Indian and World Geography PDF
Indian and World Geography PDF
Indian and World Geography PDF
Area Geography & Boundaries Geography 1. India stretches 3,214 km from North to South & 2,933 km from East to West. 2. Geography Area of India : 32,87,263 sq. km. Accounts for 2.4% of the total world area and
By D.S. Rajput
Physiography of India
Indian Physiography Physiographically, India can be divided into 3 units: 1. Mountains in the North 2. Plains in the Northern India & the Coast 3. Plateau region of the South To these can be added the fourth, namely, the coasts and islands Mountains in North India
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Peninsular Mountains The Great Himalayas or The Himadri Average elevation extends upto 6000m & some of the worlds highest peaks are here :
Mt Everest (or Sagarmatha or Chomo Langma) Mt Kanchenjunqa Mt Makalu Mt Dhaulaqiri Mt Cho Oyu Mt Nanga Parbat Mt Annapurna Mt Nando Devi 8850 m (in Nepal) 8598 m (in India) 8481 m (in Nepal) 81 72 m (in Nepal) 8153m (in Nepal) 8126m (in India) 8078 m (in Nepal)
While the Himalayas are Fold Mountains, they are not. The Aravalli Mountains (Rajasthan) : Worlds oldest. Guru Shikhar is the highest peak on which Mount Abu (1,722 m) is situated. The Vindhya Mountains The Satpura Mountains (highest point at Dhupgarh [1,350 m] near Pachmarhi) The Western Ghats or Sahyadris : Average height 1200mtrs, 1600km long. Its southern part is separated from the main Sahyadri range by Palghat Gap (link between Tamil Nadu & Kerala). Other passes are Thalghat (connects Nasik to Mumbai) and Bhorghat (connects Pune to Mumbai). The Eastern Ghats (Highest peak : Mahendra Giri (1501 m)). The Nilgiris or The Blue Mountains : Meeting place of the Western and the Eastern Ghats. Two highest peaks are Dodda Betta and Makurti. The highest peak of Peninsular India is Anaimudi (2695 m) in Anaimalai Hills. Cardamom hills or Ealaimalai is the southernmost mountain range of India.
There are few passes and almost all of them have a height above 4,500 m. they include Shipki La and Bara Lapcha La in Himachal Pradesh, Burzil and Zozi La in Kashmir, Niti, Lipulekh and Thag La in Uttarankhand, and Jelep La and Nathu La in Sikkim.
Lesser Himalayas or The Himachal Average height of mountains is 3700 4500 m. Mountains and valleys are disposed in all direction (mountains rising to 5000 m and the valleys touching 1000 m). Its important ranges are : Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal, Nag Tibba, Mussoorie.
Facts about position of states UP borders the maximum number of States-8 (Uttarakhand, HP, Haryana, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar). After UP is Assam, which touches the border of 7 States. Tropic of Cancer passes through 8 States : Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, WB, Tripuro, Mizoram. Indian Standard Meridian passes through 5 States : UP, MP, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, AP. 9 States form the coast of India. They are : Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu. Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal.
Important hill resorts are : Shimla, Chhail, Ranikhet, Chakrata, Mussoorie, Nainital, Almora, Darjeeling.
Outer Himalayas or The Shiwaliks Lowest range (average elevation is 900-1200 m). Forms the foothills and lies between the Lesser Himalayas and the plains. It is the newest range.
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The Plains of India To the south of the Himalayas and to the north of the Peninsula lies the great plains of North India. They are formed by the depositional works of three major river systems, Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra. The vast plains of north India are alluvial in nature and the westernmost portion is occupied by the Thar Desert. The thickness of the alluvium is maximum in the Ganga plains and minimum in the Western Plains. In the Kerala plains are the backwaters or Kayak, which are the shallow lagoons or inlets of the sea, lying parallel to the coastline. The largest among these is the Vembanad Lake. The plains consist of four divisions: Bhabar : Along the foothills of Shiwaliks. Highly porous Tarai : Re-emergence of streams. Zone of excessive dampness Bhangar : Older alluvium of the plains. Studded with calcareous formations called kankar Khadar : New alluvium and forms the flood plains along the river banks.
The Arabian Sea Group All the islands in the Arabian Sea (Total 25) are coral islands and are surrounded by Fringing Reefs (North : Lakshadweep, South: Minicoy).
Note : Ten Degree Channel separates Andamans from Nicobars (Little Andaman from Car Nicobar) Duncan Passage lies between South Andaman and Little Andaman. Nine Degree Channel separates Kavaratti from Minicoy Island. Eight Degree Channel separates Minicoy Island (India) from Maldives.
Peninsular Plateau of India Spreads south of the Indo-Gangetic plains flanked by sea on three sides. This plateau is shaped like a triangle with its base in the north. The Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats constitute its eastern and western boundaries, respectively. Narmada, which flows through a rift valley, divides the region into two parts: The Malwa Plateau in the north & the Deccan Plateau in the south. Most of the rocks are of the igneous type.
Rivers of India
Vindhya Plateau is situated south of Malwa plateau. In India, the rivers can be divided into two main groups: Chhota Nagpur Plateau lies to the west of Bengal basin, the largest and most typical part of which is the Ranchi plateau. The Deccan Plateau is the largest plateau in India. It is made up of lava flows in the Cretaceous-Eocene era through the fissure eruptions. 1. Himalayan Rivers 2. Peninsular Rivers Himalayan Rivers of India In this three major river systems are there: The Indus System It has a total length of 2880 km (709 km in India). Rises in Tibet (China) near Mansarovar Lake. In Jammu and Kashmir, its Himalayan tributaries are: Zanskar, Dras, Gartang, Shyok, Shigar, Nubra, Gilgit, etc.
Islands of India Total coastline of India : 7516 km. Longest coastline: Gujarat (Second longest is of Andhra Pradesh). Indian territorial limits include 248 islands:
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The Ganga System It is 2525 km long of which 1450 km is in Uttarakhand and UP, 445 km in Bihar and 520 km in West Bengal. The Ganga, the head stream is constituted of two main rivers Bhagirthi and Alaknanda, which combine at Devprayag to form Ganga. Before Alaknanda meets Bhagirthi at Devprayag, Mandakini meets Alaknanda at Rudraprayag. Sources: Bhagirthi from Gaumukh, Alaknanda from Badrinath, Mandakini from Kedarnath (all from Uttarakhand). Yamuna (1375 km) is its most important tributary (on right bank). It rises at the Yamunotri glacier in Uttarakhand. It runs parallel to Ganga for 800km and joins it at Allahabad. Important tributaries of Yamuna are Chambal (1050 km), Sind, Betwa (480 km) and Ken (all from south). Apart from Yamuna, other tributaries of Ganga are Ghaghra (1080 km), Son (780 km), Gandak (425 km), Kosi (730 km), Gomti (805 km), Damodar (541 km). Kosi is infamous as Sorrow of Bihar, while Damodar gets the name Sorrow of Bengal as these cause floods in these regions. Hooghli is a distributory of Ganga flowing through Kolkata.
B. West Flowing Rivers in India Narmada River (1057 km) : Has only l/10th part in Gujarat. Rises in Amarkantak Plateau and flows into Gulf of Khambat. It forms the famous Dhuan Dhar Falls near Jabalpur. Main tributaries: Hiran, Burhner, Banjar, Shar, Shakkar, Tawa, etc. Tapti River (724 km) : Rises from Betul distt in MR Also known as twin or handmaid of Narmada. Main tributaries: Purna, Betul, Arunavati, Ganjal, etc. Sabarmati River (416 km) : Rises from Aravallis in Rajasthan. Mahi River (560 km) : Rises from Vindhyas in MR Luni River (450 km) : Rises from Aravallis. Also called Salt River. It is finally lost in the marshy grounds at the head of the Rann of Kuchchh. Sharavati is a west flowing river of the Sahyadris. It forms the famous Jog or Gersoppa or Mahatma Gandhi Falls (289 m), which is the highest waterfall in India.
The Brahmaputra system It has a total length of 2900 km. It rises in Tibet (from Chemayungdung glacier), where it is called Tsangpo, and enters the Indian territory (in Arunachal Pradesh) under the name Dihang. Important Tributaries: Subansiri, Kameng, Dhansiri, Manas, Teesta. In Bangladesh, Brahmaputra is known by the name of Jamuna while Ganga gets the name Padma. Their combined stream is known as Padma only. Meghna is the most important distributory before it enters the Bay of Bengal. The combined stream of Ganga and Brahmaputra forms the biggest delta in the world, the Sundarbans, covering an area of 58,752 sq. km. Its major part is in Bangladesh. On Brahmaputra is the river island, Majuli in Assam, the biggest river island in the world. Brahmaputra, or the Red River, is navigable for a distance of 1384 km up to Dibrugarh and serves as an excellent inland water transport route.
Inland Drainage Some rivers of India are not able to reach the sea and constitute inland drainage. Ghaggar (494 km) is the most important of such drainage. It is a seasonal stream which rises on the lower slopes of the Himalayas and gets lost in the dry sands of Rajasthan near Hanumangarh. It is considered the old Saraswati of the Vedic times.
Rivers of the Peninsula in India Different from the Himalayan rivers because they are seasonable in their flow (while Himalayan rivers are perennial). They can be divided into two groups:
Note: The largest man-made lake in India is Indira Sagar Lake, which is the reservoir of Sardar Sarovar Project, Onkareshwar Project and Maheshwar Project in Gujarat-MP.
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Climate Seasons in India Gulf of Mannar (south east of Tamil Nadu) : Asias first marine biosphere reserve. In India, the year can be divided into four seasons, resulting from the monsoons which occur mainly due to the differential heating of land and movement of the suns vertical rays. The vertical rays of the sun advance towards Tropic of Cancer from mid-March, due to which hot and dry weather arrives. As temperatures rise over most of northern and Central India, a vast trough of low pressure is created. The highest temperature experienced in South is in April while in North it is in May and June. This part of the year is marked by a dry spell and the north-western parts of the country experience hot, dry winds, called loo. In this period, the country also experience storms / dust storms at various places. 1. Tornado like dust storms in Punjab and Haryana, called Andhis in UP and Kalbaisakhis in West Bengal. They involve strong convectional movements causing some precipitation. 2. The Norwesters originate over the Chhotanagpur Plateau and blow in the north-east direction which brings about 50 cm of rainfall in Assam and about 10 cm rainfall in West Bengal and Orissa. This rainfall is very useful for Assam tea and spring rice crops of West Bengal. 3. Similarly, Cherry Blossoms are there in Karnataka, beneficial to coffee plantation and
Nagarjuna Sagar Project On Krishna in A.P Tungabhadra On Tungabhadra in A.P & Karnataka
Mango showers in elsewhere South India, which are beneficial to mango crops.
This weather is followed by hot, wet weather from June to September. In May, the south west monsoon sets in. The normal dates of onset of the monsoon are May 20 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, June 3 in the Konkan, June 15 in Kolkata and June 29 in Delhi. The south west monsoon enters the country in two currents, one blowing over the Bay of Bengal and the other over the Arabian Sea. This monsoon causes rainfall over most of the country (except Tamil Nadu and Thar Desert area). The S.W monsoon entering from Western Ghats causes heavy rainfall over Kerala coast, but Tamil Nadu falls on the leeward side. In the Thar area, the winds blow parallel to the Aravallis and do not cause rain. The Bay of Bengal current causes heavy rainfall in the north east parts of the country and a part of it turns west along the Himalayas over the Indo-Gangetic plains causing rainfall in this region. But the Bay of Bengal current, by the time it reaches W Rajasthan, runs out of moisture. The Bay of Bengal branch after crossing the deltaic region enters the Khasi valley in Meghalaya and gets entrapped in it due to funnel shape of the region. It strikes Cherrapunji in a perpendicular direction causing heavies rainfall in Mawsinram (Approx. 1400 cm).
