India is a large country with great physical variety and friendly relations with many neighbouring nations. Geographically, India has six physical divisions: the Northern Mountains (Himalayas) forming a high wall in the north; the fertile Northern Plains made by the Indus–Ganga–Brahmaputra rivers; the hot and dry Great Indian Desert (Thar) in the west; the ancient Peninsular Plateau in the centre and south; the Coastal Plains along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal; and the Islands—Andaman & Nicobar in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.

India is surrounded by water on three sides—the Arabian Sea in the west, the Bay of Bengal in the east and the Indian Ocean in the south. Our important neighbours are Pakistan and Afghanistan to the west and north-west, China, Nepal and Bhutan to the north, and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east; Sri Lanka and Maldives lie to the south across the sea. India’s capital is New Delhi.

Each division has special features and uses. The Himalayas protect our country and give rise to many rivers. The Northern Plains have alluvial soil and good water supply, so a lot of food crops are grown here. The Thar Desert is sandy and receives very little rainfall. The Peninsular Plateau has many minerals. The Coastal Plains are low and level with important ports, fishing centres and fertile deltas. The islands are beautiful and rich in biodiversity.

Although Indians speak many languages and follow different customs, we are united by our national symbols, festivals and shared values. This is called “Unity in Diversity.”

भारत एक विशाल देश है जिसकी भौतिक संरचना बहुत विविध है और जिसके कई पड़ोसी देशों से मैत्रीपूर्ण संबंध हैं। भारत के छह भौतिक भाग हैं—उत्तर में ऊँचे हिमालय, नदियों से बने उपजाऊ उत्तरी मैदान, पश्चिम का गर्म व शुष्क थार मरुस्थल, प्राचीन प्रायद्वीपीय पठार, दोनों ओर के तटीय मैदान और द्वीप समूह—अंडमान–निकोबार (बंगाल की खाड़ी) तथा लक्षद्वीप (अरब सागर)।

भारत तीन दिशाओं से जल से घिरा है—पश्चिम में अरब सागर, पूर्व में बंगाल की खाड़ी और दक्षिण में हिंद महासागर। हमारे प्रमुख पड़ोसी हैं—पश्चिम में पाकिस्तान, उत्तर-पश्चिम में अफगानिस्तान, उत्तर में चीन, नेपाल, भूटान, पूर्व में बांग्लादेश, म्यांमार तथा समुद्र पार दक्षिण में श्रीलंका और मालदीव। भारत की राजधानी नई दिल्ली है।

हर भौतिक भाग की अपनी विशेषता है—हिमालय देश की सुरक्षा करते हैं और नदियाँ देते हैं; उत्तरी मैदानों की जलोढ़ मिट्टी और सिंचाई के कारण यहाँ खाद्यान्न अधिक उगते हैं; थार मरुस्थल रेतीला और कम वर्षा वाला क्षेत्र है; पठार में खनिज भरपूर मिलते हैं; तटीय मैदानों में बंदरगाह, मछली-पालन और उपजाऊ डेल्टा हैं; द्वीप सुंदर और जैव विविधता से भरपूर हैं।

भारत में भाषाएँ, भोजन, पोशाक और रीति-रिवाज अलग-अलग होते हुए भी हम सब एक हैं—इसीको “विविधता में एकता” कहा जाता है।

1) Name India’s six physical divisions.

Northern Mountains, Northern Plains, Great Indian Desert, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains and Islands.

2) Which three sides of India are surrounded by water?

East—Bay of Bengal, West—Arabian Sea, South—Indian Ocean.

3) Why are crops grown widely in the Northern Plains?

Because of level land, rich alluvial soil and abundant river water for irrigation.

4) What protects India in the north?

The Himalayas, the highest mountain range, act as a natural wall.

5) Write two island groups of India.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Bay of Bengal) and Lakshadweep Islands (Arabian Sea).

6) What do we mean by “Unity in Diversity”?

People have different languages, food and customs, yet we live together as one nation.

7) Where is the Thar Desert located?

In western India, mainly in Rajasthan; it is hot, dry and sandy.

8) What is special about the Peninsular Plateau?

It is an old rocky region rich in minerals and covers much of central and southern India.

9) Why are coastal plains important?

They have ports, fishing centres, fertile deltas and support trade and tourism.

10) Name three northern neighbours of India.

China, Nepal and Bhutan.

1) Which three sides of India are surrounded by water?

East – Bay of Bengal, West – Arabian Sea and South – Indian Ocean.

2) Name the six physical divisions of India.

Northern Mountains, Northern Plains, Great Indian Desert, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains and Islands.

3) What are the differences between the Great Indian Desert and the Northern Plains? Why are food crops grown in the Northern Plains?

Desert: hot, dry, sandy land with very little rainfall and sparse population. Northern Plains: level land with rich alluvial soil, many rivers and good rainfall/irrigation; hence food crops like wheat and rice grow in abundance.

4) Describe the location and significance of the Coastal Plains in India.

Coastal Plains lie along India’s eastern and western coasts—between the Ghats and the seas. They have ports (trade), fisheries, coconut and rice farming, and large river deltas; thus they support transport, economy and settlements.

5) Why do we say that India has unity in diversity?

People in India speak many languages, follow various religions and customs, yet we respect each other and live together as one nation following the same Constitution and national ideals—hence “Unity in Diversity”.