CBSE class 9 Geography Chapter 2 Notes Physical Features of India

Physical Features of India Class 9 Notes are part of cbse class 9 syllabus. It helps students understand the natural landforms of India and how they shape the country’s climate, agriculture, and human life. This chapter explains how India’s physical landscape has been formed through geological processes over millions of years.

As per the cbse class 9 Social Science syllabus, the Class 9th Geography Chapter 2 Notes cover six major physical divisions of India in a clear and structured way. These Physical Features of India Notes are important for exams as questions are asked from maps, short answers, and long descriptive topics. These notes help students develop geographical thinking and map-reading skills.

What are the Physical Features of India?

India boasts a variety of landscapes, from towering mountains to vast plains. This chapter explores the major landforms that shape the country. It explains how these features developed over geological time. Understanding these Geography Class 9 Chapter 2 Notes helps to see the geographic diversity of the nation. It highlights how these landforms influence life across different regions. 

Physical Features of India Class 9 Notes

India's land shows great physical variation. Geologically, the Peninsular Plateau is one of the oldest landmasses. The Himalayas and Northern Plains are more recent landforms. These are formed by different geological processes.

Major Physiographic Divisions

India's physical features are grouped into six main divisions:

1. The Himalayan Mountains

2. The Northern Plains

3. The Peninsular Plateau

4. The Indian Desert

5. The Coastal Plains

6. The Islands

The Himalayan Mountains

The Himalayas extend along India's northern border. These ranges run west to east from the Indus to the Brahmaputra. They include three parallel ranges:

• Himadri (Great or Inner Himalayas): This is the northernmost and most continuous range. It has the highest peaks, averaging 6,000 meters. The core is granite.

• Himachal (Lesser Himalaya): South of Himadri, this is a rugged mountain system. The Pir Panjal range is the longest and most important here.

• Shiwaliks: These are the outermost ranges. They consist of unconsolidated sediments.

• Duns: Longitudinal valleys between the Lesser Himalayas and the Shiwaliks. Examples include Dehradun.
  
  

Himalayas are also divided regionally:

• Punjab Himalayas: Between Indus and Satluj rivers. Also called 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.

• Purvachal: Beyond the Dihang gorge, the Himalayas bend south. These include Patkai, Naga, Manipur, and Mizo Hills.

The Northern Plains

Formed by the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries. It covers about 7 lakh sq. km. This plain is broadly divided:

• Punjab Plains: Western part, formed by Indus and its tributaries (Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Satluj).

• Ganga Plain: Extends between Ghaggar and Teesta rivers. Covers parts of Haryana, Delhi, U.P., Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

• Brahmaputra Plain: Lies in Assam.

Northern Plains also have regions based on elevation:

• Bhabar: Narrow belt (8-16 km wide) parallel to Shiwalik slopes. Rivers deposit pebbles here; streams disappear.

• Terai: Wet, swampy, marshy region where streams re-emerge.

• Bhangar: Old alluvial deposits, forming terrace-like features above floodplains. Contains calcareous deposits called Kankar.

• Khadar: Newer, younger alluvial deposits in floodplains.

The Peninsular Plateau

This tableland consists of old crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. It formed from the breaking and drifting of Gondwana land. The black soil area is known as Deccan Trap. The plateau has two divisions:

• Central Highlands: North of the Narmada River, covering much of the Malwa plateau. Eastward extensions include Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand.

• Deccan Plateau: A triangular landmass south of the Narmada. It extends northeast as the Meghalaya, Karbi-Anglong Plateau, and North Cachar Hills.

The Indian Desert

Located on the western margins of the Aravali Hills. It is a sandy plain with sand dunes. This region gets very low rainfall (below 150 mm per year). It has a dry climate and low vegetation cover.

The Coastal Plains

These are narrow strips of land along the east and west of the peninsular plateau.

• Eastern Coastal Plain: Between Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal. Northern part is Northern Circar; southern part is Coromandel Coast. Large rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri form deltas. Lake Chilika is a key feature.

• Western Coastal Plain: Between Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. It is a narrow plain with three sections:

• Konkan: Northern part (Mumbai – Goa).

• Kannad Plain: Central stretch.

• Malabar Coast: Southern stretch.

The Islands

Islands are pieces of land surrounded by water.

• Lakshadweep Islands: Small coral islands, earlier called Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindive.

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Divided into Andaman (north) and Nicobar (south). They are near the equator, having an equatorial climate and thick forest cover.

Divisions of Physical Features of India

Major Physiographic Divisions

India's diverse terrain is classified into six major physiographic units: The Himalayan Mountains, The Northern Plains, The Peninsular Plateau, The Indian Desert, The Coastal Plains, and The Islands. Each division has distinct geological characteristics and formation processes. These physical features of india notes summarize these divisions effectively.

Importance of Physical Features

The diverse physical features offer many possibilities for development:

• Mountains: Major sources of water and forest wealth.

• Northern Plains: Granaries of the country, supporting early civilizations.

• Plateau: Storehouse of minerals, vital for industrialization.

• Coastal Regions and Islands: Sites for fishing and port activities.