Shivasamudram Project Tata Hydel Scheme Sharavathi Hydel Project Kundah & Periyar Project Farakka Project Ukai Project Mahi Project Salal Project
On Cauvery in Karnataka On Bhima in Maharashtra On Jog Falls in Karnataka In TN On Ganga in W.B. Apart from power and irrigation it helps to remove silt for easy navigation On Tapti in Gujarat On Mahi in Gujarat On Chenab in J & K
Mata Tila Multipurpose Project On Betwa in U.P & M.P Thein Project Pong Dam On Ravi, Punjab On Beos, Punjab
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Black Soil in India Climatic Regions of India India can be divided into a number of climatic regions. Tropical Rain Forests in India : Found in the west coastal plains, the Western Ghats and parts of Assam. Characterized by high temperatures throughout the year. Rainfall, though seasonal, is heavy- about 200 cm annually during May-November. Tropical Savanna Climate : In most of the peninsula region except the semi-arid zone in the leeward side of the Western Ghats. It is characterized by long dry weather throughout winter and early summer and high temperature (above 18.2c); annual rainfall varies from 76 cm in the west to 150 cm in the east. Tropical Semi-Arid Steppe Climate : It prevails in the rain-shadow belt running southward from Central Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu in the leeward side of the Western Ghats and the Cardamom Hills. It is characterized by low rainfall which varies from 38 cm to 80 cm, high temperature between 20 and 30. Tropical and Subtropical Steppes : Large areas in Punjab, Haryana and Kutch region. Temperature varies from 12-35c. The maximum temperature reaches up to 49c. The annual rainfall, varying from 30.5-63.5 cm, is also highly erratic. Tropical desert : This climate extends over the western parts of Banner, Jaisalmer and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan and parts of Kutch. It is characterized by scanty rainfall (30.5 cm), which is highly erratic. Rains are mostly in the form of cloud-burst. Mean monthly temperature is uniformly high (about 35c). Humid Subtropical Climate with Dry Winters : This area includes south of the Himalayas, east of the tropical and subtropical steppes and north of tropical savannah. Winters are mild to severe while summers are extremely hot. The annual rainfall varies from 63.5 cm to more than 254 cm, most of it received during the south west monsoon season. Mountain Climate : Such type of climate is seen in mountainous regions which rise above 6,000 m or more such as the Himalayas and the Karakoram Range. Also called Regur and is ideal for cotton crop. These soils have been formed due to the solidification of lava spread over large areas during volcanic activity in the Deccan Plateau, thousands of years ago. They are black due to compounds of iron and aluminium (also because of titaniferous magnetite). Mainly found in Deccan Plateau Maharashtra, Gujarat, M.P, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu. Apart from cotton cultivation, these fertile soils are suitable for growing cereals, oilseeds, citrus fruits and vegetables, tobacco and sugarcane. They have high moisture retention level. Lack in phosphorus, nitrogen and organic matter.
Red Soil in India They are mainly formed due to the decomposition of ancient crystalline rocks like granites and gneisses and from rock types rich in minerals such as iron and magnesium. The term red soil is due to the wide diffusion of iron oxides through the materials of the soil. Covers almost the whole of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, S.E. Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh, parts of Orissa, Jharkhand and Bundelkhand. Generally deficient in nitrogen, humus and phosphorus, but rich in potash.
Suitable for rice, millets, tobacco and vegetables (also groundnuts and potatoes at higher elevations).
Laterite Soil in India Found in typical monsoon conditions under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall with alternate wet and dry periods. The alterations of wet and dry season leads to the leaching away of siliceous matter and lime of the rocks and a soil rich in oxides of iron and aluminium compounds is left behind.
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Soil Erosion in India Acute in hilly and dry regions Causes depletion of forests, wrong use of lands such as cultivation on very steep slopes, cattle rearing. It ultimately leads to Badland Topography. Remedy Afforestation, contour cultivation etc.
Forest and Mountain Soils Such soils are mainly found on the hill slopes covered by forests. The formation of these soils is mainly governed by the characteristic deposition of organic matter derived from forest growth. In the Himalayan region, such soils are mainly found in valley basins, depressions and less steeply inclined slopes. Apart from the Himalayan region, the forest soils occur in higher hills in south and the peninsular region. Very rich in humus but are deficient in Potash, phosphorous and lime and needs fertilizers.
Arid and Desert Soils Trees are rosewood, shisham, ebony, ironwood, etc. A large part of the arid and semi-arid region in Rajasthan and adjoining areas of Punjab and Haryana lying between the Indus and the Aravallis receiving less than 50 cm of annual rainfall is affected by desert conditions. This area is covered by a mantle of sand which inhibits soil growth. The phosphate content of these soils is as high as in normal alluvial soils. Nitrogen is originally low but its deficiency is made up to some extent by the availability of nitrogen in the form of nitrates. Thus the presence of phosphates and nitrates make them fertile soils wherever moisture is available. The changes in the cropping pattern in the Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area are a living example of the utility of the desert soils. Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests In areas having rainfall between 100 200 cm. In peninsular region and along the foothills of Himalayas in Shivaliks, Bhabhar and Tarai. The trees of these forests drop their leaves for about 6-8 weeks during the spring and early summer when sufficient moisture isnt available. Trees are teak, sal, bamboo, sandalwood, rosewood, etc.
Thorn Forests In areas having rainfall between 25 and 80cm. In arid regions of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat. Trees are palm, acacia, etc.
Saline and Alkaline Soils In the drier parts of Bihar, Up Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, are the salt-impregnated or alkaline soils. Known by different names: Reh, kallar, USAR, etc. Some of the salts are transported in solution by the rivers and canals, which percolates in the sub-soils of the plains. The accumulation of salts makes the soil infertile and renders it unfit for agriculture.
Hill Forests In hills of S.India and the Himalayas. The type of trees depends upon the height of the mountain : Sal and bamboo below 1000 m; oaks, chestnuts and other fruit trees, and chir forests between 1000 and 2000 m; pine, deodar, silver fern and spruce between 1600 and 3300 m; above 3600 m alpine forests with trees like silver firs, pines, birches, etc. Alpine forests give way to Alpine grasslands and scrubs as we move up further.
Peaty and Marshy Soils Originate in the humid regions as a result of accumulation of large amounts of organic matter in the soil. They contain considerable amounts of soluble salts and 10 40% of organic matter.
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Note : According to the National Forest Policy, the minimum desired area which is considered safe for a tropical country like India is about 33%. Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under forests followed by Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Arunachal Pradesh. As per percentage of forest area to total area, first is Andaman and Nicobar Islands, followed by Mizoram, Manipur, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Nagaland. They are in a very comfortable position as more than half of their area is under forests. Arunachal Pradesh has the highest per capita forest area. In Mangrove forests, West Bengal holds the first position, followed by Gujarat and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The lowest forest percentage is in Haryana and Punjab, because of the extensive agriculture.
Biosphere Reserves in India The biosphere reserve program was launched by the UNESCO in 1971 under the aegis of its Man and Biosphere (MAB) Program, to provide a global network of protected areas for conserving natural communities. In India, the first biosphere reserve Nilgiri biosphere reserve came into being in 1986. So far, 14 biosphere reserves have been set up in the country.
Similipal (Orissa) Dibru-Daikhowa (Asom) Dehong Dabang (Arunachal Pradesh) Panchmarhi (MP) Kanchanjunga (Sikkim) Agastyamalai (Kerala)
Nilgiri (Western Ghats) Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand) Nokrek (Meghalaya) Manas (Asom) Sunderbans (West Bengal) Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu)
Bori, Satpura, Pachmari Madhya Pradesh Nagarhole Katarniaghat Nameri Kaziranga Karnataka Uttar Pradesh Asom Asom
Great Nicobar (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) Achaanak maar-Amarkantak (Madhya Pradesh)
Note : Out of these 14, Nilgiri, Sunderbans, Manas and Gulf of Mannar have been recognized on World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO. Note : Nagarjunasagar Tiger Reserve in AP is the largest, while Pench in Maharashtra is the smallest. Bandipur in Karnataka was the first (1973-74), while Kaziranga is the latest (2006).
Project Tiger It was launched on April 1, 1973 to ensure maintenance of viable population of the tigers in India.
Project Elephant
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Agriculture in India
Cropping Seasons in India Kharif Crops of India Sown in summers between May and July, and harvested after the rains, in September and October. Eg: Rice, Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Cotton, Jute, Sugarcane, Tobacco, Groundnut, Pulses, etc.
Assam (Digboi, Naharkatiya, Badarpur, Masinpur and Pallharia), Gujarat, (Ankleshwar, Khambat, Kalol), Mumbai High, Bassein (south of Mumbai High), etc. Recently oil has been discovered in Cauvery basin, Krishna and Godavary basin, Khambat basin, etc. Iron Resources
Rabi Crops of India Sown at the beginning of winter and harvested before the onset of the summer season, between Feb and April.
Zayad Crops They are raised between April and June. E.g. : Melon, watermelon, cucumber, toris, leafy and other vegetables.
India possesses Haematite, a very high-grade iron ore. In Madhya Pradesh (Bailadila, Jabalpur), Goa (North Goa), Karnataka (Bababudan hills, Chikmagalur, Hospet), Jharkhand (Singhbhum, Naomundi), Andhra Pradesh, Orissa. India is the fifth largest exporter of iron ore in the world. Japan is the biggest buyer accounting for about 3/4th of Indias total exports. Major ports handling iron ore export are Vishakhapatnam, Paradip, Marmagao and Mangalore.
Bauxite Resources Chief ore for producing aluminium. In Orissa (Kalahandi, Koraput, Sundargarh, Bolangir, Sambalpur), Jharkhand (Lohardaga, Gumla), Madhya Pradesh (Jabalpur, Mandla, Shahdol, Kami, Balaghat), Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu. Gold Resources in India Karnataka (Kolar, Hutti, Raichur), Andhra Pradesh (Ramgiri and Yeppamanna goldfields in Chittor and Anantapur districts). Silver, Zinc & Lead Rajasthan (Zawar mines near Udaipur), Andhra Pradesh (Mysore, Chitradurg), Karnataka (Kolar mines). Uranium Resources in India Jharkhand (Jaduguda), Rajasthan (Ajmer), Andhra Pradesh (Nellore, Nalgonda), Karnataka (Gulbarga). Thorium Resources in India Kerala coast (From Monazite sand), rocks of Aravallis in Rajasthan.
Cash Crops of India (Commercial Crops) Grown mainly for the market, only a small portion of the product is consumed by the farmers themselves (cotton, sugarcane etc.)
