Class 7 new ncert Chapter 1 SST Solution - Geographical Diversity of India

Chapter 01: Geographical Diversity of India

Question 1. What are the major geographical features of India?

Answer: India is divided into five major geographical parts:

1. Himalayan Mountains
2. Indo–Gangetic Plain
3. Thar Desert
4. Peninsular Plateau
5. Coastal regions and islands

Question 2. What is the importance of the Himalayan mountain range?

Answer:

• It is a natural wall on the northern boundary of India.
• Rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra originate from here.
• It affects the climate.
• Religious and tourist places are located here.

Question 3. What are the three ranges of the Himalayas?

Answer:

1. Himadri (Greater Himalaya) – the highest range, always covered with snow.
2. Himachal (Lesser Himalaya) – hill tourist places are located here.
3. Shiwalik – the lowest range.

Question 4. What are the features of the Ganga plains?

Answer:

• This is a very fertile region.
• More population lives here.
• Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers flow here.
• This region is very important for agriculture.

Question 5. Where is the Thar Desert located? What are its features?

Answer:

• It is located in western India (Rajasthan).
• Rainfall is low here.
• Sand dunes are found here.
• Hot during the day and cold at night.

Question 6. What is the importance of the Aravalli range?

Answer:

• It is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.
• It prevents the desert from spreading towards the east.
• Minerals are found here.

Question 7. What is the Peninsular Plateau?

Answer:

• It is located in the central and southern parts of India.
• It is surrounded by water on three sides.
• Rivers like Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri flow here.
• It is rich in mineral resources.

Question 8. What are the features of India’s coastline?

Answer:

• It is about 7500 km long.
• Estuaries are found on the western coast.
• Deltas are found on the eastern coast.
• Many ports and trade cities are located here.

Question 9. What is a delta?

Answer: When a river deposits the soil it carries before meeting the sea and forms a triangular landform, it is called a delta.

Question 10. How does India’s geographical diversity affect our life?

Answer:

• It affects climate.
• It affects agriculture and industries.
• It affects people’s food, clothing, and lifestyle.
• It affects transport and trade.

NCERT Exercise Solution

Question 1. In your opinion, what are two important geographical features of India? Why are they important?

Answer: In my opinion, two important geographical features of India are —

1. Himalayan mountain range – it protects the northern boundary of India, is the source of rivers, and maintains climate balance.
2. Ganga plain – it is very fertile, has high population, and agriculture is well developed.

Question 2. What would India be like if the Himalayas did not exist?

Answer: If the Himalayas did not exist —

• Cold winds would come directly from Central Asia.
• Monsoon rainfall would decrease.
• Rivers like Ganga and Yamuna would not exist.
• The northern plains would not be fertile. Thus, India’s climate, agriculture, and lifestyle would completely change.

Question 3. Why is India called a ‘subcontinent’?

Answer: India has all types of landforms such as mountains, plains, deserts, plateaus, coastal regions, and islands. It has diverse climate, vegetation, and wildlife. Due to such diversity, India is called a ‘subcontinent’.

Question 4. Look at a map of any major river in India. Where does it originate and where does it flow into the sea? How do people use this river in different ways along its course? Discuss this with your class.

Answer: (Example – Ganga River)

• Origin: Gangotri Glacier (Gomukh), Uttarakhand.
• End: Bay of Bengal.
• Uses:
  • Irrigation
  • Drinking water
  • Hydroelectric power
  • Transport
  • Religious activities

Question 5. Why is the southern part of India called the Peninsular Plateau?

Answer: Southern India is surrounded by water on three sides (Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean), so it is called a peninsula. This region is elevated and flat, so it is called a plateau. Hence, it is called the Peninsular Plateau.

Question 6. Which UNESCO heritage sites described in this chapter interested you the most?

Answer: I found the Western Ghats and Sundarbans most interesting.

• The Western Ghats are rich in biodiversity.
• The Sundarbans is the world’s largest delta and is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger. Both are famous for natural beauty and wildlife.

Question 7. Look at the physical and political maps of India at the end of this book. Identify the region you are currently in. What physical feature of India would you use to describe this place?

Answer: Example – If I am in Delhi, then Delhi is located in the northern part of India and is part of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The Yamuna River flows nearby. This region is flat and fertile, making it suitable for agriculture and human settlement.

Question 8. What are the methods of food preservation in India.

Answer: Food preservation methods in India —

• Drying vegetables and fruits
• Making pickles
• Making papad and bari
• Storing grains in dry places
• Using salt and oil. These methods are adopted according to local climate and resources.

Question 9. India is a vast country with so many different physical features (mountains, deserts, plains, coastal areas, etc.). How has India's geographical location helped its people stay united? What do you think about this?

Answer: India’s diverse geographical conditions have given different lifestyles, yet rivers, trade routes, and cultural connections have united people. Natural boundaries like the Himalayas and seas have protected the country and helped maintain unity. Unity in diversity is India’s strength.

Let’s Explore

Question 1. Look at the map of India at the end of this book. What do you see on it? What do the different colors signify?

Answer: The map shows mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, rivers, coastline, and islands. Different colors indicate land height —

• Dark brown/white → high mountains
• Light brown → plateau
• Green → plains
• Yellow → desert

Question 2. Between which latitudes and longitudes is India located?

Answer: India is located between 8°4' N to 37°6' N latitude and 68°7' E to 97°25' E longitude.

Question 3. Name the states in the Himalayan region.

Answer:

• Jammu and Kashmir
• Ladakh
• Himachal Pradesh
• Uttarakhand
• Sikkim
• Arunachal Pradesh

Question 4. Why is there more light concentration in plains?

Answer: Plains have higher population, cities, roads, and industries. Hence more light is visible at night in satellite images.

Question 5. What shape do sand dunes have? Even though they're made of only sand, why do they remain in shape?

Answer: Sand dunes are hill-like or crescent-shaped. Wind direction shapes them, and although not permanent, they remain stable for some time due to balance of wind.

Question 6. In which states does the Aravalli range extend?

Answer:

• Delhi
• Haryana
• Rajasthan
• Gujarat

Question 7. What is the direction of river flow in India?

Answer:

• Most rivers flow from west to east and fall into the Bay of Bengal.
• Some rivers like Narmada and Tapi flow from east to west into the Arabian Sea.

Question 8. Where are tribal communities mainly found?

Answer: Tribal communities are mainly found in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Assam, and Telangana.

Question 9. Write the names of five rivers flowing towards the Bay of Bengal.

Answer:

1. Ganga
2. Brahmaputra
3. Mahanadi
4. Godavari
5. Krishna

Question 10. What are rivers called when they divide into many streams near the coast?

Answer: They are called deltas.