World Geography for Prelims

Area wise Population wise

Continent List continent list
1. Asia 1. Asia
2. Africa 2. Africa
3. North America 3. Europe
4. South America 4. North America
5. Antarctic 5. South America
6. Europe 6. Australia
7. Australia 7. Antarctica

North America
Mountain Ranges of North America
1 Brooks Range
2 Alaska Range
3 Rocky Mountain
4 Pacific Coast Range
5 Cascade Range
6 Sierra Nevada
7 Sierra Madre Occidental
8 Sierra Madre Oriental
9 Applachian Mountain
The group of mountain ranges in the Western
part of North America are collectively called Western Cordillera. Many mountain peaks are
found here such as Hood, Rainier, Shasta etc.
Mountains of North America
1. Mt McKinley (Denali) is North America’s highest peak located in Alaska range.
2. Mt Logan is North America’s second highest peak and Canada’s highest peak located in coast
range.
3. Elbert peak is Rocky Mountain's highest peak located in USA.
4. Robson is the highest peak of Canadian Rockies.
5. Whitney is the highest peak of Sierra Nevada Mountain which is the world’s largest block
mountain.
6. Mitchell is the highest peak of Appalachian Mountains.
7. Applachian Mountain is an old fold mountain which is rich in coal reserves. This mountain
range includes Norte Dam, White Mt, Green Mt, Allegheny, Blue ridge mountains. To the east of
this mountain Piedmont plateau has formed due to erosion and to the west of it Allegheny - Cumberland
plateau (Applachian plateau) is located which is rich in iron ore reserves.
7. Citlaltepetl (Pico De Orizaba) is Mexico’s highest peak and North America‘s third highest
peak.
8. Popocatepetl is Mexico’s second highest peak.
9. Mauna kea volcanic mountain is around 10,205 m high from its base but from sea level its
height is only 4205. So it is actually taller than Mount Everest.
Crossnest pass is located in Rocky Mountain in the Canadian states of Alberta and British Columbia.
Canadian Pacific Railway passes through it.

Plateau of North America

Colombia -Snake Plateau - On this volcanic plateau Guri Dam is located on Columbia river.
Great basin - Great Salt Lake and Death Valley located on it. North America's lowest point is
found in Death valley.
Colorado Plateau - Limestone plateau on which Colorado river forms Grand Canyon.
Mexican plateau - Famous silver mine is located in Chihuahua.
Cumberland and Allegheny plateau are iron ore rich and located to the west of Appalachian.
Canadian shield or Laurentian Plateau – Bauxite, iron ore, nickel, gold, silver reserves.

Plains of North America

Prairies
It is temperate grassland located in USA and Canada. The humus containing chernozem soil is
found here. Nutritious grass develops in this region and this plain region is used for agriculture and
animal rearing. Chicago is known for meat processing. Major crops grown in this plain region are
wheat, maize etc. In Winnipeg (Canada) world’s largest wheat yard is located. The big cattle farms
of prairies are called ranch which are looked after by Cowboys. The major animals of this region
are bison, coyote, gophers, prairies dog. The natives of this region are red Indians. Many tribes live
in this region such as Apache, crow Cree, Pawnee. Some trees like order popular willow also grow
in this region.

Deserts of North America

Great Basin Desert - USA
Mojave Desert – USA. Death Valley is located here.
Sonoran Desert – USA - Mexico
Chihuahua desert - US and Mexico

Rivers of North America

1. Mackenzie (Origin - Great Slave Lake; Falls
in Beaufort Sea) Canada’s longest river.
2. Yukon (Origin - Mackenzie Mt.; Falls in Bering
Sea) Placer deposits of gold are found.
3. Columbia (Origin - Rocky Mt; Falls in Pacific
Ocean) Grand Coulee Dam on it and Snake is its
major tributary.
4. Colorado (Origin - Rocky Mt; Falls in Gulf
of California) It forms Grand Canyon. Hoover
Dam is on this river.
5. Rio Grande (Origin - Rocky Mt; Falls in Gulf
of Mexico) It flows on USA Mexico border.
6. Mississippi Missouri River system is North
America’s longest and world’s fourth longest
river system. The major tributaries of Mississippi
River are Tennessee, Arkansas and Ohio India’s Damodar River Valley project is based on Tennessee
River Valley project. Mississippi river forms a bird foot Delta
7. Hudson - (Origin - From Henderson Lake of Adirondack Mt region; Falls in Atlantic Ocean)
New York City is located. At the confluence of Hudson River and its tributary Mohawk Albany city
is located which is known for steel industry.
8. Saint Lawrence (Origin - Ontario Lake; Falls in Gulf of Saint Lawrence) This )river flows on
USA - Canada border and it forms world’s largest estuary.
9. Potomac river - Washington DC is located.
Lakes of North America
1. Great Bear Lake is largest freshwater lake
located completely in Canada.

2. Great slave lake is North America’s deepest

lake. Yellowknife city is located on its bank where
gold and diamond reserves are found.

3. Great Salt Lake is North America’s largest

saline lake.