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Industries in India
Cotton Textile Industry in India Most important industry in terms of employment and production of export goods. In Maharashtra (Mumbai, Sholapur, Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Wardha, Hajipur), Gujarat (Ahmedabad, Vododara, Rajkot, Surat, Bhavnagar),Tamil Nadu (Coimbatore-Manchester of South India). Tamil Nadu has the largest number of cotton textile mills in India. Silk Textile Industry in India The location of silk industry is governed by two factors- prevalence of sericulture practices and availability of skilled labour. Karnataka is the leading producer, followed by West Bengal, Bihar, etc. Woolen Textile Industries
Hindustan Shipyard at Vishakhapatnam, Cochin Shipyard, Mumuai (Mazgaon Dock) and Kolkata (Garden Reach Workshop). For Indian Navy, only at Mazgaon. Cycles India
In Punjab (Dhariwai, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Ferozpur), Maharashtra (Mumbai), UP (Kanpur, Mirzapur, Agra, Tanakpur), etc. In Mumbai, Asansol, Sonepat, Delhi, Chennai, Jalandhar and Ludhiana. Jute Industries India Tractors in India India manufactures the largest quantity of jute goods in the world. Mainly located in West Bengal, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, UP, MP. At Faridabad, Pinjore, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai.
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Pharmaceuticals and Drugs Antibiotics are prepared at Pimpri and Rishikesh. The Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited has 5 plants at Hyderabad, Rishikesh, Chennai, Gurgaon and Muzaffarpur. A number of other units are concentrated in Mumbai, Baroda, Delhi, Kolkata and Kanpur. Pesticides in India Delhi and Alwaye Sugar Industry JP, Maharashtra, AP, TN, Karnataka and Bihar. Aircraft Industry in India Hindustan Aeronautics India Ltd. was formed by merging two aircraft factories at Bangalore and Kanpur. Four other factories are at Nasik, Hyderabad, Koraput (Orissa), Lucknow. Rubber Industry in India Bareilly (UP), Baroda (Gujarat Synthetic Rubber Units, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Amritsar-Reclaimed Rubber Units.
Farakka Satpura
Ramagundam AP Vindhyanchal MP
Railways in India
Indian railway system is the largest in Asia and the fourth largest in the world. It is the biggest departmental public undertaking in the country. The first train ran in India between Bombay and Thane, a stretch of 34 km. on April 16 1853. The Indian Railways celebrated its 150th anniversary on April 16, 2003. To commemorate the occasion, 16 January Shatabadi inter city express trains were announced to be inducted. The second train ran between Howrah and Hooghly in 1854. The headquarters of Indian Railway is in New Delhi. The first electric train in India was Deccan Queen. It was introduced in 1929 between Bombay and Poona. Indian Railways has the second biggest electrified system in the world after Russia. The fastest train in India is the Shatabadi Express whose maximum speed is 140 km/hr. The total route covered is approx 63,000 km. The total number of railway stations in India is 7,100. The longest railway platform in India is at Kharagpur (W.B.). Mumbai is the destination where maximum number of trains in India head for. The longest train route is of Himsagar Express from Jammu Tavi to Kanyakumari. It covers a distance of 3,726 km and passes through ten states. The first Metro Rail was introduced in Kolkata (W.Bengal) on October 24, 1984. The two stations connected were Dumdum and Belgachhia. The Indian Railways operate in three different gauges : 1. Broad Gauge Railway (Distance between rails is 1.67 m). 2. Metre Gauge Railways (Distance between rails is 1.00 m). 3. Narrow Gauge Railways India (Distance between rails is 0.762 or 0.610 m). The broad gauge accounts for nearly 50% route followed by metre gauge (43%) and the remaining by narrow gauge. Indian railways are divided into 16 zones, headed by a General Manager who is responsible to the Railway Board, for all matters.
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Some of the Important National Highways are: Note: The Golden Quadrilateral Project connecting the four Metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata covering a total distance of 5846 km is currently being processed. It is the first phase of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP). Total cost of the project is Rs 300 billion, funded largely by the governments special petroleum product tax revenues and government borrowing. As of June 08, 5669 km of the intended road has been 4-laned. The North South East West Corridor (NS-EW) is the largest ongoing expressway project in India. It is the second phase of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP), and consists of building 7300 kilometers of four/six lane expressways connecting Srinagar, Kanyakumari, Porbandar and Silchar. The final completion date of the project has been set as December 2009. Maharashtra has the maximum length of surfaced roads in India. NH 1: New Delhi Ambala Jalandhar Amritsar. NH 2: Delhi Mathura Agara Kanpur Allahabad Varanasi Kolkata. NH 3: Agra Gwalior Nasik Mumbai NH 4: Thane and Chennai via Pune and Belgaun. NH 5: Kolkata Chennai NH 6: Kolkata Dhule NH 7: Varanasi Kanyakumari NH 8: Delhi Mumbai (via Jaipur, Baroda and Ahmedabad) NH 9: Mumbai Vijaywada NH 10: Delhi Fazilka NH 11: Agra Bikaner NH 12: Jabalpur Jaipur NH 24: Delhi Lucknow NH 27: Allahabad Varanasi NH 28: Barauni Lucknow NH 29: Gorakhpur Varanasi NH 56: Lucknow Varanasi NH 7 is the longest highway of India.
Northern Railway (NR) is the largest railway zone having length of 10,995 km. North East Frontier (NEF) is the smallest railway zone having just 3,860 km route length. Konkan Railways India : It is a project to shorten the distance between Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. The total route length is 786 km between Apta (Maharashtra) and Mangalore (Karnataka).
Railway Manufacturing Units : Chittaranjan Locomotive Works : Located in Chittaranjan (W.B) and manufactures electric engines. Diesel Locomotive Works : Located in Varanasi (U.P) and manufactures diesel engines. Integral Coach Factory in India : Located in Perambur (TN) and manufactures rail coaches. Wheel and Axle Plant : Locatedat Yalahaka (Bangalore, Karnataka) and manufactures wheels and axles. Diesel Component Works : Locatedat Patiala (Punjab) and manufactures components of diesel engines. Rail Coach Factory in India : Located at Kapurthala (Punjab) and manufactures rail coaches.
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India has about 190 ports in all, with 12 major and the rest intermediate and minor.
Kolkata (including Haldia) West Bengal Paradip Vishakhapatnam Chennai Ennore Tuticorin Cochin Orissa Andhra Pradesh Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu Kerala Karnataka Goa Maharashtra Maharashtra Gujarat
8. The Civil Aviation Centre in Fursatgarh near Allahabad provided, among other things, ground training to the pilots.
Airports in India : There are 12 International Airports in India : Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad Calicut International Airport, Calicut Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai Chennai International Airport, Chennai HAL Airport, Bangalore Goa Airport in Vasco da Gama city, Goa Lokpriya Gopinath Bordolio International Airport, Guwahati Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata Rja Sansi International Airport, Amritsar Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad Thiruvananathapuram International Airport, Thiruvananathapuram
All these ports are administered by the respective Port Trusts, except the newly constructed Ennore port which is under the Ennore Port Ltd. Company. Salient Features : Kolkata Port (including Haldia) : Kolkata is a riverine port, located about 128 km from the Bay of Bengal on the banks of river Hooghly. Haldia was developed because excessive silting prevented the entry of large marine vessels in Kolkata. Paradip Port : Located on the Orissa coast along the Bay of Bengal. India exports raw iron to Japan from here. Vishakhapatnam Port : The deepest port, located in Andhra Pradesh. It serves the Bhilai and Rourkela steel plants. Chennai Port : Oldest artificial harbour. This port ranks only second after Mumbai in terms of the traffic handling capacity. Ennore Port : Declared a major port in 2001. It is the first port with corporate participation. Provided with all the modern facilities for handling the thermal coal required for Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Power Station. Tuticorin Port : It came into existence during the reign of Pandya kings. It has an artificial deep sea harbour. Cochin Port : A fine natural harbour located on Kerala coast. Handles the export of tea, cofee and spices and import of petroleum and fertilisers. New Mangalore Port : The Gateway of Karnataka. Handles the export of iron-ore of Kudremukh. Marmugao Port : It has a naval base. Indias leading iron-ore port.
The Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport handle more than half of the air traffic in South Asia. Besides these airports several other domestic airports are located in India. In total, there are more than 334 civilian airports in India 238 with paved runways and 108 with unpaved runways.
Ports in India The Waterways Authority in India divides Indian ports into three categories, major, minor and intermediate.
