भारत के भूगोल के संपादन कइल जा रहल बा

{{Country geography 
| name          = भारत 
| map           = India 78.40398E 20.74980N.jpg
| continent     = एशिया 
| region        = दक्खिन एशिया<br />भारतीय उपमहादीप
| coordinates   = {{Coord|21|N|78|E|type:country}}
| area ranking  = 7वाँ
| km area       = 3287263 
| km water      = 314070 
| percent land  = 90.08 
| km coastline  = 7516.6 
| borders       = कुल जमीनी बार्डर:<ref name="DBM"/> <br />{{convert|15106.70|km|mi|abbr=on}}<br />[[बंगलादेश]]:<br />{{convert|4096.70|km|mi|abbr=on}}<br /> [[पीपल्स रिपब्लिक ऑफ चाइना|चीन (पीआरसी)]]:<br />{{convert|3488|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}<br />[[पाकिस्तान]]:<br />{{convert|2910|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}<br />[[नेपाल]]:<br />{{convert|1751|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}<br />[[म्यामांर]]:<br />{{convert|1643|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}<br />[[भूटान]]:<br />{{convert|699|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} 
| highest point = [[कंचनजंघा]] {{convert|8598|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| lowest point  = कुट्टनाड<br />{{convert|-2.2|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| longest river = [[गंगा]], [[ब्रह्मपुत्र नदी|ब्रह्मपुत्र]]
| largest lake  = चिल्का झील
}}
[[भारत]] में बिबिध प्राकृतिक आ मानवीय चीजन के जगह भा क्षेत्र अनुसार बितरण, यानी कि '''भारत के भूगोल''', हर तरह से बहुत विविधता वाला बाटे। एशिया महादीप के [[दक्खिन एशिया|दक्खिनी हिस्सा]] में मौजूद भारत देस, क्षेत्रफल के हिसाब से बिस्व में सातवाँ आ जनसंख्या की हिसाब से दूसरा सभसे बड़हन देस हवे।

भारत के उत्तर में [[हिमालय]] के बहुते ऊँच पहाड़ बाटे आ दक्खिन में प्रायद्वीप वाला हिस्सा में ऊबड़-खाबड़ [[पठार]] मिलेला। इन्हन की बिचा में [[उत्तरी भारत के मैदान]] बा जेवन एगो समतल जमीन हवे। दूनो समुद्र की किनारे पर किनारे के मैदान बाड़ें, जिनहन के समुद्र तटीय मैदान कहल जाला। एह देस में जलवायु में भी बहुत बिबिधता बा; एक ओर [[राजस्थान]] में बहुत गर्मी आ जाड़ा दूनो पड़ेला आ [[बरखा]] एकदम्मे कम होला त ओही जा दूसरी ओर [[चेरापूंजी]] के गिनती विश्व के सबसे ढेर बरखा वाला जगह सभ में होले। पुरा भारत में जुलाई से अक्टूबर ले [[मानसून]] के बरखा होले जबकि पच्छिमी हिमालय आ तमिलनाडु की समुंद्र की किनारे वाला हिस्सा में जाड़ा में बरखा होले।

जनसंख्या के हिसाब से भी एक इलाका से दुसरे इलाका के बिचा में बहुत अंतर पावल जाला। मैदानी हिस्सा में जनसंख्या के धनत्व ढेर बा जबकि पहाड़ी आ पठारी इलाकन में बहुत कम जनसंख्या पावल जाले। अलग-अलग प्रदेश में विकास के स्थिति भी बहुत विभिन्नता लिहले मिलेला।

==लोकेशन आ बिस्तार==
भारत देस के भूगोली लोकेशन भूमध्य रेखा के उत्तर में 8°4' से 37°6' उत्तरी अक्षांस आ 68°7' से 97°25' पूरबी देशांतर के बिचा में बाट।<ref name="yearbook">[[#Yearbook|India Yearbook]], p. 1</ref> क्षेत्रफल के हिसाब से ई दुनिया के सातवाँ सभसे बड़हन देस हवे आ एकर कुल रकबा  {{convert|3287263|km2|mi2|0}} बाटे।<ref name=indiaEB>{{cite web| title=India|work=Encyclopædia Britannica|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/285248/India|accessdate=17 जुलाई 2012}} क्षेत्रफल के एह आँकड़ा में अभिन ओह इलाका सभ के ना सामिल कइल गइल बा जे बिबादित बाने आ भारत के कंट्रोल में नइखें।</ref> उत्तर से दक्खिन ले भारत के लंबाई {{convert|3214|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} बा आ पुरुब से पच्छिम एकर बिस्तार {{convert|2933|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} के लंबाई में बा। [[भारत के सीमा|भारत के जमीनी सीमा]] के लंबाई {{convert|15200|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} आ समुंद्र तट के लंबाई {{convert|7516.6|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} बाटे।<ref name="manorama">{{cite book| title = Manorama Yearbook 2006 (India – The Country)  | publisher = मलयाला मनोरमा | year = 2006 | page = 515 | issn = 0542-5778}}</ref>

दक्खिन ओर, भारतीय जमीनी हिस्सा त्रिभुज के आकार में [[हिंद महासागर]] में घुसल बाटे, सटीक रूप से बतावल जाय त एह प्रायदीपीय भाग के पच्छिमी ओर [[अरब सागर]] आ दक्खिनी-पच्छिमी ओर [[लक्षदीप सागर]] बाने आ पूरुब आ आ दक्खिन-पूरुब ओर [[बंगाल के खाड़ी]] बा। पाक जलजोड़ आ मन्नार के खाड़ी द्वारा ई श्रीलंका से बिलग होला आ एकरे कुछ दूर प लगभग {{convert|400|km}} दक्खिन-पच्छिम में [[मालदीव]] बाटे। भारत के दीपीय हिस्सा अंडमान निकोबार दीप समूह, एकरे मुख्य जमीनी हिस्सा से करीबन {{convert|1200|km}} दक्खिन पूरुब में बाने आ एही के चलते भारत के समुंदरी सीमा म्यांमार, थाइलैंड आ इंडोनेशिया के साथे जुड़े ला। कन्याकुमारी 8°4′41″N आ  77°32′28″E पर मौजूद बा आ मुख्य जमीनी हिस्सा के सभसे दक्खिनी बिंदु  हऽ जबकि भारत के सभसे दक्खिनी बिंदु इंदिरा प्वाइंट, बड़का निकोबार दीप पर मौजूद बा। सभसे उत्तरी बिंदु, जवन भारत के शासन में बा, सियाचिन ग्लेशियर में इंदिरा कॉल हवे।<ref name="manorama"/> भारत के राज्यक्षेत्रीय जलसीमा एकरे जमीनी बेसलाइन से  {{convert|12|nmi|mi km|1|lk=in}} के दूरी तक ले बा।<ref name="waters_extent">{{cite web|title=Territorial extent of India's waters |publisher=The International Law of the Sea and Indian MaritimeLegislation |date=30 April 2005 |url=http://www.irfc-nausena.nic.in/irfc/ezine/Trans2Trimph/chapters/27_law%20of%20the%20sea1.htm |accessdate=16 May 2006 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928140322/http://www.irfc-nausena.nic.in/irfc/ezine/Trans2Trimph/chapters/27_law%20of%20the%20sea1.htm |archivedate=28 September 2007}}</ref>