4. Great Lakes - (Size Superior > Huron >

Michigan > Erie > Ontario) The five lakes located
on USA - Canada border region are called Great
Lakes. Superior is world’s largest freshwater lake.
Michigan is located completely in USA. These
lakes are connected through canals and rivers.
(Soo canal between superior – Huron; Welland
canal between Erie – Ontario) Niagara waterfall
is located between Erie and Ontario. Many cities
are located at the bank of these lakes.

Industrial Regions of Canada

1. Ontario - Saint Lawrence Region -

Steel industry (Hamilton, Salt St. Marie), Nickel and Platinum (Sudbury), Automobile (Windsor),
gold (Hollinger mines in Timmins city of Ontario), newspaper (Montreal), Oil and gas (Hibernia
region of New Foundland), Paper (Corner Brooks city of New Foundland), apple (Nova Scotia)

2. Prairies Region -
Largest wheat yard in Winnipeg, Uranium city, gold (Yellowknife), oil (Turner valley in Calgary city
of Alberta state)

3. Pacific Coast Region -

Lead - zinc (Sullivan mine in Kimberley city of British Columbia state), Lumbering industry
(Vancouver)
Industrial regions of USA
1. Great Lake Rgeion/Midwest Region - Steel industry (Cleaveland, Buffalo, Gary, Duluth),
Meat processing (Chicago), Automobile (Detroit), Synthetic rubber (Akron)

2. Northern Applachian Region - Steel industry (Pittsburg, Younstown, Braddock, Gorgetown).

Pittsburgh is now less relevant in terms of steel industry therefore, it is now called Rust bowl of
USA.

3. Southern Applachian Region - Cotton Textile industry (Boston), Woolen industry (Provi-
dence, Lowell), Leather and engineering industry.

4. Mid Atlantic Region - Steel industry (Sparrows point in Maryland, Morrisville, Allentown,
Steelon), Silk industry (Paterson in New Jersey)

5. Southern Applachian Region - Steel industry (Birmingham in Albama state), cotton textile
industry.

6. Gulf Coast Region / Eastern Texsas Region - Oil refinery (Dallas, Houston in Texsas,
Luciana in New Orleans)

7. Pacific Coast Region - Information Technology (San Francisco, San Diago, Seattle), San
Francisco is called Silicon Valley, Seattle is called Silicon Forest. Aircraft manufacturing (Seattle),
Ship manufacturing (Portland), Los Angeles (Hollywood)

8. Alaska Region - Oil in Prodhoe Bay

South America
Andes mountain - The world's longest mountain range
in which western hemisphere's highest peak
Aconcagua is located. Andes mountain range has
many volcanic peaks such as Cotopaxi, Chimborazo,
Ojos Del Salado. Chimborazo peak is farthest away
from the centre of earth.

Plateau of South America

Guyana Plateau - bauxite, gold, diamond, iron,
manganese minerals. Orinoco river and its tributaries
originate from here.
Brazil Plateau - iron ore. Mato Grosso Plateau is its part. Sao Francisco and Parana rivers
originate.
Bolivian Plateau/ Aptiplano - Arid conditions. Salar De Uyuni salt pan. Tin, tungsten. Capital
of Bolivia La Paz is located on it which is the highest capital of the world.
Patagonia Plateau - in Chile and Argentina. Cold Patagonian desert is located on it which is South
America’s largest desert.

Plains of South America

Western coastal plains - world’s longest coastal plains. Nitrate phosphate is found in the soil.
Copper reserves are found in the central part of this plain region. Atacama Desert is located
which is the world’s driest desert. Atacama Desert is in Peru and Chile. World’s driest place Arica
is also located here.
Pampas grassland - It is temperate grasslands in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. Alfalfa grass is
found here. Wheat production and animal rearing is done. The big cattle farms are called estancia
which are looked after by Guacho. Grape cultivation is also done in Pampas. Mendoza city of
Argentina is known for wine production.

Deserts Of South America

Atacama Desert - Hot desert located in Peru and Chile.

Patagonia Desert - Cold desert located in Chile and Argentina.
Rivers of South America
Orinoco river - Llanos grassland and oil reserves are found in
its basin. It’s major tributary is Caroni on which Guri Dam is
located and on Caroni’s tributary Angel waterfall is located
which is world’s highest waterfall. (979 m)
Amazon river - world’s largest river and world’s second
longest river. Selvas rainforest and tropical grasslands called
Campos, Cerrados, Catingas are found in its basin. Amazon
river flows in Brazil, Colombia and Peru.
Sao Francisco - Longest River flowing completely in Brazil
known as river of national integration.
Parana River - its major tributaries are Paraguay and Uruguay. Parana, Paraguay and Uruguay
rivers are collectively called Plata rivers. Tropical grassland called Gran Chaco is located in its
basin. On Paraguay - Brazil border region Itaipu dam is located on Parana River which is world’s
second largest hydroelectricity power generation dam. Plata rivers from border between many
South American countries.
Colorado River - flows between Patagonian desert and Pampas temperate grassland.
Lakes of South America
Maracaibo Lake - South America’s largest saline lake. Oil reserves are found here. This lake is
connected with Gulf of Venezuela through Tablazo strait.
Titicaca Lake - in Peru and Bolivia. South America’s largest freshwater lake and world’s highest
navigable lake.