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Garden of spices of India Kerala Switzerland of India Abode of the God Pittsburg of India Kashmir Prayag (Allahabad) Jamshedpur
Queen of Arabian Sea Cochin Space City Garden City of India Silicon Valley of India Bangalore Bangalore Bangalore
Electronic City of India Bangalore Pink City Gateway of India Twin City City of Festivals Deccan Queen Nick Name City of Buildings Dakshin Ganga Old Ganga Egg Bowls of Asia Soya Region Manchester of the South City of Nawabs Venice of the East Sorrow of Bengal Sorrow of Bihar Blue Mountains Queen of the Mountains Sacred river Hollywood of India City of Castles State of Five Rivers City of Weavers Kolkata Godavari Godavari Andhra Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Coimbatore Lucknow Cochin Damodar river Kosi river Nilgiri Mussoorie (Uttarakhand) Ganga Mumbai Kolkata Punjab Panipat Jaipur Mumbai Hyderabad - Sikandarabad Madurai Pune
Town Jaunpur Ayodhya Bareilly Ahmedabad Kota Jabalpur Panji Ujjain Surat Jamshedpur
River Gomti Saryu Ram Ganga Sabarmati Chambal Narmada Mandavi Kshipra Tapti Swarnarekha
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Seriranganatnam Cauvery Hyderabad Nasik Vijayvada Curnool Tiruchirapalli Musi Godavari Krishna Tungabhadra Cauvery
Ooty (Ootacamund) 2290 Shimla Pahalgam Darjeeling Kodaikanal Lansdowne Dalhousie Mussoorie Mukteshwar Nainital Kasauli 2210 2200 2135 2120 2120 2035 2006 1975 1940 1985
Hill Stations Coonoor Gangtok Manali Ranikhet Ranchi Srinagar Almora Shillang
Height From Sea Level (m) 1860 1850 1830 1830 1800 1770 1650 1500
States Tamil Nadu Sikkim H.P Uttarkhand Jharkhand J&K Uttarakhand Maghalaya Maharashtra West Bengal Rajastan
Gallong Garos Gonds Gujlars Irula Jaintias Jarawas Kanikar Katkari Kharia Khond Khas
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West Bengal Shoes U.P Resin Industries, Match Factory State Chhattisgarh Bihar West Bengal Jharkhand Bihar Maharashtra Karnataka Assam U.P MP Andhra Pradesh West Bengal West Bengal Kerala Kerala Tamil Nadu Punjab West Bengal Assam Delhi Bihar W. Bengal Tamil Nadu M.P Andhra Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Jharkhand Uttarakhand Jharkhand W. Bengal Gujarat Jharkhand Steel Plant Chemical Fertilizer Steel Plant Glass Industries Silk industries Explosives Iron & Steel Petroleum Carpets Cement Electronics, Computers, Information technology Locomotive Jute, Leather, Electric goods Ship building, coconut oil, rubber Coffee, coconut Cotton industries Woolen clothes Steel Petroleum Textiles, Electronics, D.D.T Cement Tea Cigar, Tobacco Bangle works Cotton industries Pottery, Tobacco Explosives Heavy electricals Heavy Engineering Corporation Chemical fertilizer Artificial Rayon Iron & Steel, Locomotives, Railway coaches Industries
Maharashtra Machine Tools Punjab Gujarat Kerala Woolen Clothes Milk and its Products Fertilizer, Monazite Factory
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Jammu & Kashmir H.M.T watch Jharkhand U.P M.P Chattisgarh Maharashtra Gujarat Karnataka Rajasthan Tamil Nadu Haryana Gujarat Rajasthan Punjab U.P Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu U.P UP U.P Karnataka U.P Maharashtra U.P Jharkhand Maharashtra Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Tamil Nadu Assam U.P Punjab M.P Cement Cotton and Woollen mills, Leather, Sugar Cement Aluminium factory, Thermal plant Aluminium factory Petrochemical industries Gold mining centre Atomic power plant Silk clothes Dairy product Chemical fertiliser, famous port Copper industries Hosiery Embroidery work, Chicken work Leather, cigarette, Integral coach factory Cotton and Silk Weaving Carpet, Pottery, Brass industries Brassware, cutlery Oil refinery Sandalwood oil, Silk goods Publication work, Sports goods, Scissors making Cinema industries, Cotton textiles Nylon thread Aluminium Ship building Cotton mills, Oranges Newsprint Security Printing Press Lignite industries Oil refineries Atomic Power Plant Fertilisers Diamond mining
Jammu & Kashmir Woolen shawls, Silk, Woodwork Gujarat Haryana Rajasthan Jharkhand Andhra Pradesh Tamil Nadu Bihar Maharashtra W. Bengal Cotton textiles, Diamond Cutting Cement factory Agriculture implements Copper, Iron Cool mining Iron and Steel Jute, Paper, Tobacco, Sugar Atomic Power Plant Paper & Jute Coir matting Oil refinery Cigar Scooter Silk clothes Rocket launching Station Fertilizers Steel Plant Ship building, Iron and Steel, Oil refinery Rail Engines and Saari industries Baby food HMT Watches
Thiruvananthapuram Kerala Trombay Tiruchirapalli Tirupati Tanjore Thumba Vijaypur Viiaynagar Vishakhapatnam Varanasi Worli Zainkot Maharashtra Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh Tamil Nadu Kerala M.P Karnataka A.P U.P Maharashtra J&K
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State with Longest Coastline of South India Andhra Pradesh Longest River which forms estuary Largest Church Longest Beach Narmada Saint Cathedral (Goa) Marina Beach, Chennai Siachin Glacier Leh (Laddakh) Majuli (Brahmaputra River, Assam) Birla Planetarium (Kolkata)
Longest River Largest Populated City Largest Museum Largest Delta Largest Dome Largest Zoo Largest Man - made Lake Largest Desert Highest Tower Smallest State (Area) Smallest State (Population) Highest Waterfall Longest Electric Railway Line Densest Populated State Largest Cave Temple Largest Animal Fair Highest Gateway Biggest Hotel Largest State (Area) Largest State (Population) Place of Heaviest Rainfall Largest Corridor Largest Cantilever Span Bridge Largest Forest State Highest Straight Gravity Dam Longest Railway Platform Largest Stadium
Ganges Mumbai (1.60 crore) National Museum, Kolkata Sunderban Delta, W. Bengal Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur (Karnataka) Zoological Gardens, Alipur, Kolkata Govind Vallabh Pant Sagar (Rihand Dam) Thar (Rajasthan) Pitampura Tower, Delhi Goa Sikim Gersoppa waterfall (Karnataka) From Delhi to Kolkata via Patna West Bengal Kailash temple, Ellora (Maharashtra) Sonepur (Bihar) Buland Darwuza, Fatehpur Sikri (Agra) Oberai-Sheraton (Mumbai) Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh Mausinram (Meghalaya) Rameshwaram temple corridor (Tamil Nadu) Howrah Bridge (Kolkata) Madhya Pradesh Bhakra Dam Kharagpur (W. Bengal) Salt Lake (Yuva Bharti), Kolkata
Highest Battle Field Highest Airport Largest River Island Largest Planetarium
Aurangabad (Mah.) Aurongzeb Qutub Shah Zainul Abedin Muhammad Ali Shah Built by Sultan Shyasuddin Siddharaja Shahjahan Qutubuddin Aibak Rashtrakuta rulers Akbar Ferozshah Tughlaq British Government
Char - Minor Hyderabad (AP) Quli Charar - e - Sharif Chhota Imambara Name Dargah Ajmer Sharif Dilwara's Jain Temple Deewan - e - Khas Adhai Din Ka Jhopra Elephanfa's cave Fatehpur Sikri Ferozshah Kotla Golghar Jammu & Kashmir Lucknow (UP) Place Ajmer (Raj.) Mount Abu (Raj.) Agra Fort (UP) Ajmer (Raj.) Mumbai (Mah.) Agra (UP) Delhi Patna (Bih.)
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States in India
India, a union of states, is a Sovereign, Secular, Democratic Republic with a Parliamentary system of Government. The President is the constitutional head of Executive of the Union. In the states, the Governor, as the representative of the President, is the head of Executive. The system of government in states closely resembles that of the Union. There are 28 states and 7 Union territories in the country. Union Territories are administered by the President through an Administrator appointed by him. From the largest to the smallest, each State / UT of India has a unique demography, history and culture, dress, festivals, language etc.
Quli Qutub Shah Bihar Shahjahan Gujarat Aurangzeb Jammu & Kashmir Jharkhand Sawai Jai Singh Kerala Asaf Ali Manipur Shershah Suri Nagaland Pervez Shah Rajasthan British Government Tripura Qutubuddin Aibak West Bengal Shahjahan Shuja-ud-daula Uttarkhand Sikkim Orissa Megalaya Madhya Pradesh
Ahmadabad (Guj.) Mahatma Gandhi West Bengal Agra (UP) Srinagar (J & K) Sasaram (Bih.) Chennai (TN) Mathura (UP) Konark (Ori.) Rabindra Nath Tagore Shahjahan Jahangir Shershah's son East India Company Raja Bhagwan Das Narsimhadeva Guru Ramdas Shahjahan Swami Vivekanand British Government
Growth Rate 26.94% Literacy Districts Languages 81.30% 2 Hindi, Nicobarese, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telegu
Swarna Mandir (Golden Temple) Amritsar (Pun.) Taj Mahal Vellure Math Victoria Memorial Agra (UP) Kolkata (WB) Kolkata (WB)
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Chandigarh in India
Capital Area Population Sex Ratio Chandigarh 114 sq. km 900,914 773
Growth Rate 46.31% Literacy Districts Languages 81.67% 9 Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English
It is one of the most beautiful and well-planned places in India. It was designed by a French architect, Le Corbusier. Chandigarh serves as a joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. Many large and small scale industries are here which give Chandigarh its revenue.
Delhi is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population. Delhi is the largest commercial centre of northern India and is the largest centre of small industries. Delhi has greater number of vehicles than the total vehicles of Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai put together.
Lakshadweep in India
Capital Area Population Sex Ratio 32 sq. km 60,595 947 Kavaratti
Growth Rate 17.19% Literacy Languages 86.66% Jeseri (Dweep Bhasha) and Mahal
It is predominantly a rural area having about 79% population of tribals. Forests cover about 40% of the total area.
Lakshadweep is group of 25 coral islands. It is the smallest Union Territory. Coconut is the only major crop. Fishing is another major activity.
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Khangchandzendra National Park Gangtok, Sikkim Kinnersani Sanctuary Kolleru Pelicanary Khamrsan, A.P. Elluru A.P. Coorg, Karnataka Tirap, Arunachal Pradesh Bhandara, Maharashtra Hoshangabad, M.P. Warangal A.P. Palghat, Kerala Nagpur, Maharashtra Idukki, Kerala
It is a former French colony, consisting of four districts, and named after the largest. In Sept 2006, the territory changed its name from Pondicherrry to the vernacular original, Puducherry, which means, New Village. It is basically an agriculture based economy.
Nagerhole National Park Namdafa Sanctuary Nawegaon National Park Pachmarhi Sanctuary Pakhal Sanctuary
Parambikulam Sanctuary Pench National Park Periyar Sanctuary Ranganthittoo Bird Sanctuary Rohla National Park Sariska Sanctuary
Islands in Cauvery river in Karnataka Important bird sanctuary Kulu, H.P. Alwar, Rajasthan Shimoga, Karnataka Mandi, H.P. Shivpuri, M.P. Mayurbhanj, Orissa Canara, Karnataka South 24 parganas, West Bengal Snow leopard, brown bear, musk deer, snow cock, snow pigeon Tiger, panther, sambar, nilgai, chital, chinkara Elephant, tiger, panther, sambar, gaur chital, wild bear Black bear, musk deer, panther, leopard, partridge Tiger, panther, sambar, hyena, hyena, sloth bear, nilgai Elephant, tiger, leopard, gaur, chital Tiger, panther, wild boar, leopard Tiger, deer, wild boar, crocodile, Gangetic dolphin
Partridges, green pigeon Sharaswathy Valley Sanctuary Elephant, chital, panther, sambar, wild bear Shikari Devi Sanctuary Tiger, leopard, sambar, wild bear, chital, water birds Tiger, panther, sambar, chital, wild boar, barking deer Panther, sambar, langur, wild boar, chinkara Famous for Gir lions, chital and sambar Tiger, leopards, elephants, sambar Shivpuri National Park Similipal Sanctuary Someshwara Sanctuary Sunderban Tiger Reserve
Name Dachigam Sanctuary Datma Sanctuary Dandeli Sanctuary Dudhwa National Park Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary Garampani Sanctuary Ghana Bird Sanctuary Gir Forest Gautam Buddha Sanctuary Hazaribagh Sanctuary Intangki Sanctuary Jaldapara Sanctuary
Location Dachigam, Kashmir Singbhum, Uttaranchal Dharwar, Karnataka Lakhimpurkheri U.P. Mandsaur, M.P. Diphu, Assam Bharatpur, Rajasthan Junagarh, Gujarat Gaya, Bihar Hazaribagh, Jharkhand Kohima, Nagaland West Bengal Kashmiri stag
Reserves for
Patna Varanasi Kanpur Hardwar Badrinath Agra Delhi Mathura Ferozpur Ludhiana Srinagar
Ganga Ganga Ganga Ganga Alaknanda Yamuna Yamuna Yamuna Satluj Satluj Jhelum
Elephants, leopard, wild bear, barking deer Tiger, panther, elephant, chital, sambar, wild bear Tiger, panther, sambar, chital, nilgai, barking deer Chital, sambar, chinkara, barking deer, wild birds Elephant, leopard, wild buffalo, langur Water birds, black-buck, chital, sambar India's biggest wild life sanctuary famous for Gir lions Tiger, leopard, sambar, chital, barking deer Tiger, leopard, chital, nilgai, sambar, wild cat Elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, barking deer, wild boar Rhinoceros
Town
River
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Chaukhamba (Badrinath Peak) 7,138 Trisul West Nunkun Pauhunri Kangto Dunagiri 7,138 7,135 7,128 7,090 7,066
Brahmaputra 2,900 Ganga Godavari Narmada Krishna Mahanadi Cauvery 2,510 1,450 1,290 1,290 890 760
Seriranganatnam Cauvery Hyderabad Nasik Vijayvada Curnool Tiruchirapalli Musi Godavari Krishna Tungabhadra Cauvery
Mangalore (Exports Kudremukh Iron - ore) Ennore (Most Modern in Private Hands) Cochin (Natural Harbour) Tuticorin (Southernmost)
World Geography
Cosmology Important Facts
The Universe or the Cosmos, as perceived today, consists of millions of Galaxies. A galaxy is a huge congregation of stars held together by the forces of gravity. Edwin Hubble in 1924 first demonstrated existence of galaxies beyond Milky Way. He proved that these galaxies are flying away from each other and that the farther they are, the faster they fly. This means that the universe is expanding like a balloon that is being blown up. In the ancient times, the knowledge about the universe was vague and confined to mystery and religious perceptions.
