7. Write short notes on the following.
(i) The Indian Desert
(ii) The Central Highlands
(iii) The Island groups of India
Answers
Answer:
The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a large arid region in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent that covers an area of 200,000 km² and forms a natural boundary between India and Pakistan. It is the world's 17th largest desert, and the world's 9th largest subtropical desert.
The Central Highlands lies to the north of the Narmada river. It covers the major portion of the Malwa plateau. The rivers in this region flow from southwest to northeast; which indicates the slope of this region. It is wider in the west and narrower in the east. Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand mark the eastward extension of this plateau. The plateau further extends eastwards into the Chhotanagpur plateau.
Andaman and Nicobar island group lies to the south-east of the Indian mainland. It is a Union Territory of India. The island group collectively has 572 islands. They are formed due to a volcanic eruption. They are in the Bay of Bengal. They are bigger in size, more numerous and scattered. India’s southernmost point is Indira point which is located at Great Nicobar in this island group. A ten-degree channel is a latitudinal line which separates Andaman and Nicobar.
Lakshadweep island group lies to the south-east of the Indian mainland. They are coral islands. They are in the Arabian Sea and smaller in size. They are collectively 36 islands. Earlier they were known as Laccadive, Minicoy, and Aminidivi Islands. Minicoy is the largest and southernmost island of Lakshadweep. An eight-degree channel separates Lakshadweep and Maldives which is a neighbouring country of India.