Peninsular Mountains| Class 11 Geography Notes

Class 11 Geography Peninsular Mountains Notes: Peninsular Mountains are big hills in the southern part of India. They include mountains like the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Satpura Range, Vindhya Range, and Aravalli Range. These mountains formed over many years because of things like earthquakes, volcanoes, and erosion.

The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats are near the coast, while the Satpura and Vindhya Ranges are more in the middle. The Aravalli Range is in the northwest. These mountains are important because they have a lot of plants and animals, give us water, help with farming, and look beautiful. They also have a big impact on the history and life of people in India.

Our Geography Notes for Class 11 are a helpful resource to improve problem-solving skills and prepare for Social Science Class 11 exams. By using our detailed notes, students can strengthen their understanding of Geography and become better at solving problems.

What are the Peninsular Mountains?

Peninsular Mountains refer to the mountain ranges located on the Indian Peninsula, which is the triangular-shaped landmass in the southern part of India. These mountain ranges include the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Aravalli Range, Satpura Range, Vindhya Range, and other smaller hills and plateaus. They form the central and southern parts of the Indian subcontinent and play a significant role in shaping the region’s topography, climate, and biodiversity.

Some of the prominent Peninsular mountain ranges include:

1. Aravallis Mountains
2. Vindhya Mountains
3. Satpura Mountains
4. The Western Ghats
5. Eastern Ghats

Peninsular Mountains

Peninsular India, representing the geographical and climatic essence of South India, is uniquely shaped like an inverted triangle. Bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, the Bay of Bengal to the east, and the Vindhya and Satpura ranges to the north, this region boasts a distinctive topography. The majority of hills in the peninsula are residual mountains, remnants of ancient horsts and hills dating back millions of years. These plateaus are divided by various mountain ranges and river basins, adding to the region’s diverse landscape. Anamudi, towering at 2695 meters above sea level, stands as the highest peak in Peninsular India, marking its impressive elevation.

Aravallis Mountains

• The Aravalli Range extends approximately 800 kilometers from northeast to southwest, spanning from Delhi to Palanpur, Gujarat.
• It is considered one of the world’s oldest folded mountain ranges and the oldest in India, dating back to the Archaean Era, several hundred million years ago.
• During its formation, the Aravalli Range likely nurtured glaciers, with some peaks potentially surpassing the height of today’s Himalayas.
• Now, the range stands as relics, shaped by extreme weathering and erosion over millions of years.
• While prominent in Rajasthan, where it forms a continuous range south of Ajmer reaching heights of up to 900 meters, it is less prominent in Haryana and Delhi.
• The highest peak in Mt. Abu, Guru Sikhar, reaches 1,722 meters.
• Passes like Pipli Ghat, Dewair, and Desuri facilitate travel through the Aravalli Range, providing routes for road and rail travel.

Vindhya Mountains

• The Vindhya Range forms an escarpment along the northern edge of the Narmada-Son Trough.
• It runs parallel to the Satpura Range, with the Narmada River, also known as Narmada Valley, draining the southern slopes of the Vindhya mountains.
• Stretching approximately east-west, the range parallels the Narmada Valley from Jobat in Gujarat to Sasaram in Bihar, covering a distance of nearly 1,200 kilometers.

Satpura Mountains

• The Satpura range, named for its seven mountains (‘Sat’ meaning seven and ‘pura’ meaning mountains), is situated between the Vindhya Range and the Narmada and Tapi rivers, running almost parallel to these river systems.
• Extending approximately 900 kilometers in an east-west direction, the Satpura range traverses a significant distance.
• In various areas, the Satpuras have experienced folding and uplift, earning them the designation of ‘horst’ or structural uplift.
• Dhupgarh, located near Pachmarhi in the Mahadev Hills, stands as the highest peak of the Satpura range, soaring to an elevation of 1,350 meters.
• Another notable peak within the Satpura range is Amarkantak, rising to a height of 1,127 meters.