Industries of South America

Steel industry - Itabira mine in Minas Gerais state of Brazil. Belo Horizonte, Volta Redonda (Rio
De Janeiro)
Manganese - Amapa mines in Brazil
Bauxite - Guyana, Suriname
Oil - Venezuela
silver - Cerro De Pasco in Peru
Copper - Chiquicamata in Chile
Coffee - Coffee farms of Brazil are called Fazenda. (Main centre - São Paulo, Coffee port -
Santos) Coffee farms of Columbia are called Finca. ( Major centre - Medellin, Manizales) ,
Ecuador. Cocoa - Ileus Sugar - Recife
Ship manufacturing and wheat export - Buenos Aires
Maize and Tobacco exporting port - Bahia Blanca Wine - Mendoza
Africa
Mountains of Africa
Atlas mountains - Morocco, Algeria,
Tunisia(highest peak Toubkal)
Loma mountain - Sierra Leone and Guinea
(highest peak Bintumani)
Drakensberg Mt - South Africa and Lesotho
(Highest Peak - Ntlenyana)
Kilimanjaro Mt - Volcanic mt in Tanzania.
Africa’s highest mountain.
Kenya mountain This volcanic mountain lo-
cated in Tanzania is the second highest moun-
tain of Africa
Ruwenzori Mts - in DRC, Uganda. Third highest mt of Africa and highest block mt. of Africa.
Margherita, the highest peak of these mts, is located in Stanley mt. which is a part of Ruwenzori
mt. group. These mts are known as mountains of moon.

Plateau of Africa
Guinea Highland - Fouta Djallon and Loma mt is its part.
Fouta Djallon - Water tower of Western Africa. ( Iron ore)
Jos Plateau - in Niger, Nigeria. Abuja, the capital of Nigeria is located on it. (Tin reserves)
Katanga Plateau - in DRC, Zambia. (Copper, Cobalt) Congo river originates from here.
Bie Plateau - in Angola (Bauxite)
Great Karoo - in South Africa. (Gold, Diamond, Platinum, Coal)
East African Plateau - Largest Plateau of Africa located in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Masai
tribe lives on it Kilimanjaro and Victoria Lake are on it
Ethiopian Highlands also known as Abyssinian Plateau. Saline lake are found here like Assal lake
in Djibouti. Fresh water lake Tana is also located here from where Blue Nile river originates.
Highest point - Ras Dashen.

Plains of Africa
Savanna - Tropical grassland in Africa which were earlier called Land of Big Game.
Veld - Temperate grassland in South Africa. Agriculture and animal rearing is done. Major river of
this region is Vaal. Maize is the major crop of this region due to which it is called Maize triangle
region. Marino Sheep of this region is known for good quality wool.
Deserts of Africa
Sahara desert - World's largest hot desert which extends in 11 countries Bedouin and Tuareg
tribe reside here.
Kalahari Desert - In Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. It is erg desert. Bushmen tribe resides
here. Okovango river and Makgadikgadi salt pan is located here.
Namib Desert - Sandy desert located in Namibia, Angola and South Africa. It is included in
Unesco World heritage sites.
Sahel - Transition region between Sahara and Savanna region. (Backward region)

Rivers of Africa

Volta river - Major river of Ghana. Akosombo dam located on it forms Volta lake which is area
wise the world’s largest man-made lake.
Niger or Joliba river - Oil is found in its delta in Nigeria.
Congo river - It is world's deepest and second largest river. It is Africa’s second longest river.
worlds highest hydroelectricity power generation capacity is found in this river. Great Inga project
is being developed on this river it crosses equator two times. Pygmy tribe lives in its basin. Stanley
and livingstone waterfalls are located on this river.
Zambezi river - Kariba Dam located on this river forms Kariba lake which is volume wise worlds
largest man-made lake Victoria waterfall is located on this river.
Orange river - on Namibia South Africa border crosses Tropic of Capricorn two times.
Nile river originates from Khartoum where White Nile and blue Nile rivers meet worlds longest
river in Egypt Aswan dam is located on it its basin is used for rice and cotton cultivation farmers of
Egypt are called fellah. Cairo and Alexandria are major centres of cotton textile industry.

Lakes of Africa
Great African Lakes - The lakes located in the eastern rift Valley region of Africa are called great
African lakes
Victoria lake - Africa’s largest freshwater lake Located in Kenya Uganda Tanzania it is worlds
second largest freshwater lake equator passes through this lake this lake is not located in rift Valley
White Nile river originates from it
Tanganyika Lake - It is world's longest Lake located in DRC Tanzania, Burundi and Zambia.
This lake is located in rift Valley it is worlds second deepest and second oldest freshwater lake
Chad Lake - Freshwater lake located in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon which is rapidly
shrinking
Assal lake - Saline Lake located in Djibouti in which Africa’s lowest point is found.
East African Rift Valley - It is world's longest rift valley which is located in Arabian peninsula
and Eastern Africa. Many volcanic peaks are located near this rift valley. Many lakes are found in
this rift valley such aas ALbert, Turkana, Edward, Tanganyika etc.

Madagascar island - largest island of India.

Horn of Africa - Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia.
Sinai Peninsula - Lies to the north of Red Sea and it is under the control of Egypt. It is consid-
ered as a part of Asia.
Suez Canal - Formed in 1869. Connects Red sea and Mediterranean sea.

