Geographical Diversity of India Class 7 Notes Social Science Chapter 1 Part 1
Geographical Diversity of India Class 7 Complete NCERT Notes, Chapter Summary & Important Points (Part 1)
Apart from detailed notes, this page also includes Geographical Diversity of India Class 7 Question Answer PDF, Geographical Diversity of India Class 7 Worksheet with Answers, Geographical Diversity of India Class 7 Extra Questions and Answers, Geographical Diversity of India Class 7 Notes, and Geographical Diversity of India Class 7 PDF Notes in one place. Whether you are looking for chapter summaries, important points, NCERT solutions, worksheets, revision notes, extra questions, question-answer PDFs, or free study materials, this comprehensive guide will help you revise faster, improve your understanding of the chapter, and score excellent marks in your Class 7 Social Science examinations.
Class 7 Social Science Chapter 1 Geographical Diversity Notes Part 1
Geographical Diversity of India : -
➤ India is a country with a great variety of landforms, climates, rivers,
forests, and islands. This diversity has shaped India's history, culture,
agriculture, and way of life.
Rakesh Sharma's Famous Quote
"How does India look from space?"
He replied,
"Saare Jahan Se Achha."
This phrase comes from a famous patriotic poem meaning:
"India is better than the whole world."
India at a Glance : -
➤ India is the 7th largest country in the world.
➤ It is located in South Asia.
➤ India forms an important part of the Indian Subcontinent.
Countries of the Indian Subcontinent : -
➤ India shares the subcontinent with:
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Nepal
- Bhutan
- Sri Lanka
- Myanmar
Natural Boundaries of India : -
➤ India is surrounded by natural features on almost all sides.
- Himalayas in the North
- Arabian Sea in the West
- Bay of Bengal in the East
- Indian Ocean in the South
India's Six Major Physical Divisions : -
➤ India has a great variety of landforms. It is divided into six major
physical divisions.
Physical Division - Main
Features
1. The Himalayan Mountains Snow-covered
highest mountain range; source of many rivers
2. The Northern Plains Flat
and fertile land, ideal for agriculture
3. The Peninsular Plateau Ancient
plateau rich in minerals
4. The Thar Desert Hot, dry and
sandy region
5. The Coastal Plains Flat lands
along the sea, important for ports, fishing and trade
6. The Islands Coral and volcanic
islands in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
One Liner Facts : -
1. The Himalayan Region
➤ The Himalayas are the youngest and highest mountain range in the world. They form India's northern natural boundary and play an important role in climate, rivers, biodiversity, and tourism.
Meaning of Himalaya : -
Him = Snow
Alaya = Home (Abode)
➤ Himalaya means "Abode of Snow."
Formation of the Himalayas -
➤ Millions of years ago, India was a part of the ancient Gondwana Land.
➤ The Indian Plate slowly moved northward.
➤ Around 50 million years ago, it collided with the Eurasian Plate.
➤ This collision caused the Earth's crust to fold upward, forming the
Himalayas.
Interesting Fact : -
➤ The Himalayas are still rising at about 5 mm every year due to the
continuous movement of tectonic plates.
Major Himalayan Ranges : -
1. Himadri (Greater Himalayas)
Features -
◉ Highest Himalayan range
◉ Permanently covered with snow
◉ Contains the world's highest peaks
◉ Source of many glaciers and rivers
Important Peaks -
◉ Mount Everest (Nepal–China border)
◉ Kanchenjunga (India–Nepal border)
2. Himachal (Lesser Himalayas)
Features -
◉ Lower than Himadri
◉ Pleasant climate
◉ Dense forests
◉ Famous hill stations
- Shimla
- Darjeeling
- Mussoorie
- Nainital
3. Shivalik (Outer Himalayas)
Features -
◉ Lowest Himalayan range
◉ Rich in forests
◉ Home to many wild animals
◉ Contains valleys and foothills
Traditional Life in the Himalayas : -
◉ People living in the Himalayas build Kath-Kuni houses.
