D.6] Important Geographical Terminology

1. Glossary of Key Terms

1.1 Latitude and Longitude

• Latitude:

  • Imaginary lines running east-west.
  • Measures distance north or south of the Equator.
  • Range: 0° to 90° North and South.
  • Example: Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N), Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S).

• Longitude:

  • Imaginary lines running north-south.
  • Measures distance east or west of the Prime Meridian (0°).
  • Range: 0° to 180° East and West.
  • Example: International Date Line (180°).

1.2 Time Zones

• Time Zone:

  • A region that observes a uniform standard time.
  • Based on longitude, typically 15° apart.
  • Example: India Standard Time (IST) is UTC+05:30.

• International Date Line:

  • An imaginary line that runs roughly along the 180° meridian.
  • Crossing it results in a day being added or subtracted.
  • Important for global travel and time coordination.

1.3 Climate Zones

1.4 Ecosystems

• Ecosystem:

  • A community of living organisms in conjunction with the non-living components of their environment.
  • Example: Tropical rainforest, desert, marine.

• Biodiversity:

  • The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat.
  • Important for ecological balance and sustainability.

1.5 Landforms

1.6 Natural Resources

• Renewable Resources:

  • Resources that can be replenished naturally.
  • Examples: Solar energy, wind energy, water.

• Non-Renewable Resources:

  • Resources that cannot be replenished quickly.
  • Examples: Coal, oil, natural gas.

1.7 Drainage Systems

• Drainage Basin:

  • Area drained by a river and its tributaries.
  • Example: Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin.

• River System:

  • Collection of rivers and their tributaries.
  • Example: Indus River System.

1.8 Soil Types

1.9 Biomes

• Biome:
  • A large geographical area with distinct climate, vegetation, and wildlife.
  • Examples: Tropical rainforest, tundra, savanna.

1.10 Important Geographical Terms (SSC/Railway Focus)

• Equator:

  • Imaginary line dividing Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
  • 0° latitude.
  • Important for climate and time zones.

• Prime Meridian:

  • 0° longitude, passing through Greenwich, UK.
  • Basis for Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

• Tropic of Cancer:

  • 23.5°N latitude.
  • Marks the northernmost point of the Sun’s direct rays.

• Tropic of Capricorn:

  • 23.5°S latitude.
  • Marks the southernmost point of the Sun’s direct rays.

• Arctic Circle:

  • 66.5°N latitude.
  • Marks the southern boundary of the Arctic region.

• Antarctic Circle:

  • 66.5°S latitude.
  • Marks the northern boundary of the Antarctic region.

• International Date Line:

  • 180° longitude.
  • Important for global time and travel.

• Continental Shelf:

  • Underwater landform extending from the coast.
  • Rich in marine resources.

• Continental Margin:

  • Area between the continental shelf and the deep ocean floor.

• Continental Drift:

  • Theory proposed by Alfred Wegener, suggesting continents move over time.

• Plate Tectonics:

  • Theory explaining the movement of Earth’s lithospheric plates.
  • Causes earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain formation.

• Hot Spot:

  • A location where magma rises from the mantle to the crust.
  • Example: Hawaiian Islands.

• Tectonic Plates:

  • Large sections of the Earth’s crust that move relative to each other.
  • Example: Indian Plate, Eurasian Plate.

• Convergent Boundary:

  • Where two plates move towards each other.
  • Example: Himalayas (Indian and Eurasian Plates).

• Divergent Boundary:

  • Where two plates move apart.
  • Example: Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

• Transform Boundary:

  • Where two plates slide past each other.
  • Example: San Andreas Fault.

1.11 Important Geographical Facts (SSC/Railway Focus)

• India’s Standard Time (IST):

  • UTC+05:30.
  • Based on 82.5°E longitude.

• Largest Country by Area:

  • Russia (17.1 million km²).

• Smallest Country by Area:

  • Vatican City (0.44 km²).

• Largest Country by Population:

  • China (1.4 billion).

• Smallest Country by Population:

  • Vatican City (around 800).

• Largest Desert:

  • Antarctica (14 million km²).

• Largest Tropical Desert:

  • Sahara Desert (9.2 million km²).

• Largest Island:

  • Greenland (2.16 million km²).

• Largest Peninsula:

  • Arabian Peninsula (3.0 million km²).

• Largest Delta:

  • Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta (105,000 km²).

• Highest Mountain Peak:

  • Mount Everest (8,848 m).

• Highest Plateau:

  • Tibetan Plateau (4,500 m above sea level).

• Longest River:

  • Nile River (6,650 km).

• Longest River in India:

  • Ganges (2,525 km).

• Longest Coastal Line:

  • Canada (243,740 km).

• Longest Highway:

  • Trans-Canada Highway (7,821 km).

• Longest Railway Line:

  • Trans-Siberian Railway (9,289 km).

• Longest Tunnel:

  • Gotthard Base Tunnel (57 km).

• Longest Bridge:

  • Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge (164.8 km).

• Longest Dam:

  • Three Gorges Dam (2,338 km).

• Longest Suspension Bridge:

  • Hangzhou Bay Bridge (35.6 km).

• Longest Underground Railway:

  • Shanghai Metro (668 km).

• Longest Railway in India:

  • Howrah to Bandel (162 km).

• Longest Railway Line in India:

  • From Kandla to Kanyakumari (3,323 km).

• Longest National Highway in India:

  • NH 44 (3,745 km).

• Longest River in India:

  • Ganges (2,525 km).

• Longest River in South India:

  • Godavari (1,465 km).

• Longest River in East India:

  • Ganges (2,525 km).

• Longest River in West India:

  • Godavari (1,465 km).

• Longest River in North India:

  • Ganges (2,525 km).

• Longest River in Central India:

  • Godavari (1,465 km).

• Longest River in South India:

  • Godavari (1,465 km).

• Longest River in East India:

  • Ganges (2,525 km).

• Longest River in West India:

  • Godavari (1,465 km).

• Longest River in North India:

  • Ganges (2,525 km).

• Longest River in Central India:

  • Godavari (1,465 km).

• Longest River in South India:

  • Godavari (1,465 km).