Industries of Africa
Oil - Libya, Algeria, Nigeria
Oil Palm - Nigeria, Zaire(Congo)
Clove - Pamba, Zanzibar
Ethiopia's Kaffa province is the birth place of coffee.

South Africa -
Gold - Johannesberg, Transvaal
Diamond - Kimberley, Bakwanga
Manganese - Pietermaritzburz
Capetown is the largest port of South Africa. Durban, East London and Elizabeth are other major
ports.

South Africa has various capitals - Pretoria (Administrative capital), Capetown (Legislative Capi-
tal), Bloemfontein (Judicial capital)
Europe

Major Mountains of Europe 13. Carpathian Mountains - Central Europe.

1. Cantabrian Mountains - Northern Spain 14. Ural Mountains - Situated in Russia and
2. Pyrenees - Spain and France. Kazakhstan at the border of Europe and Asia.
3. Jura Mountains - France Highest peak is Narodnaya.
4. Vosges - France 15. Grampians Mountains - Scotland
5. Black Forest - Germany 16. Pennines - England
6. Harz - Germany Plains of
Plateau ofEurope
Europe
7. Alps Mountains - Extend in 8 countries - Meseta Central - Plateau located in Spain on
which Tagus river flows and Madrid is also
France, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Austria,
located on it. (Iron ore and copper reserves)
Germany, Slovenia, Liechtenstein. Mount
Blanc Blanc is its highest peak. Massif Central - Plateau located in France
8. Dinaric Alps - Slovenia to Albenia. from where Loire and Seine rivers originate.
Bavarian Plateau - Located in Germany.
9. Pindhus Mountains - Greece (iron ore reserves)
10. Apennines Mountains - Italy
11. Balkan Mountains - Near Black Sea. In Bohemian Plateau - Old plateau region lo-
cated in Czech Repunlic, Germany, Poland,
Bulgeria and Serbia.
Austria.
12. Caucasus Mountains - Lies between Black
Sea and Caspion Sea.The highest peak of Fino - Scandinavian Plateau - Old plateau
these mountains is Elbrus which is the high- region located in Norway and Sweden where
iron ore and copper reserves are found.
est peak of Europe.
Plains of Europe
Steppe - This is a temperate grassland located in Eurasia. The main rivers here are the Volga and
the Ural. This plain is used for agriculture and animal husbandry. In Hungary and its surrounding
countries, such as Romania, Bulgaria, Austria, Serbiaand Slovakia, the wide steppe is called pustaz.
It is also called Pannonian steppe. Ukraine is also known as the bread basket of Europe.
Major Rivers of Europe
1. Tagus River - Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.
2. Ebro River - Spain's Zaragoza city.
3. Loire River- This is the longest river of France.
4. Seine River - Paris is located on its bank
5. Garonne River – The cities of Bordeaux and Toulouse are situated on its banks.
6. Rhine River -This river flows in the rift valley between the Vosges and the Black Forest moun-
tains on the border region of France and Germany. Its main tributary is the Rur, the valley of
which is famous for its coal deposits. The Rhine River forms a delta near Rotterdam in the
Netherlands. Rotterdam is the busiest port in Europe.
7. Rhone River - The city of Lyons is situated on the banks of this river, which is famous for silk.
8. Po River - The plains of Lombardy are located in the basin of this river. It is the longest and
most important river in Italy. It is also called the Ganges of Italy.
9. Tiber River- Rome and Vatican City are situated on the banks of Tiber River.
10. Danube River- This is the second longest river of the europe. It passes through 10 countries-
Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungry , Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Maldova.
Capitals of four countries located on its bank which are Vienna (Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia),
Budapest - (Hungary), Belgrade (Serbia)
11. Elbe River- Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic and the city of Hamburg, Germany are
situated on its bank.
12. Spree River – Berlin, the capital of Germany, is situated on its bank.
13. Vistula River -Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is situated on its banks.
14. Dniester River - Moldova and Ukraine.
15. Dnieper River - capital of Ukraine, Kiev located on its bank.
16. Donets River -Coal deposits are found in the basin of this river.
17. Don River - falls into Azov Sea.
18. Volga River It is the longest river in Europe.
19. Ural River - On border of Europe and Asia in Russia and Kazakhstan.
20. Oder River- Poland and Germany
21. Thames - London and Reading cities are on its bank.
22. Severn River - Longest river of Europe.
Major Lakes of Europe
1. Ladoga Lake - Largest fresh water lake of Europe located in Russia.
2. Lake Onega - Second largest fresh water lake of Europe located in Russia.
3. Lake Vanern - Third largest fresh water lake of Europe located in Sweden.
4. Lake Saimaa - Fourth largest fresh water lake of Europe located in Finland. Also largest lake of
Finland.
5. Constance Lake - Lies on the border region of Germany Switzerland and Austria.
6. Geneve Lake - Lies at the border region of France and Switzerland
7. Hornindalsvatn Lake - Deepest lake of Europe located in Norway.
Major group of countries
1. Great Britain -Scotland + England + Wales
2. United Kingdom - Great Britain + Northern Ireland
3. Benelux Countries - Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg. These countries are below sea
level. That’s why they are called low countries. The coastal areas of these countries are sub-
merged and these submerged areas are reclaimed by making high dykes. The land thus recov-
ered is called Polderland.
4. Scandinavian countries -Norway, Sweden, Denmark (Iceland) are included. Finland is not a
part of these countries. The coast of Norway is famous for its fjords.
5. Baltic countries - Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia
Industrial regions of europe
1. Lowland region- located in Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg. Brusells, Antwerp, Rotterdam
and Amsterdam are the major cities and ports located. Antwerp, there is world’s biggest
diamond Cutting industry.
2. Flanders region- Located in Belgium and France. Textile industry (Lille, Ghent and Kotrik)
3. Sambre - Compaign region- located in the region France, Belgium and germany. Liege of
Belgium is famous for shotgun pistols.
4. Ruhr or Lower Rhine region - steel industries (Essen, Dortmund, Düsseldorf and Cologne)
5. Alsace-Lauren Saar region - Situated in France and Germany. Steel industry (main center-
Nancy)
6. Upper Rhine region - located in Germany and Switzerland , is famous for the manufacture of
motors, engineering, watches etc. (Main Center -Stuttgart, Munich - Frankfurt, Zurich)
7. Northern Italy or Po Valley region - Textile Industry (Milan), Automobile Industry (Turin)
8. East Germany Industrial Region - Jena (Optical Industry), Dresden (Ceramic Pottery and
Machine Tools) and Leipzig (Agriculture Tools and Artistic Printing) and Berlin is the major
industrial center.
9. Northern Germany Region - Shipbuilding (Center Hamburg)
10. Silesia Region - It is located in Poland and the Czech Republic. Heavy Industries (Katowice
of Poland), Textiles (Lodz of Poland)
11. Paris Industrial Region - Automobiles, aircraft, engineering, textiles, fashion industry
12. France - Shipbuilding (Marseille, Toulouse), Aircraft (Toulouse), silk (Lyons)
13. Spain - Iron (Bilbao), Clothing (Barcelona), Cork (Cádiz)
14. Scandinavia Region - Shipbuilding (Centre - Bergen of Norway), Iron (Kiruna, Gallivare of
Sweden), Dairy Industry (Denmark)
15. Wines -Champagne, Bordeaux, Reims, Burgundy, Italian wines are known as Asti wines,
Spain wines are called sherry wines and Portugal wines are called port wines.

