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NCERT Class 7 Social Science Chapter 1 Geographical Diversity of India
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Geographical Diversity of India
Chapter: 1
THEME – A: India and the World: Land and the People
The Big Questions?
1. What are some key geographical features of India?
Ans: Following are the key Features of India:
(i) The Himalayas: Himalayas are very important to us as they save our country from the cold and dry winds of Central Asia. They also prevent the monsoon winds of the Indian Ocean from crossing over to Northern countries and cause heavy rainfall in Northern India.
(ii) The Indo-Gangetic Plain: Indo Ganga Brahmaputra Plain, also known as the North Indian River Plain, These plains are nourished by mighty rivers originating from the Himalayas, providing a vital lifeline: water. The Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra river systems, along with their extensive network of tributaries, enrich the soil with minerals, making the region highly fertile and ideal for agriculture.
(iii) The Thar Desert: The Thar Desert and the Arabian Sea mark its western limits. To the south, the Indian Ocean and to the east, the Bay of Bengal form a natural boundary. These geographical features create a separation between India and the rest of the continent and have played a crucial role in shaping India’s climate, culture, and history.
(iv) The Peninsular Plateau: A plateau is a landform that rises up from the surrounding land and has a more or less flat surface; some of its sides are often steep slopes. India has several plateaus; the most important one is the triangular peninsular area in the middle and south of the country.
(v) The Coastal Plains and Islands: Narrow plains and island groups like Andaman, Nicobar, and Lakshadweep.
2. How does India’s geographical diversity affect our lives?
Ans: India’s geographical diversity affects our climate, agriculture, culture, and economy. Different regions grow different crops and have unique traditions based on their land and weather. Natural resources like rivers and forests support our daily life and industries. Beautiful places like mountains and beaches also boost tourism.
| Questions and Activities |
1. What, in your opinion, are two important geographical features of India? Why do you think they are important?
Ans: In my opinion, two important geographical features of India are the Himalayas and the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
(i) Himalayas: The Himalayan Mountain range stands as a natural barrier in the north, while the Thar Desert and the Arabian Sea mark its western limits. To the south, the Indian Ocean and to the east, the Bay of Bengal form a natural boundary. These geographical features create a separation between India and the rest of the continent and have played a crucial role in shaping India’s climate, culture, and history. This mountain range stretches across six countries in Asia: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
(ii) The Gangetic Plain: These plains have been an important part of the history and civilisation of India. These plains are nourished by mighty rivers originating from the Himalayas, providing a vital lifeline: water. The Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra river systems, along with their extensive network of tributaries, enrich the soil with minerals, making the region highly fertile and ideal for agriculture. The rivers bring with them minerals that enrich the soil, enabling abundant agriculture. The rivers are also a source for generating electricity. A large proportion of India’s population lives in these plains.
Thus, both the Himalayas and the Indo-Gangetic Plain play a vital role in India’s geography, climate, and socio-economic structure.
2. What do you think India might have looked like if the Himalayas did not exist? Write a short note or sketch a drawing to express your imagination.
Ans: If the Himalayas did not exist, India would have looked quite different. The northern part of India, which is now protected by the mountain range, would have been more exposed to cold winds from Central Asia. Without the Himalayas to block these winds, the climate would likely have been much colder and drier, especially in the northern plains. The lack of the mountain range would also mean there would be no melting snow to feed the rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna, so these rivers might not have been as large or fertile.
Without the Himalayas, India’s geography and climate would have been drastically different. The northern plains would have been more arid, resembling the Thar Desert, as cold winds from Central Asia would have swept through the region. The absence of the Himalayas would have reduced the flow of rivers like the Ganga, impacting agriculture. Diverse ecosystems would have been lost, and India’s rich biodiversity would have been diminished. Culturally, the spiritual and historical significance of the Himalayas would also have been absent.
3. India has been called a ‘mini-continent’. Based on what you’ve read, why do you think this is so?
Ans: India is often called a subcontinent because it is a distinct landmass, not just a country. While it has many features of a continent, it is not as big as one, so is not considered a continent. India was once a continent (or at least a very large island). It features a wide range of landscapes, from the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas in the north to the tropical forests and beaches in the south. The country has deserts, fertile plains, coastal regions, and dense forests, each supporting different climates and ecosystems. This diversity in terrain, climate, and biodiversity makes India resemble a mini-version of a continent, where different regions feel almost like separate worlds.
4. Follow one of India’s big rivers from where it starts to where it meets the ocean. What are the different ways in which people might utilise this river along its journey? Discuss in groups in your class.
Ans: The Godavari originates in the Western Ghats of central India near Nashik in Maharashtra, 80 km (50 mi) from the Arabian Sea. It flows for 1,465 km (910 mi), first eastwards across the Deccan Plateau then turns southeast, entering the Eluru district and Alluri Sitharama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh, until it splits into two distributaries that widen into a large river delta at Dhavaleshwaram Barrage in Rajamahendravaram and then flows into the Bay of Bengal
The Godavari river is the largest river system of Peninsular India. The Godavari basin extends over States of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha in addition to smaller parts in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Puducherry (Yanam) having a total area of approximately 3 lakh Sq.km.