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and countless fragments of left overs called asteroids, meteors, comets and satellites of the planets (Called small solar system Bodies). Origin of Solar System Various theories have been given by different persons to explain the origin of Solar System.
Gaseous Hypothesis Nebular Hypothesis Planetesimal Hypothesis Tidal Hypothesis Binary Star Hypothesis Fission Hypothesis Cepheid Hypothesis Nova Hypothesis Kant Laplace Chamberlin and Moulton James Jeans & Harold Jeffrey H. N. Russel Ross Gun A.C. Banerji Hoyle & Lyttleton
Electromagnetic Hypothesis H. Alfven Interstellar Dust Hypothesis Nebular Cloud Hypothesis Protoplanet Hypothesis Schmidt Dr. Von Weizsacker G. Kuiper
Solar System Some Facts Biggest Planet Smallest Planet Nearest Planet to Sun Farthest Planet from Sun Nearest Planet to Earth Brightest Planet Brightest star after Sun Jupiter Mercury Mercury Neptune Venus Venus Sirius
Planet with maximum satellites Jupiter Coldest Planet Hottest Planet Heaviest Planet Red Planet Biggest Satellite Neptune Venus Jupiter Mars Gannymede
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i . Change of seasons ii . Variation in the lengths of days and nights at different times of the year iii . Shifting of wind belts
Earth Movements
iv . Determination of latitudes. The Earth also called Blue Planet. It is the densest of all planets. Earth Circumference : 40,232 Kilometers. Earth Area : 510 million Square Kilometers Average distance from sun: 149 million-Kilometers. Earth Perihelion : Nearest position of earth to sun. The earth reaches its perihelion on January 3 every year at a distance of about 147 million-Kilometers. Aphelion : Farthest position of earth from sun. The earth reaches its aphelion on July 4, when the earth is at a distance of 152 million Kilometers. The shape of the earth is oblate spheroid or oblate ellipsoid (i.e. almost spherical, flattened a little at the poles with a slight bulge at the centre). 2 Types of Earth Movements: 1. Rotation or daily movement. 2. Revolution or annual movement. Earth Rotation The Earth also called Blue Planet. It is the densest of all planets. Spins on its imaginary axis from west to east in 23 hrs, 56 min and 40.91 sec. Rotational velocity at equator is 1667 Kilometers/h and it decreases towards the poles, where it is zero. Earths rotation results in Earth Circumference : 40,232 Kilometers. Earth Area : 510 million Square Kilometers Average distance from sun: 149 million-Kilometers. Earth Perihelion : Nearest position of earth to sun. The earth reaches its perihelion on January 3 every year at a distance of about 147 million-Kilometers. Aphelion : Farthest position of earth from sun. The earth reaches its aphelion on July 4, when the earth is at a distance of 152 million Kilometers. The shape of the earth is oblate spheroid or oblate ellipsoid (i.e. almost spherical, flattened a little at the poles with a slight bulge at the centre). Inclined Axis: The axis is an imaginary line running from north to south and passing through the centre of the earth. It always remains inclined at an angle of 66 to the plane of the earths orbit, and is tilted 23 from a line perpendicular to this plane. The two facts, i.e., a fixed angle of the earths axis to the plane of the orbit and the axis always pointing in the same direction, when combined with the earths movements, results in varying lengths of days and nights, seasonality and changes in the altitude of sun at different times of the year. Earth Seasons are periods into which the year can be divided as a result of the climatic conditions, largely due to the changes in the duration and intensity of solar radiation.
The 4 Earth Seasons are: Spring: On March 21, the sun is directly overhead the equator. This is the season of spring in the northern hemisphere. Summer: On June 21, the sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer. Thus, the northern hemisphere experiences summer. Autumn: On September 23, the sun returns to the equator, and the northern hemisphere experiences autumn. Winter: On December 22, the sun is at the Tropic of Capricorn, and the northern hemisphere experiences winter.
Earth Movements
i . Causation of days and nights; ii . A difference of one hour between two meridians which are 15 apart; iii. Change in the direction of wind and ocean currents; Rise and fall of tides everyday. The longest day in North Hemisphere is June 21, while shortest day is on 22 Dec (Vice-versa in S. Hemisphere). Days and nights are almost equal at the equator.
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i . Causation of days and nights; ii . A difference of one hour between two meridians which are 15 apart; iii. Change in the direction of wind and ocean currents; Rise and fall of tides everyday. The longest day in North Hemisphere is June 21, while shortest day is on 22 Dec (Vice-versa in S. Hemisphere). Days and nights are almost equal at the equator.
Water area (70.92%) 36,11,49,700 Square Kilometers Mean density Equatorial diameter Polar diameter Escape velocity Mass 5.52 gm. per cc 12,755 Kilometers 12,712 Kilometers 11.2 Kilometers/sec 5.880 1024 kg
Earth Revolution It is earths motion in elliptical orbit around the sun. Earths average orbital velocity is 29.79 Kilometers/s. Takes 365 days, 5 hrs, 48 min and 45.51 sec. It results in one extra day every fourth year. Revolution of the earth results in
Volume Distance from Moon Highest place on Earth Deepest point in Ocean Deepest point on Land 3,82,200 Kilometers Mount Everest (8,850 m)
10,83,20,88,40,000 kg3
Challenger Deep in Mariana Trench in Pacific Ocean near Philippines (11,033 m deep) Dead Sea (396 m deep) 23 hrs, 56 min, 40.91 sec 365 days, 5 hrs, 48 min, 45.51 sec 1 (Moon) 23 27 14,94,07,000 Kilometers 40,075 Kilometers 40,024 Kilometers 3,554 m
i . Change of seasons ii . Variation in the lengths of days and nights at different times of the year iii . Shifting of wind belts iv . Determination of latitudes. Inclined Axis: The axis is an imaginary line running from north to south and passing through the centre of the earth. It always remains inclined at an angle of 66 to the plane of the earths orbit, and is tilted 23 from a line perpendicular to this plane. The two facts, i.e., a fixed angle of the earths axis to the plane of the orbit and the axis always pointing in the same direction, when combined with the earths movements, results in varying lengths of days and nights, seasonality and changes in the altitude of sun at different times of the year. Earth Seasons are periods into which the year can be divided as a result of the climatic conditions, largely due to the changes in the duration and intensity of solar radiation.
Rotation time Revolution time Satellite Tilt of axis from Orbital Plane Distance from Sun Equatorical circumference Polar circumference Average Ocean depth
Date of perihelion (minimum distance from Sun) Jan 3 Date of aphelion (maximum distance from Sun) Orbital circumference Average Orbital speed Minimum surface temperature Mean surface temperature July 4 924,375,700 Kilometers 29.783 Kilometers/sec. (107,218 Kilometers/h) 88 C 14 C 58 C
The 4 Earth Seasons are: Spring: On March 21, the sun is directly overhead the equator. This is the season of spring in the northern hemisphere.
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Earth Eclipses
Imaginary lines drawn parallel to the equator. Measured as an angle whose apex is at the centre of the earth The equator represents 0 latitude, while the North Pole is 90 N and the South Pole 90 S 23 N represents Tropic of Cancer while 23 S represents Tropic of Capricorn. 66 N represents Arctic Circle while 66 S represents Antarctic Circle. There are total 181 latitudes including the equator. Each parallel of latitude is a circle, but they are not equal. The circle becomes smaller towards the poles. Equator is the Greatest Circle that can be drawn on the earths surface. The distance between any two parallels of latitude is always equal. Earth Lunar Eclipse When earth comes between sun and moon. Occurs only on a full moon day. However, it does not occur on every full moon day because the moon is so small and the plane of its orbit is tilted about 5 with respect to the plane of the earths orbit. It is for this reason that eclipses do not occur every month. Can last up to one hour 40 minutes. The moon does not become completely dark during most lunar eclipses. In many cases, it becomes reddish.The earths atmosphere bends part of the suns light around the earth and towards the moon. This light is red because the atmosphere scatters the other colors present in sunlight in greater amounts than it does red.
Earth Longitude It is the angular distance measured from die centre of the earth. On the globe the lines of longitude are drawn as a series of semicircles that extend from the North Pole to the South Pole through the equator. They are also called meridians. The distance between any two meridians is not equal. At the equator, 1 degree = 111 km. At 30 N or S, it is 96.5 km. It goes on decreasing this way until it is zero at the poles. There are 360 meridians of longitude. The prime meridian is a longitude of 00, passing through the Royal Observatory at Greenwich near London. This meridian is taken by geographers to divide the earth into the eastern and the western hemispheres. Each meridian of longitude is a semi-circle. 180 meridian (International Date Line) lies exactly opposite to meridian. Such points are called Antipodl Points. The earth is divided into 24 longitudinal zones, each being 15 or 1 hour apart in time (4 minutes / degree).
Earth Solar Eclipse When moon comes between sun and earth. Can be partial or total. Occurs only on a new moon day when the moon is in line with the sun. However, due to the inclination of the moons orbit, a solar eclipse doesnt occur on every new moon day.
Earth Climate
Earth Climate The average weather conditions over a large area is called the climate of a place. Weather conditions over a specific length of time, usually a period of 31 years, are taken into consideration. On a large scale, the climate of a particular region is determined by: i. Latitude and tilt of the earths axis, which determines the amount of solar radiation received by the area ii. The distribution of land and sea and proximity of ocean currents iii. The altitude and topography of the area iv. The location of the area in relation to the main circulation belts of the earth. Climate can be classified on the basis of temperature, rainfall, evaporation, evapotranspiration and water balance. One of the universally accepted climate classifications is by Koeppen which is being described here. Types of Climates 1. Tropical Rain Forest Climate
Longitude and Time Places that are on the same meridian have the same local (sun) time. Since the earth makes one complete revolution of 360 in 24 hours, it passes through 15 in one hour or 1 in 4 minutes. The earth rotates from west to east, hence places east of Greenwich see the sun earlier and gain time whereas places west of Greenwich see the sun later and lose time. A suitable memory acronym can be: East-Gain-Add (E.G.A.) and West-Lose-Subtract (W.L.S.). So, if it is noon in London (near 0 ), 15 east will be one hour ahead of London or 1 p.m. and Chennai of 80 E will be 5 hours 20 minutes ahead. To avoid confusion about having many local times within one country, a particular Meridian is chosen for the whole country whose time is known as standard time. Generally, the standard meridians are chosen to differ from the Greenwich meridian by the multiples of fifteen degree or seven and a half degree, i.e., by exact number of hours or half hours. The world is thus divided into a number of time zones. Larger countries like Russia, Canada, USA etc., have greater east-west extension, so they adopt several time zones. Russia has 11 time zones while USA and Canada have 5 time zones. India, whose longitudinal extent is approx. 30, has adopted only one time zone, selecting the 82.5 E for the standard time which is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
International Date Line It is the 180 meridian running over the Pacific Ocean, deviating at Aleutian Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Gilbert Islands.
