Important Mountains, Rivers, and Plateaus of the World
World Geography – Exam Preparation
Introduction: Earth’s Majestic Landforms
The Earth’s surface is full of diverse landforms — from towering mountains to mighty rivers and vast plateaus.
These features shape climate, vegetation, and human settlement.
Major Mountain Ranges of the World
| Mountain Range | Continent | Highest Peak | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Himalayas | Asia | Mount Everest (8,848 m) | Youngest fold mountains; “Roof of World” |
| Andes | South America | Aconcagua (6,962 m) | Longest range (~7,000 km) |
| Rockies | North America | Mount Elbert (4,401 m) | Backbone of North America |
| Alps | Europe | Mont Blanc (4,808 m) | Switzerland; tourism |
| Atlas | Africa | Toubkal (4,165 m) | Sahara vs Mediterranean |
| Ural | Europe–Asia | Narodnaya (1,895 m) | Europe-Asia division |
| Great Dividing | Australia | Kosciuszko (2,228 m) | Australia’s main range |
| Drakensberg | Africa (South) | Thabana Ntlenyana (3,482 m) | S. Africa’s highest |
Famous Peaks of the World
| Peak | Location | Height (m) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Everest | Nepal–China | 8,848 | Highest peak |
| K2 (Godwin Austen) | Pakistan–China | 8,611 | Second highest peak |
| Kangchenjunga | India–Nepal | 8,586 | Highest in India |
| Mount McKinley (Denali) | USA | 6,194 | N.America’s highest |
| Mount Kilimanjaro | Tanzania | 5,895 | Africa’s highest, volcanic |
| Mount Elbrus | Russia | 5,642 | Europe’s highest |
| Mount Aconcagua | Argentina | 6,962 | S.America highest |
| Mount Kosciuszko | Australia | 2,228 | Australia’s highest |
| Vinson Massif | Antarctica | 4,892 | Antarctica’s highest |
Major Rivers of the World
| River | Continent | Length (km) | Flows Through / Into |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nile | Africa | 6,650 | Egypt → Mediterranean |
| Amazon | South America | 6,400 | Brazil → Atlantic |
| Yangtze (Chang Jiang) | Asia | 6,300 | China → East China Sea |
| Mississippi–Missouri | North America | 6,275 | Gulf of Mexico |
| Yenisei | Asia (Russia) | 5,539 | Arctic Ocean |
| Huang He (Yellow) | Asia (China) | 5,464 | Yellow Sea |
| Congo | Africa | 4,700 | Atlantic Ocean |
| Danube | Europe | 2,860 | Black Sea |
| Volga | Europe | 3,530 | Caspian Sea |
| Murray–Darling | Australia | 3,500 | Southern Ocean |
Longest Rivers by Continent
| Continent | River | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Asia | Yangtze | China |
| Africa | Nile | Egypt |
| Europe | Volga | Russia |
| North America | Mississippi–Missouri | USA |
| South America | Amazon | Brazil |
| Australia | Murray–Darling | Australia |
| Antarctica | Onyx River | Very short stream |
Major Plateaus of the World
| Plateau | Continent | Nickname / Features |
|---|---|---|
| Deccan | Asia (India) | Ancient, minerals |
| Tibetan | Asia (China) | Roof of the World |
| Brazilian | South America | Coffee/growing region |
| Patagonian | South America | Windy, dry |
| Mexican | North America | Valleys/Sierras |
| Colorado | North America | Grand Canyon |
| East African | Africa | Rift Valley, volcanoes |
| South African | Africa | Kalahari Desert |
| Western Australian | Australia | Desert oldest part |
Important Geographical Superlatives
| Title | Place / Feature | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Peak | Mount Everest | Nepal–China |
| Longest River | Nile | Africa |
| Deepest Ocean Point | Mariana Trench | Pacific Ocean |
| Largest Desert | Sahara | Africa |
| Highest Plateau | Tibetan | Asia |
| Longest Mountain | Andes | South America |
| Largest River Volume | Amazon | South America |
Practice Questions (Delhi Police PYQ-style)
Which is the longest river in the world?
Options: A) Amazon B) Nile C) Yangtze D) Mississippi
Category: Rivers
Show Answer
B) Nile
The highest mountain peak in the world is —
Options: A) Kanchenjunga B) K2 C) Mount Everest D) Mount Kilimanjaro
Category: Mountains
Show Answer
C) Mount Everest
The “Roof of the World” refers to —
Options: A) Alps B) Andes C) Tibetan Plateau D) Rockies
Category: Plateaus
Show Answer
C) Tibetan Plateau
The Andes mountains are located in —
Options: A) Asia B) Europe C) South America D) Africa
Category: Mountains
Show Answer
C) South America
Which river flows through Egypt?
Options: A) Amazon B) Yangtze C) Nile D) Congo
Category: Rivers
Show Answer
C) Nile
The Ural Mountains separate —
Options: A) Asia and Africa B) Europe and Asia C) North and South America D) Africa and Europe
Category: Mountains
Show Answer
B) Europe and Asia
Which is the highest peak in Africa?
Options: A) Mount Kenya B) Mount Elgon C) Mount Kilimanjaro D) Mount Ruwenzori
Category: Mountains
Show Answer
C) Mount Kilimanjaro
The Grand Canyon is located on which plateau?
Options: A) Deccan Plateau B) Colorado Plateau C) Patagonian Plateau D) Brazilian Plateau
Category: Plateaus
Show Answer
B) Colorado Plateau
The longest mountain range in the world is —
Options: A) Himalayas B) Andes C) Rockies D) Alps
Category: Mountains
Show Answer
B) Andes
Which plateau is known for coffee cultivation?
Options: A) Deccan Plateau B) Brazilian Plateau C) East African Plateau D) Patagonian Plateau
Category: Plateaus
Show Answer
B) Brazilian Plateau
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Asia | Africa | North America | South America | Europe | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Peak | Everest | Kilimanjaro | McKinley | Aconcagua | Elbrus | Kosciuszko |
| Major River | Yangtze | Nile | Mississippi | Amazon | Danube | Murray |
| Major Plateau | Tibetan | East African | Colorado | Brazilian | None major | Western |
Exam Tricks & Mnemonics
Continental Rivers Trick:
Yankee Nile Amazes Many. (Yangtze, Nile, Amazon, Mississippi)
Highest Peaks Trick:
Every King Knows Many Amazing European Adventures. (Everest, Kilimanjaro, Kangchenjunga, McKinley, Aconcagua, Elbrus, Andes)
Plateaus Trick:
Tall Tibetans Drink Brazilian Coffee. (Tibetan, Deccan, Brazilian)
Revision & Exam Points
Final Exam Tips
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