Physics Wallah

CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 2 Physical Features of India

In this article we have provided CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 2 prepared by our experts to help students to prepare better for their examinations.
authorImageAnanya Gupta18 Jun, 2024
Share

Share

CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 2

CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 2: Chapter 2 of the CBSE Class 9 Geography book, "Physical Features of India," teaches about the different landforms in India. It explains how mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, coastal areas, and islands were formed and how they look.

The chapter describes the Himalayan Mountains, the Northern Plains, the Peninsular Plateau, the Indian Desert, the Coastal Plains, and the Islands. Each of these areas has unique features and plays an important role in India's climate, vegetation, and human life. Understanding these physical features helps students learn more about India's diverse geography and environment.

CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 2 Physical Features of India Overview

These notes, prepared by subject experts from Physics Wallah, provide an overview of Chapter 2, "Physical Features of India," from the CBSE Class 9 Geography syllabus. This chapter covers the diverse landforms of India, including the Himalayan Mountains, the Northern Plains, the Peninsular Plateau, the Indian Desert, the Coastal Plains, and the Islands. Each section explains the formation, characteristics, and significance of these regions. Understanding these physical features helps students grasp the complexity and variety of India's geography, which influences its climate, vegetation, and human activities.

CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 2 PDF

The PDF link below has detailed notes for CBSE Class 9 Geography Chapter 2, "Physical Features of India." These notes explain the different landforms in India, such as the Himalayan Mountains, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains, and Islands. Each section describes how these landforms were formed, their main features, and why they are important. These notes are made by subject experts from Physics Wallah to help students understand and remember the key points easily.

CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 2 PDF

CBSE Notes Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 Physical Features of India

Here we have provided CBSE Notes Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 for the ease of students so that they can prepare better for their exams.

Major Physiographic Divisions

The physical features of India are grouped under the following physiographic divisions:
  1. The Himalayan Mountains
  2. The Northern Plains
  3. The Peninsular Plateau
  4. The Indian Desert
  5. The Coastal Plains
  6. The Islands
Let's discuss each of them in detail:

The Himalayan Mountains

The Himalayan Mountains stretch along India's northern borders from the Indus River to the Brahmaputra River, running in a west-east direction. They consist of three parallel ranges:

Great Himalayas (Himadri):

  • The northernmost range with the highest peaks averaging 6,000 meters.
  • Composed of granite and characterized by asymmetrical folds.

Lesser Himalayas (Himachal):

  • South of the Himadri, forming a rugged mountain system.
  • Includes the Pir Panjal range, the longest and most significant range.

Outer Himalayas (Shiwaliks):

  • The outermost range composed of unconsolidated sediments.
  • Features longitudinal valleys known as Duns, such as Dehradun and Kotli Dun.
The Himalayas are divided into regions from west to east:
  • Punjab Himalaya: Between Indus and Satluj, also known as Kashmir and Himachal Himalaya.
  • Kumaon Himalayas: Between Satluj and Kali rivers.
  • Nepal Himalayas: Between Kali and Teesta rivers.
  • Assam Himalayas: Between Teesta and Dihang rivers.
  • Eastern Hills (Purvachal): Along the eastern boundary of India, including Patkai Hills, Naga Hills, Manipur Hills, and Mizo Hills.

The Northern Plain

The Northern Plain in India is formed by the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems and their tributaries, covering an area of 7 lakh sq. km. It is divided into three sections:
  1. Punjab Plains: Formed by the Indus and its tributaries - Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Satluj.
  2. Ganga Plain: Extends from Ghaggar to Teesta rivers, covering North India, Haryana, Delhi, U.P., Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
  3. Brahmaputra Plain: Located in Assam.
The Northern Plains are further divided into four regions based on elevation:
  • Bhabar: A narrow belt where rivers deposit pebbles at the foot of the Shiwaliks.
  • Terai: Wet, swampy region created by rivers re-emerging from Bhabar.
  • Bhangar: Older alluvium forming terrace-like features above floodplains.
  • Khadar: Younger floodplain deposits with fertile soil.

The Peninsular Plateau

The Peninsular Plateau in India is a vast tableland composed of ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. It was formed from the breakup and drifting of the ancient Gondwana landmass. One of its distinctive features is the presence of Deccan Trap black soil areas.

Divisions of the Peninsular Plateau:

Central Highlands:

  • Located north of the Narmada River, covering the Malwa plateau extensively.
  • Includes eastward extensions known as Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand.

Deccan Plateau:

  • South of the Narmada River, it forms a triangular landmass.
  • Extends northeast into Meghalaya, Karbi-Anglong Plateau, and North Cachar Hills.

Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats:

Western Ghats:

  • Parallel to the western coast of India.
  • Continuous and can only be crossed through passes.
  • Higher elevation ranging from 900 to 1600 meters.
  • Includes Anamudi as its highest peak.

Eastern Ghats:

  • Stretch from the Mahanadi Valley to the Nilgiris in the south.
  • Discontinuous and irregular, dissected by rivers flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
  • Lower elevation averaging around 600 meters.
  • Mahendragiri (1,501 meters) is the highest peak in the Eastern Ghats.

The Indian Desert

The Indian Desert is situated on the western margins of the Aravali Hills. Here are some key characteristics:
  • Sandy Plain with Sand Dunes: The region is covered with extensive sand dunes.
  • Low Rainfall: Receives very minimal rainfall, averaging below 150 mm per year.
  • Dry Climate: Has a dry climate with sparse vegetation.

The Coastal Plains

Coastal plains are flat, low-lying areas adjacent to the ocean. In India, there are two main coastal plains:

Eastern Coastal Plain

  • Location: It stretches between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal.
  • Regions: Known as the Northern Circar in the north and the Coromandel Coast in the south.
  • Rivers: Major rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri form extensive deltas here.
  • Significant Feature: Lake Chilika, a notable brackish water lagoon, is found along this coast.

Western Coastal Plain

  • Location: Positioned between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
  • Divisions:
    • Konkan: Northern part, spanning from Mumbai to Goa.
    • Kannad Plain: Central stretch.
    • Malabar Coast: Southern part, known for its lush greenery and scenic beauty.

The Islands of India

An island is a piece of land surrounded by water, and India is blessed with two major island groups:

Lakshadweep Islands

  • Composition: Made up of small coral islands formerly known as Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindive.
  • Geographical Division: The islands are broadly categorized into:
    • Andaman Islands: Located in the north.
    • Nicobar Islands: Situated in the south.
  • Climate: These islands experience an equatorial climate characterized by high humidity and thick forest cover.
India's varied geography provide significant opportunities for future development due to several reasons:
  • Mountains: Are the crucial sources of water and forest resources.
  • Northern Plains: Known as the granaries of the country, supporting early civilizations with fertile agricultural lands.
  • Plateau: Rich in mineral resources, contributing significantly to India's industrialization.
  • Coastal Regions and Islands: Provide ideal locations for fishing, port activities, and tourism, contributing to economic growth and development.

Benefits of CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 2

  • Easy Learning: The notes help you understand geography topics easily by breaking them down into simpler parts.
  • Important Ideas: They highlight the main concepts so you can focus on what's most important.
  • Clear Understanding: Notes explain difficult ideas in a way that makes them easier to understand.
  • Quick Review: You can use them to quickly review before exams to remember everything you've learned.
  • Exam Help: They prepare you well for exams by covering key points and possible questions.
  • Study Alone: You can study on your own pace with these notes, which helps you learn better.
  • Building Knowledge: By using notes, you can build a strong foundation in geography for future studies.
CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter-wise List
Chapter 1: India – Size and Location
Chapter 2: Physical Features of India
Chapter 3: Drainage
Chapter 4: Climate
Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
Chapter 6: Population

CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 2 FAQs

What are the characteristics of the Himalayan Mountains?

The Himalayas run in a west-east direction from the Indus to the Brahmaputra. They consist of three parallel ranges: the Great Himalayas (Himadri), the Lesser Himalayas (Himachal), and the Outer Himalayas (Shiwaliks). The region includes high peaks, asymmetrical folds, and longitudinal valleys called Duns.

What are the features of the Indian Desert?

The Indian Desert lies to the west of the Aravali Hills. It is a sandy plain covered with sand dunes and experiences very low rainfall (below 150 mm annually). The region has a dry climate with sparse vegetation cover.

Describe the Coastal Plains of India.

India has two coastal plains: the Eastern Coastal Plains and the Western Coastal Plains. The Eastern Coastal Plains lie between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal, featuring deltas formed by rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. The Western Coastal Plains lie between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, divided into the Konkan, Kannad, and Malabar coasts.

What are the major island groups of India?

India has two major island groups: the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands. These islands lie close to the equator, experience equatorial climates, and are characterized by thick forest cover. They are strategically located and contribute to fishing, port activities, and biodiversity conservation.

How do these physical features contribute to India's development?

The Himalayas provide water resources and forest wealth. The Northern Plains are agriculturally productive and historically significant.
Popup Close ImagePopup Open Image
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
Popup Image
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Point IconLive & recorded classes available at ease
Point IconDashboard for progress tracking
Point IconMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Download ButtonDownload Button
Banner Image
Banner Image
Free Learning Resources
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others

Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.