Major geographical features
C.2] Major Geographical Features
1. Major Rivers of the World
1.1. Longest Rivers
| River | Length (km) | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nile | 6,650 | Africa | Flows through Egypt and Sudan |
| Amazon | 6,400 | South America | Largest by discharge volume |
| Yangtze | 6,300 | China | Second longest in Asia |
| Mississippi-Missouri | 6,275 | North America | Flows through USA |
| Yenisei | 5,540 | Russia | Flows into Arctic Ocean |
1.2. Most Important Rivers in Indian Context
- Ganga: 2,525 km, flows through North India, sacred river, important for agriculture and culture.
- Brahmaputra: 2,900 km, flows through Assam, important for irrigation and hydroelectric power.
- Godavari: 1,460 km, flows through Central India, known as “Vishwakarma’s River”.
- Kaveri: 800 km, flows through South India, important for agriculture.
- Narmada: 1,312 km, flows through Central India, known for its hydroelectric projects.
1.3. Rivers with Major Dams
| River | Dam | Location | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ganga | Farakka | West Bengal | Regulates flow to Bangladesh |
| Godavari | Bhadrachalam | Telangana | Irrigation and power |
| Narmada | Sardar Sarovar | Gujarat | Major hydroelectric project |
| Krishna | Tungabhadra | Karnataka | Irrigation and power |
2. Major Mountain Ranges
2.1. World’s Major Mountain Ranges
| Range | Location | Length (km) | Highest Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Himalayas | Asia | 2,400 | Mount Everest (8,848 m) |
| Andes | South America | 7,000 | Aconcagua (6,962 m) |
| Alps | Europe | 1,200 | Mont Blanc (4,808 m) |
| Rockies | North America | 4,800 | Mount Elbert (4,401 m) |
| Ural | Eurasia | 1,600 | Mount Narodnaya (1,895 m) |
2.2. Important Mountain Ranges in India
- Himalayas: 2,400 km, forms northern boundary of India, source of many rivers.
- Western Ghats: 1,600 km, runs along western coast of India, rich in biodiversity.
- Eastern Ghats: 1,400 km, runs along eastern coast of India, less continuous than Western Ghats.
- Aravallis: 800 km, runs through Rajasthan, one of the oldest mountain ranges in India.
3. Major Deserts
3.1. World’s Major Deserts
| Desert | Location | Area (km²) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sahara | North Africa | 9,200,000 | Largest hot desert |
| Arabian | Middle East | 3,000,000 | Hot desert, home to oil reserves |
| Gobi | Asia | 1,300,000 | Spans China and Mongolia |
| Kalahari | Africa | 900,000 | Semi-arid, not fully desert |
| Atacama | South America | 150,000 | World’s driest desert |
3.2. Important Deserts in India
- Thar Desert: 200,000 km², also known as Great Indian Desert, located in Rajasthan.
- Kutch Desert: Part of Thar Desert, located in Gujarat.
- Cholistan Desert: Located in Punjab, Pakistan, adjacent to India.
4. Major Glaciers
4.1. World’s Major Glaciers
| Glacier | Location | Length (km) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gangotri | India | 23 km | Source of Ganga |
| Siachen | India-Pakistan | 72 km | Disputed glacier |
| Lambert | Antarctica | 400 km | Longest glacier in the world |
| Perito Moreno | Argentina | 25 km | Part of Patagonia |
| Aconcagua | Argentina | 45 km | Not a glacier, but a mountain |
4.2. Important Glaciers in India
- Gangotri Glacier: Located in Uttarakhand, source of Ganga.
- Yamunotri Glacier: Source of Yamuna, located in Uttarakhand.
- Bhakra Nangal Dam: Located on Sutlej River, built on the glacier-fed river.
5. Gulfs, Straits, Seas
5.1. Major Gulfs
| Gulf | Location | Area (km²) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf of Mexico | North America | 1,550,000 | Bordering USA and Mexico |
| Gulf of Thailand | Southeast Asia | 315,000 | Important for trade |
| Gulf of Aden | Africa | 340,000 | Strategic waterway between Red Sea and Arabian Sea |
| Gulf of Guinea | Africa | 2,250,000 | Rich in oil resources |
| Gulf of Cambay | India | 10,000 | Ancient site of Indus Valley Civilization |
5.2. Major Straits
| Strait | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Strait of Gibraltar | Europe-Africa | Connects Atlantic Ocean to Mediterranean |
| Strait of Malacca | Southeast Asia | One of the busiest shipping lanes |
| Strait of Hormuz | Middle East | Strategic choke point for oil |
| Bering Strait | Russia-Alaska | Separates Asia and North America |
| Palk Strait | India-Sri Lanka | Separates Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka |
5.3. Major Seas
| Sea | Location | Area (km²) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean Sea | Europe-Africa | 2,500,000 | Warm, enclosed sea |
| Arabian Sea | Asia | 2,800,000 | Important for Indian Ocean trade |
| Caribbean Sea | Americas | 2,750,000 | Warm, shallow sea |
| Red Sea | Africa | 2,000,000 | Salty, important for shipping |
| Sea of Japan | Asia | 1,000,000 | Bordering Japan and Korea |
6. Grasslands (Prairies, Savannas, Pampas)
6.1. Types of Grasslands
| Type | Location | Characteristics | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prairies | North America | Temperate, grassy plains | Great Plains of USA |
| Savannas | Africa | Tropical grasslands with scattered trees | Serengeti, Kalahari |
| Pampas | South America | Fertile, grassy plains | Argentina, Uruguay |
| Steppes | Asia | Temperate grasslands | Central Asia, Russia |
| Velds | Africa | Grasslands with few trees | South Africa |
6.2. Important Grasslands in India
- Chhotanagpur Plateau: Part of the Deccan Plateau, has grasslands.
- Thar Desert: Contains some grasslands.
- Kutch Desert: Has some grassy areas.
- Himalayan Region: Some areas have alpine grasslands.
6.3. Key Facts for Competitive Exams
- Prairies are known for their fertile soil and are major agricultural regions.
- Savannas are characterized by seasonal rainfall and are home to many wildlife species.
- Pampas are known for their rich agricultural land and are important for livestock.
- Steppes are found in Central Asia and are important for nomadic herding.
- Velds are found in South Africa and are used for grazing and farming.
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