📘 Chapter: Physiography and Drainage
🔷 Notes
1. India's Physiography
- The Himalayas (young fold mountains in the north)
- The Northern Plains (fertile and formed by river deposits)
- The Peninsular Plateau (ancient and stable)
- The Coastal Plains (western and eastern coasts)
- The Islands (Andaman, Nicobar & Lakshadweep)
2. Brazil's Physiography
- The Amazon Basin (dense tropical forests and swamps)
- The Brazilian Highlands (mainly plateau region)
- The Guyana Highlands (northwestern part)
- The Pantanal Region (swampy, low-lying)
- Coastal Plains (narrow stretch along the Atlantic Ocean)
3. Drainage System of India
- Major rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Narmada, Tapi
- Divided into:
- Himalayan Rivers (perennial)
- Peninsular Rivers (seasonal)
- Ganga and Brahmaputra form fertile plains
- Rivers are polluted due to industrial waste and sewage
4. Drainage System of Brazil
- Major rivers: Amazon, Tocantins, São Francisco, Paraná, Paraguay, Uruguay
- Amazon is the largest river by volume in the world
- Many rivers have waterfalls and rapids, less suitable for navigation
5. Comparison
| Feature | India | Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Major River | Ganga | Amazon |
| Highlands | Deccan Plateau | Brazilian Highlands |
| Northern Region | Himalayas | Guyana Highlands |
| Coastal Plains | Wide in East, Narrow in West | Narrow along Atlantic |
📑 Exercise Solutions
🔹 Q1. Complete the sentences
- (a) Brazil is covered mainly by 👉 Highlands
- (b) Like Brazil, India too has 👉 Ancient Plateau
- (c) The Amazon Basin is mainly 👉 Covered by dense forests
- (d) Near the mouth of the Amazon 👉 No deltas are found
- (e) Lakshadweep Islands 👉 Coral islands
- (f) To the foothills of Aravalis 👉 Mewad Plateau
🔹 Q2. Answer the following
(a) Differentiate between physiography of Brazil and India:
- Brazil – Mostly covered by highlands
- India – Diverse: mountains, plains, plateaus
- Brazil – Amazon basin with dense forests
- India – Ganga plains are fertile
(b) Measures to control river pollution in India:
- Sewage treatment plants
- Strict waste disposal laws
- Public awareness
- Namami Gange
- Eco-friendly rituals
(c) Characteristics of the North Indian Plains:
- Formed by Ganga and Brahmaputra
- Fertile soil
- Dense population
- Flat and good for farming
(d) Reasons for swamps in Pantanal:
- Low elevation
- Heavy rainfall
- Poor drainage
(e) Major water divides in India:
- Western Ghats
- Vindhya and Satpura ranges
- Himalayas
🔹 Q3. Write Notes
- Amazon River Basin: Largest river basin, dense forests, high rainfall, navigable in parts.
- Himalayas: Young fold mountains, source of rivers, three ranges, climate barrier.
- Coasts of Brazil: Narrow, fewer ports, east coastline, tourism hub.
- Indian Peninsula: Triangular plateau, Eastern and Western Ghats, rich in minerals.
- The Great Escarpment: Steep slope, separates highlands and coasts, mineral-rich.
🔹 Q4. Geographical Reasons
- (a) No west-flowing rivers in Brazil because land slopes eastward.
- (b) Eastern and western Indian coasts differ: Eastern coast is wide and deltaic, western is narrow and estuarine.
- (c) Eastern coast lacks ports due to sediment deposits and gentle slope.
- (d) Ganga pollution affects more due to dense population, Amazon flows through forested areas.
🔹 Q5. Identify the Correct Group
- (a) Physiographic order in Brazil 👉 Guyana Highlands – Amazon Basin – Brazilian Highlands
- (b) North-flowing rivers 👉 Negro – Branco – Paru