INDIA PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY- PART 1

INDIA PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

IMPORTANT MOUNTAIN RANGES

KARAKORAM RANGES:

1. Extends from the Pamir, east of the Gilgist River, 600 km long and the average width 120-140km.

2. Ancient name was Krishnagiri.

3. Trans Himalaya, originally a part of Eurasian plate.

4. Abode of largest glaciers in India.

5. Siachen, Baltora, Biafo, and Hisper all the four of largest glacier are in Karakoram.

6. Highest Peak: K2 or Godwin Austin (8611m)

7. Other important Peak: Gasherbrum or Hidden Peak Broad Peak and Gasherbrum II

8. In the northern limit of Karakoram Range lie Pamir, the Aghil Mountains and the Yarkand River and in the southern limit Rive Indus and its tributary Shyok.

LADDAKH RANGE

1. Situated to the north of Indus Tsangpo Suture Zone (ITSZ) and south or Karakoram, between River Indus and Shyok.

2. Highest Peak: Mt.Rakaposhi (steepest peak in the world)

(A)GREAT HIMALAYA OR HIMADRI

1. Northern most part of the Himalayan Range is the world’s highest with an average altitude of 6,000m.

2. Include the world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest(8,848 m) , Makalu (8,481m), Mansalu (8,156m), Annapurna(8,078m) and also the Indian peak Kanchenjunga (8,598 m) and Nanga Parbat(8,126m)

3. Include some famous passes- Burzil and Zozila in Kashmir, Shipki La and Bara lapchala in Himachal Pradesh, Thag La, Niti Pass, and Lipulekh in U.p, Jelepla and Nathu La in Sikkim.

ZASKAR RANGE

Western part of the main Great Himalayan Mountain is situated to the south of Trans Himalayan.

Nanga Parbat (8,126m)

Forms the north-west part of Zaskar Range but geographically confined to  the Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Garhwal region.

Second highest peak of the Himalayan Range in India.

Dhalagiri (8,172 m)

Eastern continuation of Nanga Parbat and is located in Nepal.

(B) LESSER HIMALAYA
 Also known as Himachal-Himalaya which is separated from the Shiwalik Range by Duns.

(I) PIR PANJAL RANGE
Located in Kashmir, Punjab and extends from the Jhelum River to the upper Beas River for over 300km.
Separated from the Zaskar Range by the valley of Kashmir (vale of Kashmir)
(II) DHAULADHAR
Southern-most range of the Lower or Lesser Himalaya.
Rarely attains elevations higher then 4,000m
Continue eastward in to Mahabharat Range.

(C)SIWALIK RANGE

Extends from Jammu & Kashmir (150km wide) to Arunachal Pradesh (8-15km) over 2400km.

Northern limit-Main Boundary thrust which separates Outer Himalaya from the Lesser Himalaya. Its southern limit is Indo Gangetic Plain.

Also known as Sub-Himalaya or Outer Himalaya.

Youngest part of mountain chain stretching from the Brahmaputra to the Indus.

Separated from Lesser Himalaya by Main Boundary Thrust.