Physiographic Divisions — Set 2
Geography · भौतिक विभाजन · Questions 11–20 of 70
Which plateau is famous for its rich mineral deposits and is often called the 'Ruhr of India'?
Correct Answer: C. Chhota Nagpur Plateau
• **Chhota Nagpur Plateau** = India's largest mineral storehouse, called the Ruhr of India due to vast coal and iron reserves. • **65,000 sq km** — approximate area of the plateau spanning Jharkhand, Odisha, WB, and Chhattisgarh. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Shillong Plateau: detached extension of Peninsular plateau in Meghalaya, not mineral-rich; Deccan Plateau: basaltic lava plateau known for black soil not heavy minerals; Malwa Plateau: central India, known for fertile black soil.
Which mountain range separates the North Indian Plains from the Peninsular Plateau?
Correct Answer: C. Vindhyas
• **Vindhyas** = the traditional mountain boundary separating the North Indian Plains from the Peninsular Plateau. • **North of Narmada** — Vindhyas lie north of the Narmada rift valley, acting as a cultural dividing line. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Western Ghats: run along western coast of Peninsular India, not northern boundary; Nilgiris: located in far south where Eastern and Western Ghats meet; Aravallis: oldest range in Rajasthan, northwest India, not separating plains from Deccan.
What is the highest peak of the Aravalli Range?
Correct Answer: C. Guru Shikhar
• **Guru Shikhar** = highest peak of the Aravalli Range, located at Mount Abu, Rajasthan, at 1,722 m. • **1,722 m** — elevation of Guru Shikhar; Aravallis are residual mountains due to heavy erosion over billions of years. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Anamudi: highest peak of South India in Kerala Western Ghats; Mahendragiri: peak of Eastern Ghats in Odisha; Dodabetta: highest peak of Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu.
Which river flows through a rift valley between the Vindhyas and Satpuras?
Correct Answer: C. Narmada
• **Narmada** = flows westward through a rift valley created by tectonic faulting between the Vindhyas and Satpuras. • **Originates at Amarkantak** — in Madhya Pradesh; one of few Indian rivers draining into the Arabian Sea. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Ganga: flows eastward across the northern plains into Bay of Bengal; Krishna: peninsular river flowing eastward into Bay of Bengal; Godavari: longest peninsular river, also flows eastward.
The Western Ghats are locally known as 'Sahyadri' in which state?
Correct Answer: D. Maharashtra
• **Sahyadri** = local name for the Western Ghats in Maharashtra (and Karnataka), meaning the benevolent mountains. • **1,600 km** — length of the Western Ghats running parallel to India's western coast from Gujarat to Kerala. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Karnataka: also uses Sahyadri but Maharashtra is the canonical answer; Kerala: calls them Western Ghats; Tamil Nadu: calls the southern section Nilgiris.
Which is the highest peak of the South Indian Peninsula?
Correct Answer: A. Anamudi
• **Anamudi** = highest peak of South India at 2,695 m, located in the Anaimalai Hills of Kerala. • **2,695 m** — Anamudi's elevation; marks the convergence of Anaimalai, Palani, and Cardamom Hills. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Kalsubai: highest peak of Maharashtra in Western Ghats at ~1,646 m; Doda Betta: highest in Nilgiris at 2,637 m, second highest in South India; Mahendragiri: peak in Eastern Ghats, much lower.
The Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats meet at which hill range?
Correct Answer: B. Nilgiri Hills
• **Nilgiri Hills** = the convergence point of the Eastern and Western Ghats at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. • **Doda Betta (2,637 m)** — highest peak specifically within the Nilgiri range. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Palani Hills: extension of Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu, not the meeting point; Javadi Hills: part of Eastern Ghats, southeastern Tamil Nadu; Cardamom Hills: southern extension of Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Which of the following describes the Eastern Ghats?
Correct Answer: B. Discontinuous and eroded
• **Eastern Ghats** = discontinuous and eroded hills cut by major rivers like Godavari, Mahanadi, and Krishna. • **500-600 m avg** — average elevation of Eastern Ghats, much lower than Western Ghats (avg 1,000 m). • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Highest range in India: that is Himadri of the Himalayas; Volcanic in origin: Deccan Trap is volcanic, not the Eastern Ghats; Continuous and high: that describes the Western Ghats which form an unbroken wall.
What is the local name for the coastal plain along the state of Odisha?
Correct Answer: A. Utkal Plain
• **Utkal Plain** = the coastal stretch of Odisha between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal. • **Chilika Lake** — India's largest saltwater lagoon, located in the Utkal Plain; Mahanadi delta dominates this zone. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Konkan Coast: northern part of western coastal plain in Maharashtra and Goa; Coromandel Coast: southeastern coast from Krishna delta to Kanyakumari; Malabar Coast: southern part of western coastal plain in Kerala.
The 'Konkan' coast extends between which two points?
Correct Answer: D. Daman and Goa
• **Konkan Coast** = the northern section of India's western coastal plain, stretching from Daman in the north to Goa in the south. • **~720 km long** — length of the Konkan Coast, known for rugged terrain, rocky shore, and fishing harbors. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Kolkata-Puri: eastern coast (Bay of Bengal), not western; Goa-Kochi: partially correct start but northern end is Daman not Goa; Chennai-Vizag: part of eastern Coromandel Coast.