Bengal). Lakshadweep = Arabian Sea (NOT Bay of Bengal). Classic trap question!
10
The Sundarbans & West Bengal Delta
| Location | Delta of Ganga, Brahmaputra & tributaries — West Bengal |
| Unique Feature | World's largest mangrove forest; unique river–sea–land combination |
| Cross-Border | ~Half in India; rest in Bangladesh |
| UNESCO Status | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Famous Wildlife | Royal Bengal Tiger |
| Vegetation | Mangroves — adapted to tidal, brackish water |
11
Hills of the Northeast (Meghalaya)
Fig. 1.41 · Seven Sisters Waterfalls (Meghalaya); The Shad Suk Mynsiem festival of the Khasi people — gratitude towards nature; Living roots bridge near Nongriat village, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya.
| Hills | Garo, Khasi, Jaintia Hills — part of Meghalaya Plateau |
| Rainfall | One of the highest rainfalls in the world |
| Khasi People | Shad Suk Mynsiem festival — gratitude towards nature |
📌 Mawlynnong Village
Mawlynnong, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya = 'cleanest village in Asia'. Famous for bamboo dustbins, eco-friendly living, and living root bridges — created by weaving tree roots over many years (not bamboo).
Fig. 1.42 · Living root bridges — craftsmanship of the tribes of the Northeast. Mawlynnong, East Khasi Hills = Asia's cleanest village.
12
Key Terms Glossary
Subcontinent
A large region that is part of a continent but geographically distinct — India forms a distinct subcontinent within Asia.
Gondwana
Ancient supercontinent from which India broke away; India's neighbour then was Africa.
Eight Thousanders
Himalayan peaks exceeding 8,000 m height, collectively called so.
Water Tower of Asia
Nickname for Himalayas — snowmelt feeds Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra.
Pangong Tso
Salty lake in Ladakh; tso = lake. Salinity from minerals of surrounding mountains.
Moonland
Nickname for Ladakh's terrain — moon-like eroded landscape from folded oceanic rocks.
Peninsula
Land surrounded by water on three sides.
Plateau
Landform rising from surrounding land with a flat top and steep sides.
Delta
Triangular/fan-shaped landform at river mouth — formed by sediment deposition.
Estuary
Tidal, funnel-shaped river mouth where freshwater meets saltwater.
Lagoon
Water body separated from the sea by a natural barrier.
Archipelago
A group of islands — Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar are archipelagos.
Taanka / Kund
Traditional rainwater harvesting systems of the Thar Desert, Rajasthan.
Mangroves
Salt-tolerant trees in tidal coastal areas; dominant in Sundarbans.
Kath-kuni
Traditional stone-wood house construction in western Himalayas; earthquake-resistant.
Sahyadri Hills
Alternative name for the northern portion of the Western Ghats.
📝 Before We Move On — NCERT Summary
- India gives its name to the subcontinent it is a part of.
- Diverse geographical features — from snowy Himalayas to Thar Desert; fertile river plains; peninsular plateau flanked by Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
- Diversity created variety in soil, flora, fauna, life, economic opportunities, and rich culture.
- These features have played an important role in shaping Indian civilisation.
MCQ Practice Bank — Chapter 1
Geographical Diversity of India · 20 UPSC-Standard Questions
How to attempt: Click any option button to submit your answer. The selected option will turn green if correct or red if wrong (with the correct answer shown). Explanation appears below each question after you attempt it.
Q 1
Consider the following statements about the Himalayan ranges:
1. The Himadri (Greater Himalayas) remains snow-covered throughout the year and has very few human settlements.
2. The Himachal range lies to the north of the Greater Himalayas.
3. The Shivalik Hills serve as a transition zone between the Himalayas and the Gangetic Plains.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. The Himadri (Greater Himalayas) remains snow-covered throughout the year and has very few human settlements.
2. The Himachal range lies to the north of the Greater Himalayas.
3. The Shivalik Hills serve as a transition zone between the Himalayas and the Gangetic Plains.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q 2
Consider the following statements about the formation of the Himalayas:
1. India was originally part of the supercontinent Gondwana, where its nearest neighbour was Africa.
2. India collided with Eurasia approximately 50 million years ago, causing the land to fold and rise.
3. The Himalayas are no longer growing as the tectonic collision has ceased.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. India was originally part of the supercontinent Gondwana, where its nearest neighbour was Africa.
2. India collided with Eurasia approximately 50 million years ago, causing the land to fold and rise.
3. The Himalayas are no longer growing as the tectonic collision has ceased.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q 3
Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched?