भारत के उत्तरी सीमांत सभ बहुधा हिमालय परबत के श्रेणी सभ से बने ला आ चीन, भूटान, नेपाल के साथे जुड़े ला। भारत के सभसे उत्तरी राज्य जम्मू काश्मीर के कुछ हिस्सा चीन आ पाकिस्तान के साथ बिबादित बाटे। भारत-पाकिस्तान सीमा भारतीय राज्य पंजाब, राजस्थान आ गुजरात के पाकिस्तान से सटल सीमा हवे आ पंजाब के मैदान आ थार के रेगिस्तान से गुजरे ले। सुदूर पूर्वोत्तर में भारत के सीमा चिन आ कचिन पहाड़ी सभ के सहारे, बर्मा से सटे ले।

==राजनैतिक बिभाजन==
{{मुख्य|भारत के राज्य अउरी संघ राज्यक्षेत्र}}

teenu भारत में 28 गो राज्य आ 8 गो संघ राज्यक्षेत्र बाने। राज्यन के नाँव नीचे दिहल जात बाटे-  (कोष्टक में राजधानी का नाम):
{{भारतीय राज्य (क्लिक करे जोग)|image-width=390}}
{|
|-
|
* [[अरुणाचल प्रदेश]] ([[ईटानगर]])
* [[आसाम|असम]] ([[गुवाहाटी]])
* [[उत्तर प्रदेश]] ([[लखनऊ]])
* [[उत्तराखण्ड]] ([[देहरादून]])
* [[ओडिशा]] ([[भुवनेश्वर]])
* [[आंध्र प्रदेश]] ([[हैदराबाद]])
* [[कर्नाटक]] ([[बंगलुरु]])
* [[केरल]] ([[तिरुवनंतपुरम]])
* [[गोवा|गोआ]] ([[पणजी]])
* [[गुजरात]] ([[गांधीनगर]])
* [[छत्तीसगढ़]] ([[रायपुर]])
* [[झारखण्ड|झारखंड]] ([[राँची]])
* [[तमिलनाडु]] ([[चेन्नई]])
| width="20" |
| valign=top |
* [[तेलंगाना]] ([[हैदराबाद]])
* [[त्रिपुरा]] ([[अगरतला]])
* [[नागालैंड]] ([[कोहिमा]])
* [[पश्चिम बंगाल]] ([[कोलकाता]])
* [[पंजाब]] ([[चंडीगढ़]]†)
* [[बिहार]] ([[पटना]])
* [[मणिपुर]] ([[इम्फाल]])
* [[मध्य प्रदेश]] ([[भोपाल]])
* [[महाराष्ट्र]] ([[मुंबई]])
* [[मिज़ोरम]] ([[आइजोल]])
* [[मेघालय]] ([[शिलांग]])
* [[राजस्थान]] ([[जयपुर]])
* [[सिक्किम]] ([[गंगटोक]])
* [[हरियाणा]] ([[चंडीगढ़]]†)
* [[हिमाचल प्रदेश]] ([[शिमला]])
|}

;संघ राज्यक्षेत्र (केन्द्रशासित प्रदेश)
{|
|-
|
* [[अंडमान अउरी निकोबार द्वीपसमूह|अंडमान-निकोबार द्वीपसमूह]]([[पोर्ट ब्लेयर]])
* चंडीगढ़†* (चंडीगढ़)
* [[दादरा अउरी नगर हवेली आ दमन अउरी दीव]]* ([[दमन]])
* [[पॉण्डिचेरी]]* ([[पुडुचेरी]])
* [[लक्षद्वीप]]* ([[कवरत्ती]])
* [[दिल्ली]] ([[नई दिल्ली]])
* [[जम्मू काश्मीर]]
* [[लद्दाख]]
|}
† चंडीगढ़ एक ठो केंद्रशासित प्रदेश हवे आ ई पंजाब आ हरियाणा दुन्नों राज्यन के राजधानी भी हऽ।

==भौतिक बिभाजन==
[[File:India topo big.jpg|thumb|भारत के भौतिक स्वरूप]]

भारत के छह गो मुख्य भौतिकआकृतिक प्रदेश भा क्षेत्र सभ में बाँटल जाला:
* उत्तरी पहाड़ प्रदेश
* प्रायदीपी पठार
* सिंधु-गंगा के मैदान
* थार के रेगिस्तान
* तटीय मैदान
* दीपीय भूभाग

=== उत्तरी परबती प्रदेश ===
[[File:Snow Leopard in Hemis National Park.jpg|thumb|alt=बरफ पर चलत तेंदुआ |बर्फानी तेनुआ, जम्मू काश्मीर के हेमिस नेशनल पार्क में।]]
भारत के उत्तरी भाग में परबत सभ के बिसाल आर्क मौजूद बा जे पच्छिम में हिंदुकुश परबत से सुरू होखे ले आ [[हिमालय]] के श्रेणी सभ, जेह में [[नेपाल]] के सगरी इलाका आवेला, पूरुब-पच्छिम दिसा में भारतीय राज्य अरुणाचल ले जाले, आगे जा के ई पटकई बुम नियर  छोटहन पहाड़ी सभ के रूप ले लेला। एह पहाड़ी इलाका के निर्माण भारतीय प्लेट आ एशियाई प्लेट के टकराव वाला किनारा पर भइल हवे। अल्पाइन क्रम के परबत निर्माण के दौरान बनल ई श्रेणी सभ में दुनिया के कुछ सभसे ऊँच परबत चोटी मौजूद बाड़ी जेह में ई एक तरह से प्राकृतिक सीमा के काम करे ला आ ध्रुवीय इलाका के ठंढा हवा सभ के भारतीय उपमहादीप के भीतर प्रवेश करे से रोके ला। एही कारन भारत के उत्तरी हिस्सा कर्क रेखा के उत्तर में मौजूद होखे के बावजूद उष्णकटिबंधी जलवायु वाला हवे। ईहे परबत के बिस्तार मानसून के हवा सभ के रोक के बरखा करावे ला आ भारत के जलवायु प एकर दोहरा परभाव पड़े ला। एही परबत सभ से निकले वाली नदी, उपजाऊँ मैदानी हिस्सा में बहे लीं जे एकरे दक्खिन ओर पड़े ला। जीवभूगोल के बिद्वान लोग एह परबत श्रेणी सभ के पृथ्वी के दू गो बड़हन जीवभूगोली इकोज़ोन सभ के बिभाजक सीमा माने ला - समशीतोष्ण (टेम्परेट) पैलीआर्कटिक इकोज़ोन पूरा यूरेशियाई भाग में हिमालय के उत्तर ओर बा आ दक्खिन में उपोष्णकटिबंधी इंडोमलय इकोज़ोन जे हिमालय के दक्खिन में पड़े ला आ जेह में भारतीय उपमहादीप, दक्खिनपूरब एशिया आ इंडोनेशिया नियर इलाका सामिल कइल जालें।

