India – Relief Features (Lecture Pages 14–24)

Vocabulary flashcards that review key terms and landform concepts from the lecture on India’s relief features.

Standard Meridian of India (82°30′ E)

The central longitude passing near Allahabad that sets Indian Standard Time, 5½ hours ahead of GMT.

Indian Peninsula

The southward-jutting part of India surrounded by sea on three sides, comprising mainly the Deccan and its adjoining coastal plains.

Gondwana Land

A prehistoric southern super-continent from which the Indian plate broke away and drifted northward.

Laurasia (Angara Land)

The northern super-continent that collided with the Indian plate to raise the Himalayas.

Himalayas

A 2,400 km long, arc-shaped mountain system in northern India formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.

Greater Himalayas (Himadri)

The northernmost, highest Himalayan range, averaging 6,100 m and containing permanent snow and glaciers.

Lesser Himalayas

The middle Himalayan range (3,700–4,500 m) of compressed rocks, housing valleys like Kashmir and hill stations such as Shimla.

Shivaliks

The southernmost Himalayan foothill range (900–1,100 m), built of unconsolidated gravel and alluvium.

Dun

A longitudinal valley lying between the Lesser Himalayas and the Shivaliks, e.g., Dehradun.

Purvanchal Hills

The eastern extension of the Himalayas beyond the Dihang bend, including Patkai, Naga, Khasi and Mizo hills.

Indo-Gangetic Plain

Extensive alluvial lowland formed by the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra systems; one of the world's most fertile regions.

Bhabar

A porous belt of pebbles and gravel at the Himalayan foothills where rivers disappear underground.

Terai

Marshy, forested tract south of the Bhabar where lost streams re-emerge, now largely cleared for farming.

Peninsular Plateau

Ancient crystalline landmass south of the Indo-Gangetic Plain, bounded by the Western & Eastern Ghats.

Central Highlands (Malwa Plateau)

The northern part of the peninsular plateau between the Aravalis and the Satpuras, including Malwa and Bundelkhand.

Chotanagpur Plateau

Mineral-rich plateau east of the Central Highlands, noted for coal, iron and mica deposits.

Deccan Plateau

Triangular plateau south of the Narmada, edged by the Satpuras (north), Western & Eastern Ghats, and Nilgiris.

Western Ghats

Continuous escarpment along India’s west coast; higher than the Eastern Ghats and source of major peninsular rivers.

Eastern Ghats

Discontinuous hill range along the east coast, dissected by rivers like Godavari and Krishna.

Nilgiri Hills

Junction of Western and Eastern Ghats near Gudalur; home to Ooty and peak Doda Betta (2,637 m).

Black Soil (Regur)

Fertile, dark volcanic soil of the Deccan, ideal for cotton cultivation.

Thar Desert

Arid region west of the Aravalis with sandy plains, scant rainfall and the ephemeral Luni River.

Konkan Coast

Northern stretch of India’s west coast along Maharashtra and Goa.

Canara Coast

Middle segment of the west coast adjoining Karnataka.

Malabar Coast

Southern section of the west coast in Kerala, noted for lagoons and spice ports.

Utkal Coast

Odisha’s deltaic portion of the eastern coastal plain, nourished by the Mahanadi.

Circar Coast

Andhra Pradesh section of the eastern coastal plain between the Godavari and Krishna deltas.

Coromandel Coast

Tamil Nadu’s part of the eastern coastal plain extending to the Cauvery delta.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Volcanic and tectonic archipelago in the Bay of Bengal; includes India’s southernmost point, Indira Point.

Lakshadweep Islands

Tiny coral islands in the Arabian Sea, covering only 32 km² but rich in marine biodiversity.

Coral Reef

Calcium-carbonate structures built by marine polyps; form the base of islands like Lakshadweep.

Perennial River

A river with year-round flow, typically glacier-fed, e.g., Ganga or Brahmaputra.

Peninsula

A landmass surrounded by water on three sides; India’s southern portion exemplifies one.

Indira Point

The southernmost tip of Indian territory, located on Great Nicobar Island; partly submerged during the 2004 tsunami.