Geography
Rajasthan GK · भूगोल
📋Quick Overview
Rajasthan is India's LARGEST STATE by area (342,239 sq km — 10.4% of India's total area). It is located in the northwestern part of India. The Thar Desert covers about 61% of the state, making it India's only major desert state. The Aravalli Range, the world's oldest fold mountain chain, runs diagonally across Rajasthan. Jaisalmer receives the least rainfall in India (less than 100 mm annually).
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Rajasthan is India's LARGEST STATE by area (3,42,239 sq km). Jaisalmer receives the LEAST rainfall in India (below 100 mm annually). Guru Shikhar (1722 m) is the highest peak in Rajasthan and in the Aravalli Range.
📖Key Geographical Facts of Rajasthan
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Area | 3,42,239 sq km — Largest state in India (10.4% of India) |
| Capital | Jaipur (Pink City) |
| Location | 23°3'N–30°12'N; 69°30'E–78°17'E |
| Borders | Pakistan (W/NW), Gujarat (SW), MP (SE), UP (NE), Haryana (N), Punjab (N), Delhi (NE) |
| Districts | 50 (increased from 33 to 50 in 2023) |
| Highest Peak | Guru Shikhar (1722 m) — in Mount Abu, Sirohi district |
| Lowest Rainfall | Jaisalmer (<100 mm annual) |
| Highest Rainfall | Mount Abu (~1500 mm annual) |
| State Animal | Chinkara (Indian Gazelle) — state animal; Camel = state animal (2014 added) |
| State Bird | Great Indian Bustard (Godawan) — critically endangered |
📖Aravalli Range — World's Oldest Mountains
- •Aravalli Range is the OLDEST FOLD MOUNTAIN RANGE IN THE WORLD — about 1,500 million years old (Precambrian)
- •Extends from Delhi (Raisina Hill) to Gujarat — total length ~692 km
- •Highest peak: Guru Shikhar (1722 m) in Mount Abu, Sirohi district — highest point in Rajasthan
- •Divides Rajasthan into TWO ZONES: Thar Desert (NW) and fertile plains (SE)
- •Mount Abu — only hill station in Rajasthan; Dilwara Jain Temples here (11th–13th century marble temples)
📖Rivers of Rajasthan
| River | Origin | Drains Into | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luni | Pushkar (Aravalli), Ajmer | Rann of Kutch (Gujarat) | Only major river of Thar Desert; water is salty (hence 'Luni' = salt); no exit to sea |
| Chambal | Vindhya Range (MP) | Yamuna (UP) | Eastern Rajasthan; India's least polluted major river; ravines (beehad) |
| Banas | Aravalli (Khamnor Hills, Rajsamand) | Chambal | Entirely flows within Rajasthan; longest river flowing wholly in Rajasthan |
| Sabarmati | Aravalli Hills (Udaipur) | Arabian Sea (Gujarat) | Originates in Rajasthan but flows mainly through Gujarat; Ahmedabad river |
| Mahi | Aravalli (Mahi Sagar, MP/Raj border) | Gulf of Khambhat (Gujarat) | Flows through Banswara, Dungarpur in southern Rajasthan |
📖Famous Lakes of Rajasthan
| Lake | District | Type | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sambhar Lake | Jaipur/Nagaur/Ajmer | Saltwater (Saline) | LARGEST INLAND SALTWATER LAKE IN INDIA; major salt producer; flamingoes; Ramsar Wetland 1990 |
| Pushkar Lake | Ajmer | Freshwater (Sacred) | Only Brahma Temple in world nearby; Pushkar Fair (largest camel fair); sacred bathing ghats |
| Pichola Lake | Udaipur | Freshwater (Artificial) | Artificial lake; Lake Palace (Jag Niwas) on it; Jag Mandir island palace; built 14th century |
| Fateh Sagar Lake | Udaipur | Freshwater (Artificial) | Adjacent to Pichola; Nehru Park island; connected by canal to Pichola |
| Siliserh Lake | Alwar | Freshwater (Artificial) | Near Sariska Tiger Reserve; Siliserh Palace Hotel on its bank |
| Rana Pratap Sagar Lake | Chittorgarh/Rawatbhata | Artificial (Dam) | Formed by Rana Pratap Sagar Dam on Chambal; nuclear power plant (RAPS) nearby |