हिमालय दुनिया के सभसे ऊँच परबत हवे, दुनिया के सभसे ऊँच परबत चोटी [[माउंट एवरेस्ट]] ({{convert|8848|m|disp=sqbr}}) एही के हिस्सा हवे आ नेपाल-चीन के सीमा प मौजूद बा।<ref name="manorama2">{{cite book|title = Manorama Yearbook 2006 (India – The Country)| publisher = Malayala Manorama | year = 2006 | page = 516 | issn = 0542-5778}}</ref> हिमालय द्वारा भारत के उत्तर-पूरबी बाडर भी बने ला, एह जगह ई भारत के उत्तर-पूरबी एशिया से बिलग करे ला। ई परबत दुनिया के सभसे नया मोड़दार परबत सभ में से भी एक हवे आ बिना कौनों ब्यवधान के की लगभग {{convert|2500|km|mi||abbr=on}} लंबाई में बिस्तार लिहले बा आ कुल {{convert|500000|km2|mi2||abbr=on}} क्षेत्रफल पर फइलल बाटे।<ref name="manorama2"/> हिमालय के बिस्तार जम्मू-काश्मीर से ले के अरुणाचल प्रदेश ले बा आ एह परबती हिस्सा में भारत के अउरी राज्य सभ हिमाचल प्रदेश, उत्तराखंड आ सिक्किम राज्य बाने जिन्हन के ज्यादातर हिस्सा हिमालय के परबती भाग में पड़े ला। हिमालय के कई गो चोटी सभ {{convert|7000|m|ft||abbr=on}} से ऊँच बाड़ी स आ एह इलाका में बरफ रेखा (जेकरे ऊपर बर्फ जमल रहे ला) करीबन {{convert|6000|m|ft||abbr=on}} सिक्किम के आसपास से ले के {{convert|3000|m|ft||abbr=on}} के आसपास तक से, काश्मीर में पावल जाले। भारत के प्रशासित इलाका में कंचनजंघा सभसे ऊँच परबत चोटी हवे जे भारत-नेपाल बाडर प बा। हिमालय के ज्यादातर चोटी सभ सालो भर बरफ से तोपाइल रहे लीं।
[[Image:Kanchenjunga.JPG|thumb|[[सिक्किम]] से देखे पर माउंट [[कंचनजंघा]]।]]

*The [[Karakoram]] is situated in the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir. It has more than sixty peaks above {{convert|7000|m|ft||abbr=on}}, including [[K2 (mountain)|K2]], the second highest peak in the world {{convert|8611|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. K2 is just {{convert|237|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} smaller than the {{convert|8848|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} [[Mount Everest]]. The range is about {{convert|500|km|mi||abbr=on}} in length and the most heavily [[glacier|glaciated]] part of the world outside of the polar regions. The [[Siachen Glacier]] at {{convert|76|km|mi||abbr=on}} and the [[Biafo Glacier]] at {{convert|67|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} rank as the world's second and third-longest glaciers outside the polar regions.<ref name="Measurements">Measurements are from recent imagery, generally supplemented with Russian 1:200,000 scale topographic mapping as well as Jerzy Wala, ''Orographical Sketch Map: Karakoram: Sheets 1 & 2'', Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research, Zurich, 1990.</ref> Just to the west of the northwest end of the Karakoram, lies the [[Hindu Raj]] range, beyond which is the [[Hindu Kush]] range. The southern boundary of the Karakoram is formed by the [[Gilgit River|Gilgit]], [[Indus River|Indus]] and Shyok rivers, which separate the range from the northwestern end of the Himalayas.
<!--[[File:Siachen_Panaroma.jpg|thumb|right|[[Siachen Glacier]]]]-->
<!-- Deleted image removerock
d: [[File:Pangong Lake.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pangong Lake]] in [[Ladakh]]]] -->

*The [[Patkai]], or Purvanchal, are situated near India's eastern border with Burma. They were created by the same tectonic processes which led to the formation of the Himalayas. The physical features of the Patkai mountains are conical peaks, steep slopes and deep valleys. The Patkai ranges are not as rugged or tall as the Himalayas. There are three hill ranges that come under the Patkai: the Patkai–Bum, the [[Garo Hills|Garo]]–[[Khasi Hills|Khasi]]–[[Jaintia Hills|Jaintia]] and the [[Lushai hills]]. The Garo–Khasi range lies in Meghalaya. [[Mawsynram]], a village near [[Cherrapunji]] lying on the [[windward]] side of these hills, has the distinction of being the wettest place in the world, receiving the highest annual rainfall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nios.ac.in/SecSoccour/English/Lesson07.pdf |format=PDF|title= Physical divisions|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041212061106/http://www.nios.ac.in/SecSoccour/English/Lesson07.pdf |archivedate=12 December 2004}}</ref>
[[Image:Manduvalley1 coolspark.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Vindhyas]] in central India]]

===The Peninsular Plateau===
*The [[Vindhya]] range runs across most of central India, extending {{convert|1050|km|mi||abbr=on}}.<ref name="manorama2"/> The average elevation of these hills is from {{convert|300|to|600|m|abbr=on}} and rarely goes above {{convert|700|m}}.<ref name="manorama2"/> They are believed to have been formed by the wastes created by the weathering of the ancient Aravali mountains.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Indian geographical journal|year=1971 |publisher=Indian Geographical Society |location= |isbn= |volume=46 |page=52}}</ref> Geographically, it separates [[North India|Northern]] India from [[South India|Southern]] India. The western end of the range lies in eastern Gujarat, near its border with Madhya Pradesh, and runs east and north, almost meeting the Ganges at [[Mirzapur]]
[[File:Dry deciduous Jungles at Ramatheertham 03.jpg|thumb|Dry deciduous and thorny forests of plateau regions in India]]

*The [[Malwa Plateau]] is spread across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. The average elevation of the Malwa plateau is 500 metres, and the landscape generally slopes towards the north. Most of the region is drained by the Chambal River and its tributaries; the western part is drained by the upper reaches of the [[Mahi River]].
*Kutch Kathiawar plateau
Kutch Kathiawar plateau is located in Gujarat state.

