Friday, May 7, 2010

Geography of India

India is divided in to 28 states with six union territories. The country is bordered by Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives.India geography is a motley of hills, plateaus, mountains, rivers, deserts, and rainforests. So you will find different weathers, climates, which ultimately influence cultures and traditions.

To begin from the North – India takes pride in presenting the world with the highest mountain peaks K2 that is currently in the disputed area between Pakistan and India. In the undisputed area of Kashmir, Kanchanjunga which is at 28,208 feet is the highest peak. Further down the Thar Desert and other dry lands in Rajasthan are encountered. Towards the Southern tip lush green lands are visible.

The geography and climate of India are interrelated. It is due to the geography of a particular region it faces a particular type of climate. For instance the North experiences glaciers and extreme winter, yet the winds that blow towards them are blocked by the Himalayan ranges making the climate bearable. Extreme climates are faced in the dry regions of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Eastern states. But towards Maharashtra the climate is neither too hot nor too cold, due to the coastal lining. Similar is the climate throughout the coastal regions from Kerala, to Tamil Nadu to West Bengal.

The variations in the geography India are visible when one travels to the different parts of the country. It affects food habits, living conditions and occupations. The vegetables and fruits that grow too are all dependant on the geographical conditions. For instance fruits grow well in cold climates, hence apples from Himachal Pradesh and Simla are very much in demand. Coconut is everywhere in the South, hence for any dish that requires coconut, Southern products are only demanded.

But this was not the situation in ancient time. The geography of ancient India has changed since then. There were many rivers that flowed through the country making the soil fertile. Some of the gigantic ones were Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra. Towns became cities that developed on the banks of the river and helped prosperity. However these rivers have thinned in their flow since the centuries past.

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