Industrial territories of the United kingdom

1. Northern Ireland -Shipbuilding (Belfast)
2. Clyde Valley region of Scotland -Steel industry (Glasgow and Edinburgh), Shipbuilding
(Glasgow), Jute (Dundee) Here the world’s first jute mill was established.
3. North Eastern Region -Steel Industry ( New Castle)
4. Southern Yorkshire -Steel Industry (Sheffield is known for fork & knife)
5. West Yorkshire and Derbyshire -Woolen Textile Industry (West Riding, Leeds, Bradford),
aircraft manufacturing (centre - Derby)
6. Lancashire - cotton textile industry (centre - Manchester, Preston, Liverpool). Liverpool is a
major port and is also noted for its shipbuilding and oil refinery.
7. West Midland Region - Steel Industry (Centre - Birmingham), Automobiles Industry (Centre
Coventry)
8. London Industrial Region -Engineering industries, clothing industries.
9. South Wales -Steel Industry (Centre -New Port, Barry, Swansea, Cardiff, Port Talbot)

Industrial regions of Russia

1. Leningrad (St. Petersburg) State -Shipbuilding
2. Moscow -Tula Region -Steel Industry
3. Middle Volga region- Refinery
4. Ural region- Steel ( Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk, Nizhny Tagil)
5. Ivanovo - Cotton textile industry
6. Novokuznetsk - Steel (Coal found in Kuznetsk)
7. Nizhny Novgorod - Automobile
8. Pechora basin - Vorkuta
9. Orenburg -gas
10. Urengoy - gas
11. Irkutsk -Coal
12. Sakhalin Island -Oil & Gas
13. Vladivostok-Shipbuilding

Industrial regions of Ukraine

1. Donetsk - Coal
2. Krivoy Rog -iron
3. Crimea -Steel
4. Nikopol-Manganese
Asia

Major mountains of Asia

1. Pontine - Taurus Mt. - Turkey. Tigris and Euphrates rivers originate from Taurus Mt.
2. Mt. Ararat - Highest peak of Turkey.
3. Elburz and Zagros Mt. - Iran. In Elburz Mt. West Asia’s highest peak Mt. Damavand is located.
4. Hindukush Mt. - Afghanistan and Pakistan. It’s highest peak Tirich Mir is located in Pakistan.
5. Sulaiman, Salt range, Kirthar Mt. - Pakistan
6. Chagai Hills – Pakistan’s nuclear testing centre
7. Pamirs – in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and China. The major mountain ranges of Asia
meet here, therefore, it is called Pamir Knot and roof of the world.
8. Fuji Mt. – Highest peak Japan.
9. Annam Mt. – Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia.
10. Kinabalu Mt. – Highest peak of Malaysia.
11. Punchak Jaya Mt. – Highest peak of Indonesia.
12. Arakon Yoma Mt. – Myanmar. Purvanchal and Andaman Nicobar Islands are considered its
part. Its highest peak is Victoria. It is one of the 36 hotspots of the world.
13. Hkakabo Razi – Highest peak of Myanmar.