*The [[Deccan Plateau]] is a large triangular plateau, bounded by the Vindhyas to the north and flanked by the Eastern and Western Ghats. The Deccan covers a total area of 1.9 million&nbsp;km² (735,000 mile²). It is mostly flat, with elevations ranging from {{convert|300|to|600|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The average elevation of the plateau is {{convert|2000|ft|m}} above sea level. The surface slopes from {{convert|3000|ft|m}} in the west to {{convert|1500|ft|m}} in the east.<ref name="HSW">{{cite web|title=The Deccan Plateau|url=http://geography.howstuffworks.com/asia/the-deccan-plateau.htm|publisher=How Stuff Works|accessdate=14 November 2008}}</ref> It slopes gently from west to east and gives rise to several peninsular rivers such as the [[Godavari River|Godavari]], the [[Krishna River|Krishna]], the [[Kaveri]] and the [[Mahanadi River|Mahanadi]] which drain into the Bay of Bengal. This region is mostly semi-arid as it lies on the leeward side of both Ghats. Much of the Deccan is covered by thorn scrub forest scattered with small regions of [[deciduous]] broadleaf forest. Climate in the Deccan ranges from hot summers to mild winters.
*The [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] is situated in eastern India, covering much of Jharkhand and adjacent parts of Odisha, Bihar and Chhattisgarh. Its total area is approximately {{convert|65000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and is made up of three smaller plateaus — the Ranchi, Hazaribagh, and Kodarma plateaus. The Ranchi plateau is the largest, with an average elevation of {{convert|700|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Much of the plateau is forested, covered by the [[Chota Nagpur dry deciduous forest]]s. Vast reserves of metal ores and [[coal]] have been found in the Chota Nagpur plateau. The [[Kathiawar]] peninsula in western Gujarat is bounded by the Gulf of Kutch and the Gulf of Khambat. The natural vegetation in most of the peninsula is [[xeric scrub]], part of the [[Northwestern thorn scrub forests]] ecoregion.
*The [[Satpura Range]] begins in eastern Gujarat near the Arabian Sea coast and runs east across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. It extends {{convert|900|km|mi||abbr=on}} with many peaks rising above {{convert|1000|m|ft||abbr=on}}.<ref name="manorama2"/> It is triangular in shape, with its apex at [[Ratnapuri, India|Ratnapuri]] and the two sides being parallel to the [[Tapti River|Tapti]] and [[Narmada River|Narmada]] rivers.<ref name="manorama3">{{cite book| title = Manorama Yearbook 2006 (India – The Country)| page = 517}}</ref> It runs parallel to the Vindhya Range, which lies to the north, and these two east-west ranges divide the Indo–Gangetic plain from the Deccan Plateau located north of River Narmada.
*The [[Aravali Range]] is the oldest mountain range in India, running across Rajasthan from northeast to southwest direction, extending approximately {{convert|800|km|mi||abbr=on}}.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Kpd9lLY_0-IC&pg=PA92&dq=Aravali&as_brr=0 Aravali Range] ''Students' Britannica India'', by Dale Hoiberg, Indu Ramchandani. Published by Popular Prakashan, 2000. {{ISBN|0-85229-760-2}}. ''Page 92-93''.</ref> The northern end of the range continues as isolated hills and rocky ridges into [[हरियाणा]], ending near [[दिल्ली]]. The highest peak in this range is [[Guru Shikhar]] at [[Mount Abu]], rising to {{convert|1722|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, lying near the border with Gujarat.<ref>{{cite book|title=Deccan Heritage |last=Gupta|first=Harsh K |author2=Aloka Parasher-Sen |author3=Dorairajan Balasubramanian  |year=2000 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |location= |isbn=81-7371-285-9 |page=28}}</ref> The Aravali Range is the eroded stub of an ancient [[fold mountain]] system.<ref>{{cite book |title=Tropical geomorphology: a morphogenetic study of Rajasthan |last=Sharma |first=Hari Shanker|year=1987 |publisher=Concept |location= |isbn=81-7022-041-6 |page=295}}</ref> The range rose in a [[Precambrian]] event called the Aravali–Delhi [[orogen]]. The range joins two of the ancient segments that make up the Indian [[craton]], the [[Marwar]] segment to the northwest of the range, and the Bundelkhand segment to the southeast.
*The [[Western Ghats]] or Sahyadri mountains run along the western edge of India's [[Deccan Plateau]] and separate it from a narrow coastal plain along the [[Arabian Sea]]. The range runs approximately {{convert|1600|km|mi||abbr=on}}<ref name="manorama3"/> from south of the [[Tapti River]] near the Gujarat–Maharashtra border and across Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu to the southern tip of the Deccan peninsula. The average elevation is around {{convert|1000|m|ft||abbr=on}}.<ref name="manorama3"/> [[Anai Mudi]] in the [[Anaimalai Hills]] {{convert|2695|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} in Kerala is the highest peak in the Western Ghats.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Clayton |first=Pamela |date=November 2006 |title=Introduction |journal=Literacy in Kerala |publisher=[[University of Glasgow]] |isbn=0-86389-068-7 |url=http://www.gla.ac.uk/kerala/LiteracyinKerala.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=8 September 2009 }}{{dead link|date=जनवरी 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

[[Image:Western-Ghats-Matheran.jpg|thumb|right|[[Western Ghats]] near Matheran]]
[[File:Kollimalai Kundrugal.JPG|thumb|left|Kolli Hills of the [[Eastern Ghats]], [[तमिलनाडु]]]]

*The [[Eastern Ghats]] are a discontinuous range of mountains, which have been eroded and quadrisected by the four major rivers of southern India, the [[Godavari River|Godavari]], [[Mahanadi River|Mahanadi]], [[Krishna River|Krishna]], and [[Kaveri River|Kaveri]].<ref>{{cite book | title=Flora of Eastern Ghats: Hill ranges of south east India |last=Pullaiah |first=Thammineni|author2=D.Muralidhara Rao |year=2002 |publisher=Daya Books |location= |isbn=81-87498-49-8 |page=1 |volume=1 |chapter=Preface}}</ref> These mountains extend from West Bengal to Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, along the coast and parallel to the Bay of Bengal. Though not as tall as the Western Ghats, some of its peaks are over {{convert|1000|m|ft||abbr=on}} in height.<ref name="manorama3"/> The [[Nilgiri mountains|Nilgiri]] hills in Tamil Nadu lies at the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats. Arma Konda ({{convert|1680|m|abbr=on}}) in Andhra Pradesh is the tallest peak in Eastern Ghats.<ref name="Pletcher2013">{{cite book | author=Kenneth Pletcher | title=The Geography of India: Sacred and Historic Places | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mjr0X-8jrLAC&pg=PA28 | accessdate= 27 मार्च 2014 | date=अगस्त 2010 | publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group, 2010 | isbn=978-16-1530-142-3 | pages=28}}</ref>

[[File:Pond at Punyagiri temple.jpg|thumb|left|Dry Evergreen Forests along the [[Eastern Ghats]], [[आंध्र प्रदेश]]]]

===Indo-Gangetic plain===
[[Image:IndoGangeticPlain Map.png|thumb|right|Extent of the Indo-Gangetic plain across South Asia]]
[[File:Kalinagar Floods B.JPG|thumb|right|Many areas remain flooded during the heavy rains brought by [[monsoon]] in the Indian state of [[पच्छिम बंगाल]].]]
{{Main article|Indo-Gangetic plain}}
The Indo-Gangetic plains, also known as the ''Great Plains'' are large [[alluvial plain]]s dominated by three main rivers, the [[Indus River|Indus]], [[Ganges River|Ganges]], and [[Brahmaputra]]. They run parallel to the Himalayas, from [[जम्मू-काश्मीर]] in the west to [[आसाम]] in the east, and drain most of northern and eastern India. The plains encompass an area of {{convert|700000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}. The major rivers in this region are the Ganges, Indus, and Brahmaputra along with their main tributaries–[[Yamuna River|Yamuna]], [[Chambal River|Chambal]], [[Gomti River|Gomti]], [[Ghaghara River|Ghaghara]], [[Kosi River|Kosi]], [[Sutlej River|Sutlej]], [[Ravi River|Ravi]], [[Beas River|Beas]], [[Chenab River|Chenab]], and [[Tista River|Tista]]—as well as the rivers of the [[Ganges Delta]], such as the [[Meghna River|Meghna]].