Features -
◉ Made of wood and stone
◉ Strong and earthquake-resistant
◉ Keep houses warm during winter
Great Himalayan National Park : -
Importance -
◉ UNESCO World Heritage Site
◉ Rich biodiversity
◉ Home to rare plants and animals
◉ Protects Himalayan ecosystems
Cold Desert – Ladakh : -
◉ Ladakh is a cold desert located in the Himalayan region.
Location -
◉ Union Territory of Ladakh
◉ Northernmost part of India
Why is Ladakh Called a Cold Desert?
◉ Very little rainfall
◉ Extremely cold winters
◉ Dry and rocky landscape
◉ Sparse vegetation
◉ Temperature - Winter temperature may fall below –30°C.
◉ Climate - Dry climate, Strong winds, Thin air due to high altitude
The Himalayas : -
➤ The Himalayas are the youngest and highest mountain range in the world.
They form a massive natural wall along the northern boundary of India and
stretch for about 2,500 kilometres across Asia.
➤ The Himalayan mountain range extends through India, Nepal, Bhutan,
China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Many of its peaks are more than 8,000 metres
high and are collectively known as the "Eight Thousanders." The
highest mountain in the world is Mount Everest, while Kanchenjunga is the
highest peak in India.
➤ The Himalayas are the source of many important rivers, including the
Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra. During summer, melting snow and glaciers provide
water to these rivers, which support drinking, agriculture, industries, and
hydroelectric power. Because they supply water to millions of people, the
Himalayas are often called the "Water Tower of Asia."
➤ The Bhagirathi River, one of the main tributaries of the Ganga,
originates from Gaumukh in Uttarakhand. Gaumukh is located at the edge of the
Gangotri Glacier, one of the largest glaciers in the Indian Himalayas. It is
considered a sacred place and is also a popular destination for pilgrims and
trekkers.
➤ The Himalayas are not only important for water resources but also for
religion and culture. Many temples, monasteries, and pilgrimage centres are
located in the mountains, attracting devotees and spiritual seekers from
different parts of the world.
Formation of the Himalayas : -
➤ Millions of years ago, India was part of a large ancient landmass called
Gondwana, where Africa was its neighbouring continent. Over time, the Indian
Plate broke away from Gondwana and slowly moved northward.
➤ About 50 million years ago, the Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian
Plate. This collision caused the land between the two plates to fold and rise,
forming the Himalayan mountain range.
➤ The Indian Plate is still moving northwards at a rate of about 5
centimetres every year. As a result, the Himalayas continue to rise by
approximately 5 millimetres each year.
➤ The word "Himalaya" comes from two Sanskrit words: Hima,
meaning snow, and Alaya, meaning abode or home. Therefore, Himalaya means the
"Abode of Snow."
The Three Ranges of the Himalayas : -
The Himalayan mountain system is divided into three main ranges.
1. Himadri (Greater Himalayas)
➤ The Himadri is the highest and most rugged part of the Himalayas. It
remains covered with snow throughout the year and contains the highest peaks,
including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga. Due to the extreme climate, there are
very few human settlements in this region.
2. Himachal (Lesser Himalayas)
➤ The Himachal lies south of the Himadri and has a more pleasant climate.
This region supports rich forests, wildlife, agriculture, and human
settlements. Famous hill stations such as Shimla, Darjeeling, Mussoorie, and
Nainital are located here.
3. Shivalik Hills (Outer Himalayas)
➤ The Shivalik Hills form the outermost and lowest range of the Himalayas.
They consist of rolling hills, valleys, and dense forests. The Shivalik region
acts as a transition zone between the Himalayas and the Northern (Gangetic)
Plains and is rich in wildlife.
Traditional Life in the Himalayas : -
➤ People living in the western Himalayan region build traditional
Kath-Kuni (Dhajji-Dewari) houses. These houses are constructed using locally
available wood and stone, making them warm during winter and resistant to mild
earthquakes.
Great Himalayan National Park : -
➤ The Great Himalayan National Park, located in Himachal Pradesh, is
famous for its rich biodiversity. It is home to numerous species of plants,
birds, and wild animals, including the Himalayan Monal and the Snow Leopard.
