Major Landforms of the World
Delhi Police & SSC Exams Preparation
1. Introduction
The Earth's surface is not uniform — it consists of high mountains, vast plateaus, and wide plains. These are known as major landforms, shaped by both internal (endogenic) and external (exogenic) forces over millions of years.
Key Concepts:
- Mountains: High elevations with steep slopes
- Plateaus: Elevated flat-topped areas
- Plains: Wide flat or gently rolling areas
- Forces: Internal and external geological processes
Significance:
Understanding Earth's diverse surface features and their formation processes
Exam Trick: "Landforms = Land + Form → How the land looks!"
2. Types of Landforms
Mountains
High elevations with steep slopes
Plateaus
Elevated flat-topped areas
Plains
Wide flat or gently rolling areas
3. Formation of Landforms
| Process Type | Force | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Endogenic (Internal) | From inside Earth — earthquakes, volcanoes | Himalayas, Deccan Plateau |
| Exogenic (External) | By weathering, erosion, deposition | Deltas, plains, valleys |
Exam Trick: "Endo = Inside, Exo = Outside"
4. Mountains
Characteristics:
- Definition: Natural elevations with steep slopes and significant height
- Coverage: About 27% of Earth's land area
- Features: Home to rivers and biodiversity zones
- Formation: Tectonic activity and volcanic processes
Importance:
Storehouse of biodiversity and forest resources
Source of rivers and mineral resources
Tourist attraction and adventure sites
5. Types of Mountains
| Type | How They Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fold Mountains | Formed when tectonic plates collide and fold | Himalayas, Alps, Andes |
| Block Mountains | Formed by faulting — blocks of Earth rise or fall | Vosges (France), Sierra Nevada (USA) |
| Volcanic Mountains | Formed by volcanic eruptions | Mt. Fuji (Japan), Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) |
| Residual Mountains | Remains of old eroded mountains | Aravalli (India), Nilgiri Hills |
Exam Trick: "FBVR → Fold, Block, Volcanic, Residual"
6. Plateaus
Key Features:
- Definition: Elevated flat-topped areas rising sharply above surrounding land
- Nickname: Often called "Tablelands"
- Surface: Flat or gently sloping top
- Formation: Uplift or volcanic activity
- Distribution: Found on every continent
Importance:
Rich in minerals (coal, iron, manganese)
Fertile for agriculture (black soil)
Hydroelectric potential due to waterfalls
7. Types of Plateaus
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Intermontane | Between mountain ranges | Tibetan Plateau |
| Piedmont | At the foot of mountains | Plateau of Patagonia |
| Volcanic | Formed by lava flow | Deccan Plateau |
| Continental | Formed by uplift of landmass | Chotanagpur Plateau |
Exam Trick: "I PVC → Intermontane, Piedmont, Volcanic, Continental"
8. Plains
Characteristics:
- Definition: Large, flat or gently rolling areas of low elevation
- Formation: Deposition of sediments by rivers, wind, or glaciers
- Location: Found along river basins or coastal areas
- Soil: Highly fertile and productive
- Population: Densely populated regions
Importance:
Best for agriculture and food production
Favorable for settlements and industries
Easy transport and communication networks
9. Types of Plains
| Type | Formation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Structural Plains | Formed by uplifted or warped crust | Great Plains (USA) |
| Depositional Plains | Formed by river or wind deposition | Indo-Gangetic Plains (India) |
| Erosional Plains | Formed by weathering & erosion of highlands | Plains of Australia |
Exam Trick: "SDE → Structural, Depositional, Erosional"
10. Major Landforms of Each Continent
| Continent | Major Mountains | Major Plateaus | Major Plains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | Himalayas | Tibetan Plateau | Indo-Gangetic Plains |
| Africa | Atlas, Drakensberg | East African Plateau | Nile Plains |
| Europe | Alps, Pyrenees | Central Plateau | Great European Plains |
| North America | Rockies, Appalachians | Colorado Plateau | Mississippi Plains |
| South America | Andes | Brazilian Highlands | Pampas Plains |
| Australia | Great Dividing Range | Western Plateau | Nullarbor Plains |
| Antarctica | Trans-Antarctic Mountains | Polar Plateau | Ice-covered plains |
Exam Trick: "Asia → Himalaya King, Africa → Plateau Queen"
11. Comparison of Mountains, Plateaus, and Plains
| Feature | Mountains | Plateaus | Plains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height | Very high | Moderately high | Low |
| Surface | Steep & rugged | Flat top | Flat or gently sloping |
| Population | Low | Moderate | High |
| Formation | Folding, faulting, volcanoes | Uplift, lava flow | Deposition |
| Example | Himalayas | Deccan Plateau | Ganga Plains |
Exam Trick: "Height ↓ → Population ↑ (as we go from mountains → plains)"
PYQs (Delhi Police, SSC & State Exams)
The Himalayas are an example of —
Options: (a) Fold Mountains (b) Block Mountains (c) Volcanic Mountains (d) Residual Mountains
Category: Mountain Types
Show Answer
Fold Mountains
The Deccan Plateau is an example of a —
Options: (a) Intermontane Plateau (b) Volcanic Plateau (c) Continental Plateau (d) Structural Plateau
Category: Plateau Types
Show Answer
Volcanic Plateau
The Aravalli Range is an example of —
Options: (a) New Fold Mountains (b) Residual Mountains (c) Volcanic Mountains (d) Block Mountains
Category: Mountain Classification
Show Answer
Residual Mountains
Which of the following is a depositional plain?
Options: (a) Indo-Gangetic Plain (b) Tibetan Plateau (c) Deccan Plateau (d) Alps
Category: Plain Formation
Show Answer
Indo-Gangetic Plain
Final Exam Tips
Himalayas = Fold Mountains
Deccan = Volcanic Plateau
Aravalli = Residual Mountain
Tibet = Roof of the World
Indo-Gangetic = Depositional Plain
Plains = Densely populated regions
Endogenic = Internal forces
Exogenic = External forces
Super Memory Trick: "HDP Rule → Himalaya, Deccan,
Plains → High, Middle, Low"
Master Geography for Delhi Police Exam!
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