1. Gaumukh — Origin of the Bhagirathi River (Ganga tributary) in Uttarakhand
2. Pangong Tso — Freshwater lake in Ladakh famous for its blue colour
3. Kath-kuni style — Traditional earthquake-resistant stone-and-wood houses of the western Himalayas
Select the correct answer:
1. Gaumukh — Origin of the Bhagirathi River (Ganga tributary) in Uttarakhand
2. Pangong Tso — Freshwater lake in Ladakh famous for its blue colour
3. Kath-kuni style — Traditional earthquake-resistant stone-and-wood houses of the western Himalayas
Select the correct answer:
Q 4
Consider the following statements about Ladakh:
1. Ladakh is a hot desert with very little rainfall and extreme daytime temperatures.
2. The terrain of Ladakh is called 'Moonland' because of the eroded landscape formed from folded oceanic rocks.
3. Yaks in Ladakh are used for milk, meat, wool, dung (as fuel), and transport.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. Ladakh is a hot desert with very little rainfall and extreme daytime temperatures.
2. The terrain of Ladakh is called 'Moonland' because of the eroded landscape formed from folded oceanic rocks.
3. Yaks in Ladakh are used for milk, meat, wool, dung (as fuel), and transport.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q 5
Assertion (A): The Brahmaputra River gets bigger during summer instead of shrinking.
Reason (R): The Brahmaputra is fed by Himalayan snowmelt, which significantly increases the river's volume during summer months.
Select the correct answer:
Reason (R): The Brahmaputra is fed by Himalayan snowmelt, which significantly increases the river's volume during summer months.
Select the correct answer:
Q 6
With reference to the Thar Desert and the Aravalli Hills, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The Thar Desert spans Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.
2. Sand dunes in the Thar Desert can rise up to a maximum height of 100 metres.
3. The Aravalli Hills prevent the Thar Desert from expanding eastward.
4. The Zawar mines in the Aravallis prove India was the first in the world to master zinc extraction, over 800 years ago.
1. The Thar Desert spans Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.
2. Sand dunes in the Thar Desert can rise up to a maximum height of 100 metres.
3. The Aravalli Hills prevent the Thar Desert from expanding eastward.
4. The Zawar mines in the Aravallis prove India was the first in the world to master zinc extraction, over 800 years ago.
Q 7
Which of the following correctly describes traditional water conservation in the Thar Desert?
1. Taanka and kunds are rainwater storage systems used primarily for drinking water.
2. Women of the Thar traditionally scour utensils with sand to conserve water, reusing rinse water for plants.
3. These practices represent traditional rainwater harvesting developed long before modern technology.
Select the correct answer:
1. Taanka and kunds are rainwater storage systems used primarily for drinking water.
2. Women of the Thar traditionally scour utensils with sand to conserve water, reusing rinse water for plants.
3. These practices represent traditional rainwater harvesting developed long before modern technology.
Select the correct answer:
Q 8
Consider the following statements about the Peninsular Plateau:
1. The plateau tilts slightly to the east, causing most rivers to flow towards the Bay of Bengal.
2. Narmada and Tapti are east-flowing rivers that drain into the Bay of Bengal.
3. The Deccan Plateau lies between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.
4. The Western Ghats are lower and more broken than the Eastern Ghats.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. The plateau tilts slightly to the east, causing most rivers to flow towards the Bay of Bengal.
2. Narmada and Tapti are east-flowing rivers that drain into the Bay of Bengal.
3. The Deccan Plateau lies between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.
4. The Western Ghats are lower and more broken than the Eastern Ghats.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q 9
Which of the following are mentioned as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in NCERT Class 7 Chapter 1?
1. Western Ghats
2. Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh
3. Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan
4. Sundarbans, West Bengal
5. Chilika Lake, Odisha
Select the correct answer:
1. Western Ghats
2. Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh
3. Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan
4. Sundarbans, West Bengal
5. Chilika Lake, Odisha
Select the correct answer:
Q 10
Consider the following statements about India's island territories:
1. Lakshadweep consists of 36 coral islands located in the Bay of Bengal near Kerala.
2. The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago has more than 500 islands in the Bay of Bengal.
3. Barren Island, India's only active volcano, is in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
4. The Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands imprisoned freedom fighters during colonial rule.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. Lakshadweep consists of 36 coral islands located in the Bay of Bengal near Kerala.
2. The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago has more than 500 islands in the Bay of Bengal.
3. Barren Island, India's only active volcano, is in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
4. The Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands imprisoned freedom fighters during colonial rule.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q 11
Match rivers with their direction of flow and drainage:
Rivers: (a) Godavari (b) Narmada (c) Mahanadi (d) Tapti
Drainage: 1 = West-flowing → Arabian Sea 2 = East-flowing → Bay of Bengal
Which matching is correct?
Rivers: (a) Godavari (b) Narmada (c) Mahanadi (d) Tapti
Drainage: 1 = West-flowing → Arabian Sea 2 = East-flowing → Bay of Bengal
Which matching is correct?
Q 12
With reference to the Sundarbans, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is located in the delta of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries.
2. The entire Sundarbans lies within India's territory in West Bengal.
3. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its mangrove forests and the Royal Bengal Tiger.
