Physical Divisions of the World – Complete Notes for Competitive Exams

(Prepared by Home Academy –  exam-oriented)

Physical geography studies the natural features of the Earth’s surface such as mountains, plateaus, plains, deserts, oceans, and rivers. Based on relief and elevation, geographers divide the world’s land surface into major physical divisions.

Understanding these divisions is important for exams like UPSC, SSC, RRB, JKSSB, Banking, and State PSCs.

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1. Mountains

Definition

Mountains are large natural elevations of the Earth’s surface rising steeply above the surrounding land, usually more than 600 meters in height.

Mountains are generally formed due to tectonic movements of Earth’s crust.

Major Characteristics

High elevation

Steep slopes
Cold climate
Thin population
Source of many rivers

Types of Mountains

1. Fold Mountains

Formed due to compression of tectonic plates, causing rock layers to fold.

Examples

Himalayas

Andes Mountains
Alps

Important Points

Young fold mountains are the highest in the world.

The Himalayas are the youngest fold mountains.

2. Block Mountains

Formed due to faulting in Earth’s crust when blocks of land are uplifted.

Examples

Black Forest

Vosges Mountains

3. Volcanic Mountains

Formed by volcanic eruptions and lava accumulation.

Examples

Mount Fuji
Mount Kilimanjaro

4. Residual Mountains

Formed by erosion of existing mountains.

Examples

Aravalli Range

Western Ghats

Importance of Mountains

Source of rivers

Natural barriers
Rich in minerals
Tourism and biodiversity
Climate influence

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2. Plateaus

Definition

Plateaus are elevated flat-topped areas of land rising above surrounding areas.

They are often called “Tablelands.”

Characteristics

Flat top

Steep sides
Rich in minerals
Sparse population in many regions

Types of Plateaus

1. Intermontane Plateau

Located between mountain ranges.

Example

Tibetan Plateau

Important fact:

Tibetan Plateau is the highest plateau in the world.

2. Volcanic Plateau

Formed by lava deposition.

Example:

Deccan Plateau

3. Continental Plateau

Large plateaus forming part of continents.

Examples

Brazilian Plateau

African Plateau

Importance of Plateaus

Rich in minerals like iron, coal, and copper

Many mining industries
Waterfalls for hydroelectric power

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3. Plains

Definition

Plains are large flat or gently sloping low-lying areas of land.

They are the most suitable regions for human settlement and agriculture.

Characteristics

Low elevation

Fertile soil
Dense population
Well developed transport network

Types of Plains

1. Structural Plains

Formed by horizontal rock layers.

2. Depositional Plains

Formed by deposition of sediments by rivers.

Example:

Indo-Gangetic Plain

3. Erosional Plains

Formed by erosion of uplands by wind, water, or glaciers.

Importance of Plains

Agricultural production

Major cities located here
Transport networks
Industrial development

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4. Deserts

Definition

Deserts are dry regions receiving less than 25 cm rainfall annually.

They have extreme temperatures and sparse vegetation.

Characteristics

Very low rainfall

Extreme temperature
Sandy or rocky surface
Sparse population

Major Deserts

Sahara Desert – Largest hot desert

Arabian Desert
Thar Desert

Types of Deserts

1. Hot deserts

2. Cold deserts

Example of cold desert:

• Gobi Desert

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5. Oceans and Seas

Oceans cover about 71% of the Earth's surface.

Five Major Oceans

1. Pacific Ocean

2. Atlantic Ocean

3. Indian Ocean

4. Southern Ocean

5. Arctic Ocean

Importance of Oceans

Climate regulation

Marine resources
Transportation routes
Source of rainfall

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Important Points for Competitive Exams

Mountains above 600 meters are considered mountains.

Tibetan Plateau is the highest plateau in the world.
Plains support largest human population.
Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert.
Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean.

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Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

UPSC

Q1. Which is the highest plateau in the world?
Answer: Tibetan Plateau

Q2. The Himalayas are an example of:
Answer: Fold Mountains

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SSC

Q3. Which desert is the largest hot desert in the world?
Answer: Sahara Desert

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RRB

Q4. Which ocean is the largest in the world?
Answer: Pacific Ocean

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JKSSB

Q5. Plains are most suitable for:
Answer: Agriculture and settlement

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Most Expected MCQs for Exams

1. The highest plateau of the world is:
   A. Mexican Plateau
   B. Tibetan Plateau
   C. Iranian Plateau
   D. Brazilian Plateau

Answer: B

2. Himalayas belong to which type of mountains?
   A. Block Mountains
   B. Residual Mountains
   C. Fold Mountains
   D. Volcanic Mountains

Answer: C

3. Largest ocean in the world:
   A. Atlantic
   B. Indian
   C. Pacific
   D. Arctic

Answer: C

4. Largest hot desert in the world:
   A. Thar
   B. Sahara
   C. Gobi
   D. Kalahari

Answer: B

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World Physical Geography – One-Liner Revision Points

Asia

Largest continent in the world.

Highest peak: Mount Everest (8848 m).
Largest plateau: Tibetan Plateau.
Major mountains: Himalayas, Karakoram, Hindu Kush.
Major rivers: Ganga, Brahmaputra, Yangtze, Mekong, Amur.
Major deserts: Gobi, Thar.
Indo-Gangetic Plain is highly fertile.

Europe

Second smallest continent.

Highest peak: Mont Blanc (4807 m).
Major mountains: Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, Apennines.
Northern European Plain: major agricultural region.
Major rivers: Volga, Danube, Rhine, Seine.
Central Uplands: old eroded highlands like Black Forest.

Africa

Second largest continent.

Highest peak: Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m).

Largest desert: Sahara.
Major plateaus: Ethiopian Plateau, East African Plateau.
Major rivers: Nile (longest river), Congo, Niger, Zambezi.
Great Rift Valley: important tectonic feature.

North America

Third largest continent.

Highest peak: Denali (6190 m).
Major mountains: Rockies, Sierra Nevada, Appalachians, Cascade Range.
Canadian Shield: oldest landmass rich in minerals.
Great Plains: major agricultural region.
Major rivers: Mississippi, Missouri, Mackenzie, Yukon.

South America

Fourth largest continent.

Highest peak: Aconcagua (6961 m).
Major mountains: Andes, Brazilian Highlands, Guiana Highlands.
Amazon Basin: largest river basin; Amazon River has largest discharge.
La Plata Basin: important for agriculture.
Angel Falls: highest waterfall in the world.

Antarctica

Fifth largest continent; coldest, driest, windiest.

Highest peak: Vinson Massif (4892 m).
East Antarctic Plateau: highest average elevation; thickest ice sheet.
Transantarctic Mountains divide east & west.
Ross Ice Shelf: largest ice shelf in the world.
Contains ~70% of Earth’s freshwater in ice.

Australia

Smallest continent; called “island continent.”

Highest peak: Mount Kosciuszko (2228 m).
Major mountain: Great Dividing Range (east coast).
Western Plateau: ancient plateau, mineral-rich, deserts like Great Victoria.
Central Lowlands: Murray-Darling Basin, Lake Eyre Basin.
Major rivers: Murray, Darling, Murrumbidgee.

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