The great plains are sometimes classified into four divisions:
* The '''[[Bhabar]]''' belt is adjacent to the foothills of the Himalayas and consists of boulders and pebbles which have been carried down by streams. As the [[porosity]] of this belt is very high, the streams flow underground. The Bhabar is generally narrow with its width varying between {{convert|6|to|15|km|abbr=on}}.
* The '''[[Tarai]]''' belt lies south of the adjacent Bhabar region and is composed of newer alluvium. The underground streams reappear in this region. The region is excessively moist and thickly forested. It also receives heavy rainfall throughout the year and is populated with a variety of wildlife.
* The '''Bangar''' belt consists of older alluvium and forms the alluvial terrace of the flood plains. In the Gangetic plains, it has a low upland covered by laterite deposits.
* The '''Khadar''' belt lies in lowland areas after the Bangar belt. It is made up of fresh newer alluvium which is deposited by the rivers flowing down the plain.

The '''Indo-Gangetic belt''' is the world's most extensive expanse of uninterrupted [[alluvium]] formed by the deposition of [[silt]] by the numerous rivers. The plains are flat making it conducive for [[irrigation]] through [[canal]]s. The area is also rich in [[ground water]] sources.The plains are one of the world's most [[intensive farming|intensely farmed]] areas. The main crops grown are [[rice]] and [[wheat]], which are grown in [[Crop rotation|rotation]]. Other important crops grown in the region include [[maize]], [[sugarcane]] and [[cotton]]. The Indo-Gangetic plains rank among the world's most densely populated areas.

===Thar Desert===
[[File:Thar desert Rajasthan India.jpg|thumb|left|Thar desert, [[राजस्थान]]]]
{{Main article|Thar Desert}}
The Thar Desert (also known as ''the deserts'') is by some calculations the world's seventh largest desert, by some others the tenth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geology.com/records/largest-desert.shtml|title=The World's Largest Desert|publisher=geology.com|accessdate=14 May 2011}}</ref> It forms a significant portion of western India and covers an area of {{convert|200000|to|238700|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/590028/Thar-Desert|title=Thar Desert|publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|accessdate=14 May 2011}}</ref> The desert continues into Pakistan as the [[Cholistan Desert]]. Most of the Thar Desert is situated in [[राजस्थान]], covering 61% of its geographic area.

About 10 percent of this region comprises sand dunes, and the remaining 90 percent consist of craggy rock forms, compacted salt-lake bottoms, and interdunal and fixed dune areas. Annual temperatures can range from {{convert|0|C}} in the winter to over {{convert|50|C}} during the summer. Most of the rainfall received in this region is associated with the short July–September southwest monsoon that brings {{convert|100|to|500|mm|abbr=on}} of precipitation. Water is scarce and occurs at great depths, ranging from {{convert|30|to|120|m}} below the ground level.<ref name="KAUL">{{cite book|title=Afforestation in Arid zones|author=Kaul, R.N.|publisher=N.V. Publishers, [[The Hague]]|year=1970}}</ref> Rainfall is precarious and erratic, ranging from below {{convert|120|mm|in|abbr=on}} in the extreme west to {{convert|375|mm|in|abbr=on}} eastward.The only river in this region is Luni. The soils of the arid region are generally sandy to sandy-loam in texture. The consistency and depth vary as per the topographical features. The low-lying loams are heavier may have a hard pan of clay, [[calcium carbonate]] or [[gypsum]].

In western India, the Kutch region in Gujarat and Koyna in Maharashtra are classified as a Zone IV region (high risk) for earthquakes. The Kutch city of [[Bhuj]] was the [[epicentre]] of the [[2001 Gujarat earthquake]], which claimed the lives of more than 1,337 people and injured 166,836 while destroying or damaging near a million homes.<ref name="USGS">{{cite web
 |title=Preliminary Earthquake Report 
 |publisher=USGS Earthquake Hazards Program 
 |url=http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/eq_depot/2001/eq_010126/ 
 |accessdate=21 November 2007 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120094220/http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/eq_depot/2001/eq_010126/ 
 |archivedate=20 November 2007 
 |df= 
}}</ref> The [[1993 Latur earthquake]] in Maharashtra killed 7,928 people and injured 30,000.<ref name=IIRS>{{cite journal | title = Earthquake Risk Assessment of Buildings: Applicability of HAZUS in Dehradun, India |url = http://www.iirs-nrsa.gov.in/pdf/brijesh_thesis2005.pdf | author= Brijesh Gulati |date=January 2006 | publisher=Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, National Remote Sensing Agency|format= PDF | accessdate = 19 November 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080528065451/http://www.iirs-nrsa.gov.in/pdf/brijesh_thesis2005.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 28 May 2008}}</ref> Other areas have a moderate to low risk of an earthquake occurring.<ref>{{cite book | title = Manorama Yearbook 2006 (India – The Country)|page = 519}}</ref>

===Coasts===
[[File:(Bay of Bengal) Beach View from Tenneti Park 07.JPG|thumb|left|[[Visakhapatnam]] beach view, Bay of Bengal, [[आंध्र प्रदेश]]]]
(The Eastern Coastal Plain is a wide stretch of land lying between the Eastern Ghats and the oceanic boundary of India. It stretches from [[तमिलनाडु]] in the south to [[पच्छिम बंगाल]] in the east. The [[Mahanadi river|Mahanadi]], Godavari, Kaveri, and [[Krishna River|Krishna]] rivers drain these plains. The temperature in the coastal regions often exceeds {{convert|30|°C|°F}}, and is coupled with high levels of [[humidity]]. The region receives both the [[Monsoon#Northeast monsoon|northeast monsoon]] and [[Southwest monsoon#Southwest monsoon|southwest monsoon]] rains.) The southwest monsoon splits into two branches, the Bay of Bengal branch and the Arabian Sea branch. (The Bay of Bengal branch moves northwards crossing northeast India in early June. The Arabian Sea branch moves northwards and discharges much of its rain on the windward side of Western Ghats. Annual rainfall in this region averages between {{convert|1000|and|3000|mm|in|abbr=on}}. The width of the plains varies between {{convert|100|and|130|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="RWH">{{cite web|title=The Eastern Coastal Plain|url=http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/eco/ecp.htm|publisher=Rainwaterharvesting.org|accessdate=19 November 2008}}</ref> The plains are divided into six regions—the Mahanadi delta, the southern Andhra Pradesh plain, the Krishna-Godavari deltas, the [[Kanyakumari]] coast, the [[Coromandel Coast]], and sandy coastal).{{Citation needed|date=मई 2011}}

The Western Coastal Plain is a narrow strip of land sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, ranging from {{convert|50|to|100|km|mi|abbr=on}} in width. It extends from Gujarat in the north and extends through Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala. Numerous rivers and backwaters inundate the region. Mostly originating in the Western Ghats, the rivers are fast-flowing, usually perennial, and empty into [[estuary|estuaries]]. Major rivers flowing into the sea are the Tapi, Narmada, [[Mandovi]] and [[Zuari]]. Vegetation is mostly deciduous, but the [[Malabar Coast moist forests]] constitute a unique ecoregion. The Western Coastal Plain can be divided into two parts, the [[Konkan]] and the [[Malabar Coast]].

[[Image:Varkala beach.JPG|thumb|right|[[Varkala]] beach on [[केरल]]'s coast, [[Arabian Sea]]]]

== Islands ==
[[Image:Andaman.jpg|left|thumb|Aerial view of the Andaman Islands]]
{{See also|List of islands of India}}
(The [[Lakshadweep]] and the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] are India's two major island formations and are classified as [[Union Territory|union territories]].

