INDIA — SIZE AND LOCATION

Location

 India lies entirely in the Northern Hemisphere.

 India’s mainland extends between 8°4'N and 37°8'N latitudes, and 68°7'E and 97°25'E longitudes.
 The Tropic of Cancer (23°30'N) divides India into two almost equal parts.
Size
Covering an area of 3.28 million square kilometres, India’s total area is 2.4% of the total geographical
area of the world.
India is the world’s seventh largest country with a land boundary of about 15,200 km, with total length of
the coastline being 7,516.6 km.
India’s east-west extent appears to be smaller than the north-south extent.
India and the World
The Indian landmass is centrally located between West and East Asia.
India’s protruding Deccan Peninsula helped India to establish close contacts with West Asia, Africa and
Europe, South-east and East Asia.
India’s contacts with the world via land routes are much more than her maritime contacts.
India has contributed a lot to the world in forms of ideas, philosophies (Upanishads, Ramayana,
Panchtantra) and mathematics (Indian numerals and decimal system).
In exchange, India’s architecture was influenced by Greek sculpture and architectural styles from West
Asia.
India’s Neighbours
India has an important position in South Asia and has 28 States and 7 Union Territories.
India shares its boundaries with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan.
The southern neighbours across the sea consist of the two island countries, namely Maldives and Sri
Lanka.
India stands apart from the rest of Asia.

PHYSICAL FEATURES OF INDIA

1. Himalayas were formed due to collision of which two plates? What was the significance of the Tethys
sea?
Geologists claim that a sea was located where the Himalayas now stand. Internal and external changes of
Earth’s crust occurred. It is said that one of the crustal plates, called the Indo-Australian plate, separated
from the super-continent named Gondwanaland. It drifted slowly towards the north to collide with the
Eurasian plate five million years ago. The northern edge of the Indo-Australian plate was pushed beneath
the Eurasian plate. After the collision of these two plates, the sedimentary rocks of enclosed ocean folded
to form the Himalayas.
2 The relief of India displays a great physical variation. Explain.
Ans. India is a vast country with varied landforms. It has high mountains, plains, plateaus, islands, deserts
etc. This varied large landmass formed during different geological periods which has influenced her
relief. Besides geological formations, a number of processes such as weathering, erosion and deposition
have created and modified the relief to its present form. It is, therefore, India displays a great physical
variation.
3. Give an account of the Northern Plains of India.
 Ans. The Northern Plains have been formed from the alluvium that the mountain rivers deposited here.
This turned the soil on the surfaced land fertile for growing a rich harvest of variety of crops. This led to
the development of the Indus River Valley Civilisation.
The rich soil was further aided by favourable climate and constant water supply from the rivers. Between
the mouths of the Indus and the Ganga-Brahmaputra, the North Indian Plain covers a distance of 3200
km. It is 300 to 150 km wide at some places. The North Indian Plains have the Indus river system in the
west and the Ganga-Brahmaputra river system in the east. The first includes Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas,
Satluj. The Indus flows into the Arabian Sea. The second includes Ganga, its tributaries and the
Brahmaputra which combine as Meghna as they drain into the Bay of Bengal. They form the world’s
largest and fastest growing delta. The difference in relief has led the North Indian Plains to be divided
into four zones : (i) Bhabhar, (ii) Tarai, (iii) Bangar and (iv) Khadar.
Bhabar is pebble studded formation situated at the base of mountains and plains in the Himalayan region.
Terai is a sloping land at the foothills of the Nepal Himalayas. The Terai receives heavy rainfall and is
densely

DRAINAGE
a) Which river floods Assam and Bangladesh every year?
Brahmaputra
1 Define the following terms 1.Drainage 2. Drainage basin 3.Water divide

 The river system of an area is called drainage.

 The area drained by a single river system is called the drainage basin.
 Any elevated area such as a mountain or an upland that separates two drainage basins is called a
Water Divide.
Ambala act as a water divide between Indus and Ganga River System
2. Where are the Western and the Eastern Ghats situated? Write a small note on each.
Ans. The Western and the Eastern Ghats are situated in the Peninsular Plateau region. The
Western Ghats mark the western edge of the Deccan Plateau and lie parallel to the Western Coast.
The Eastern Ghats mark the eastern edge of the Deccan Plateau. They stretch from the
Mahanadi Valley to the Nilgiri Hills in the south. The eastern coastal plain runs to its east

The Western Ghats are continuous and regular and can be crossed only through passes like the Thal, Bhor
and the Pal Ghats. They are comparatively high in elevation (average 900 to 1600 metres). No major river
cuts across the Western Ghats.
The Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and irregular. They are of relatively lower elevation
(average 600 m). They are dissected by rivers draining into the Bay of Bengal.

