Question.
How does India’s geographical diversity affect our lives?
(Geographical Diversity of India-Chapter 1 - Class 7 Social Science NCERT)
Answer.
India’s geographical diversity has a deep and visible impact on our lives. India has a wide variety of physical features such as mountains, plains, deserts, plateaus, coastlines, islands, and forests. Each of these regions influences climate, food habits, occupations, culture, settlements, transport, and economic activities in different ways.
The effects of these are listed below:
1. Influence of geographical diversity on Climate and Weather:
India’s landforms strongly affect its climate.
The Himalayas act as a natural barrier, preventing cold winds from Central Asia and helping India experience comparatively warmer winters.
They also play a key role in the monsoon system, which brings more rainfall essential for agriculture.
Coastal regions have a moderate climate, while deserts experience extreme heat and dryness, and mountain regions have cold climates.
2. Influence of geographical diversity on the Availability of Water and Agriculture:
Geographical diversity determines water availability and farming practices. That is why almost all types of crops are grown in India.
Rivers originating from the Himalayas (Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra) provide water for drinking, irrigation, and industries.
The fertile plains support large-scale agriculture and are densely populated.
In the plateau region, rivers help with irrigation and hydroelectric power generation.
In desert regions, people depend on rainwater harvesting and adapt to water scarcity.
3. Influence of geographical diversity on Types of Occupations:
Different physical features lead to different livelihoods:
- Plains: Farming, trade, industries, and transport
- Plateaus: Mining, forestry, and power generation
- Mountains: Tourism, animal rearing, horticulture, and handicrafts
- Coastal areas: Fishing, ports, shipbuilding, and trade
- Islands: Fishing, tourism, and marine-related activities
4. Influence of geographical diversity on Settlement Patterns and Transport:
Flat land in the Northern Plains supports large cities and extensive road and rail networks.
Mountains and deserts have scattered settlements due to difficult terrain and climate.
Coastal regions developed ports and cities that encouraged trade and cultural exchange.
5. Influence of geographical diversity on Cultural Diversity:
Geography has shaped India’s rich cultural diversity.
Food habits, clothing, housing styles, and festivals vary according to climate and landforms.
For example, woollen clothes are common in cold regions, while cotton clothes are preferred in hot areas.
Mountains, rivers, forests, and seas are deeply connected to people’s beliefs, traditions, and festivals.
This diversity has strengthened India’s identity as a “mini-continent”, where unity exists alongside diversity.
India’s geographical diversity affects almost every aspect of our lives—climate, food, occupations, culture, economy, and settlement patterns. It has shaped India’s civilisation over thousands of years.
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