➤ The park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both the
government and local village communities work together to protect its forests,
wildlife, and natural environment.
The Cold Desert of India (Ladakh) : -
➤ Ladakh is a cold desert region of India located in the Himalayas.
➤ Unlike hot deserts, Ladakh experiences extremely cold temperatures,
which can fall below –30°C during winter.
➤ The region receives very little rainfall and has a rugged landscape with
rocky terrain, deep valleys and lakes.
➤ Pangong Tso is a famous lake of Ladakh. The word “Tso” means lake.
➤ Ladakh is called “Moonland” because its landscape looks similar to the
surface of the Moon.
➤ Geologists explain that the mountains of Ladakh were formed when the
Indian landmass collided with Eurasia.
➤ The rocks of Ladakh contain large amounts of sand and clay because the
area was once a part of an ocean.
➤ Wind and rain have eroded the mountains and created unique landforms.
➤ Ladakh is home to rare animals like snow leopards, ibex and Tibetan
antelopes.
➤ The people of Ladakh live a simple life and depend on animals like yaks.
➤ Yaks provide milk, meat, wool and dung and are also used for
transportation.
➤ Ladakh is famous for its ancient monasteries and colourful festivals,
such as Losar and Hemis Festival.
The Gangetic Plains : -
➤ The Gangetic Plains are vast and fertile plains located south of the
Himalayas.
➤ These plains have played an important role in the history and
civilisation of India.
➤ The region is nourished by rivers originating from the Himalayas.
➤ The major river systems of this region are the Ganga, Indus and
Brahmaputra along with their tributaries.
➤ Rivers bring minerals and deposit them in the soil, making the land
highly fertile.
➤ The fertile soil supports abundant agriculture and multi-cropping.
➤ Rivers also help in the generation of electricity.
➤ A large part of India’s population lives in the Gangetic Plains because
of fertile land and availability of water.
➤ The flat surface of the Northern Plains has helped in the development of
a good transport network.
➤ Roads and railways connect different places and help in the movement of
people and goods.
➤ Rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra have been used for travel and
trade for thousands of years.
➤ The plains support rich biodiversity, including animals like the grey
langur and tiger.
➤ Project Tiger has helped protect tiger populations and their habitats.
The Great Indian Desert or Thar Desert : -
➣ The Thar Desert is located in the western part of
India and appears as a yellowish area on the map.
➣ It is known for its vast stretches of golden sand
dunes, rugged terrain and wide-open sky.
➣ Sand dunes are hill-like formations of sand created
by the action of wind.
➣ The wind shifts and shapes the sand, sometimes
forming dunes as high as 150 metres.
➣ The Thar Desert is a vast arid (dry) region with very
little rainfall.
➣ Most of the Thar Desert lies in India and covers
parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana.
➣ The desert acts as a natural barrier because of its
harsh climate and difficult living conditions.
➣ The Thar Desert experiences very high temperatures
during the day and cold nights.
➣ Water is scarce in the desert, which makes human and
animal movement difficult.
➣ People living in the Thar Desert have adapted their
lifestyle according to the environment.
➣ Their food habits, clothing and daily activities are
suitable for the desert conditions.
➣ Jaisalmer, known as the “Golden City”, is located in
the middle of the Thar Desert.
➣ The Jaisalmer Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
➣ Camels are very important animals in the desert and
are used for transport.
➣ The Pushkar Mela is a famous fair held near the Thar
Desert where camel trading is popular.
➣ The Indian gharial and Indian peacock are some
important animals found in this region.
➣ The Indian gharial is an endangered reptile and laws
protect it from hunting and harm.
Water Conservation in the Thar Desert : -
➣ Water is very scarce in the Thar Desert, and people
use water carefully.
➣ Women often travel long distances to collect water
for their families.
➣ Traditional methods of saving water are followed by
desert communities.
➣ People clean utensils by rubbing them with sand to
reduce water usage.
➣ Water used for rinsing is often reused for activities
like watering plants.
➣ Rajasthan is famous for traditional rainwater
harvesting systems such as taanka and kunds.
➣ These systems collect and store rainwater, often for
drinking purposes.