The '''Lakshadweep''' Islands lie {{convert|200|to|440|km|mi|abbr=on}} off the coast of Kerala in the Arabian sea with an area of {{convert|32|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}. They consist of twelve atolls, three reefs, and five submerged banks, with a total of about 35 islands and islets.)

(The '''Andaman and Nicobar''' Islands are located between 6° and 14° north latitude and 92° and 94° east longitude.<ref name=ani1>{{cite web|title=National Portal of India: Know India: State of UTs |url=http://india.gov.in/knowindia/ut_andaman.php |publisher=Government of India |accessdate=19 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619045535/http://www.india.gov.in/knowindia/ut_andaman.php |archivedate=19 जून 2010 }}</ref> They consist of 572 islands, lying in the Bay of Bengal near the [[Myanmar|Myanma]] coast running in a North-South axis for approximately 910&nbsp;km. They are located {{convert|1255|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Kolkata]] (Calcutta) and {{convert|193|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Cape Negrais]] in Burma.<ref name=ani1/> The territory consists of two island groups, the [[Andaman Islands]] and the [[Nicobar Islands]]. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands consist of 572 islands which run in a North-South axis for around 910&nbsp;km. The Andaman group has 325 islands which cover an area of 6,170 km2 (2,382 sq mi) while the Nicobar group has only 247 islands with an area of 1,765 km2 (681 sq mi). India's only active volcano, [[Barren Island (Andaman Islands)|Barren Island]] is situated here. It last erupted in 2017. The [[Narcondum]] is a [[dormant volcano]] and there is a [[mud volcano]] at [[Baratang]]. [[Indira Point]], India's southernmost land point, is situated in the Nicobar islands at 6°45’10″N and 93°49’36″E, and lies just {{convert|189|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the Indonesian island of [[Sumatra]], to the southeast. The highest point is [[Mount Thullier]] at {{convert|642|m|ft|abbr=on}}.

Other significant islands in India include [[Diu, India|Diu]], a former [[Portugal|Portuguese]] colony; [[Majuli]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Majuli|first1=River Island|title=Largest river island|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-river-island-|website=Guinness World Records|accessdate=6 September 2016}}</ref> a river island of the Brahmaputra; [[Elephanta Island|Elephanta]] in [[Bombay Harbour]]; and [[Sriharikota]], a [[barrier island]] in Andhra Pradesh. [[Salsette Island]] is India's most populous island on which the city of [[Mumbai]] (Bombay) is located. Forty-two islands in the Gulf of Kutch constitute the [[Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch|Marine National Park]].

==Bodies of water==
{{Main article|Rivers of India}}
India has around 14,500&nbsp;km of inland navigable waterways.<ref name="IWAI">{{cite web |title=Introduction to Inland Water Transport |url=http://iwai.gov.in/introduction.htm |publisher=Government of India |accessdate=19 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120709231653/http://iwai.gov.in/introduction.htm |archivedate=9 July 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> There are twelve rivers which are classified as major rivers, with the total catchment area exceeding {{convert|2528000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="manorama3"/> All major rivers of India [[Source (river or stream)|originate]] from one of the three main [[water divide|watersheds]]:<ref name="manorama3"/>
* The Himalaya and the Karakoram ranges
* Vindhya and Satpura range in central India
* Sahyadri or Western Ghats in western India

The Himalayan river networks are snow-fed and have a perennial supply throughout the year. The other two river systems are dependent on the monsoons and shrink into rivulets during the dry season. The Himalayan rivers that flow westward into [[Punjab,India|Punjab]] are the [[Indus River|Indus]], [[Jhelum River|Jhelum]], [[Chenab River|Chenab]], [[Ravi River|Ravi]], [[Beas River|Beas]], and [[Sutlej]].<ref name="manorama4"/>

[[Image:Bhagirathi River at Gangotri.JPG|left|thumb|[[Bhagirathi River]] at [[Gangotri]], source river of the [[Ganges]]]]

[[File:Teestavalley.jpg|thumb|left|[[Indian highways|National Highway]] [[List of National Highways in India|31A]] winds along the banks of the [[Teesta River]] near [[Kalimpong]] ([[पच्छिम बंगाल]]), in the [[Darjeeling]] Himalayan hill region.]]
(The [[Ganges]]-[[Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra]]-[[Meghna River|Meghana]] system has the largest catchment area of about {{convert|1,600,000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Elhance1999">{{cite book|last=Elhance|first=Arun P.|title=Hydropolitics in the Third World: conflict and cooperation in international river basins|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uB0ZSZjTECsC&pg=PA156|accessdate=24 April 2011|year=1999|publisher=US Institute of Peace Press|isbn=978-1-878379-91-7|pages=156–158}}</ref> The [[Ganges Basin]] alone has a catchment of about {{convert|1100000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="manorama3"/> The Ganges originates from the [[Gangotri Glacier]] in Uttarakhand.<ref name="manorama4"/> It flows southeast, draining into the Bay of Bengal).<ref name="manorama3"/> (The [[Yamuna]] and [[Gomti]] rivers also arise in the western Himalayas and join the Ganges in the plains.<ref name="manorama3"/> The Brahmaputra originates in [[Tibet]], [[People's Republic of China|China]], where it is known as the [[Yarlung Tsangpo River]]) (or "Tsangpo"). It enters India in the far-eastern state of [[अरुणाचल प्रदेश]], then flows west through [[आसाम]]. The Brahmaputra merges with the Ganges in Bangladesh, where it is known as the [[Jamuna River (Bangladesh)|Jamuna River]].<ref name="manorama3"/><ref name=britannica>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/77154/Brahmaputra-River/48053/Physical-features Brahmaputra River], Encyclopædia Britannica</ref>

The [[Chambal River|Chambal]], another tributary of the Ganges, via the Yamuna, originates from the Vindhya-Satpura watershed. The river flows eastward. Westward-flowing rivers from this watershed are the [[Narmada River|Narmada]] and [[Tapti]], which drain into the Arabian Sea in Gujarat. The river network that flows from east to west constitutes 10% of the total outflow.{{clarify|date=मई 2011|reason=10% of the what total outflow? paragraph also a bit confusing—easy to read it as saying the Narmada and Tapti are tributaries of the Chambal.}}

[[File:Papikondalu view 04.jpg|thumb|The [[Godavari River]] at [[Papi Hills]]]]
(The Western Ghats are the source of all Deccan rivers, which include the through [[Godavari River]], [[Krishna River]] and [[Kaveri River]], all draining into the Bay of Bengal. These rivers constitute 20% of India's total outflow).<ref name="manorama4">{{cite book | title = Manorama Yearbook 2006 ''(India – The Country)''| pages =518}}</ref>

The heavy southwest monsoon rains cause the Brahmaputra and other rivers to distend their banks, often flooding surrounding areas. Though they provide rice paddy farmers with a largely dependable source of natural irrigation and fertilisation, such floods have killed thousands of people and tend to cause displacements of people in such areas.