2 Define the types of drainage patterns

Depending on the slope of land, underlying rock structure and climate of an area, the streams in a
drainage basin form certain patterns. Different types of drainage pattern are as follows:
a. Dendritic Drainage Pattern: When the river channel follows the slope of the terrain, it develops
dendritic pattern. The stream and its tributaries resemble the branches of a tree. Hence, it is called
dendritic pattern.
b. Trellis Drainage Pattern: When a river is joined by its tributaries at almost right angles, it
develops a trellis pattern. Trellis pattern develops where hard and soft rocks exist parallel to each other.
c. Rectangular Drainage Pattern: When rocks are strongly joined, then rectangular pattern develops.
d. Radial Drainage Pattern: When the streams flow in different directions from a central peak or
dome like structure, a radial pattern is developed.
3 Compare and contrast the features of Himalayan Rivers and peninsular rivers

The Himalayan rivers originates from the
Himalayas.
Most of the Himalayan rivers are perennial in
nature,
Himalayan rivers have longer course and carry
more sediments in them.
These rivers are involved more in doing erosional
and depositional activities and therefore, forms
many land features like valleys, gorges, meanders,
ox-bow lakes, delta etc.
These rivers have got comparatively larger
drainage basin.
Ex. Indus river system, Brahmaputra river
system, Ganga river system.
The Peninsular rivers have their source in the
peninsula of the country.
Most of the peninsular rivers are seasonal in
nature i.e. only rain fed.
Peninsular rivers have shorter course and carry
less sediments in them.
These rivers are involved less in the erosional and
depositional activities. Most of the rivers form
only deltas.
The drainage basin formed by these rivers is less.
• Ex. Mahanadi basin, Godavari basin, Tapi
basin etc.

4 Why are rivers important for a country's economy?

Ans. Rivers are the lifelines of a nation. Rivers have been of fundamental importance in the
settlement and progress of man throughout the human history.
The rivers form broad, fertile alluvial plains that have been the cradle of human civilisation.
Water from the river is a basic natural resource, essential for various human activities. They
provide water for domestic use. Rivers provide water for irrigation that helps to develop
agriculture in the surrounding area.
The fertile soil of the riverine plain, abundant supply of water and the flat land provides
opportunities for the development of agriculture. In an agricultural country like India, rivers
play a major role in shaping the country’s economy.
Rivers supply water for industrial use. Rivers provide for a cheap mode of transportation,
inland navigation.
Hydro-electricity harnessed from river water supplies power to our industries, to our homes
and to our agricultural fields. Integrated water management of rivers through River Valley
Projects by building dams provide hydro-electricity, water for irrigation, inland navigation,
fishing, recreation etc.
Hence, rivers are of prime importance in the flourishing of a country’s economy.

Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

CH-5 : NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILD LIFE

1 Define an ecosystem.
Ans. An ecosystem comprises plants and animals existing interdependently and inter-related to each other
in their physical environment.
2 What factors are responsible for the distribution of plants and animals in India?
Ans. The distribution of plant and animal life in India is determined by the following:
(a) Temperature along with humidity in the air, precipitation and the nature of the soil.
(b) Variation in sunlight due to variations in latitude, height above sea level, season and duration of the
day in any specific region.
(c) Amount of rainfall.
(d) Soil conditions
(e) Relief — mountains, plateaus or plains
3 What is a biosphere reserve? What is their importance?
Ans. Bio-reserves are intended to protect and conserve the diverse flora and fauna found within the
country. In these reserves every plant and animal species is protected in its natural form.
The two bio reserves are Gulf of Mannar and Nanda Devi
4 Distinguish between tropical evergreen and deciduous forests
Tropical evergreen forests. Tropical deciduous forests
1.Tropical evergreen forests are found in areas Ans. Deciduous forests are found in areas
receiving heavy rainfall of over 200 cm, receiving rainfall of 70 to 200 cm with a distinct
well distributed throughout the year. They are also dry season. They are also known as Monsoon
known as rainforests. Forests.

