Which are the major physiographic divisions of India? Contrast the relief of the Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular plateau.
The major physiographic divisions of India are:
- The Himalayan Mountains
- The Northern Plains of India
- The Peninsular Plateau
- The Indian Desert
- The Coastal Plains
- The Islands
Relief of Himalayan Region
(i) Himalayas are young fold and loftiest mountains of the world comprising of several parallel ranges.
(ii) They were formed due to folding of sedimentary rock strata in the bed of the Tethys Sea.
(iii) This region consists of the highest peaks of the world. Many of these peaks are above 6000 metres and snow covered throughout the year, e.g., Mt. Everest, Mt. K2 etc.
(iv) The Himalayas represent a youthful topography with high peaks, gorges, deep valleys and waterfalls.
Relief of Peninsular Plateau
(i) It is a high tableland made up of old crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks.
(ii) The Peninsular Plateau was born by breaking up of the Gondwana land.
(iii) The hills of the Peninsular Plateau are rounded due to large scale erosion over a long period of time e.g., Aravalis and the Nilgiris etc.
(iv) The Peninsular Plateau represents a relief of rounded hills, broad and shallow valleys.