The Western Ghats

• The Western Ghats form the western edge of the Deccan plateau, extending approximately 1,600 miles from the Tapi valley to just north of Kanyakumari.
• This mountain range exhibits a tiered topography, characterized by steep-sided, terraced, flat-topped hills that overlook the Arabian Sea coast.
• The distinct appearance of the Western Ghats is a result of horizontally bedded lavas, which have weathered over time, giving rise to a unique ‘landing stair appearance.’
• Rising abruptly like a shear wall from the Western Coastal Plain, the Western Ghats attain an average elevation of 1,000 meters. However, when viewed from the Deccan tableland, their eastern flank presents a gentle slope, lacking the typical appearance of mountains.

Eastern Ghats

• The Eastern Ghats run almost parallel to India’s east coast, with broad plains lying between them and the sea.
• Extending from the Mahanadi in Odisha to the Vagai in Tamil Nadu, they consist of a series of heavily fractured and fragmented hills, nearly disappearing between the Godavari and the Krishna rivers.
• These hills lack both structural and physiographic consistency, often recognized as distinct entities due to their varied characteristics.
• The true mountainous character of the Eastern Ghats is primarily observed in the northern section, between the Mahanadi and the Godavari rivers, comprising the Maliya and Madugula Konda ranges.
• The Maliya range features peaks and ridges ranging from 900 to 1,200 meters, with the highest point being Mahendra Giri at 1,501 meters.

Significance of Peninsular Mountains

• The majority of hills in the peninsular area are remnants, known as residual hills, from millions of years ago.
• These hills and uplifted blocks, called horsts, are remnants of ancient geological processes, while subsided blocks are known as grabens.
• They form natural barriers that divide the plateaus of the Peninsular region.
• Abundant mineral resources such as iron, manganese, copper, bauxite, chromium, mica, and gold are found in these areas.
• The mountainous regions of South India are well-suited for plantation crops like tea, coffee, and rubber.
• Various types of forests cover the highlands of the plateau, providing a diverse range of forest products.
• Rivers originating in the Western Ghats offer opportunities for hydropower generation and irrigation for agricultural purposes.
• Hill resorts like Udagamandalam (Ooty), Pachmarhi, Kodaikanal, Mahabaleshwar, Khandala, Matheron, and Mount Abu are situated on the plateau, attracting tourists with their scenic beauty and pleasant climate.

Conclusion – Class 11 Geography Peninsular Mountains

Peninsular Mountains in India, like the Vindhya Range, Satpura Range, Western Ghats, and Eastern Ghats, are important for the country’s geography. They divide different regions and affect the climate. These mountains also have many plants and minerals. They help rivers flow and provide water and electricity for farming. People also visit them for vacations because of their beauty. So, the Peninsular Mountains are vital for India’s environment, economy, and enjoyment.

FAQs on Class 11 Geography Peninsular Mountains

What are Peninsular Mountains?

Peninsular Mountains are mountain ranges located in the peninsular region of India, comprising the Vindhya Range, Satpura Range, Western Ghats, and Eastern Ghats.

What is the significance of Peninsular Mountains?

Peninsular Mountains divide different regions, influence climate patterns, provide habitats for diverse flora and fauna, and are a source of various minerals and natural resources.

What are some examples of Peninsular Mountains?

Examples of Peninsular Mountains include the Vindhya Range, which runs parallel to the Narmada River, the Satpura Range situated between the Narmada and Tapi rivers, and the Western and Eastern Ghats, which stretch along the western and eastern coasts of India, respectively.

How do Peninsular Mountains impact the environment?

Peninsular Mountains play a crucial role in shaping the landscape, influencing weather patterns, and supporting a variety of ecosystems. They also contribute to water resources, provide fertile land for agriculture, and offer scenic beauty for tourism.

What are some tourist destinations associated with Peninsular Mountains?

Popular tourist destinations in the Peninsular Mountains include hill stations such as Ooty, Kodaikanal, Mahabaleshwar, Matheran, and Mount Abu, known for their pleasant climate, scenic landscapes, and recreational activities.