Major Plateau of Asia

1. Anatolia Plateau –Turkey's Capital Ankara is located on this plateau. It is also called Asia Minor.
2. Iran Plateau – Dasht – e – Lut and Dasht – e – Kavir deserts are on this plateau.
3. Potwar Plateau – Islamabad on it.
4. Tibet Plateau – Between Himalaya and Kunlun Shan Mt. It is world’s highest and largest
plateau.
5. Shan Plateau – Located in Eastern Myanmar.
6. Ust Yurt Plateau – in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
7. Armenian Highland – in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Turkey. Ararat Mt. is the highest
peak of this plateau.
8. Central Siberian Plateau – Tunguska River flows on it.
9. Loess Plateau – in China also known as Huangtu plateau or yellow land plateau.

Major Plains of Asia

Mesopotamia Plains – in West Asia.
Manchuria Plains – Temperate grasslands in northern China.
Siberia Plains – Plains between Ural Mountain and Lena River.
Turan Lowland – in the basin of Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers in Central Asia.

Major Deserts of Asia

Rub – Al – Khali – Largest erg desert of the world located in Saudi Arabia.
Takla Makan Desert – Cold desert in China.
Gobi Desert – Cold desert in China and Mongolia.

Rivers of Asia
1. Tigris - Euphrates – in Turkey, Syria, Iraq. Mesopotamia plains located in its basin.
2. Helmand river – Longest River of Afghanistan.
3. Lena – Longest River of Russia.
4. Amur – On Russia – China border.
5. Hwang Ho – Asia’s 2nd longest river also known as 6. Sorrow of China, Yellow River. It carries
highest amount of sediments in the world.
6. Yangtze – Longest River of Asia and 3rd longest river of the world which flows in China. World’s
largest hydropower plant called Three Gorges dam is located on this river.
7. Si kiang or Xi Jiang – River in southern China.
8. Red river – Vietnam’s capital Hanoi is located at its bank.
9. Mekong – Longest River of South – East Asia.
10. Chao Phraya – Thailand’s capital Bangkok is located at its bank.
11. Salween – Flows on Myanmar – Thailand border.
12. Irrawaddy – Longest River of Myanmar.
13. Surma river – River of Eastern Bangladesh which is known as Barak River in India.
14. Mahaveli - Longest river of Sri Lanka.
Lakes of Asia
1. Van Gol Lake – Largest saline lake of Turkey.
2. Dead Sea – On Israel – Jordan border. This lake is located at the lowest point of the terrestrial
region.
3. Darya-e-Urmia – Largest saline lake of Iran.
4. Caspian Sea – Largest Lake of the world. Russia, 5. Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Azerbaijan
countries surround it. It is known for oil reserves. Major oil field is located in Baku.
5. Black Sea – surrounded by Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia.
6. Aral Sea – On Kazakhstan – Uzbekistan border. Sr Darya and Amu Darya rivers fall in it.
7. Quinghai Lake – Largest saline lake of China.
8. Baikal Lake – World’s deepest lake located in Russia. Volume wise it is world’s largest fresh
water lake.
9. Tonle Sap Lake – Largest fresh water lake of South – East Asia located in Cambodia. It is one
the world’s 36 Hotspots.
10. Toba Lake – World’s largest Caldera Lake located on Sumatra Island of Indonesia.
11. Biwa Lake – Largest fresh water lake of Japan located on Honshu Island.

Major Industries of Asia

West Asia
Saudi Arabia – AL Quatif, Dhahran, Abquaiq, Ghawar; oil refineries – Riyadh, Ras Tanura, Dammam.
Iran – Neft Sefid, Haft kel, Aghajari, Masjed – e – Soleyman, Lali, Dogonbadan/ Gachsaran; oil
refineries – Abadan, Isfahan, Bandar Abbas, Tehran, Arak, Tabriz, Kermanshah, Shiraz
Iraq – Kirkuk, Mosul, Al Basrah, Naftkhanesh, Khanqin, Ramaila Refinery
Israel – Oil refinery Haifa
Central Asia – Cotton Textiles (Fergana Valley), Coal (Karaganda in Kazakhstan), Uranium.
Pakistan – Cotton Textile industry (Lahore, Multan, Karachi), Paper industry (Naushehra), sports
material (Sialkot), coal (Quetta), Gas (Sui, Miyal), sugar (Mardan)

Japan
Tokyo – Yokohama – Kawasaki Region / Kanto Region / Keihin Region – Automobile.
Nagoya – Toyota Region – Automobile
Osaka – Kobe – Kyoto Region / Kinki Region – Cotton textile industry (Major Port – Sakai)
Yawata – Nagasaki Region / Kitakyushu Region – Steel industry (Center – Kokura, Moje,
Shimonoseki)
Muroran Region – on Hokkaido Island. Steel industry.
China
Manchuria Region – Steel industry (Shenyang, Anshan, Fushun – Mukden Triangle)
Northern China Region – Steel industry located near coal regions Shanxi, Shaanxi, Shandong.
(Centre – Baotou, Beijing, Tianjin, Tientsin.
Yangtse Valley region – Steel industry (Wuhan, Shanghai, Haikou, Chongqing.
Yunan – Tin
Shanghai and Canton – Cotton Textile
Beijing – Textile
Australia
The natives of Australia are called Abiogenies.