The Godavari River plays a vital role in the lives of people along its journey. Firstly, it is a crucial source of water for agriculture and irrigation, supporting the cultivation of crops like rice, cotton, and sugarcane in Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Secondly, it serves as an important source of drinking water for nearby cities and towns, and its flow is harnessed for hydroelectric power generation, with dams like the Jayakwadi Dam providing energy to the region.
5. Why is the southern part of India referred to as a peninsular plateau?
Ans: The Southern plateau in India is referred to as the “Peninsular plateau” because it is located on the Indian subcontinent’s southern peninsula, entirely south of the Vindhya Range. This plateau is characterized by its flat, rocky terrain, which is the result of ancient geological formations. The region is mainly made up of hard, igneous and metamorphic rocks, and it is raised above the surrounding plains, giving it a distinct elevated feature. The Deccan Plateau is the prominent feature of this area, making it an important geographical region of India.
6. Which UNESCO Heritage Site mentioned in this chapter did you find more interesting? Write a short paragraph to describe what about it is interesting.
Ans: The Western Ghats have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are home to many rivers and have a rich biodiversity. The northern portion of the Western Ghats are also known as the Sahyadri Hills. The Eastern Ghats are lower and broken into smaller hills along the eastern coast. Between these mountain ranges lies the Deccan Plateau, a vast area of flat highlands. Rivers like the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri flow across the plateau from west to east. These rivers are important for farming and provide water to millions of people.
7. Look at the two maps of India, physical as well as political, given at the end of this book. Identify the place you are at now. Which physical feature of India would you use to describe its location?
Ans: I live in Assam, My location is in the northeastern part of India. Assam is situated in the Brahmaputra Valley, which is part of the Gangetic Plain. The state is bordered by the Himalayas to the north, which forms a natural boundary, and is rich in rivers, with the Brahmaputra River flowing through it. Assam is also known for its lush greenery, tea gardens, and hilly terrains, making it a part of the Northeastern Hills. These physical features define your location in India. Assam is known for its lush greenery, tea gardens, and hilly terrain, making it part of the Northeastern Hills. These physical features define Assam’s location. The physical map highlights mountains, rivers, and plains, while the political map shows state boundaries, helping identify Assam’s exact location in India.
8. Food preservation techniques differ from place to place across India. They are adapted to local conditions. Do a class project. Gather different methods of preserving food. Hint: Drying vegetables when they are in season for use during the off-season.
Ans: Below are some different methods of preserving food across India:
| Basic of difference | Regions | Method |
| Drying | Coastal regions where salt is abundantly available. | Salt is used to preserve food, particularly fish and meat, by drawing out moisture. This method has been traditionally used in areas without access to refrigeration. |
| Pickling | Widely used in almost all regions of India, especially in coastal and tropical areas. | Vegetables, fruits, and sometimes fish or meats are preserved in oil, salt, vinegar, and spices. Pickles are a favorite and traditional method of preserving food in Indian households. |
| Fermentation | Mostly found in regions with a tradition of fermenting foods, including South India, the North East, and parts of West Bengal. | : Fermentation involves using bacteria or yeast to preserve food. This method enhances the shelf life of foods and can also add unique flavors. |
| Smoking | Predominantly in the North East and hilly regions, but also in other places where smoking meat and fish is part of the culinary tradition. | Smoking food involves exposing it to smoke from burning wood or bamboo, which imparts a distinct flavor while drying the food and preventing bacterial growth. |
| Salt Preservation | Coastal regions where salt is abundantly available. | Salt is used to preserve food, particularly fish and meat, by drawing out moisture. This method has been traditionally used in areas without access to refrigeration. |
9. Despite having such different regions (mountains, deserts, plains, coasts), India remains one country. How do you think our geography has helped unite people?
Ans: India’s diverse geography, with its mountains, deserts, plains, and coasts, is indeed a factor in how the country remains united, and many geographical elements such as flow resources, water sharing, and drainage systems play key roles in this unity.
Rivers and Water Resources: Four major surface water resources are rivers, lakes, ponds, and tanks. The country has about 10,360 rivers and their tributaries longer than 1.6 km each. The mean annual flow in all the river basins in India is estimated to be 1,869 cubic km.The major rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, and Godavari, which flow through different regions, have been vital in providing water for agriculture and daily life. These rivers create a common resource that binds people from various regions, fostering cooperation and unity in their use and preservation.
Cultural Integration through Trade and Travel: TIndia’s geographical features, such as river systems and coastline, have historically facilitated trade and movement of people. The interconnectedness of regions through waterways and trade routes has fostered a sense of unity by promoting exchanges of goods, ideas, and cultural practices.For instance, the coastal regions were centers for trade with other parts of the world, which also brought cultural influences into India.
National Identity: Despite differences in climate, language, and culture, the geography of India creates a common landscape that people across the country share. From the snowy Himalayas to the vast Thar Desert, and the fertile plains, the natural beauty and resources of India have provided a sense of pride and belonging, helping unite people under a national identity, regardless of their regional diversity.
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