2 The warm, wet climate throughout the year
supports luxuriant vegetation of all kinds
including trees, shrubs and creepers.
3 The trees grow very tall, reaching a height of 60
metres. As the trees grow very close to each other
they form a thick canopy. The different types of
vegetation form a multi-layered structure.
4 The climate supports large number of broad-
leafed trees of different species.
Ebony, mahogany, rosewood, rubber, cinchona
are commercially important trees.
These trees do not shed their leaves at the same
time as there is no distinct dry season. This makes
the forests evergreen as they retain their green
look throughout the year.
2 Trees of this forest type shed their leaves for
about six to eight weeks in dry summer. So they
have a distinct period for shedding their leaves.
3 Leaves are smaller in size than that of the rain
forests to reduce transpiration.
4 The trees also have less height than evergreen
trees. The trees are prized for their hardwood
commercially valuable timber is collected from
these forests.
These forests are more open and less luxuriant
and trees are more spread out. On the basis of
availability of water, deciduous forests are divided
into moist deciduous, e.g. Bamboo, sal, shisham,
sandalwood, and dry deciduous, e.g. sal, peepal,
neem.

5 Quite a few species of plants and animals are endangered. Why?

1. The main reason for extinction of certain species of plants is excessive commercialization.

2. Plant species are endangered as more lands are being cleared for factories, housing colonies and roads.
3. Pollution of air, water and soil adds to the danger to natural vegetation. Animal species are getting
extinct due to hunting and poaching.
4. Commercial exploitation of forestlands has also reduced space for animal habitats.
6. Distinguish between extinct and endangered species.
Ans. Extinct species are those species of flora and fauna which are no more surviving. Even after searches
of known or likely areas where they may occur, they are no more found. A species may be extinct from an
area, region, country, continent or the entire earth. Asiatic cheetah and pink-head duck are extinct in
India. Dodo and dinosaurs are extinct from the entire earth.

Endangered species are those species of flora or fauna which are in the danger of extinction. They have
declined in number at an alarming rate. If the negative factors that have reduced their number is not
checked, their survival is difficult. Black buck, Indian rhino, Indian wild ass, and Indian tiger are
endangered species in India. Black Panda is an endangered species throughout the world.
7 Name the vegetation found at high altitude in our country and mention animals are found in this region.
Ans. At higher altitudes, generally more than 3600 metres above sea level, temperate forest and grass
lands give way to the Alpine vegetation. Silver fir, junipers, pines and birches are the common trees.
These trees are progressively stunted as they approach the snow line.
The common animals found in these forests are Kashmir stag, spotted deer, wild sheep, Jack rabbit,
Tibetan antelope, yak, snow leopard, squirrels, shaggyhorn, wild ibex, bear and rare red panda, sheep and
goats with thick hair.

8 What do you mean by natural vegetation? What is their importance?

Ans. Natural vegetation refers to a plant community which has grown naturally without human aid and
has been left undisturbed by humans for a long time. This is also known as a virgin vegetation.
Cultivated crops and fruits, orchards form also part of vegetation but not natural vegetation.
The importance of natural vegetation lies on to modify local climate, control soil erosion,
regulate stream flow, support a variety of industries, provide livelihood for many communities
and offer panoramic view for recreation. It controls wind force, regulate temperature and causes
rainfall. It also provides humus on the soil and shelter to the wild life. India's natural vegetation
has undergone drastic changes. Still, it holds key position in areas of in accessible hilly regions
and Marusthali.
9. Give the main causes for depletion of biodiversity in India.
Ans. The varied climate and landform of India support of rich variety of natural vegetation. But only
about 23 per cent of the land area of India is at present under forests. It is far lower than the
desired 33 per cent outlined in the National Forest Policy.
The main reasons behind the reduction of the natural vegetation of India are as follows :
(i) Deforestation. Large areas of forests have been recklessly cleared by man due to the following reasons
(a) to meet the growing demand for cultivated land,
(b) to acquire land for setting up industries,
(c) to provide land for settlement and urbanisation.
(ii) Shifting cultivation in hilly areas of northeast and Central India.
(iii) Mining. Large areas are cleared of natural vegetation for the purpose of mining.
(iv) Constructional activities like building of dams submerge areas of valuable forests and
destruct the natural vegetation.
(v) Natural hazards like forest fires and landslides affect natural vegetation in hilly areas. The
Tsunami of 2004.
(vi) Cyclonic storms affect plant cover of the areas where they strike. Overgrazing of pastures.
(vii) Wiped off valuable rainforests in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
These above mentioned human-made and natural factors have accelerated the process of
extinction of natural vegetation in India.