Major gulfs include the [[Gulf of Cambay]], [[Gulf of Kutch]], and the [[Gulf of Mannar]]. Straits include the [[Palk Strait]], which separates India from Sri Lanka; the [[Ten Degree Channel]], which separates the Andamans from the Nicobar Islands; 'and the Eight Degree Channel, which separates the Laccadive and Amindivi Islands from the Minicoy Island to the south. Important capes include the [[Kanyakumari]] (formerly called Cape Comorin), the southern tip of mainland India; [[Indira Point]], the southernmost point in India (on [[Great Nicobar]] Island); [[Rama's Bridge]], and [[Point Calimere]]. The Arabian Sea lies to the west of India, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean lie to the east and south, respectively. Smaller seas include the [[Laccadive Sea]] and the [[Andaman Sea]]. There are four [[coral reef]]s in India, located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Gulf of Mannar, Lakshadweep, and the Gulf of Kutch.<ref name="manorama5"/> Important lakes include [[Sambhar Lake]], the country's largest saltwater lake in Rajasthan, [[Vembanad Lake]] in Kerala, [[Kolleru Lake]] in Andhra Pradesh, [[Loktak Lake]] in [[मणिपुर]], [[Dal Lake]] in Kashmir, [[Chilka Lake]](lagoon lake) in Orrisa, and [[Sasthamkotta Lake]] in Kerala.

== Wetlands ==
[[Image:Sunderbans map.png|thumb|A map of the Indian [[Sunderbans]] in [[पच्छिम बंगाल]]]]
[[File:Pichavaram Mangrove.jpg|thumb|left|[[Pichavaram]] Mangroves, [[तमिलनाडु]]]]
India's [[wetland]] ecosystem is widely distributed from the cold and arid located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, and those with the wet and humid climate of peninsular India. Most of the wetlands are directly or indirectly linked to river networks. The Indian government has identified a total of 71 wetlands for conservation and are part of sanctuaries and national parks.<ref name="yearbook1">[[#Yearbook|India Yearbook]], p. 306</ref> Mangrove forests are present all along the Indian coastline in sheltered estuaries, creeks, backwaters, salt marshes and mudflats. The mangrove area covers a total of {{convert|4461|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}},<ref name="yearbook2">[[#Yearbook|India Yearbook]], p. 309</ref> which comprises 7% of the world's total mangrove cover. Prominent mangrove covers are located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the [[Sundarbans]] delta, the [[Gulf of Kutch]] and the deltas of the Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna rivers. Parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala also have large mangrove covers.<ref name="manorama5">{{cite book | title = Manorama Yearbook 2006 ''(India – Environment)''|pages =580}}</ref>

The Sundarbans delta is home to the largest mangrove forest in the world. It lies at the mouth of the Ganges and spreads across areas of Bangladesh and West Bengal. The Sundarbans is a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]], but is identified separately as the Sundarbans (Bangladesh) and the [[Sundarbans National Park]] (India). The Sundarbans are intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests. The area is known for its diverse fauna, being home to a large variety of species of birds, spotted deer, crocodiles and snakes. Its most famous inhabitant is the [[Bengal tiger]]. It is estimated that there are now 400 Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area.

The Rann of Kutch is a marshy region located in northwestern Gujarat and the bordering [[Sindh]] province of Pakistan. It occupies a total area of {{convert|27900|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="NG">{{NatGeo ecoregion|name=Rann of Kutch|id=im0901|accessdate=19 November 2008}}</ref> The region was originally a part of the Arabian Sea. Geologic forces such as earthquakes resulted in the damming up of the region, turning it into a large saltwater lagoon. This area gradually filled with silt thus turning it into a seasonal salt marsh. During the monsoons, the area turn into a shallow marsh, often flooding to knee-depth. After the monsoons, the region turns dry and becomes parched.

== Climate ==
[[File:India map of Köppen climate classification.svg|thumb|370px|right|India’s [[Köppen climate classification]] map<ref name="Peel">{{cite journal | author=Peel, M. C. and Finlayson, B. L. and McMahon, T. A. | year=2007 | title= Updated world map of the Köppen–Geiger climate classification | journal=Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. | volume=11 | issue=5 | pages=1633–1644 |doi=10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007 | url=http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.html | issn = 1027-5606}} ''(direct: [http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf Final Revised Paper])''</ref> is based on native vegetation, temperature, precipitation and their seasonality.]]

{{Main article|Climate of India|Climatic regions of India}}
Based on the [[Köppen climate classification|Köppen system]], India hosts six major climatic subtypes, ranging from arid desert in the west, [[alpine tundra]] and glaciers in the north, and humid tropical regions supporting rainforests in the southwest and the island territories. The nation has four seasons: winter (January–February), summer (March–May), a monsoon (rainy) season (June–September) and a post-monsoon period (October–December)'.<ref name="manorama4"/>

The Himalayas act as a barrier to the frigid [[katabatic wind]]s flowing down from Central Asia.' Thus, North India is kept warm or only mildly cooled during winter; in summer, the same phenomenon makes India relatively hot. Although the [[Tropic of Cancer]]—the boundary between the tropics and subtropics—passes through the middle of India, the whole country is considered to be tropical.{{Citation needed|date=मई 2011}}

[[Image:Indiatemperaturetemp.png|thumb|left|Temperature averages in India; units are in degree Celsius]]
Summer lasts between March and June in most parts of India. Temperatures can exceed {{convert|40|°C|°F}} during the day. The coastal regions exceed {{convert|30|°C|°F}} coupled with high levels of [[humidity]]. In the Thar desert area temperatures can exceed {{convert|45|°C|°F}}. The rain-bearing [[monsoon]] clouds are attracted to the low-pressure system created by the Thar Desert. The southwest monsoon splits into two arms, the Bay of Bengal arm and the Arabian Sea arm. The Bay of Bengal arm moves northwards crossing northeast India in early June. The Arabian Sea arm moves northwards and deposits much of its rain on the windward side of Western Ghats. Winters in peninsula India see mild to warm days and cool nights. Further north the temperature is cooler. Temperatures in some parts of the Indian plains sometimes fall below freezing. Most of northern India is plagued by fog during this season. The highest temperature recorded in India was {{convert|51|°C|°F|abbr=on}} in Phalodi, Rajasthan. The lowest was {{convert|-45|°C|°F}} in Kashmir.

== Geology ==
{{Main article|Geology of India}}
[[File:Detrital rocks of Tirumala Hills Ghatroad Tirupati.JPG|thumb|[[Eparchaean Unconformity]] of Detrital rocks of Tirumala Hills, [[Eastern Ghats]]]]
India's geological features are classified based on their era of formation.<ref name="manorama6"/> The [[Precambrian]] formations of Cudappah and Vindhyan systems are spread out over the eastern and southern states. A small part of this period is spread over western and central India.<ref name="manorama6"/> The [[Paleozoic]] formations from the Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian and Devonian system are found in the Western Himalaya region in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.<ref name="manorama6"/> The [[Mesozoic]] [[Deccan Traps]] formation is seen over most of the northern Deccan; they are believed to be the result of [[subaerial|sub-aerial]] volcanic activity.<ref name="manorama6"/> The Trap soil is black in colour and conducive to agriculture. The Carboniferous system, Permian System and Triassic systems are seen in the western Himalayas. The Jurassic system is seen in the western Himalayas and Rajasthan.
[[Image:India-geology-map.png|thumb|Geological regions of India]]
[[Tertiary]] imprints are seen in parts of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and along the Himalayan belt. The Cretaceous system is seen in central India in the Vindhyas and part of the Indo-Gangetic plains.<ref name="manorama6"/> The Gondowana system is seen in the Narmada River area in the Vindhyas and Satpuras. The Eocene system is seen in the western Himalayas and Assam. Oligocene formations are seen in Kutch and Assam.<ref name="manorama6"/> The [[Pleistocene]] system is found over central India. The Andaman and Nicobar Island are thought to have been formed in this era by volcanoes.<ref name="manorama6">{{cite book | title = Manorama Yearbook 2006 ''(India – Geology)'' |pages =521}}</ref> The Himalayas were formed by the convergence and deformation of the Indo-Australian and Eurasian Plates. Their continued convergence raises the height of the Himalayas by 1&nbsp;cm each year.