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2. Tropical Monsoon Climate Complete seasonal reversal of winds. Rainfall seasonal (generally in summers). Due to this vegetation is deciduous. Approx. 200 cm of rainfall. Occurs in Western Guinea coast of Africa, South-Eastern Asia, Northern Australia, some parts of Amazon valley and West Indies.
7. Mediterranean Climate In the western coast of continents between 30 -45 N & S; Around the Mediterranean Sea, in South Europe, North Africa, California coast, Central Chile, Cape of Good Hope and South East Australia. Characterized by dry summer and humid winter. Off-shore trade winds blow in summer; they are dry and give no rainfall. Cyclonic rainfall in winter. Average annual temperature is 16 c. average winter temperature, 10 c, summer 25 c annual rainfall is 40-60 cm. Olives, grapevine and citrus family fruits are the chief products of these regions which are also known for grain farming.
3. Tropical Grasslands/Savanna Climate Average annual temperature is 23 c. Annual rainfall is about 150 cm. Area- Africa, East and Central South America. Bounded by tropical rain forest climate towards the equator and dry climate towards the poles, the Savannah type is characteristic of grasslands in tropical and subtropical latitudes. Grasslands are dotted with scattered trees and bushes that can survive the drought season. Rainfall in summer owing to convectional ascent of air. Distinct dry season in winter. Trees with longer roots, fireresistant.
8. China Type Climate Average annual temperature is 19 c, annual rainfall 120 cm. In the eastern coasts of continents between 25 - 45 N & S. Areas- China, South East USA, South Brazil, Eastern Argentina, South East Africa, South East Australia, South Japan. It is the eastern counterpart of the Mediterranean type. Characteristics-Hot summers and mild winters. Rainfall throughout the year.
4. Tropical-Subtropical hot Desert Situated in the trade wind belt. Occupy the western margins of continents. The area includes North America Colorado Desert, Mexican Desert; Africa-Sahara, Kalahari, Namib Desert; S W.Asia-Arabian, Iranian, Thar Desert; S.America-Atacama; Australia-Great Australian Desert. Average annual temperature is 38 c; annual summer temperature is 40 c, annual winter temperature is 15 c. average annual rainfall is about 25-40 cm. Greatest diurnal temperature. Highest insolation, as there is no clouds cover to scatter the insolation. Vegetation is xerophytic.
9. West European Type Climate On the western side of continents between 40 -65 N & S. Areas- North West Europe including British Isles, West coat of Canada, South Chile, Southern New Zealand. Summers are moderate to cool (15 -18 ); winters mild (2 -10 ). Average annual temperature is 10 c. Annual Rainfall: 75-100 cm. No dry season as the westerly winds blow from the ocean throughout the year. Rainfall is mostly of cyclonic origin.
5. Middle Latitude Desert Climate 10. Cool East Coast Climate Found between 35 -50 N and S. Area: Tarim, Gobi, Russian Turkistan and C. Iran. In Southern Hemisphere, only in Patagonia. Unlike the hot deserts, they have very cold winters because of their interior location. The Corn Belt of US has this type of climate; that is why it is known as Corn-Belt climate. Average summer temp is 21 -24 c; it is long, warm and humid. Winter temp average-4 to 1.7 for a period of 3-5 months.
6. Tropical and Subtropical Steppes 11. Continental Type Climate Transition belt between hot deserts and humid climates. Occupy pole-ward margins of the tropical and subtropical deserts. Average annual temperature is 21 c. Coldest winter month average -12 to -6.7 c. Hottest summer months average 18 c to 21 c.
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12. Taiga Climate Taiga means snow forests or coniferous forests; needle shaped leaves, composed of evergreen spruce, fir and pine. Extends in two large belts in east-west direction from Alaska to Newfoundland in North America and from Norway to Kamchatka Peninsula in Eurasia. Cool and short summers (around 10 c) and very cold and long winters (below 0 c). Annual range of temperature highest. (In Verkhoyansk, Jan temp is -50 , annual range being 64 c) Total annual precipitation below 50 cm. These forests are the most important source of softwood and fur bearing animals.
Isohypse (or Contour Lines) elevation above sea-level Isonif Isotherms Snow Temperature Cloudiness Equal transportation cost distance Slope
13. Tundra Climate Summers are warm enough to melt the thin snow cover or small water bodies, with the result that land is water soaked and marshes, swamps are common. Precipitation less than 30 cm. Blizzards blow. Lichens and mosses common.
14. Highland Climate Experienced in the mountainous regions. Determined by elevation, shape of the highland, exposure to winds and location. Here winds are much stronger than at low levels. Vegetation varies as we move up.
Earth Ocean Floor It is very irregular as the surface of the continents. Four major units of Earth ocean floor are:
Important Deserts of the World: Sahara N. Africa (Includes the Libyan and the Nubian Desert) Australian Australia (Includes Gibson, Simpson, Victorian, Great Sandy) Arabian Arab Countries (Includes Rubal Khali & An-Nafad of S. Arabia and Dast-e-Lut & Dast-e-Kavir of Iran) Kalahari Africa (mainly in Botswana) Gobi Mongolia Atacama Central Chile Patagonian Argentina Nabib Namibia TaklaMakan Sinkiang, China Karakum Turkmenistan Sonoran Arizona and California (USA) Thar India
Continental Shelf of India It is the coastal part of the ocean which is not very deep and the slope of the bottom is very gentle. Extends to a depth of 100 fathoms (1 fathom = 1.8 m). In regions where the mountains extend along the coast, the shelf is narrower.
About 20% petrol and gas found here. They also provide the richest fishing ground in the world. Marine life exists entirely here. They occupy about 7% of the total ocean area. Continental Slopes Extends seawards from the Continental Shelf. The continent blocks are supposed to end at the site of continental slope. The boundary between shelf and slope is known as Andesite Line, named after the andesite rock. Depth is up to 2000 fathoms.
Isopleth Lines drawn on map along which the value of a particular phenomenon is uniform.
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Continental Rises At the foot of slope is found an area slightly rising due to the accumulation of debris transported over the slope. Oil deposits occur here.
Abyssal or the Deep Sea Plains It is the deepest and the most extensive part of the ocean floor and accounts for about 40% of the total ocean floor. Parts of the abyssal plains are occupied by raised ridges or submarine mountains and by very deep trenches or canyons. Ridges are the raised areas in sea. E.g., Mid-Adantic ridge (S-shaped), Indian Ocean ridge (inverted Y-shaped). A ridge rising more than 1000m above the ocean floor is called Seamount. Flat topped seamounts are called Guyots (maximum in Pacific Ocean) Some parts of the ridge or volcanic peaks reach the surface of the oceans and form islands (E.g. Hawaii Islands). Trenches are narrow and steep sided depressions. They occur where two plates of the earths crust are moving together and one is being pushed down below the other. Deepest is. Challenger Deep, a part of Mariana Trench in Pacific Ocean, near Philippines, is more than 11 km deep. Submarine canyons are the deep gorges on the ocean floor and are restricted to the continental shelves, slopes and rises.
Earth Tides
Earth Tides Refer to the phenomenon of regular rise and fall of the sea water. Though both sun and moon exert gravitational force on earth, resulting in the production of tides, the moon, by nature of its closeness to the earth, has greater control over the timings of the tidal rises and falls. The interval between two tides is 12 hrs and 26 minutes.
Salinity of Water The proportion of dissolved salts to pure waster is called salinity. The average salinity in the oceans and seas is 350/00, i.e., 35 grams of salt in one litre of water. Salinity in decreasing order is: NaCl, MgCl, MgSO4, CaSO4, KSO4, etc. Chlorine is the most abundant element. Max salinity: Lake Van (Turkey) 3330/00. Then Dead Sea 2400/00. Most saline sea is Red Sea. The main source of salinity is dissolution of the rocks of oceanic crust, which contains salts. It is maximum at the tropics, because here temperature is high. Equatorial regions come second because although they have high temperatures, they have high rainfall also. Poles have minimum salinity because of addition of fresh water in the form of icebergs and excessive snowfall. It causes vertical circulation of water.
Spring Tide When the sun, moon and the earth are in a straight line, the gravitational force is at its greatest because tide producing forces of both sun and moon complement each other and they pull together. This produces tides of unusually great range, called the spring tide. These occur about twice a month: at new moon when the sun and the moon are in conjugation and at full moon when they are in opposition.
Neap Tide Lowest magnitude as the tide producing forces of sun and moon act opposite to each other, as they form a triangle. This happens during phases of first and third quarter, i.e., at half moon, the suns tide producing force tends to balance the tide producing force of the moon., resulting in tides of unusually small range known as neap tides.
Earth Waves They are caused due to the friction with the winds. There is no forward movement of water in a wave. When a wave enters shallow water, it breaks. The top of it is thrown forward and this is when water moves forward. Water from the breaking wave runs up the shore as swash and back down the shore as backwash The maximum height of waves in most oceans is about 12 m but they may be as high as 15 m. Seismic waves or tsunamis are the waves caused by earthquakes in volcanic eruptions in the sea bottom. The tsunamis which hit the coasts in the SE Asia on Dec 26, 2004, caused havoc in that region.
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The Mantle of Earth This layer extends up to a depth of 2900 km. Mantle is made up of 2 parts: Upper Mantle or Asthenosphere (up to about 500 km) and Lower Mantle. Asthenosphere is in a semi-molten plastic state, and it is thought that this enables the lithosphere to move about it. Within the asthenosphere, the velocity of seismic waves is considerably reduced (Called Low Velocity Zone). The line of separation between the mantle and the crust is known as Mohoviricic Discontinuity. Formed by the solidification of molten magma from the interior of the earth. Most abundant of the three types of rocks (95%). They do not occur in layers. Most of them are crystalline and do not contain fossils. All other types of rocks originate from these rocks, thus called Primary rocks.
They are classified on several grounds as mentioned below: 1. On the basis of mode of occurrence Intrusive Igneous Rocks: They are formed by the solidification of magma beneath the earths surface. They are further divided into plutonic and hypabyssal igneous rocks. Plutonic rocks cool deep beneath the earth. E.g., Granite. Hypabyssal rocks cool just beneath the earths surface. E.g., Batholith, laccolith, phacolith, sills, dykes, etc. Extrusive Igneous Rocks: They are formed due to cooling and solidification of hot and molten lava at the earths surface. E.g., Basalt, gabbro, etc.
The Core of Earth Beyond a depth of 2900 km lies the core of the earth. The outer core is 2100 km thick and is in molten form due to excessive heat out there. Inner core is 1370 km thick and is in plastic form due to the combined factors of excessive heat and pressure. It is made up of iron and nickel (Nife) and is responsible for earths magnetism. This layer has the maximum specific gravity. The temperatures in the earths core lie between 2200 c and 2750 c. The line of separation between the mantle and the core is called Gutenberg-Wiechert Discontinuity.
Note:
2. On the basis of Silica Content Acidic igneous rocks having more silica. E.g. Granite. Basic igneous rocks having less silica. E.g. Gabbro.
