Class 6 Geography Notes Chapter 7 (Our Country - India) – The Earth Our Habitat

The detailed notes are given below for Chapter 7: 'Our Country - India' from the NCERT Class 6 Geography textbook 'The Earth Our Habitat', tailored for exam preparation.

Chapter 7: Our Country - India

1. Introduction & Location:

• Geographical Expanse: India is a vast country with diverse landforms.
• Hemisphere: Located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Latitudinal Extent: Mainland extends between 8°4' N and 37°6' N latitudes.
• Longitudinal Extent: Mainland extends between 68°7' E and 97°25' E longitudes.
• Tropic of Cancer (23°30' N): Passes almost halfway through the country, dividing it into roughly tropical and sub-tropical zones.
• North-South Extent: From Kashmir (North) to Kanyakumari (South) is about 3,200 km.
• East-West Extent: From Arunachal Pradesh (East) to Kachchh (West) is about 2,900 km.
• Time Zone: Due to the large longitudinal extent (approx. 29°), there could be a time difference of about 2 hours between the easternmost and westernmost points.
• Indian Standard Time (IST): Based on the Standard Meridian of India (82°30' E), which passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. IST is GMT + 5 hours 30 minutes.

2. Size & Neighbours:

• Area: Approximately 3.28 million sq. km. Accounts for about 2.4% of the world's total geographical area.
• Rank (Area): India is the 7th largest country in the world by area.
• Land Boundary: About 15,200 km.
• Coastline: Total length of the coastline of the mainland, including Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep, is 7,516.6 km.
• Peninsula: The southern part of India tapers and is surrounded by water on three sides (Arabian Sea - West, Bay of Bengal - East, Indian Ocean - South), making it a peninsula.
• Land Neighbours (7 Countries):
  • North-West: Pakistan, Afghanistan
  • North: China (Tibet), Nepal, Bhutan
  • East: Myanmar, Bangladesh
• Sea Neighbours (2 Island Countries):
  • South: Sri Lanka (separated from India by the Palk Strait)
  • South-West: Maldives (located south of the Lakshadweep Islands)

3. Political & Administrative Divisions:

• For administrative efficiency, India is divided into States and Union Territories (UTs).
  • (Note: The exact number of States and UTs can change. Always check the current official number for exams).
• Capital: New Delhi is the national capital.
• Basis of Formation: States have largely been formed on the basis of languages.
• Largest State (by Area): Rajasthan.
• Smallest State (by Area): Goa.

4. Physical Divisions:

India's physical features are highly diverse and can be grouped into the following major divisions:

• (a) The Himalayas (Northern Mountains):
  • Young fold mountains forming the northern border. Run in a west-east direction.
  • Act as a significant climatic and physical barrier.
  • Consist of three parallel ranges:
    • Great Himalaya or Himadri: Northernmost range. Contains the world's highest peaks (e.g., Mount Everest - in Nepal, Kanchenjunga - in India). Average height exceeds 6000m. Source of major perennial rivers like Ganga and Yamuna (glaciers).
    • Middle Himalaya or Himachal: Lies south of Himadri. Average altitude 3700-4500m. Known for popular hill stations (e.g., Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital). Ranges like Pir Panjal, Dhaula Dhar, Mahabharat range.
    • Shiwalik: Outermost (southernmost) range. Average altitude 900-1100m. Composed of unconsolidated sediments brought by rivers. Known for 'Duns' (longitudinal valleys) like Dehra Dun.
• (b) The Northern Indian Plains:
  • Located south of the Himalayas. Vast, level plains.
  • Formed by alluvial deposits brought by the three major river systems: Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra, and their tributaries.
  • Extremely fertile, making them agriculturally productive and densely populated.
  • Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta (Sunderbans Delta): The largest delta in the world, formed at the confluence of Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers before they drain into the Bay of Bengal.
• (c) The Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert):
  • Located in the western part of India, primarily in Rajasthan.
  • Characterized by arid climate, low rainfall (below 150 mm per year), sandy terrain, and sparse vegetation (thorny bushes).
  • Luni is the only significant river in this region.
• (d) The Peninsular Plateau:
  • Oldest landmass of India, roughly triangular in shape. Lies south of the Northern Plains.
  • Composed mainly of old crystalline, igneous and metamorphic rocks.
  • Rich in mineral resources (coal, iron ore, manganese, mica).
  • Broadly divided into: Central Highlands and Deccan Plateau.
  • Important hill ranges: Aravali Hills (oldest fold mountains, on the NW side), Vindhya Range, Satpura Range.
  • Narmada and Tapi: Major rivers flowing westwards through rift valleys and draining into the Arabian Sea.
  • Western Ghats (Sahyadris): Run parallel to the western coast. Continuous, higher elevation (average 900-1600m). Orographic rainfall source. Important peaks: Anai Mudi, Doda Betta.
  • Eastern Ghats: Run parallel to the eastern coast. Discontinuous, broken by rivers, lower elevation (average 600m). Important peak: Mahendragiri.
  • Deccan Plateau: Lies south of the Narmada River. Triangular landmass. Bounded by Western Ghats (W), Eastern Ghats (E), and Satpura range (N). Includes Deccan Trap (black soil area).
• (e) The Coastal Plains:
  • Narrow strips of plain land flanking the Peninsular Plateau.
  • Western Coastal Plains: Located between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Narrower. Divided into Konkan (Mumbai-Goa), Kannad Plain, and Malabar Coast (South).
  • Eastern Coastal Plains: Located between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal. Broader and more level. Rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri form large, fertile deltas here. Divided into Northern Circar (North) and Coromandel Coast (South).
• (f) The Islands:
  • Two major island groups:
    • Lakshadweep Islands: Located in the Arabian Sea. Group of small coral islands. Capital: Kavaratti. Earlier known as Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi islands.
    • Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Located in the Bay of Bengal. Larger group, more numerous and scattered. Believed to be elevated portions of submarine mountains. Capital: Port Blair. Divided into Andaman (North) and Nicobar (South). India's only active volcano is on Barren Island here. The southernmost point of the Indian Union, 'Indira Point' (in Nicobar Islands), got submerged during the 2004 Tsunami.