CLIMATE
QUESTION AND ANSWERS

1 Why does India have a monsoon type of climate?

Ans. India is defined as a climatic region with monsoon climate. It is strongly governed by the
monsoon winds.
2 Which part of India experiences the highest diurnal range of temperature and why?
Ans. The Thar Desert has a wide difference between day and night temperatures. There is no sea
around to moderate the range of variation of temperatures during day and night.
3 What are the elements affecting the climate of India?
Ans. The elements affecting the climate are temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity and
precipitation.
4 Parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and the leeward side of the Western Ghats are drought-prone. Why?
Rainfall in India is influenced by location as well as relief features. Areas situated in the direction of
the monsoon winds receive more rainfall. The rainfall goes on decreasing from east to west. The
moisture content of the monsoons goes on decreasing as they move westward. Areas situated in
extreme west and devoid of hilly ranges that intercept the monsoon remain drought prone
Long Answers
1 Why is the monsoon considered a unifying bond?
Ans. Monsoons are uncertain but all the same they act as a unifying force on the climatic unity of India.
July and August are wet almost all over the country. In spite of their vagaries, the monsoons have a very
important place in the cultural life of the people. There is so much poetry and music that centres round the
rains. All over northern parts of India, there are festivals like Makara-sankranthi and special songs for the
seasons. For the farmers, the rains bring prosperity. The Indian landscape, its fauna and flora, its
agriculture all revolve round the monsoon phenomenon.
2 Describe the regional variations in the climatic conditions of India with the help of suitable examples.
Ans. There are wide variations in climatic conditions over different parts of the country. Most parts of the
country have dry winters. The Coromandel coastal areas are an exception. Winters are severe in the north.
The temperature increases from north to south.
As the Northern Plains shiver with 10-15 degrees Celsius temperature, Chennai has temperature around
25 degree Celsius. Higher slopes of the Himalayas experience snowfall. The peninsular region does not
have a well-defined cold season. Nearness to the sea ensures that there are no wide variations due to
seasonal changes.
Rainfall may go up to 1080 mm in the Khasi hills. Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat remain prone to
droughts. During the summer seasons temperatures go up to 48 degrees in the western parts of India. May
is the season of loo. These hot and dry winds cause intense heat.
Temperature variations (June-December) are minimal at places like Leh. Places in the Northern Plains
experience severe heat in the summers and extreme cold weather during the winter months.
3 Give the characteristics and effects of the monsoon rainfall in India.
Ans. The monsoon rainfall in India is not evenly distributed. Rainy season has a longer spell in the
eastern parts of the country. The northwest gets rains for barely two months. The duration of the rainy
season is longer in the south than in the north.
The southwest monsoon pours more water over areas of Western Ghats that are situated in the direction of
the winds. The quantity of rainfall is heavy in the hilly regions of the north-east. It keeps declining as the
winds move westwards. Patna gets more rain than Allahabad. Similarly, Delhi gets much less rain than
Kolkata. Monsoons are not steady.
Rainy days are interspersed with rainless days. When the rains are heavy, the rivers get flooded causing
heavy damage in the plains year after year. A dry spell would cause as much misery as the river floods.
The arrival and departure of monsoons is uncertain. So is the extent of rainfall in any given rainy season.
These characteristics of monsoon has a very de stabilizing effect on Indian economy that continues to be
predominantly agricultural and severely dependent on rain-fed irrigation.

CLASS – IX

CHAPTER - 6

POPULATION

Q.1. Define the following:

Ans. a. Population Density: It is calculated as the number of persons per unit area.

b. Life Expectancy: It is the average number of years a person is expected to live.

c. Death rate: It is the numbers of deaths per thousand persons in a year.
d. Age Composition: It refers to the number of people in different age groups in a particular country.
e. Population Growth: It refers to the change in the number of inhabitants of a
country/ territory during a specific period of time.

f. Annual growth rate of population: The rate or pace of population increase studied in percent per
annum.
g. Birth rate: It is number of live births per thousand persons in a year.
h. Sex ratio: It is defined as number of females per thousand males in the population.
i. Literate: A person aged 7 years and above who can read and write in any one language with
understanding.
j. Census-A census is an official enumeration of population done periodically. The Indian Census is the
most comprehensive source of demographic, social and economic data
k. Human Resource-Human resource can be defined as the skills and abilities of human beings which
makes them a resource along with education and health

Q.2 What is the relationship between occupational structure and economic development?
Ans. Developed nations like USA, UK have high proportion of people working in secondary and tertiary
sectors where as in developing countries like India, more people are engaged in Primary activities like
agriculture, fishing, mining etc.

Q.3 What is meant by Occupational structure? Which economic activities are involved in the
occupational structure?

