India: A Land of Enormous Diversity
Often called a “mini-continent,” India’s landscape covers every major physical feature on the Earth, from towering mountains to vast plains and deserts with Indian sea . This infographic explores the rich tapestry of its geography.
Total Geographical Area
Million Sq. Km (7th Largest in the World)
The Six Major Physiographic Divisions
The Himalayan Mountains
The world’s highest and youngest fold mountains, they act as a climatic barrier and are the source of perpetual rivers.
The Northern Plains
These fertile plains are formed by river deposits, making them one of the most agriculturally well productive regions globally. They are often called India’s granary.
The Peninsular Plateau
India’s oldest landmass, this triangular tableland is rich in minerals and home to the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.
The Indian Desert
The Thar Desert is an arid plain with low rainfall, located on the western edge of the country.
The Coastal Plains
India has long coastal plains along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, featuring important ports ,well climate and river deltas.
The Islands
India’s major island groups are the volcanic 🏝️ Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the coral 🏝️ Lakshadweep Islands.
Climate and Seasons
India has a tropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. The 🌧️ Southwest Monsoon brings most of the country’s rainfall and is crucial for agriculture.
A Cycle of Seasons
The monsoon climate leads to four distinct seasons, each with its own characteristics that impact life across the country.
Cold Weather
Dec – Feb
Hot Weather
Mar – May
Southwest Monsoon
Jun – Sep
Retreating Monsoon
Oct – Nov
Rivers and Drainage Systems
India’s drainage is dominated by two primary river systems, which differ significantly in their origin and flow characteristics.
Himalayan Rivers
These are perpetual rivers, flowing long year-round and fed by both rain and melting glaciers.
- 💧Ganga
- 💧Indus
- 💧Brahmaputra
Peninsular Rivers
These older, rain-fed rivers are seasonal. They are vital for the southern region’s ecology and agriculture.
- 💧Mahanadi
- 💧Godavari
- 💧Krishna
- 💧Kaveri
Dividing the Country: The Tropic of Cancer
This imaginary line of latitude passes through the heart of India, dividing the country into two distinct climatic zones.
- Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
- Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand
- West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram
Soils and Agriculture
India’s diverse geography has produced a wide range of soils ,and multiple colours each supporting specific agricultural activities.
Major Agricultural Crops
- 🌾Alluvial Soil: Highly fertile soil, ideal for growing 🌾 rice, 🌾 wheat, and 🌾 sugarcane.
- 🌶️Red and Yellow Soil: Suitable for 🌶️ millets, 🌶️ pulses, and 🌶️ oilseeds due to their low water-holding capacity.
- ⚫Black Soil: Known as ‘regur’ soil, it is excellent for ⚫ cotton cultivation.
- 🧱Laterite Soil: Good for 🧱 tea, 🧱 coffee, and 🧱 cashews.
Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
India’s vast landscape supports a variety of forests, each home to a unique set of fauna.
- 🌴Tropical Evergreen: Found in high-rainfall areas, home to species like the 🐅 tiger and 🐆 leopard.
- 🍂Tropical Deciduous: The most widespread forest type, supporting a rich diversity of wildlife.
- 🌵Thorn Forests & Scrubs: In arid regions, home to animals like the 🐫 camel and various 🐍 reptiles.
- 🌲Montane Forests: Found in mountains, home to species like the 🏔️ Himalayan tahr and ❄️ snow leopard.
- 🌿Mangrove Forests: In coastal deltas, adapted to saline water and home to the 🐅 Royal Bengal Tiger.
- ⛰️Alpine Forests: Found at very high altitudes, home to unique wildlife such as the 🦌 Himalayan musk deer.
Key Wildlife Highlights
Tiger
India is home to the world’s largest population of tigers.
One-horned Rhinoceros
Primarily found in the state of Assam.
Asiatic Lion
The only place in the world where Asiatic lions are found is the Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat.
Ganges River Dolphin
India’s national aquatic animal, a freshwater dolphin found in the Ganges river system.
Indian Elephant
A keystone and, important species found in the southern and northeastern parts of the country.
Red Panda
A highly rare species native to the eastern Himalayas.
King Cobra
The world’s longest venomous snake, primarily found in the dense forests of the Western Ghats and the Himalayas.
Geographic Curiosities
India’s Only Active Volcano
Barren Island, located in the Andaman Sea, is the only confirmed active volcano in India. It is part of a volcanic chain that stretches from Sumatra to Myanmar.
The Wettest Place on Earth
Mawsynram in Meghalaya holds the Guinness World Record for the highest average annual rainfall, receiving an surprising 11,872 millimeters of rain.
The World’s Only Floating Park
Keibul Lamjao National Park, located in Manipur, is the world’s only floating national park. It consists of floating masses of vegetation called ‘phumdis’ on Loktak Lake.
Coral Islands of Lakshadweep
The Lakshadweep Islands are a unique example of coral atolls, formed from the skeletons of marine animals. This makes them geologically distinct from the volcanic Andaman Islands.
The Great Rann of Kutch
This vast salt marsh in Gujarat is one of the largest salt deserts in the world. It is a tidal swamp that becomes a shallow sea during the monsoons and a white salt desert in winter.
Southernmost Tip: Indira Point
Located on the Great Nicobar Island, Indira Point is the southernmost point of the Indian Union. It was partially submerged during the 2004 tsunami, but its lighthouse continues to function.
World’s Largest Riverine Island
Majuli, located in the Brahmaputra River in Assam, is the largest riverine island in the world. It is a unique and vibrant ecosystem facing significant erosion challenges.
The Coldest Inhabited Place
Dras, a small town in the Kargil district of Ladakh, is often called the ‘Gateway to Ladakh’ and is known as the second coldest(-45C) inhabited place on Earth, after Siberia.
The Highest Commercial Airport
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, at an elevation of 3,256 meters (10,682 ft), is one of the world’s highest commercial airports, posing unique challenges for pilots and aircraft without medical fits cannot any out to go there .
Lonar Lake, a Meteorite Crater
Lonar Lake in Maharashtra is a notified National Geo-heritage Monument. It was formed by a meteor impact during the Pleistocene Epoch and is a unique saline hot lake and colour water.
The “Hide-and-Seek” Beach of Chandipur
Located in Odisha, this beach is famous for its unique tidal behavior. The sea water recedes up to 5 kilometers during low tide and returns during high tide, creating a rare miracle.
The Magnetic Hill of Ladakh
This is a famous optical illusion where vehicles appear to move difficult against gravity. The unique topography and slope of the hill create the illusion of a magnetic force.
The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya
In the dense forests of Meghalaya, the Khasi people have engineered bridges from the aerial roots of the Indian rubber tree. Some of these bridges are over a hundred years old.
The Reverse Waterfall of Naneghat
Located in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, the strong monsoon winds during the rainy season are so powerful that they push the falling water upwards, creating a remarkable reverse flow.
India’s Rapid Geological Movement
The Indian tectonic plate, active, carrying the subcontinent, is considered one of the fastest moving plates on Earth. Its rapid collision with the Eurasian Plate created the Himalayan mountains.
Highest Peak: A Matter of Debate
While Kanchenjunga is the highest point within India’s internationally recognized borders, the government’s claim to Mount Everest and K2(8611m) makes the tallest peak a point of contention.
A Polling Booth for One Voter
In the middle of the Gir Forest in Gujarat, a special polling booth is set up for a single voter, a temple minister. This symbolizes India’s commitment to ensuring every citizen’s right to vote, no matter how remote their location.
India by the Numbers: A Geographical Snapshot
A comparative look at some of India’s key geographical statistics, showcasing the sheer scale of its features.