Soils in India can be classified into 8 categories: alluvial, black, red, laterite, forest, arid & desert, saline & alkaline and peaty & organic soils.<ref name="IA">{{cite web | title=India Agronet – Soil Management|url=http://www.indiaagronet.com/indiaagronet/soil_management/Soil_mgmt.htm|publisher=Indiagronet.com|accessdate=18 July 2007}}</ref><ref name=fao>{{cite web | title= Fertilizer use by crop in India|work=U.S. Food and Agriculture Organization |url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/a0257e/A0257E02.htm|accessdate=2 अगस्त 2007}}</ref> Alluvial soil constitute the largest soil group in India, constituting 80% of the total land surface.<ref name=fao/> It is derived from the deposition of silt carried by rivers and are found in the Great Northern plains from Punjab to the Assam valley.<ref name=fao/> Alluvial soil are generally fertile but they lack nitrogen and tend to be phosphoric.<ref name=fao/> [[National Disaster Management Authority (India)|National Disaster Management Authority]] says that 60% of Indian landmass is prone to [[earthquake]] and 8% susceptible to cyclone risks.

Black soil are well developed in the Deccan lava region of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.<ref name=krishi>{{cite web|title=Krishi World website |url=http://www.krishiworld.com/html/soils10.html |publisher=Krishiworld.com |accessdate=18 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609175008/http://www.krishiworld.com/html/soils10.html |archivedate= 9 जून 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref> These contain high percentage of clay and are moisture retentive.<ref name=fao/> Red soil are found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka plateau, Andhra plateau, Chota Nagpur plateau and the Aravallis.<ref name=krishi/> These are deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus and humus.<ref name=fao/><ref name=krishi/> Laterite soils are formed in tropical regions with heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfall results in leaching out all soluble material of top layer of soil. These are generally found in Western ghats, Eastern ghats and hilly areas of northeastern states that receive heavy rainfall. Forest soils occur on the slopes of mountains and hills in Himalayas, Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats. These generally consist of large amounts of dead leaves and other organic matter called humus.

==Natural resources==
{{main article|Natural resources of India}}
[[Image:Coal mine in Dhanbad, India.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Indian coal production is the 3rd highest in the world according to the 2008 Indian Ministry of Mines estimates. Shown above is a coal mine in [[झारखंड]].]]

India's total renewable water resources are estimated at 1,907.8 km3/year.<ref name="EE">{{cite web|title=Water profile of India|url=http://www.eoearth.org/article/Water_profile_of_India#Water_Resources|publisher=[[Encyclopedia of Earth]]|accessdate=20 November 2008}}</ref> Its annual supply of usable and replenshable groundwater amounts to 350 billion cubic metres.<ref name="OT">{{cite journal|title=India's Underground Water Resources|author=Jain, J.K. |journal=Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London|pages=507–22|date=May 1977|volume=278|issue=962|doi=10.1098/rstb.1977.0058|last2=Farmer|first2=B. H.|last3=Rush|first3=H.|last4=West|first4=H. W.|last5=Allan|first5=J. A.|last6=Dasgupta|first6=B.|last7=Boon|first7=W. H.}}</ref> Only 35% of groundwater resources are being utilised.<ref name="OT"/> About 44 million tonnes of cargo is moved annually through the country's major rivers and waterways.<ref name="IWAI"/> Groundwater supplies 40% of water in India's irrigation canals. 56% of the land is arable and used for agriculture. Black soils are moisture-retentive and are preferred for dry farming and growing cotton, linseed, etc. Forest soils are used for tea and coffee plantations. Red soil have a wide diffusion of iron content.<ref name=krishi/>

Most of India's estimated {{convert|5.4|Goilbbl|m3}} in oil reserves are located in the Mumbai High, upper Assam, Cambay, the Krishna-Godavari and Cauvery basins.<ref name="EE2">{{cite web|title=Energy profile of India|url=http://www.eoearth.org/article/Energy_profile_of_India|publisher=Encyclopedia of Earth|accessdate=20 November 2008}}</ref> India possesses about seventeen trillion cubic feet of [[natural gas]] in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Odisha.<ref name="EE2"/> [[Uranium]] is mined in Andhra Pradesh. India has 400 medium-to-high enthalpy [[thermal spring]]s for producing [[geothermal energy]] in seven "provinces" — the Himalayas, Sohana, Cambay, the Narmada-Tapti delta, the Godavari delta and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (specifically the volcanic [[Barren Island, Andaman Islands|Barren Island]].)<ref name="IIT">{{cite web|title=Geothermal Energy Resources of India |url=http://www.geos.iitb.ac.in/geothermalindia/pubs/IBC/IBCTALKweb.htm |author=Chandrasekharam, D. |publisher=[[Indian Institute of Technology Bombay]] |accessdate=2 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217033017/http://www.geos.iitb.ac.in/geothermalindia/pubs/IBC/IBCTALKweb.htm |archivedate=17 December 2008 |df=dmy }}</ref>

India is the world's biggest producer of mica blocks and mica splittings.<ref name="MINES">{{cite web|title=India's Contribution to the World's Mineral Production|url=http://mines.nic.in/imsene.html#INDIA’S%20CONTRIBUTION%20TO%20THE%20WORLD’S%20MINERAL%20PRODUCTION|publisher=Ministry of Mines, Government of India|accessdate=20 November 2008}}</ref> India ranks second amongst the world's largest producers of barites and chromites.<ref name="MINES"/> The Pleistocene system is rich in minerals. India is the third-largest coal producer in the world and ranks fourth in the production of [[iron ore]].<ref name="EE2"/><ref name="MINES"/> It is the fifth-largest producer of bauxite and crude steel, the seventh-largest of [[manganese ore]] and the eighth-largest of aluminium.<ref name="MINES"/> India has significant sources of titanium ore, diamonds and limestone.<ref name="CIA">{{cite web|title=India|work=CIA Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html
|accessdate=16 जून 2007}}</ref> India possesses 24% of the world's known and economically viable [[thorium]], which is mined along shores of Kerala.<ref name="WNA">{{cite web|url=http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf62.htm |title=Information and Issue Briefs – Thorium |publisher=[[World Nuclear Association]] |accessdate=1 जून 2006 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107083059/http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf62.htm |archivedate=7 November 2006 }}</ref> Gold had been mined in the now-defunct [[Kolar Gold Fields]] in Karnataka.<ref name="Rediff">{{cite web|title=Death of the Kolar Gold Fields|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/may/08gita.htm|publisher=Rediff.com|accessdate=21 November 2008}}</ref>

==संदर्भ==
{{Reflist|33em}}

{{Life in India}}
{{GeoSouthAsia}}

{{भारत-आधार}}

[[श्रेणी:भारत]]
[[श्रेणी:भारत के भूगोल| ]]
[[श्रेणी:देस अनुसार भूगोल]]