Previous Year Questions Asked In Mains From This Topic
- Briefly mention the alignment of major mountain ranges of the world and explain their impact on local weather conditions, with examples. [2021]
- How do ocean currents and water masses differ in their impacts on marine life and coastal environment ? Give suitable examples. [2019]
- Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics. [2018]
- What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystem ? [2018]
- How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth ? [2017]
- Account for variations in oceanic salinity and discuss its multi-dimensional effects. [2017]
- What characteristics can be assigned to monsoon climate that succeeds in feeding more than 50 percent of the world population residing in Monsoon Asia ? [2017]
- Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes. [2016]
- South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment. [2016]
- Explain the factors responsible for the origin of ocean currents. How do they influence regional climates, fishing and navigation? [2015]
- Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the EI-Nino effect. Do you agree ? [2014]
- Why are the world’s fold mountain systems located along the margins of continents ? Bring out the association global distribution of fold mountains and the earthquakes and volcanoes. [2014]
- Explain the formation of thousands of islands in Indonesian and Philippines archipelagos. [2014]
- Tropical cyclones are largely confined to South China Sea, Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mexico. Why? [2014]
- What do you understand by the theory of continental drift? Discuss the prominent evidences in its support. [2013]
- What do you understand by the phenomenon of temperature inversion in meteorology? How does it affect the weather and the habitants of the place? [2013]
- Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 degree north and on the western side of the continents. Why? [2013]
Salient Features Of World’s Physical Geography
The world’s physical geography encompasses a wide range of features that define the Earth’s natural environment. Here are some salient features:
Continents: The Earth is divided into seven continents—Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America, Australia, and South America—which are large land masses with distinct geographical characteristics.
Oceans and Seas: The world’s major oceans include the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean. These vast bodies of saltwater play a crucial role in shaping global climate patterns and supporting diverse marine ecosystems.
Mountain Ranges: The world is home to numerous mountain ranges, including the Himalayas, Andes, Rockies, Alps, and the Great Dividing Range. These towering landforms are formed through tectonic activity and serve as natural barriers, influencing weather patterns and providing habitat for unique flora and fauna.
Plateaus: Plateaus are large elevated landforms characterized by relatively flat surfaces, such as the Tibetan Plateau, Deccan Plateau, and Colorado Plateau. They often have steep cliffs or escarpments and are essential for agriculture, mineral resources, and human settlements.
Rivers: Major rivers like the Nile, Amazon, Ganges, Yangtze, and Mississippi, among others, traverse the world’s continents, shaping landscapes, providing water resources for human activities, and supporting diverse ecosystems.
Deserts: Deserts, such as the Sahara, Gobi, and Atacama, are arid regions characterized by sparse vegetation and low precipitation. They are formed due to factors like geographical location, atmospheric circulation patterns, and the rain shadow effect.
Rainforests: Rainforests, like the Amazon Rainforest and the Congo Basin, are dense, biodiverse ecosystems found near the equator. They are characterized by high rainfall, lush vegetation, and support a wide variety of plant and animal species.
Tundra: The tundra is a cold, treeless biome found in the Earth’s northernmost regions, including parts of Alaska, Canada, and Russia. It is characterized by permanently frozen subsoil (permafrost), low temperatures, and sparse vegetation.
Volcanoes: Volcanoes are natural vents in the Earth’s crust through which molten rock, gases, and ash are expelled. They form mountain-like structures and are often associated with geologically active regions, such as the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Coastal Features: The world’s coastlines exhibit a variety of features, including bays, cliffs, headlands, beaches, estuaries, and deltas. These dynamic coastal environments are influenced by waves, tides, currents, and erosion processes.
These features of the world’s physical geography interact and contribute to the Earth’s overall environmental diversity, climate patterns, and the distribution of ecosystems. They play a vital role in shaping the planet’s natural systems and provide habitats for a wide range of plant and animal life.