1. It is located in the delta of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries.
2. The entire Sundarbans lies within India's territory in West Bengal.
3. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its mangrove forests and the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Q 13
Consider the following statements about the hills of Northeast India:
1. The Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills are part of the Meghalaya Plateau.
2. Mawlynnong Village in the East Khasi Hills is known as the 'cleanest village in Asia'.
3. The living root bridges of Meghalaya are created by weaving bamboo stalks across rivers.
4. The Shad Suk Mynsiem festival of the Khasi people is celebrated as gratitude towards nature.
Which is/are correct?
1. The Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills are part of the Meghalaya Plateau.
2. Mawlynnong Village in the East Khasi Hills is known as the 'cleanest village in Asia'.
3. The living root bridges of Meghalaya are created by weaving bamboo stalks across rivers.
4. The Shad Suk Mynsiem festival of the Khasi people is celebrated as gratitude towards nature.
Which is/are correct?
Q 14
Assertion (A): The Western Ghats receive much heavier rainfall and have denser vegetation than the Eastern Ghats.
Reason (R): The Western Ghats are taller, run as a continuous wall along the western coast, and force moisture-laden southwest monsoon winds to rise and deposit heavy rainfall on their windward slopes.
Select the correct answer:
Reason (R): The Western Ghats are taller, run as a continuous wall along the western coast, and force moisture-laden southwest monsoon winds to rise and deposit heavy rainfall on their windward slopes.
Select the correct answer:
Q 15
Consider the following pairs — geographic feature and description:
1. Delta — Tidal funnel-shaped river mouth formed by erosion
2. Lagoon — Body of water separated from a larger water body by a natural barrier
3. Archipelago — A group of islands
4. Estuary — Triangular, fan-shaped landform at a river's mouth formed by sediment deposition
Which pair(s) is/are correctly matched?
1. Delta — Tidal funnel-shaped river mouth formed by erosion
2. Lagoon — Body of water separated from a larger water body by a natural barrier
3. Archipelago — A group of islands
4. Estuary — Triangular, fan-shaped landform at a river's mouth formed by sediment deposition
Which pair(s) is/are correctly matched?
Q 16
Consider the following statements about the Gangetic Plains:
1. Concentration of lights in satellite images indicates the high population density of the plains.
2. The Indian Gharial, found in plains rivers, is on the verge of extinction and protected by law.
3. Project Tiger helped the Bengal Tiger return to its habitats after it was on the verge of extinction.
4. The flat terrain of the Northern Plains was a disadvantage for developing transport networks.
Which is/are correct?
1. Concentration of lights in satellite images indicates the high population density of the plains.
2. The Indian Gharial, found in plains rivers, is on the verge of extinction and protected by law.
3. Project Tiger helped the Bengal Tiger return to its habitats after it was on the verge of extinction.
4. The flat terrain of the Northern Plains was a disadvantage for developing transport networks.
Which is/are correct?
Q 17
Which of the following statements about the Aravalli Hills is/are correct?
1. The Aravallis are approximately 2.5 billion years old — among the world's oldest mountain ranges.
2. They prevent the Thar Desert from expanding eastward.
3. India's Zawar mines (in the Aravallis) were the first in the world to master zinc extraction, over 800 years ago.
4. The Aravallis span only Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Select the correct answer:
1. The Aravallis are approximately 2.5 billion years old — among the world's oldest mountain ranges.
2. They prevent the Thar Desert from expanding eastward.
3. India's Zawar mines (in the Aravallis) were the first in the world to master zinc extraction, over 800 years ago.
4. The Aravallis span only Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Select the correct answer:
Q 18
Which of the following is an INCORRECT statement about India's geography?
Q 19
Assertion (A): India is referred to as a 'mini-continent' despite being a single country.
Reason (R): India has extraordinary diversity of geographical features — from icy Himalayas and cold Ladakh desert, to Thar Desert, fertile Gangetic Plains, tropical Deccan Plateau, diverse coastlines, and island territories — each with distinct flora, fauna, climate, and culture.
Select the correct answer:
Reason (R): India has extraordinary diversity of geographical features — from icy Himalayas and cold Ladakh desert, to Thar Desert, fertile Gangetic Plains, tropical Deccan Plateau, diverse coastlines, and island territories — each with distinct flora, fauna, climate, and culture.
Select the correct answer:
Q 20
Consider the following statements about India's geographical position and natural boundaries:
1. The Himalayan Mountain range acts as India's natural boundary in the north.
2. The Thar Desert and the Arabian Sea mark India's western limits.
3. To the east, the Bay of Bengal forms India's natural boundary.
4. Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) is where the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean converge.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. The Himalayan Mountain range acts as India's natural boundary in the north.
2. The Thar Desert and the Arabian Sea mark India's western limits.
3. To the east, the Bay of Bengal forms India's natural boundary.
4. Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) is where the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean converge.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