Temperature Inside the Earth: In the first 100 km, 12 increase per km. In the next 300 km, 2 increase per km. After that it is 1 increase per km. Composition of Earth
Oxygen Silicon Aluminium Iron Calcium Sodium Potassium
Sedimentary Rocks Made up of weathered remains of igneous rocks. Also contains fossils of plants and animals. Comprise only about 5% of the earths crust but cover about 75% of the total land surface. The layers of sedimentary rocks hold all reserve of coal, oil and natural gas. Also known as Stratified Rocks because of the layers. Sedimentary rocks fall into three main groups: 1. Mechanically Formed: These are called clastic sedimentary rocks; the sediments are largely derived from pre-existing rocks that have been broken down and then transported by water, wind or ice to form rocks. 2. Organically Formed Rocks: These rocks are derived from remains of plants (e.g. peat, lignite, bituminous coal), or animals (e.g., chalk and coral). 3. Chemically Formed: E.g., Gypsum, salt rock, etc. Metamorphic Rocks
Earth Rocks
Sometimes igneous or sedimentary rocks metamorphize or change due to great pressure, intense temperature or the action of water and chemical activity. Examples of metamorphic rocks formed from different rocks are:
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Classification of Volcanoes 1. Classification on the basis of Periodicity of Eruptions: Active Volcano: Volcano which erupt periodically. E.g. Maona Loa in Hawaii, Etna in Sicily, Vesuvius in Italy, Stromboli in Mediterranean Sea, etc. Dormant Volcano: Volcano which has been quiescent for a long time but in which there is a possibility of eruption. E.g. Fujiyama in Japan, Krakatoa in Indonesia, Barren island Volcano in Andamans, etc.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes
2. Classification on the basis of Mode of Eruption Tremors or vibrations of earths surface produced by internal forces. The point of origin of earthquake is called Seismic focus. Most of the earthquakes originate at the depth of 50-100 km inside the earth. The point on the earths surface vertically above the earths surface is called Epicentre. The passage of earthquake waves is recorded by Seismograph. The magnitude of waves is measured on Richters scale. For measurement of the intensity of the earthquake (damage caused), the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale is used. Central Eruption Type or Explosive Type: E.g. Hawaiian type, Strombolian type, Volcanian type, Pelean type, Vesuvius type, etc. Fissure Eruption or Quiet Eruption Type: Large quantities of lava quietly flow up from fissures and spread out over the surrounding areas. Successive lava flow results in the growth of a lava plateau. E.g. Deccan Plateau, etc.
Distribution of Volcanoes in the World Types of Waves Earthquakes 1. Primary Waves (P-Waves): Travel from the point of happening by the displacement of surrounding particles. They are transmitted through solids, liquids and gases. Travels fastest. 2. Secondary Waves (S-Waves): Travels through solids only. Thus they cannot pass through core. 3. Surface Waves or Long Waves (L-Waves): Travels on earths surface and causes maximum destruction. They are recorded after the P and S waves. Distribution of Earthquakes Around the Pacific Ocean along a belt of volcanoes known as the Ring of Fire. 68 per cent of the volcanoes are experienced in this region. From the middle of Asia (Himalayas, Caspian Sea) through the Mediterranean Sea to West Indies. 21 per cent earthquakes are experienced in the region. Mid-Atlantic ridge belt which accounts for 11 per cent of the earthquakes. About 15% of worlds active volcanoes are found along the constructive or divergent plate margins, whereas 80% volcanoes are associated with the destructive or convergent plate boundaries.
1. The Circum-Pacific belt or the Ring of Fire. It extends across the Kamchatka Peninsula, Kurile Islands, the Islands of Japan, Philippines, New Guinea, New Zealand and the Soloman Islands. It also passes through the Antarctica and the western coast of America. 2. The Mid-Continent belt includes volcanoes of Alpine mountain chain, the Mediterranean Sea and the fault zone of eastern Africa. E.g. Stromboli, Vesuvius, Etna, Kilimanjaro, etc. 3. The Mid-Atlantic belt in which the volcanoes are fissure eruption type. E.g. Iceland, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Azores, etc.
Earth Mountains
Types of Mountains Fold Mountains of the World They are formed when the rocks of the crust of the earth folded under stress, mainly by forces of compression (as a result of series of earthquakes). E.g. All big mountain systems: Himalayas, Alps, Andes, Rockies, Atlas, etc. On the basis of age, fold mountains are grouped into: Young / New Fold Mountains
Earth Volcanoes
A volcano is a vent or opening usually circular in form through which heated materials consisting of gases, water, liquid lava and fragments of rocks are ejected from the highly heated interiors to he surface of the earth. Volcanic eruptions are closely associated with several interconnected processes such as The gradual increase in temperature with increasing depth at a rate of 1 c per 32 m due to heat generated by degeneration of radioactive elements inside the earth Origin of magma because of lowering of melting point caused by reduction in pressure of overlying rocks due to fractures caused by splitting of plates
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Global Pressure Belts Equatorial Low Pressure Belt (or Doldrums) From 5 N to 5 S. Tremendous heat, thus warm air rises creating low pressure. Also, the centrifugal force is very high at the equator, where the velocity of rotation is high. Hence, the air masses tend to be thrown out, resulting in low pressure. Wind speed low, thats why called Doldrums (Belt of Calm).
Tropical High Pressure Belt (or Horse Latitudes) From 30 to 35 N and S. Apart from 2 months, usually high temperature. Here the pressure is high, although high temperature, because here pressure depends on the rotation and movement of air (as winds from Doldrums belt rises up and accumulate here. Also winds from Sub-Polar Low Pressure Belt accumulate here).
Andes
South America
6,960
Sub-Polar Low Pressure Belt From 60 to 65 N and S Here the low pressure is created because of intense high pressure at the poles.
Himalayas-Karakoram-Hindukush South Central Asia 8,850 Rockies Great Dividing Range Western Ghats Caucasus Alaska North America East Australia Western India Europe, Asia USA 4,401 2,228 2,637 5,642 6,194
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Trade in German means Track. To blow trade means to blow steadily in the same direction and in a constant course. These are steady currents of air blowing from the sub-tropical high pressure belts towards the equatorial low pressure areas (doldrums). Under the influence of the Coriolis force they blow from the north-east in the northern hemisphere and from the south-east in the southern hemisphere.
Westerlies Blows from subtropical high pressure to sub-polar low pressure belt. In the northern hemisphere, land masses cause considerable disruption in the westerly wind belt. But between 40 and 60 S lies the almost unbroken ocean belt. Westerlies are strong and persistent here, giving rise to mariners expressions- Roaring Forties, Furious Fifties and Shrieking Sixties.
These are known as : Cyclones in the Indian Ocean Hurricanes in the Caribbean Islands Typhoons in the China Sea Willy-Willies in the North West Australia Tornadoes in coastal US. Twisters in Mississippi Valley, USA
Polar Easterlies Move from high pressure poles to sub-polar low pressure areas. These are deflected by the Earths rotation to become east winds, or the polar easterlies.
Tornadoes are very strong tropical cyclones of a smaller size. They are especially feared in the Mississippi Valley in US and here they are called Twisters. They differ from cyclones in that they generally develop over land. They are more destructive than cyclones as the speed of winds is very high, exceeding 320 km per hour. Anticyclones
Local Winds
Land and Sea Breeze They are experienced in coastal areas. Due to differential heating, the atmospheric pressure over the land mass is lower than over the neighboring sea during the day. Therefore, winds blow from sea to land (sea breeze). At night the air pressure over land is higher due to a lower temperature than over the adjacent ocean and the wind starts blowing from land to sea (land breeze). Land breeze is not as strong as sea breeze. Hot, dry wind in Rockies, also called 'snow eater'. Hot, dry wind in the Alps. Hot, dry wind in Egypt. Hot, moist wind from Sahara to Mediterranean Sea. Hot, moist wind for Sahara towards Iberian Peninsula. Hot, dry wind blowing outwards from the interior of West Africa, also called 'Guinea Doctor'. Cold, dry wind blowing outwards from Hungary to the north of Italy (near AdriaticSea). Very cold wind, which blows down from the Alps over France. Cold, dry wind blowing down towards the western side of Andes. Very cold winds in Tundra region. Hot wind in Australia. Cold wind in Russian tundra. Cold wind in Spain. Hot wind in New Zealand. Hot wind in Southern California in USA.
Chinook Foehn Khamsin Sirocco Solano Harmattan Bora Mistral Punas Blizzard Brickfielder Purga Levanter Norwester Santa Ana
They are opposite to cyclones in all respects. They are the centers of high pressure with gentle outward flow of air. The air circulation is clockwise in the northern hemisphere and anticlockwise in the southern hemisphere. Weather associated with an anticyclone is fair weather.
Earth Humidity
Earth Humidity refers to the amount of water vapour present in the air. The ratio between the amount of water vapour actually present in the air mass and the maximum amount that the air mass can hold at that temperature is called relative humidity. It is expressed as a percentage. It varies inversely with temperature, given a fixed amount of water vapour. Absolute humidity denotes the actual quantity of water vapour present in the air and it is defined as the weight of water vapour (grams) in a given volume of air (cubic meter). The term specific humidity is applied to express the ratio of weight of water vapour to the weight of moist air (including water vapour). It is stated as grams of water vapour per kilogram of moist air. Earth Humidity is measured by an instrument called hygrometer. Another instrument used for the same purpose is sling psychrometer.
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Cumulus Clouds They are massive clouds having a vertical extent from 1,500 to 9,000 m. They resemble the head of a cauliflower. When these clouds are sunlit, they are brilliantly white and are called wool-clouds. They occur mainly in summer and are produced by convection. Cumulonimbus Clouds: Under different weather conditions, a cumulus cloud may develop into cumulonimbus, the thunderstorm cloud mass of enormous size which brings heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning and gusty winds.
Precipitation Clouds It refers to falling of water, snow or hail from the clouds and results when condensation is occurring rapidly within a cloud. The most common form of precipitation is rain and it is formed when many cloud droplets coalesce into drops too large to remain suspended in the air. Rainfall occurs when the dew point of air is above the freezing point. Sometimes the raindrops freeze before reaching the ground and precipitation occurs in the form of ice pellets, called sleet. Snow is produced when condensation takes place at a temperature below freezing point, so that the minute crystals (spicules) of ice form directly from the water vapour. Hail consists of masses of ice with a layered structure. It occurs when there are very strong updrafts in the clouds carrying raindrops up to a high altitude, causing them to freeze. Hail stone is a rounded lump of ice having concentric layers.
Earth Clouds
Earth Clouds are masses of minute water droplets and / or ice crystals formed by the condensation of water vapour and held in suspension in the atmosphere. Condensation, which results from cooling, usually takes place around nuclei such as dust, smoke particles and salt. Such particles are called condensation nuclei. Earth Clouds are of different types and they can be classified on the basis of their form and altitude. On the basis of form, there are two major groups:
Conditions for Precipitation 1. Stratiform or layered types, and 2. Cumuliform or massive types. Stratiform Clouds These clouds, which are fairly thin and blanket like, are sub-divided into three main categories on the basis of altitude. High Clouds (mean ht 5-13 km) o Cirrus Clouds: Indicates fair weather. o Cirrocumulus Clouds: Forms the mackerel sky. o Cirrostratus Clouds: Produces a halo around sun and moon. Middle Clouds (mean ht 2-7 km) Altocumulus Clouds: Indicate fine weather. Alto-stratus Clouds: Associated with development of bad weather. Low (mean ht up to 2 km) o o Stratus Clouds: Brigs dull weather, usually accompanied with a drizzle. Nimbostratus Clouds: If rain or snow is falling from a stratus cloud, it is called nimbostratus. When the air is caused to rise upwards due to cyclonic circulation, the resulting precipitation id said to be of the cyclonic type. There are three possible ways by which precipitation is produced.