Kosciusko peak – Highest peak of Australia located in Great Dividing Range.

Western Plateau region – Many deserts are found here such as Great Sandy desert, Gibson
desert, Great Victoria Desert, Simpson desert, Stuart Stoney desert, etc. In this region world’s
largest monolith is found which is called Ayer’s rock and in local language it is called Uluru. Saline
lake called Disappointment is found in this region. Minerals – Kimberley plateau (diamond), Pilbara
region (iron ore), Kalgoorlie, Coolgardie (gold).

Central Plain Region – Divided in three parts. Great Artesian Basin is the largest artesian basin of
the world found in this region. Murray – Darling basin is called known for agriculture and animal
rearing. The temperate grassland called Downs is located here. The workers at sheep rearing centres
are called Jekaru. Limestone rocks are found in Nullarbor plains.

Eyre Lake – Largest saline lake of the Australia where the lowest point of Australia is also found.
Its new name is Kati Thanda.

Bass Strait – It lies between Australian mainland and Tasmania Island. It connects Tasman Sea
and Southern Ocean. Oil and gas reserves are found here.

Great Barrier Reef – Located in Coral Sea near the Eastern coast of Queensland. Highest
biodiversity in the world is found in this region.

Industries of Australia
Perth and Bunbury – oil refinery Alice Springs – Oil, gas
Port Augusta and Adelaide – Heavy industry Weipa – Bauxite
Melbourne – Geelong – Ship manufacturing Darwin – uranium
Latrobe valley / Gippsland region – coal
Sydney – Textile
Townsville – refinery of lead, zinc, copper
New South Wales – Coal
Pilbara – iron
Broken Hill and Mount Isa – Lead, Zinc, Silver
New Zealand
The natives of New Zealand are called Mâori. Two major islands are there in New Zealand which
are divided by Cook strait. The capital of New Zealand, Wellington is located on Northern island.
Largest fresh water lake of New Zealand is lake Taupo. Waikatu river is the longest river of New
Zealand.

Southern Alps is located on Southern Island and its highest peak is Mount Cook.

Canterbury Plains – Temperate grasslands found in New Zealand which are known for animal
rearing. New Zealand is large producer and exporter of Dairy products, meat and wheat.

Antarctica
Vostok (Russia) – Lowest temperature of the world is found in this region.

Transantarctic Mountain
3rd longest range of the world, after Andes and Rocky Mountains. The highest peak of Antarctica
Mount Vinson Massif is located here.

Research Centres
Dakshini Gangotri (1983-84 to 1990)
Maitri (1989 -90)
Bharti (2012)

