Physiographic Divisions and Northern Mountains of India

Flashcards covering the physical geography of India, the definition of fold mountains, and the specific characteristics of the Northern Mountain ranges.

Pamir Knot

Known as 'the Roof of the World', it is the origin point for several northern mountain ranges including the Kunlun and Karakoram ranges.

Physiographic Divisions of India

The five main divisions based on topography: 1. The Northern Mountain Region, 2. The North Indian Plain, 3. The Peninsular Plateau, 4. The Indian Desert, and 5. The Coastal Plains and Islands.

Folding

The process of compression of sedimentary rock strata of the earth's crust that leads to the formation of fold mountains.

Fold Mountains

Mountains formed by the folding of rock layers due to crustal compression; examples include the Himalayas and the Alps.

Northern Mountain region extent

This region extends from River Indus in the west to River Brahmaputhra in the east for nearly $2400\,km$ and has a width ranging from $150$ to $400\,km$.

Mountain

Landforms with an average elevation above $900\,m$ from the sea level.

Trans Himalayas

Also known as the Tibetan Himalayas, this northernmost division of the mountains has an average elevation of $3000\,m$, a width of $40\,km$, and a length of $965\,km$.

Karakoram Range

A range found within the Trans Himalayas that connects the Himalayas with the Pamir Knot.

The Himalayas

A system of three parallel mountain ranges: the Himadri, the Himachal, and the Shiwaliks.

Himadri

Also known as the Greater Himalayas or the Inner Himalayas, it has an average elevation of about $6100\,m$ above mean sea level, a width of nearly $25\,km$, and consists of snow-clad mountains with the world's highest peaks.

Himachal

Also known as the Lesser Himalayas, this range lies north of the Shiwaliks with an average elevation between $3500$ and $4500\,m$ and a width of $60$ to $80\,km$.

Shiwalik Range

Also known as the Outer Himalayas, it is the southernmost Himalayan range forming the borders of the Ganga Plains, with a width ranging from $60$ to $150\,km$.

Eastern Hills

Also known as Purvachal, these ranges form the eastern boundary of the Northern mountain region and include units like the Naga Hills, Mizo Hills, and Patkai Bum.