Ans. Ans. Distribution of population according to different types of occupation is referred to as

occupational structure

1. PRIMARY ACTIVITIES include agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, fishing, mining

and quarrying etc.
2. SECONDARY ACTIVITIES include manufacturing industries, building and construction
work etc.
3. TERTIARY ACTIVITIES include transport, communication, commerce, administration,
banking etc.
.

Q 4 Differentiate between internal and international migration.

INTERNAL MIGRATION INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION

 1. Migration within the country is
known as internal migration.
2. It does not change the size of the
population, but influences the
distribution of population with in the
nation.
1. Movement of the people across the
countries is known as International
migration.
2. International migration influences the
size of population of both the
countries.

Q 4 Explain the ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors related to the migration of an individual.
Ans. Push factors: These are mainly the negative factors which force an individual to leave his place to
migrate to some other area. Eg. Poverty and unemployment are the main factors that result into
migration of people from rural to urban areas.

Pull factors: These are the positive factors which attract an individual to migrate to a new place. Eg. Better
medical and educational facilities in Delhi attract a number of people from rural areas to urban areas.

Q.5. Despite the decline in growth rate the number of people being added every decade is steadily
increasing. Why?

Ans. Since 1981, however rate of growth started declining gradually, the population is still increasing
decade by decade because when a low annual rate is applied to a very large population it yields a large
absolute increase. When more than a billion people increase even at a lower rate, the total number
being added becomes very large.

Q.6 .What are the implications of present age composition of India?

Ans. According to the Census of India,2001 the distribution of population according to age reveals that
the working population constitutes 58.7% where as the proportion of children and aged is 34.4% and
6.9% respectively.
This distribution shows that working population of the country is more than the dependent population
(children and aged) which is a positive implication as the later are not the producers.

Q 7 Describe India’s age composition.

Ans. Population of India is divided into 3 sections on the basis of age:

1.CHILDREN (below 15 years): They are economically unproductive and need to be provided with food,
clothing, education and medical care.

2. WORKING AGE (15-59 years): They are economically productive and biologically productive. They
comprise the working population of the country.

3.AGED (above 59 years): They can be economically productive though they may have retired. They may
be working voluntarily but they are not available for employment through recruitment.

Q.8 what are the three main processes of change in population?

Ans. The three main processes of population change are:

1. BIRTH RATE: It is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year. It is a major component of
population growth in India because it has always been higher than death rates.

2 DEATH RATE: It is the number of deaths per thousand persons in a year. The main cause of rate of
growth of population is rapid decline in death rate.

3 MIGRATION: It is the movement of people across regions and territories. It can be internal as well as
international. Migration affects the distribution as well as composition

of population of both the countries.

Q 9 What are the reasons for unfavorable male-female sex ratio in India?

Ans. 1. The sex ratio of India according to the census of 2001 is 933 females per thousand males, this
shows that the number of females in India is less than males.

2.The orthodox and traditional mentality of the people give preference to the male child over the
girl child which results into malpractices like female feticide, female infanticide, negligence of girl
child etc.

3. Moreover, many cases of domestic violence in India also results into low sex ratio.
4. Also, low literacy rate among the females can be seen as reason for low sex ratio in India.

Q.10 Throw some light on the health condition of the people in India.

Ans. The health situation in India is a matter of major concern for India. The factors responsible for
improved health conditions are:

a. Improvement in public health facilities.

b. Prevention of infectious diseases.
c. Application of modern medical practices in diagnosis and treatment of ailments All
these improvements are visible from the following facts:
 Death rates have declined from 25 per 1000 population in 1951 to 8.1 per 1000
population in 2001.
 Life expectancy at birth has increased from 36 years in 1951 to 65 years in 2001.

Q 11 What are the significant features of the National Population Policy, 2000?

Ans. 1. The NPP,2000 provides a framework for imparting free and compulsory school education up to
14 years of age.

2.It focused on reducing infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1000 live births.

3. NPP also worked in achieving universal immunization of children against all vaccine preventable
diseases.
4. It also tried in promoting delayed marriage for girls and making family welfare a people centered
programme.

Q 12 How does the NPP 2000 focus on the needs of the adolescent population?
Ans. 1. NPP identified adolescents as one of the major section of the society that needs greater
attention.
2. NPP tried to provide nutritional requirements as well as awareness among the adolescents
regarding protection from unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

3. It called for programmes that aim towards encouraging delayed marriages, education of
adolescents about the risks of unprotected sex, providing food supplements, nutritional services,
and strengthening legal measures to prevent child marriage.

IMPORTANT STATISTICS

The population density of India as per 2011 census is 382 persons per sq km

The sex ratio of India as per 2011 census is 943 females per 1000 of males