India’s research centre in Arctic region is Himadri (2008) and IndArc (2014) underground multisensory
observatory.
Agriculture In 2020, the Prime Minister dedicated 17 bio-
fortified varieties of food crops to the country,
1. Rice in which there is a variety of rice named CR
2. Wheat Dhan 315, in which more zinc is found.
3. Cotton In West Bengal three crops of rice are obtained
4. Sugarcane in a year which are Aus (Autumn), Aman
5. Tea (Winter), Boro (Summer).
6. Coffee
Rice Highest Rice Producer States (2018.19) -
1 West Bengal
2 Uttar Pradesh
India is the second largest rice producer in the 3 Punjab
world after China. Rice is the staple food of the 4 Andhra Pradesh
maximum population of India. Rice is sown on 5 Orissa.
23% of the total agricultural land in India. States with highest productivity
The Central Rice Research Institute is located
1. Punjab
at Cuttack (Orissa).
Indian Rice Research Institute is located in 2. Tamil Nadu
Hyderabad. 3. Andhra Pradesh
4. Telangana
Geographical Conditions - (Kharif Crop) 5. Haryana
Rice is cultivated up to an altitude of 2000 m Among food grains, production of rice is
above sea level. highest.
Major disease - Brown spot (fungal or fungal
Temperature - 20°C to 27°C (20°C at the disease)
time of sowing and 27°C at the time of Wheat
ripening). India is the second largest producer of wheat
Rice is grown in tropical and temperate after China. Wheat is the second major cereal
regions. The rice grown in the tropical region is grain in India after rice. Wheat is cultivated on
called Indica and the rice grown in the 15% of the total sown area of the country.
temperate region is called Jeponica.
Geographical Conditions (Rabi Crop)
Rainfall - 150 to 200 cm. More rainfall is It is mainly a temperate tropical crop. Its
required at the time of sowing. Rice is a plant cultivation is done up to 2700 m altitude.
that grows in water. At the time of sowing, Temperature - 15° C to 20° C (10° C when
about 20 to 30 cm deep water should be filled growing, 15° C when growing, 20° C when
in the field for 75 days. ripening and cutting)
Rainfall - 50 - 75 cm More rainfall at the time
Soil - Clayey loam or alluvial soil of growing, 100 days need to be frost free.
Landform - flat (The rice grown in low land The isohyte line of 100 cm separates the wheat
swampy regions is delicious. Rice plant of high and rice producing regions.
land is small and its grain is small and red in Soil - clay loam
colour.)
Variety - Girija, Arjun, Malvia-12, Sonalika
Variety - Jaya (first dwarf variety), Jamuna, (Bony variety)
Padma, Krishna, Ratna, IR8, Chak In 2020, the Prime Minister dedicated 17 bio-
Golden Rice is a genetically modified crop cultured varieties of food crops to the country,
that is high in beta carotene or vitamin A. in which there is a variety named Wheat H.I
1633, HD 3298, DBW 203, DDW 48, MACS Variety - Vikas, Vikram, Kalyan, Vijay,
4058 in which more zinc, protein and iron are Narmada
found. In India only Bt cotton is allowed to be used in
GM crops. Bt cotton is capable of killing the
Highest Wheat Producing States (2018.19) Boll worm.
1. Uttar Pradesh Highest cotton producing states
2. Punjab 1. Maharashtra
3. Madhya Pradesh 2. Gujarat
4. Haryana 3. Telangana
5. Rajasthan 4. Madhya Pradesh
States with high productivity 5. Rajasthan
1. Punjab High Productivity States -
2. Haryana 1. Punjab
3. Rajasthan 2. Madhya Pradesh
4. Uttar Pradesh 3. Rajasthan
5. Gujarat 4. Haryana
Among the food crops, wheat has highest Andhra Pradesh
productivity. (Note - There are two main areas of cotton
Major diseases - Black spot and brown spot production in the state of Karnataka - the black
(fungal or fungal disease) soil area located in northern Karnataka called
Salhatti and the red soil area located in
Cotton southern Karnataka called Daudahatti.)
India is the second largest producer of the
world after China. Sugarcane
India produces both short staple or fibre India is the second largest sugarcane producer
(Indian) and long staple or fibre (American) in the world after Brazil.
cotton.
American cotton is called Narma in the north- Geographical Conditions – Sugarcane is a
western part of the country. tropical crop. It can be sown only in areas
Cotton is sown on 7% of the total sown area of having humid and humid climate. 20° to 30°C
the country. temperature, 125°C rainfall, dry conditions
before harvesting, loamy deep clay and lava
There are three main cotton producing regions.
black soil. Sugarcane matures in 11 to 12
Punjab, Haryana, Northern Rajasthan in North
West India. months. Normal temperature is required at the
Gujarat and Maharashtra in the west. time of sowing sugarcane, high temperature
In the south, the plateau parts of Telangana, during growing and low temperature during
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are included. ripening. Frost is harmful to sugarcane.
Geographical Conditions - Sugarcane productivity is high in South India
It is a fibrous crop which is sown in the semi- due to favourable climatic conditions.
arid parts of tropical regions in Kharif season. Sugarcane of South India is also high in
20° to 30°C temperature, 50 to 100 cm of sucrose .
rainfall, 210 frost free days. Dry conditions
Highest sugarcane producing states
during ripening. Well drained field is required.
1. Uttar Pradesh
Soil - Black soil 2. Maharashtra
3. Karnataka produces mostly quality Arabica coffee which
4. Tamil Nadu is in great demand in the international market.
5. Gujarat Required conditions for production - 20 to
States with high sugarcane productivity 25 ° C temperature, 200 cm of rainfall. The
1. Tamil Nadu coffee plant cannot tolerate direct sunlight and
2. Karnataka is grown under the shade of other trees. It is
3. Punjab cultivated on the highlands of the Western
4. Uttar Pradesh Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
5. Haryana
Indian Sugarcane Research Institute is at Highest coffee producing states
Lucknow and Central Sugarcane Research 1 Karnataka
Institute is at Coimbatore. 2 Kerala
3 Tamil Nadu
Tea
India is the second largest tea producing state The Central Coffee Research Centre is located
in the world after China. Tea cultivation in India at Balehonnur (Karnataka).
started in the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam in
1840.

Black tea leaves are fermented, while green

tea leaves are unfermented. Caffeine and
tannins are found in abundance in tea leaves.

Conditions for production - 25 to 30 °C

temperature, tropical and sub-tropical humid
climate, 200 cm of rainfall, laterite soil. Rainfall
must be evenly distributed throughout the year
for continuous development of leaves. It grows
on well drained slopes.
फसल उ ादन 2019-20
Tolkai Tea Research Institute is located in चावल – 118.87 िम लयन टन
Jorhat (Assam). गे ँ – 107.86 िम लयन टन
मोटा अनाज – 47.75 िम लयन टन
Highest Tea Producing states दाले – 23.03 िम लयन टन
1. Assam कुल खा ान (अनाज + दाले) = 297.5 िम लयन टन
2. West Bengal
ितलहन = 332.19 िम लयन टन
3. Tamil Nadu ग ा = 3705 लाख टन (370.5 िम लयन टन)
4. Kerala कपास = 360.65 ित 170 िक. ा क लाख गाँ ठे
5. Karnataka जूट-मे ा = 98.77 ित 180 िक. ा क लाख गाँ ठे

Coffee Scientific name of Asian rice – Oryza Sativa

India ranks eighth in the world in coffee
production. Coffee production in India started Scientific name of Wheat – Triticum Aestivum
from the Baba Budan hills. Scientific name of Cotton – Gossypium
There are three main varieties of coffee – Scientific name of Sugarcane – Saccharum Officinarum
Scientific name of Tea – Camellia Sinensis
Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. Arabica and
Scientific name of Coffee - Coffea
Robusta varieties are grown in India. India