Convectional Precipitation It is caused by heating of moist air in the lower layers of atmosphere which rises, expands, and is cooled adiabatically to its dew point. Convection rain is often accompanied by lightening and thunder. It occurs in regions near the equator in the afternoon as a result of the constant high temperature and high humidity.
Orographic Precipitation In this, precipitation is caused by moisture-laden air being forced to rise over a relief barrier (mountain ranges). As the air rises in the windward side, it is cooled at the adiabatic rate. If sufficiently cooled, precipitation results; when the air descends on the leeward side, it gets warmed and dry, having no source from which to draw up moisture. A belt of dry climate, often called a rain shadow, may exist on the leeward side.
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River Nile
Amazon Yangtze
Mississippi Missouri Itaska lake (USA) Yenisei Huang Ho Ob Congo Amur Lena Mekong Mackenzie Niger Tannu-Ola Mts Kunlun Mts Altai Mts., Russia
Gulf of Mexico (USA) 6,275 Arctic Ocean Gulf of Chibli Gulf of Ob 5,539 5,464 5,410 4,700 4,444 4,400 4,350 4,241 4,200
Lualaba & Luapula rivers Atlantic Ocean Northeast China Baikal Mts Tibetan.Highlands Great Slave Lake Guinea Sea of Okhotsk Laptev Sea South China Sea Beaufort Sea Gulf of Guinea
Largest saline water lake Caspian Sea Deepest lake Largest fresh water lake India's largest lake Lake Baikal in Siberia Lake Superior Chilka lake in Orissa
Moon Some Important Facts Moon Distance from Earth 3,82,200 km Moon Diameter 3,475 km Moon Mass (with respect to Earth) 1 : 8.1 Ratio of Gravitational Pull of Moon and Earth 1 : 6 Part of Moon not visible from Earth 41% Maximum distance from Earth (Apogee) 4,06,000 km Minimum distance from Earth (Periqee) 3,64,000 km Revolution period around Earth 27 days, 7 hrs, 43 min and 11.47 sec Rotation period 27 days, 7 hrs, 43 min and 11.47 sec Atmosphere Absent Highest mountain 35,000 ft (Leibnitz Mts) Time taken by moonlight to reach Earth 1.3 sec Rotation speed 3,680 kmph Speed of revolution around Earth 3,680 kmph
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Gulf of St. Lawrence 2,37,000 Gulf of Hudson Gulf of California Arabian Gulf English Channel 12,33,000 1,62,000 2,38,000 89,900
Smallest Nations (Population - Wise) Vatican City Tuvalu Nauru Palau San Marino Monaco Liechtenstein Saint Kitts and Nevis Antigua and Barbados Dominica
Tuvalu San Marino Liechtenstein Marshall Islands Saint Kitts and Nevis Maldives Malta
Straits
Area Arabia & Africa Alaska & Asia Turkey England & Europe Florida & Bahamas Islands Spain & Africa India & Indonesia India & Sri Lanka
Amsterdam Netherlands Amsel Alexandria Ankara Bangkok Basra Baghdad Berlin Bonn Budapest Bristol Egypt Turkey Thailand Iraq Iraq Germany Germany Hungary UK Nile Kazil Chao Praya Eupharates and Tigris Tigris Spree Rhine Danube Avon
Bab-al-Mandeb Red Sea & Arabian Sea Bering Bosphorus Dover Florida Gibralter Malacca Palk Magellan Sunda Arctic Ocean & Bering Sea Black Sea & Marmara Sea North Sea & Atlantic Ocean Gulf of Mexico & Atlantic Ocean Mediterranean Sea & Atlantic Ocean Java Sea & Bay of Bengal Bay of Bengal & Indian Ocean
South Pacific & South Atlantic Ocean Chile Java Sea & Indian Ocean Indonesia
Buenos Aires
Laplata
Chittagong
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England Finland France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Japan Italy Kuwait Malaysia Mexico Netherlands Russia
Textiles, Machinery Textiles Textiles, Wine Machinery Mica, Tea, Jute, Textiles Rubber, Cinchona Petroleum, Carpets Petroleum, Dates Electronics, Automobiles Mercury, Textile Petroleum Tin, Rubber Silver Electrical goods Heavy Machinery, Petroleum
The Netherlands New Mass Russia China Australia USA Japan Austria Poland Volga Yang-tse-kiang Darling Mississipi Arakava Danube Vistula Potomac Irrawaddy
Saudi Arabia Oil and Dates Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Lead Matches Watches Camphor
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Bengal's Sorrow Blue Mountains City of Sky-scrapers City of Seven Hills City of Dreaming Spires City of Palaces City of Golden Gate
Buenos Aires (Argentina) Meat Cadiz (Portugal) Chicago (U.S.A) Cologne (Germany) Dhaka (Bangladesh) Detroit (U.S.A) Dresden (Germany) Cork Agricultural implements, Meat Cotton and woollen Industries Jute Motor cars Optical and photographic apparatus
Gity of Magnificent Buildings Washington D.C City of Eternal Springs China's Sorrow Quito (S. America) Hwang Ho
Belgium Africa Emerald Isle Ireland Rome New York Lhasa (Tibet) Chicago Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb Mumbai Egypt Aberdeen (Scotland) Korea Atlantic Ocean Jerusalem Australia Zanzibar Bahrein (Persian Gulf) Gibralter Scotland Australia Canada Korea Norway Finland Bhutan
Glasgow (Great Britain) Havana (Cuba) Hollywood (U.S.A) Johannesburg (S. Africa) Kimberlay (S. Africa) Leeds (England) Lyons (France) Manchester (England) Mauritius (Indian Ocean) Milan (Italy) Morocco (North Africa) Munich (Germany) New Orleans (U.S.A.) Osaka (Japan) Pittsburg (U.S.A.) Plymouth (England) Sheffield (England) Venice (Italy) Vienna (Austria)
Machinery Tobacco, Cigars Film Industry Gold mines Diamond mining Woollen Goods Silk Industries Cotton Industry Fishing, Shipping, Sugar Silk Leather Lenses Cotton industry Cotton fabrics Iron and Steel Ship-building Cutlery Glass manufacturing Glass manufacturing
Eternal City Empire City Forbidden City Garden City Gate of Tears Gateway of India Gift of the Nile Granite City Hermit Kingdom Herring Pond Holy Land Island Continent Island of Cloves Isle of Pearls Key to the Mediterranean Land of Cakes Land of Golden Fleece Land of Maple Leaf Land of Morning Calm Land of Midnight Sun Land of the Thousand Lakes Land of the Thunderbolt
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Land of Thousand Elephants Laos Land of Rising Sun Loneliest Island Manchester of Japan Pillars of Hercules Pearl of the Antilles Playground of Europe Quaker City Queen of the Adriatic Roof of the World Rose Pink City Sugar bowl of the world Venice of the North Windty City Whiteman's grave Yellow River Japan Tristan De Gunha (Mid-Atlantic) Osaka Strait of Gibraltar Cuba Switzerland Philadelphia Venice The Pamirs, Central Asia Jaipur Cuba Stockholm Chicago Guinea Coast of Africa Huang Ho (China) Bastille Prison Brandenburg Gate Big Ben Broadway Buckingham Palace Colosseum Downing Street Eiffel Tower
Empire State Building New York Fleet Street Grand Canyon London Arizona (U.S.A)
London London London Manchester (U.K) Mecca (Saudi Arabia) Moscow (Russia) Pisa (Italy) Paris Djakarta London Washington D.C Nanking Lhasa Moscow Egypt London
Jodrell Bank Kaaba Kremlin Leaning Tower Louvre Merdeca Palace Oval Pentagon Porcelain Tower Potala Red Square Pyramids Scotland Yard
Cossacks People living in the southern and eastern frontiers of Russia Eskimos Flemings Hamites Khirgiz Kurds Magyars Inhabitants of Greenland and of Arctic regions A term used for the people of Belgium Inhabitants of North-West Africa People Living in Central Asia Tribes living in Kurdistan (Iraq) Inhabitants of Hungary
Shiwe Dragon Pagoda Yangoon Maoris Negroes Pygmies Inhabitants of New Zealand Mostly found in Africa Short sized people found in Congo basin in Africa Sphinx Statue of Liberty Vatican City Wall Street Wailing Wall Wambley Egypt New York Rome New York Jerusalem London
Red Indians Original inhabitants of North America Semites Zulus Caucasian people of ancient times People of South Africa living in certain part of Nata
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Largest Library in the World Highest Mountain Peak in the World Longest Mountain Range in the World Largest Museum in the World Largest Ocean in the World Biggest Palace in the World Largest Park in the World Largest Peninsula in the World Coldest Place (Habitated) in the World Dryest Place in the World Hottest Place in the World Rainiest Place in the World Biggest Planet in the World Brightest Planet in the World Smallest Planet in the World
Costliest City in the World Highest City in the World Largest Continent in the World Smallest Continent in the World Biggest Country in the World by Area Van Chuan (China) Asia Australia Russia
Tokyo
Highest Plateau in the World Longest Platform in the World Longest Railway in the World Largest Railway Station in the World Longest River in the World Largest River in the World Largest Sea-bird in the World Brightest Star in the World Tallest Statue in the World Largest Telescope Radio in the World World's Tramway first in the World Longest Tunnel (Railway) in the World Longest Tunnel (road) in the World Highest Volcano Most Volcano Active in the World Longest Wall in the World Highest Waterfall in the World Lowest Water body in the World Largest Zoo in the World
Largest Country in the World by Population China Largest Country in the World by Electorate Largest Creature in the World Largest Delta in the World Largest Desert in the World Largest Desert in Asia Largest Dam in the World Dam Highest in the World Diamond Largest in the World Largest Dome in the World Largest Epic in the World Largest Irrigation Scheme in the World Largest Island in the World Largest Sea in the World Deepest Lake in the World Largest Lake (Artificial) in the World India Blue whale Sunderban (Bangladesh & India) Sahara (Africa) Gobi Grand Coulee Dam (U.S.A) Hoover Dam (U.S.A) The Cullinan Astrodome, in Housten (U.S.A) Mahabharat Lloyd Barrage, Sukkhur (Pakistan) Greenland Mediterranean Sea Baikal (Siberia) Lake Mead (Boulder Dam)
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China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam China, India, USA, Russia, France USA, China, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina China, India, Nigeria, USA, Indonesia India, China, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Turkey China, USA, India, Pakistan, Brazil Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, India, China Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Colombia, Mexico
Natural Gas Russia, USA, Canada Silver Coal Peru, Mexico, China China, USA, India
Pakistan & Afghanistan India & China India & Pakistan France & Germany
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Oder Niesse Line Germany & Poland Hindenberg Line 38th Parallel 49th Parallel Poland & Germany (at the time of First World War) North & South Korea USA & Canada
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