Plateau Where the Earth’s History Slumbers Notes Class 9 Geography Chapter 3 Kerala Syllabus Questions and Answers

Students often refer to SCERT Class 9 Social Science Notes Kerala Syllabus and Std 9 Geography Chapter 3 Plateau Where the Earth’s History Slumbers Notes Questions and Answers English Medium that include all exercises in the prescribed syllabus.

Kerala Syllabus 9th Standard Social Science Geography Notes Chapter 3 Plateau Where the Earth’s History Slumbers

Class 9 Social Science Geography Chapter 3 Notes Question Answer Kerala Syllabus Plateau Where the Earth’s History Slumbers

Class 9 Geography Chapter 3 Notes Kerala Syllabus English Medium

Question 1.
Observe the map given below. Identify the physiographic division marked in it.

Answer:
Peninsular Plateau

Question 2.
Identify the states which wholly or partly belong to the Peninsular Plateau.
Answer:

• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Karnataka
• Tamil Nadu
• Andhra Pradesh
• Telangana
• Orissa
• Chhattisgarh
• Bihar
• Gujarat
• Rajasthan
• Jharkhand
• West Bengal
• Kerala

Question 3.
Analyse the impact of Sahyadris on the life of the people of Kerala and prepare a note.
Answer:
The Sahyadri mountain range located in the eastern part of Kerala has a significant impact on our climate, biodiversity and people’s lives. The Western Ghats are the source of about 42 west-flowing rivers, which supply rain to us by blocking the southwest monsoon winds, as well as enriching Kerala. The dense forests of the Western Ghats provide us with the necessary forest resources.

Question 4.
In which state is Anamudi located?
Answer:
Kerala

Question 5.
Find the exact location of Anamudi and include it in My Own Atlas.
Answer:

Question 6.
Find out the major peaks in the Western Ghats.
Answer:
Anamudi, Dodabetta

Question 7.
Which are the peninsular rivers cutting across the Eastern Ghats?
Answer:
Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri.

Question 8.
Locate the major mountain ranges of the Eastern Ghats and include them in My Own Atlas.
Answer:

Question 9.
Locate the Nilgiri Hills and incorporate in My Own Atlas:
Answer:

Question 10.
Locate Mount Abu and incorporate ¡tin My Own Atlas.
Answer:

Question 11.
Which is the tributary flowing directly to River Ganga from the Central Highlands?
Answer:
Son River

Question 12.
Find out the tributaries of.River Yamuna originating from the Central Highlands.
Answer:
Chambal, Sindhu, Batwa, Ken

Question 13.
Locate the Chota Nagpur Plateau and incorporate it in My Own Atlas.
Answer:

Question 14.
Cool climate prevails over places such as Ooty, Kodaikanal and Wayanad in spite of being located in the tropical region. Why?
Answer:
Though areas like Ooty, Kodaikanal and Wayanad are located in the tropical region, they are located in the higher regions of the Western Ghats, and that is why they generally experience cold weather.

Question 15.
Try to understand the daily temperature characteristics of places like Hyderabad, Nagpur, Bengaluru, Mysuru etc.
Answer:

Hyderabad	• High daily temperatures • Summer heat and winter cold as a result of being located in the Deccan Mountains.
Nagpur	• Very high daily temperatures • Intense summer heat, and cold winters.
Bangalore, Mysore	• Moderate daily temperatures. • Moderate weather due to high altitude.

Question 16.
What is the reason for the very scanty of rainfall in the interior parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka during southwest monsoon?
Answer:
The southwest monsoon rainfall in the interior areas of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka is very low because these areas are the Rain shadow areas of the Western Ghats.

Question 17.
Identify the major east-flowing peninsular rivers and incorporate in My Own Atlas.
Answer:

Question 18.
Find out the tributaries of River Kaveri originating from Kerala
Answer:
Kabani, Bhavani

Question 19.
Find out the major rivers that originate from the Western Ghats and flow to the Arabian Sea through Kerala.
Answer:
Bharathapuzha, Chaliyar, Valapattanam river

Question 20.
Peninsular rivers are, in general, not navigable. Why?
Answer:

• While peninsular rivers generally have a very high flow of water during the monsoon, the water will be much less during the dry season. Due to this instability, water transport is difficult to integrate.
• Peninsular rivers are generally shallow, especially during droughts.
• Since peninsular rivers have large rocks and sandbars at the base, obstructing water transport.

Question 21.
Collect more information about multipurpose river valley projects.
Answer:
Multipurpose River Valley projects are projects that construct dams across a river for serving different purposes simultaneously. Flood control, irrigation, hydel-power generation, inland water transport, fishing and tourism are some of the main objectives of such projects.

Question 22.
Find out such river valley projects in Peninsular India.
Answer:

River Valley Project	River	State
Hirakud	Mahanadi	Gdisha
Thtmgabhadra	Thungabhadra (Tributary of Krishna)	Karnataka
Sardar Sarovai	Narmada	Gujarat
Krishna Raja Sagar	Kaveri	Karnataka
Nizam Sagar	Godavari	Andhra Pradesh

Question 23.
Which is the largest sugarcane producing state in India?
Answer:
Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of sugarcane in India.Maharashtra ranks first in the plateau area.

Question 24.
Find out the location of major mining regions from the map given below. List out the major minerals found in each state.

Answer:

States	Minerals
Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha	Coal, iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite and copper
Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra	Manganese, bauxite, limestone, marble, coal, mica, iron ore and graphite
Karnataka, adjoining parts of Tamil Nadu	Iron ore, bauxite and lignite
western Karnataka and Goa	Iron ore, clay
Aravali range in Rajasthan, adjoining parts of Gujarat	Copper, lead, zinc, uranium and mica

Question 25.
Prepare a map showing the distribution of major minerals and incorporate in My Own Atlas.
Answer:

Question 26.
Find out the major metropolitan cities in the Peninsular Plateau.
Answer:
Bangalore, Hyderabad

Question 27.
Mark and label the major cities in the map and incorporate in My Own Atlas.
Answer:

Plateau Where the Earth’s History Slumbers Class 9 Extended Activities

Question 1.
Mark and label the major mountain ranges, hills and plateau regions of the Peninsular Plateau in a map and prepare a chart.
Answer:

Question 2.
Prepare a map showing the major rivers of the Peninsular Plateau and display it in the classroom.
Answer:

Question 3.
Mark the major mining regions of the Peninsular Plateau in a map with appropriate symbols and display in the Social Science Lab.
Answer:

Question 4.
Find out the major industries in the Peninsular Plateau and analyse the role of mineral resources and agriculture in their distribution pattern.
Answer:
Major Industries in the Peninsular Plateau

Mining and Mineral Processing:

• The Peninsular Plateau is rich in minerals such as iron ore, manganese, bauxite, and limestone.
• Major mining regions include the Chota Nagpur Plateau, known for coal and iron ore, and the Bellary district in Karnataka for iron ore.
• These minerals support industries like steel, aluminium, and cement manufacturing.

Iron and Steel Industry.

• Steel plants are prominent in areas like Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), Rourkela (Odisha), and Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh).
• The availability of iron ore and coal in nearby regions makes these locations ideal for steel production.

Cement Industry

• The presence of abundant limestone deposits supports cement industries in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
• Key cement manufacturing hubs include Satna (Madhya Pradesh) and Ariyalur (Tamil Nadu).

Aluminum Industry.

• Bauxite reserves in Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand lead to the establishment of aluminum plants.
• Major centers include Koraput (Odisha) and Renukoot (Uttar Pradesh).

Textile Industry

• The plateau’s black soil region (Deccan Trap) is suitable for cotton cultivation, promoting textile industries in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
• Major textile centres include Mumbai, Surat, and Ahmedabad.

Automobile Industry

• Proximity to raw materials and a skilled workforce have led to the growth of automobile manufacturing in cities like Pune (Maharashtra) and Chennai (Tamil Nadu).

Role of Mineral Resources

Availability of Raw Materials:

• The distribution of industries is heavily influenced by the availability of minerals. Iron and steel plants are established near iron ore and coal deposits to minimise transportation costs.
• Cement industries are located near limestone deposits, while aluminum plants are situated close to bauxite reserves.

Economic Development

Mineral-rich areas often see economic development through the establishment of large-scale industries, providing employment and infrastructure development.

Role of Agriculture
Agricultural Resources

• The fertile black soil of the Deccan Plateau supports cotton farming, leading to the growth of the textile industry.
• Regions producing sugarcane, such as Maharashtra and Karnataka, have sugar mills and related industries.

Agro-based Industries

• The availability of agricultural produce supports food processing industries. For instance, rice mills are common in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu due to substantial paddy cultivation.

Supply of Raw Materials

• Agricultural raw materials like jute and cotton support the jute and textile industries, respectively.

Std 9 Geography Chapter 3 Notes Kerala Syllabus Extra Question Answer

Question 1.
What are the different types of plateaus, and where does the Peninsular Plateau fit in?
Answer:
Plateaus can be broadly divided into three types based on their location: intermontane plateaus, piedmont plateaus, and continental plateaus. Intermontane plateaus are surrounded by mountains, piedmont plateaus are situated at the base of mountain ranges, and continental plateaus are extensive flat landforms at higher elevations than their surroundings. The Peninsular Plateau is a continental plateau.

Question 2.
Describe the general characteristics and geographical extent of the Peninsular Plateau of India
Answer:
The Peninsular Plateau of India is a triangular-shaped physiographic unit occupying a major part of Peninsular India, with an average altitude of 600 to 900 meters above mean sea level. It is characterised by extensive table lands, bordering mountain ranges, shallow river valleys, and diverse flora and fauna. This plateau is one of the oldest landforms in the world and extends over 16 lakh sq. km, lying south of the North Indian Plain and bordered by the Western Ghats in the west and the Eastern Ghats in the east.

Question 3.
What is the average summer temperature in the Peninsular Plateau, and what temperature does the Deccan Plateau typically reach in March?
Answer:
Barring the mountain region, the average summer temperature in the Peninsular Plateau is more than 30° C, and the temperature at the Deccan Plateau generally touches 38°C in March.

Question 4.
How do most west-flowing peninsular rivers reach the Arabian Sea?
Answer:
Most west-flowing peninsular rivers originate from the western slopes of the Western Ghats and swiftly flow into the Arabian Sea through the western coastal plains.

Question 5.
What happens when the southwest monsoon winds reach the Maharashtra coast?
Answer:
When the southwest monsoon winds reach the Maharashtra coast, they enter the peninsula through the Narmada and Tapti river basins, causing moderate rainfall throughout Central India. The Chota Nagpur Plateau also receives a small amount of rainfall during this period.

Question 6.
What is a plateau? Define
Answer:
1. Plateau estimated that the almost triangularshaped physiographic unit occupying a major share of Peninsular India is at an average altitude of 600 to 900 metres above mean sea level.
2. This unique physical division in terms of physical diversities, such as extensive table lands with bordering mountain ranges and hills, comparatively shallow river valleys and diverse flora and fauna, is known as the Peninsular Plateau.
3. The Peninsular Plateau is one of the oldest landforms in the world.
4. Plateaus are relatively flat and very extensive landforms situated at comparatively higher elevations than the surroundings.
5. Based on their location, plateaus can be broadly divided into three kinds.

• Intermontane plateaus
• Piedmont plateaus
•  Continental plateaus

6. The Peninsular Plateau lies south of the North Indian Plain, bordered by the Western Ghats in the west and the Eastern Ghats in the east.
7. This landform extends over 16 lakh sq. km

Question 7.
Where does the name Deccan originate from?
Answer:
The term ‘Deccan’ has been derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Dakshin’, meaning ‘the South’.

Question 8.
Describe the Formation of the Deccan Plateau
Answer:
The Deccan Plateau is made up of crystalline rocks, like basalt, granite and gneiss, formed by the lava flows millions of years ago.

Question 9.
Prepare a description of the Deccan Plateau
Answer:

• The term ‘Deccan’ has been derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Dakshin’, meaning ‘the South’.
• The Deccan Plateau is the extensive plateau to the south of the Satpura ranges between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.
• The Deccan Plateau is made up of crystalline rocks, like basalt, granite and gneiss, formed by the lava flows millions of years ago.
• The northwestern part of the Deccan Plateau is composed of lava. rocks called basalt. This region is called as Deccan Trap.
• The black soil formed by the weathering of basalt rocks is the peculiarity of this region. This soil is also known as Regur soil.
• Being highly fertile and with more water retaining capacity, it protects agricultural crops even in summer.This soil is also called as Black cotton soil.
• It is very useful for cotton cultivation.
• Minerals like lime, iron, magnesium and aluminium are characteristics of Regur soil.
• The Sahyaparvata range, situated in the eastern region of Kerala, exerts a significant influence on our climate, biodiversity, and the life of people.
• This mountain range, extending for about 1600 km from Kanyakumari in the south to the state of Gujarat in the north, is commonly known as the Western Ghats.
• The mountain range is the western edge of the Deccan Plateau.
• Anamudi ( 2695 metres), the highest peak in. Peninsular India, is located in Anamalai of the Western Ghats.
• The Western Ghat ranges, known as Anamalai and Elamalai in Kerala, are called as the Nilgiris in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and the Sahyadri in Maharashtra.
• Dodabetta (2637 metres) in Nilgiris of Tamil Nadu is another major peak in this region.
• The total extent of the Eastern Ghats is about 800 km from the Mahanadi banks in Odisha to the Nilgiri ranges in Tamil Nadu.
• The hills in this area are comparatively lower in height compared to the Western Ghats range.
• The east-flowing peninsular rivers cut across the Eastern Ghats, breaking the continuity of these ranges and flowing over the eastern coastal plains.
• The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats join at the Nilgiri Hills.

Question 10.
Describe the features of the central highlands
Answer:

• Central Highlands are the extensive plateau region that lies to the north of Satpura ranges.
• The Aravali mountains are on the western margin of this table land known as the Malwa Plateau.
• Mount Abu, a major hill station, is in the Aravali ranges.
• Mount Abu is the highest peak in the Malwa Plateau.
• The plateau region along the eastern part of the Central Highlands is the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
• This plateau, situated at the south of Rajmahal Hills, is the richest storehouse of minerals.
• Metallic minerals such as iron ore, copper etc and non-metallic minerals such as limestone and coal make this region mineral rich
• The major economic activities in this region are mining and mineral-based industries.

Question 11.
Which is the most commonly experienced climatic category in the peninsular plateau?
Answer:

• The Peninsular Plateau generally experiences a tropical monsoon climate.
• But there is considerable variation in temperature and rainfall.

Question 12.
What are the factors influencing the climate of the peninsular plateau?
Answer:
The major factors influencing the climate of the Peninsular Plateau.

• Tropical location
• The peculiar shape of the Peninsula
• Distance from the ocean
• Orientation of mountain ranges
• Direction of Monsoon winds

Question 13.
In the interior of the plateau, the diurnal range of temperature increases greatly in winter. what is the reason for this?
Answer:
Barring the mountain region, the average summer temperature in the Peninsular Plateau is more than 30 Degree Celsius. Temperature at the Deccan Plateau generally touches 38 Degree Celsius in March.

Question 14.
what is Diurnal Rane of Temperature
Answer:
Diurnal range of temperature is the difference between the maximum temperature and minimum temperature recorded at a particular place in a day.

Question 15.
Define Rain Shadow Region?
Answer:
The winds descending along the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats are dry; the plateau regions situated close to the eastern slopes receive very less amount of rainfall (less than 50 cm ). Such regions are termed as Rain shadow regions.

Question 16.
Where do the peninsular rivers that reach the Gangas originate from?
Answer:

• The rivers originating from the Malwa Plateau flowing northward either to join River Yamuna or directly to River Ganga.
• Some of the important rivers are Chambal, Son, Ken, Batwa and Indus.
• In India, peninsular rivers are utilized for various projects like power generation, tourism, etc.

River valley projects in the Peninsular India.

River Valley Project	River	State
Hirakud	Mahanadi	Gdisha
Thtmgabhadra	Thungabhadra (Tributary of Krishna)	Karnataka
Sardar Sarovai	Narmada	Gujarat
Krishna Raja Sagar	Kaveri	Karnataka
Nizam Sagar	Godavari	Andhra Pradesh

Question 17.
Why are the peninsular rivers flowing north called peninsular tributaries of the Ganges?
Answer:
The peninsular rivers of the Ganges are called tributaries because all the peninsular rivers flowing north join the Ganges or the Yamuna.

Question 18.
What are the divisions of peninsular drainage?
Answer:
1. The general slope of the Peninsular Plateau is from west to east
2. The highest part of this plateau is the Western Ghats.
3. The Western Ghats is the major water divide in Peninsular India.
4. The Western Ghats, the mountain ranges of the Central Highlands and the Aravali ranges extending up to the Delhi ridges divide the peninsular drainage into three:

• The peninsular rivers flowing eastwards into the Bay of Bengal
• The Peninsular rivers flowing westwards into the Arabian Sea.
• Rivers that flow northwards to join Yamuna and Ganga.

Question 19.
Which rivers flow eastward on the peninsular plateau?
Answer:

• Most of the east-flowing peninsular rivers originate from the Western Ghats.
• Peninsular rivers are more seasonal in their flow.
• The water flow decreases during summer and overflows during monsoons.

River Valley Project	River	State
Hirakud	Mahanadi	Gdisha
Thtmgabhadra	Thungabhadra (Tributary of Krishna)	Karnataka
Sardar Sarovai	Narmada	Gujarat
Krishna Raja Sagar	Kaveri	Karnataka
Nizam Sagar	Godavari	Andhra Pradesh

• Godavari is the largest peninsular river.
• This river, having 1465 km in length and with a 3.13 lakh sq. km catchment area, is also called Dakshin Ganga.
• Rivers Krishna and Kaveri are the second and the third largest peninsular rivers.

Question 20.
What are the important natural vegetation groups found on the peninsular plateau?
Answer:
The natural vegetation of a region is in accordance with the physiography and climate of that region

Question 21.
What are the subdivisions of tropical deciduous forests?
Answer:

• These are the most widespread natural forests in the Peninsular Plateau.
• This vegetation is generally confined to the regions receiving 70 to 200 cm of annual rainfall.

Question 22.
What is the most widespread natural forest in the peninsular plateau?
Answer:
Tropical Deciduous Forest

Question 23.
Where are the shola forests found on the peninsular plateau?
Answer:
Tropical Thorn Forests

• This type of vegetation is common along the regions with high temperatures and an annual rainfall below 75 cm .
• Short trees are seen. Acacia, euphorbia, date palms, a few varieties of grass, etc, are the common ones. The semi-arid regions of Maharashtra and Karnataka to the east of the Western Ghats and the dry regions of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu have this type of vegetation.

Question 24.
Where are the forests that are included in the category of Southern Mountain Forests located?
Answer:
Southern Montane Forests

• The vegetation along the higher reaches of the plateau, such as the Western Ghats, Vindhya ranges, the Nilgiri Hills, etc, are included
• The places situated above 1500 metres have temperate vegetation, below which sub-tropical vegetation is seen.
• The subtropical vegetation along the Nilgiris, Palani, Anamalai, etc, are called as Shola forests.

Question 25.
What is the peculiarity of the soil found in the peninsular plateau?
Answer:
Most of the soil types found in the Peninsular Plateau are in-situ soils.

Question 26.
What are the main soil types found in the peninsular plateau?
Answer:
The main Soil types found here are Black Soil, Red Soil, Laterite Soil, and Mountain Soil.
Black Soil

• Black soil is formed in the north-western part of the Deccan Plateau by the weathering of the lava rock Basalt.
• Black soils are found mainly in the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and partly in Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

Red Soil

• Red soil is formed by the weathering of very old crystalline metamorphic rocks of the Peninsular Plateau.
• In some places, it also appears in brown, grey and yellow colours.
• The red colour is mainly due to the presence of a considerable quantity of iron in this soil.

Laterite Soil

• Laterite soil is formed as a result of the leaching of minerals such as silica and lime from the soil at places experiencing alternating periods of heavy rain and drought.
• Laterite soil is mainly found along the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats, the Rajmahal Hills, the Vindhya and Satpura mountains and the Malwa Plateau.
• Through fertilisation it is used extensively for plantation crops such as tea, coffee, rubber and arecanut.

Mountain Soil

• In South India, mountain soil is seen along the Western and the Eastern Ghats.
• This soil is suitable for plantation crops, especially tea, coffee, spices and tropical fruits in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Question 27.
Make a note about black soil
Answer:
Black Soil

• Black soil is formed in the north-western part of the Deccan Plateau by the weathering of the lava rock Basalt.
• Black soils are found mainly in the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and partly in Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

Question 28.
Where is lateral soil found? What are the features?
Answer:
Laterite Soil

• Laterite soil is formed as a result of the leaching of minerals such as silica and lime from the soil at places experiencing alternating periods of heavy rain and drought.
• Laterite soil is mainly found along the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats, the Rajmahal Hills, the Vindhya and Satpura mountains and the Malwa Plateau.
• Through fertilisation it is used extensively for plantation crops such as tea, coffee, rubber and arecanut.

Question 29.
What are the main crops cultivated in mountainous soils in South India?
Answer:
Mountain Soil

• In South India, mountain soil is seen along the Western and the Eastern Ghats.
• This soil is suitable for plantation crops, especially tea, coffee, spices and tropical fruits in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Question 30.
Prepare a description of agriculture on the peninsular plateau
Answer:

• The plateau regions are not suitable for agriculture when compared to the plains.
• The main crops are rice, wheat, cotton, sugarcane, tobacco and plantation crops such as coffee and tea.
• Due to inferior topography, fluvial eroded surface soil, steep slopes, the thickness of topsoil, exposed rocks and frequent hills, cultivation is not possible in all parts of the plateau.
• Plantation crops dominate in the Western Ghats.
• Tea and coffee plantations are common in the Nilgiris.
• Paddy is also being cultivated here by making hill terraces.

Question 31.
Why is it said that the peninsular region is suited for sugarcane cultivation?
Answer:
1. The most favourable condition for sugarcane cultivation persists in the Deccan Plateau region even though the Northern Plains dominates in the area of cultivation.
2. Favourable Conditions for sugarcane cultivation :

• Black lava soil in the Deccan Plateau
• Tropical climate and long crushing season
• Comparatively high sucrose content in the tropical variety of sugarcane

Question 32.
Prepare a note about cotton cultivation
Answer:

• Cotton cultivation in Peninsular India begins in the month of October and is harvested from January to May.
• It is essential to have seven frost-free months in the early growing period.
• Cotton requires 21 Degrees Celsius to 30 Degrees Celsius of temperature and 50 to 100 cm annual rainfall.
• But cotton is also cultivated in low rainfall areas with the help of irrigation.
• The black soil in the Deccan-Malwa Plateau region is the most suited for cotton cultivation.
• Gujarat is the leading producer in India, followed by Maharashtra.

Question 33.
Which state is the leading producer of coffee in India?
Answer:
Karnataka

Question 34.
Which state is the leading producer of Cotton in India?
Answer:
Gujarat

Question 35.
Which Plateau is termed as the heartland of minerals?
Answer:
Chota Nagpur Plateau

Question 36.
What are the different mineral zones of the peninsular plateau?
Answer:
Based on the availability of mineral resources, the Peninsular Plateau can be divided into different mineral zones:

Northeastern Plateau Region

• The Chotanagpur- Odisha plateau region is the largest mineral belt.
• This region spreads over Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha.
• Minerals such as coal, iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite and copper are being mined in this region.

Central Region

• Minerals such as manganese, bauxite, limestone, marble, coal, mica, iron ore and graphite are largely obtained from the central region.
• This region spreads over Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Southern Region

• Minerals such as iron ore, bauxite and lignite are seen along this region which spreads over the Karnataka Plateau and the adjoining parts of Tamil Nadu.

Southwestern Region

• Iron ore, clay, etc., are largely obtained from this region, which spreads over western Karnataka and Goa.

Northwestern Region

• The Aravali range in Rajasthan and the adjoining parts of Gujarat are rich in copper, lead, zinc, uranium and mica.

Question 36.
Which is the largest mineral belt?
Answer:
Chotanagpur- Odisha plateau region

Question 37.
Which minerals are seen in the Northwestern Region?
Answer:
Iron ore, clay, etc., are largely obtained from this region, which spreads over western Karnataka and Goa.

Question 38.
Write a note about Central Region
Answer:
Central Region

• Minerals such as manganese, bauxite, limestone, marble, coal, mica, iron ore and graphite are largely obtained from the central region.
• This region spreads over Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Question 39.
Why are Human settlements in the Peninsular Plateau limited?
Answer:
Human settlements in the Peninsular Plateau were limited due to non-arable topography and continental climate.

Question 40.
What are the reasons for the increasing population in the peninsular plateau?
Answer:

• The Peninsular Plateau is moderately populated.
• Human settlements in the Peninsular Plateau were limited due to non-arable topography and continental climate.
• With the beginning of mining activities, the development of road-rail networks and the emergence of mineral-based industries people were attracted to the plateau.
• The scope of commercial agriculture based on irrigation and technological possibilities also led to an increase in population.
• Gradually, the state capitals, as well as the mining and industrial centres, grew into larger urban centres.