5. Climate:

• India has a Monsoon type of climate. The word 'monsoon' comes from the Arabic word 'mausim', meaning 'seasons'.
• Characterized by seasonal reversal of wind systems.
• Major Seasons:
  • Cold Weather Season (Winter): December to February. Generally cool and dry in North India. Temperature decreases from south to north.
  • Hot Weather Season (Summer): March to May. Temperature rises across the country. Hot, dry winds called 'Loo' blow over North India during the day.
  • Southwest Monsoon Season (Rainy Season): June to September. Winds blow from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal towards the land, carrying moisture and causing widespread rainfall. Agriculture heavily depends on this.
  • Season of Retreating Monsoon (Autumn): October and November. Winds move back from the mainland to the Bay of Bengal. This season brings rainfall mainly to the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
• Factors Influencing Climate: Latitude (Tropic of Cancer), Altitude (Himalayas prevent cold winds), Distance from the Sea (coastal areas have moderate climate), Relief features (mountains influence rainfall distribution, e.g., Western Ghats).
• Rainfall Distribution: Highly variable. Mawsynram (Meghalaya) receives the highest rainfall in the world, while areas like Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) receive very little.

6. Natural Vegetation:

• Refers to plants that grow naturally without human aid. Depends primarily on climate (temperature and rainfall).
• Major Types of Vegetation in India:
  • Tropical Evergreen Forests (Rainforests): Found in areas with heavy rainfall (>200 cm) - Western Ghats, NE India, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Dense, multi-layered, trees don't shed leaves simultaneously (appear green year-round). Important trees: Mahogany, Ebony, Rosewood.
  • Tropical Deciduous Forests (Monsoon Forests): Most widespread forests in India. Found in regions with rainfall between 70-200 cm. Trees shed their leaves during the dry season (usually summer) to conserve water. Important trees: Teak, Sal, Peepal, Neem, Shisham.
  • Thorny Bushes (Desert Vegetation): Found in arid regions with rainfall < 70 cm - Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, dry parts of Deccan Plateau. Plants adapted to conserve water (long roots, small leaves, thorns). Important plants: Cactus, Khair, Babool, Kikar.
  • Mountain Vegetation: Vegetation type changes with increasing altitude due to decrease in temperature. Deciduous forests at foothills, Temperate forests (coniferous trees like Pine, Deodar, Fir, Spruce) between 1500-3000m, Alpine grasslands above 3600m, followed by Tundra vegetation (mosses, lichens) at very high altitudes.
  • Mangrove Forests: Found in coastal areas influenced by tides, especially deltas (Ganga-Brahmaputra delta - Sunderbans, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna deltas). Trees adapted to survive in saline water with breathing roots (pneumatophores). Sundari tree is famous in Sunderbans (gives the name). Provide coastal protection.
• Importance of Forests: Provide oxygen, regulate climate, control soil erosion, recharge groundwater, provide timber, fuel wood, medicinal plants, habitat for wildlife. Conservation is crucial.

7. Wildlife:

• India has a rich and diverse fauna.
• National Animal: Tiger (found in various parts of India).
• National Bird: Peacock.
• Key Wildlife:
  • Gir Forest (Gujarat): Only natural habitat of the Asiatic Lion in India.
  • Assam: Elephants, One-horned rhinoceroses.
  • Himalayan Region: Wild goats, Snow leopards, Bears.
  • Desert: Camels, Wild Ass (Rann of Kutch).
  • Peninsular India: Elephants, Tigers, Leopards, various species of Deer, Monkeys.
• Conservation: Many species are endangered due to habitat loss (deforestation) and hunting/poaching.
• Government Efforts:
  • Establishment of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves to protect habitats and species.
  • Specific projects like Project Tiger (launched 1973) and Project Elephant (launched 1992) for conserving these key species.
• Wildlife Week: Celebrated in the first week of October every year to raise awareness about wildlife conservation.