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Geography

Q.) Divide India into major physiographic divisions and discuss in detail the characteristics of the Peninsular Plateau. (10 marks) (UPSC-RAS)

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Answer-

  • India is divided into 5 major physiographic divisions on the basis of various relief features. These are as follows:
  1. Himalayan Mountainous Region
  2. Northern Plain Region
  3. Peninsular Plateau Region
  4. Coastal Plain Region
  5. Islands

Characteristics of the Peninsular Plateau Region:

  • It is India’s oldest, most stable and largest physiographic region (area about 16 lakh sq. km) and was originally a part of Gondwanaland.
  • It is triangular in shape.
  • The average height of this region is about 600–900 metres.
  • This region includes mountain ranges such as Vindhyan, Satpura, Aravalli, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and Nilgiris, and plateaus such as Central Highlands, Deccan Plateau, Meghalaya Plateau, Chota Nagpur Plateau and Dandakaranya Plateau.
  • The region is rich in mineral resources such as iron ore, coal and bauxite.
  • Rivers like Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri are important for hydroelectric power generation.
  • Black soil (Regur) and Red soil are mainly found here, which are suitable for the cultivation of cotton and other crops.
  • The highest peak of the Peninsular Plateau region is Anamudi (2695 m), located in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats.