Geographical Diversity of India Class 7 Question Answer SST Chapter 1

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Class 7 SST Chapter 1 Geographical Diversity of India Question Answer

Class 7 Social Science Chapter 1 Geographical Diversity of India Question Answer

Geographical Diversity of India Class 7 Questions and Answers

The Big Questions (Page No.1)

Question 1.
What are some key geographical features of India?
Answer:
The key geographical features of India are as follows-

• India is the seventh-largest country in the World and a part of Asia.
• India and its neighbouring countries form a large region known as the Indian subcontinent.
• In India, the Himalayan mountain range in the north, the Thar Desert and the Arabian Sea in the west, the Indian Ocean in the south, and the Bay of Bengal in the east serve as natural barriers.

Question 2.
How does India’s geographical diversity affect our lives?
Answer:
India’s geographical diversity affects our lives as follows :

• Effect on climate: The Himalayas block cold winds and influence monsoon rainfall.
• Effect on agriculture-Agriculture flourishes in the fertile lands of the northern plains, while agriculture is limited in the desert and mountainous regions.
• Effect on economic activities-Mining is prominent in the plateau regions, fishing in the coastal areas, and agriculture in the plains.
• Effect on water availability-Water is available in sufficient quantities in the Gangetic Plains, plateau regions, and coastal areas of India, but in the desert regions, people face many problems due to water scarcity. Women often have to travel long distances every day to fetch water for their families.

Let’s Explore (Page No. 3)

Question 1.
Do you recall your lesson on latitudes and longitudes? Look at the map. Can you read, approximately, the latitude and longitude where India lies?
Answer:
Yes, I recall my lesson on latitudes and longitudes. India lies approximately between 8°N to 37°N latitude and 68°E to 97°E longitude.

Let’s Explore (Page No. 6)

Question 1.
Can you locate the names of the states in the different parts of the Himalayas? Take the help of both the physical and political maps for this exercise.
Answer:
The Indian Himalayan region extends across 13 Indian states/union territories (Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal).

Let’s Explore (Page No. 11)

Question 1.
Notice the concentration of lighting in the plains. What could be the reason for this concentration?
Answer:
The population density in plains is higher than in other regions, and due to the extensive transportation network, buildings, and abundance of other construction materials, sunlight is absorbed and concentrated there.

Let’s Explore (Page No. 19)

Question 1.
Look at the physical map of India in your school atlas or wall map and find the names of five rivers that flow into the Bay of Bengal. Find out India’s coastal states and discuss the difference between the western and eastern coastal plains.
Answer:
Five rivers flowing into the Bay of Bengal:

1. Godavari,
2. Mahanadi,
3. Krishna,
4. Kaveri, and
5. Subamarekha River.

Coastal states of India: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal.

Major differences between the western and eastern coastal plains of India-
1. The main difference between the western and eastern coastal plains of India is that the western coastal plain stretches from Gujarat to Kerala along the Arabian Sea, while the eastern coastal plain extends from the Ganges Delta to Kanyakumari along the Bay of Bengal.

2. The rivers of the western coastal plains (such as Narmada and Tapti) are short and drain into the Arabian Sea, while the rivers of the eastern coastal plains (such as Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, and Mahanadi) are larger and form deltas.

3. The western coastal plains are characterized by narrow creeks and estuaries, while the eastern coastal plains have broad plains and fertile deltas.

Question 2.
Do you know what it is called when these rivers split into multiple streams near the coast? Discuss with your teacher in class to find out!
Answer:
When rivers divide into multiple streams near their banks, this process is called ‘distributaries,’ and the resulting land form is called a ‘delta.’

Class 7 Geographical Diversity of India Question Answer

Questions and Activities

Question 1.
What, in your opinion, are two important geographical features of India? Why do you think they are important?
Answer:
India is a vast and diverse country with many geographical features. Two of the most important of these features are the following-
1. The Himalayan mountain range-The Himalayas stand as a massive natural barrier in the north of India. They prevent cold winds from entering India and influence the monsoon rains. The rivers originating from the Himalayas (Ganges, Indus, and Brahmaputra) provide water, fertile soil, and sustenance to millions of people, which is why the Himalayas are also called the ‘Water Tower of Asia’.

2. The Gangetic Plains (Northern Plains)-Rivers originating in the Himalayas enrich the soil of this plain with minerals. This land is extremely fertile and flat, which is ideal for agriculture and supports a large population. Transportation and trade are also facilitated here through roads, railways, and waterways.

Both of the above-mentioned characteristics are important because they have profoundly influenced the country’s climate, agriculture, lifestyle, and culture, and have played a significant role in shaping our civilization.

Question 2.
What do you think India might have looked like if the Himalayas did not exist? Write a short note or sketch a drawing to express your imagination.
Answer:
If the Himalayas did not exist, cold winds from the north would spread across India, making the climate extremely cold. The monsoon winds would pass unchecked towards the north, resulting in very little rainfall, and most of the country would become arid and desert-like. The rivers originating from the Himalayas (Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra, etc.) would not exist, making agriculture and life very difficult.

The Himalayas have not only shaped India’s climate, rivers, and agriculture, but they also serve as a natural barrier protecting the country’s civilization and culture. Therefore, it is clear that without the Himalayas, the climate, agriculture, water resources, natural beauty, and civilization of India would be completely different.

Question 3.
India has been called a ‘mini-continent’. Based on what you’ve read, why do you think this is so?
Answer:
India is called a small continent for the following reasons –

• Expansion and Diversity-India’s land area is very vast, and it has all types of geographical features like mountains, plateaus, plains, deserts, coastal areas, islands, etc.
• Natural Barriers-The Himalayas in the north, the Thar Desert and the Arabian Sea in the west, the Indian Ocean in the south, and the Bay of Bengal in the east make India an independent geographical entity.
• Cultural and Physical Diversity-There is huge diversity in climate, soil, vegetation, language, culture, and lifestyle.

(iv) Independent and Geographical Identity-Due to its geographical structure, natural boundaries, and diverse resources, India is called a small continent.

Question 4.
Follow one of India’s big rivers from where it starts to where it meets the ocean. What are the different ways in which people might utilise this river along its journey? Discuss in groups in your class.
Answer:
To answer the above question, we can take the example of the Ganges River, which is a major river in India. The Ganges River originates from the Gangotri Glacier near Goumukh in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand and flows through Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal before draining into the Bay of Bengal.

Various ways to utilise river-

• It forms delta in West Bengal along with other rivers. It supports flora and fauna in the Sundarbans.
• In Uttarakhand, the river provides water for hydroelectric power and has sacred sites like Gangotri and Haridwar for pilgrims and tourists.
• In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, it supports irrigation and fishing. Major religious cities like Varanasi and Prayagraj are located on its banks.

Question 5.
Why is the southern part of India referred to as a peninsular plateau?
Answer:
The southern part of India is referred to as a peninsular plateau because it is surrounded by water on three sides by the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean.

Question 6.
Which UNESCO Heritage Site mentioned in this chapter did you find more interesting? Write a short paragraph to describe what about it is interesting.
Answer:
The UNESCO-recognized heritage sites mentioned in this chapter are the Great Himalayan National Park, Jaisalmer Fort, the Western Ghats, and the Sundarbans National Park. We found all the above-mentioned heritage sites interesting, and a brief description of their interesting facts is given below-

• Great Himalayan National Park- Located in Himachal Pradesh, this national park is home to a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna. The biodiversity of the park is being preserved by the government as well as the village communities that live inside the park.
• Jaisalmer Fort-This fort, located in Rajasthan, is made of yellow sandstone, due to which it appears yellow in sunlight.
• Western Ghat-Western Ghat are home to many rivers and have a rich biodiversity. The northern portion of the Western Ghats are also known as the Sahyadri Hills.
• Sundarbans National Park-The world’s largest mangrove forest is found in the Sundarbans National Park, located in the state of West Bengal. The Sundarbans are home to many species, including the Royal Bengal Tiger. (Note: Students should describe one place of their choice, according to their interests.)

Question 7.
Look at the two maps of India, physical as well as political, given at the end of this book. Identify the place you are at now. Which physical feature of India would you use to describe its location?
Answer:
I live in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. To describe this place, I can use the physical features of India, “Great Indian Desert” or “Thar Desert.” Similar to the conditions of the Thar Desert, the daytime temperatures here are extremely high, and the nights are cold. Water scarcity poses many serious problems. Women have to travel long distances daily to obtain water. Note: Students may use any physical feature of India to describe their region in a similar way.

Question 8.
Food preservation techniques differ from place to place across India. They are adapted to local conditions. Do a class project. Gather different methods of preserving food. Hint: Drying vegetables when they are in season for use during the off-season.
Answer:
In India, various local methods of food preservation are adopted depending on the climatic and geographical conditions. These methods depend on the needs and environment of each region and make people’s lives simple and balanced.

The following are the main methods of food preservation according to local conditions-

• Drying in hilly and arid regions, seasonal vegetables such as fenugreek, spinach, eggplant, potatoes, etc., are dried and preserved for use in other seasons.
• Pickling-In Rajasthan, Gujarat, and North India, fruits and vegetables are pickled in oil, salt, and spices to make pickles. This preserves for a long time.
• Grain Storage-In rural areas, grains are stored in earthen pots or chambers to protect them from moisture and insects.
• Other Local Methods-In coastal areas, fish is dried and preserved, and in mountainous regions, milk is preserved by making ghee, butter, and cheese.

Question 9.
Despite having such different regions (mountains, deserts, plains, coasts), India remains one country. How do you think our geography has helped unite people?
Answer:
India is a vast and diverse country with a diverse geographical landscape, including mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, coastal areas, islands, and many other features. Despite these diversities, the people of India are united because India’s geographical location and natural diversity have fostered unity, cooperation, and a shared natural identity, as discussed in the following points—

• Although the climate, language, food, and clothing vary across India’s various geographical regions, these diversities have enriched and unified the country’s culture.
• Rivers, plains, and mountains are integral to the lives of all Indians, and their water, food, and mineral resources have made people interdependent.
• The plains and coastal regions have facilitated trade, transportation, and communication, keeping people from different parts of India connected.
• The Himalayas protect the northern border, rivers connect the country, and the oceans connect India to the world. All these make India a unified geographical entity.