2020 WORLD MAPPING- NCERT BASED Table of Contents

MAPPING MADE EASY -2020 WORLD MAPPING- NCERT BASED Table of Contents

S.no. Title Page

Europe-Physiography 3 1

Europe-Major Water Bodies 6

2 Europe-Major Rivers 8 3

Europe-Major Rivers & Water Bodies 10 4

Africa-Physiography 11 5

Africa-Major Water Bodies & Rivers 14 6

North-America-Physiography 17 7

USA and Canada -Physical 18 8

Canada-Major Water Bodies 20 9

USA-Major Water Bodies 21 10

11 South-America-Physiography 25

12 South America-Major Water Bodies 28

13 The Middle America- Countries and borders 30

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Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2020 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved MAPPING MADE EASY -2020 WORLD MAPPING- NCERT BASED 14 Asia- Physiography 31

15 Asia- Countries & Borders 44

16 The Middle-East – Water Bodies 45

17 The Middle-East – Countries & Borders 46

18 China – Water Bodies 46

19 Russia – Water Bodies 47

20 Antarctica 48

21 The Arctic 50

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Europe

 Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania  Balkan States: Yugoslavia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Albania.  Low Countries: also called Benelux Countries, coastal region of northwestern Europe, consisting of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The Low Countries are bordered by Germany to the east and France to the south. In 1947 the three nations formed the Benelux Customs Union, which broadened over the years into what a 1960 treaty confirmed as the Benelux Economic Union.  The United Kingdom: It comprises the whole of the island of Great Britain—which contains England, Wales, and Scotland—as well as the northern portion of the island of Ireland. The name Britain is sometimes used to refer to the United Kingdom as a whole.  Scandinavia: historically Scandia, part of northern Europe, generally held to consist of the two countries of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Norway and Sweden, with the addition of Denmark. Some authorities argue for the inclusion of Finland on geologic and economic grounds and of Iceland and the Faroe Islands on the grounds that their inhabitants speak North Germanic (or Scandinavian) languages related to those of Norway and Sweden.

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Europe-Physiography:

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 The Ural Mountains: Natural Boundary between Asia and Europe. The highest point is Mt. Narodnaya at 6,214 ft.  Mesata: The central plateau, or Mesata, covers nearly half of the entire country of Spain. This high plateau averages about 2,300 ft. (700 m) in the north, and 2,000 ft. (600 m) in the south. It's surrounded by a series of mountain ranges including the Cantabrian, Sierra De Gata and Sierra Guadarrama in the north and central, and the Sierra Morena and Sierra Nevada in the south.  Kjolen Mountains: This jagged mountain system runs along the border of eastern Norway and western Sweden. The highest point is Mt. Kebnekaise, standing at 6,965 ft. (2,123 m).  The Alps: They are a small segment of a discontinuous mountain chain that stretches from the Atlas Mountains of North Africa across southern Europe and Asia to beyond the Himalayas. The Alps form partof France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and Albania. Mt. Blanc, which at 15,771 feet (4,807 metres) is the highest peak in the Alps.  Apennine Range, also called the Apennines, Italian Appennino, series of mountain ranges bordered by narrow coastlands that form the physical backbone of peninsular Italy. Mount Corno, 9,554 feet (2,912 metres), is the highest point of the Apennines. Two Active Volcanoes – Mt. Vesuvius and Mt. Etna.  PyreneesIt stretches from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Bay of Biscay on the Atlantic Oceanon the west. The Pyrenees form a high wall between France and Spain. At its western end it blends imperceptibly into the Cantabrian Mountains along the northern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.  Carpathian Mountains, a geologically young European mountain chain forming the eastward continuation of the Alps.  The Caucasus Mountains, extending west-east for about 750 miles (1,200 km) from the Taman Peninsula on the Black Sea to the Abşeron Peninsulaon the Caspian Sea. and occupied by Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Mount Elbrus in the Greater Caucasus range, at

18,510 feet (5,642 metres), is the highest peak. 5 Page

Europe-Major Water Bodies:

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 Countries bordering Black sea: This major inland sea is bordered by six countries — Romania and Bulgaria to the west; Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia to the north and east; and Turkey to the south.  Countries bordering Caspian sea: The Caspian Sea is a landlocked body of water between Europe and Asia. Five countries — Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Azerbaijan — border the inland sea.  Countries bordering Baltic sea: The Baltic Sea is positioned in Northern Europe and bordered by Sweden (a part of the Scandinavian Peninsula), Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, northeastern Germany, and eastern Denmark and its numerous islands. The Kiel Canal-North Sea–Baltic Sea Canal, waterway in northern Germany.  Countries bordering Mediteranean sea • Northern shore (from west to east): Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece and Turkey. • Eastern shore (from north to south): Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel. • Southern shore (from west to east): Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt. • Island nations: Malta, Cyprus.

Gulfs and Bays:

NAME SEPARATES PART OF SEA OR OCEAN

Gulf of Riga Estonia and Latvia Baltic Sea

Gulf of Finland Finland and Estonia Baltic Sea.

Gulf of Bothnia Sweden and Finland Baltic Sea.

English Channel Britain and Spain Atlantic Ocean

Bay Biscay France and Spain Atlanic Ocean

Gulf of Lions Lies to the south of France Mediterranean Sea. 7

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Europe-Major Rivers:

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 Danube: Beginning in the Black Forest region of Germany, it flows across central Europe and the countries of Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Yugoslavia. It then forms the border between Romania and Bulgaria, turning north across Romania to eventually end in the Black Sea.  Dnieper: Rising in the southwestern part of the Russian Federation, it flows generally south through Belarus, then southeast through Ukraine, ending in the Black Sea. Overall it's (1,420 miles) (2,285 km) in length.  Don: Beginning it the southwestern Russian Federation, to the south of Moscow, it flows southeasterly towards the Volga, then turns abruptly west, ending in the Sea of Azov. Overall it's (1,224 miles) (1,969 km) in length.  Elbe: Rising in the Czech Republic, the Elbe River then flows north through Germany, ending in the North Sea near Cuxhaven. It's (724 miles) (1,165 km) in length.  Loire: Recognized as the longest river in France, the navigable Loire begins in the foothills of the Massif Central, then flows north and west across the heartland of France, finally ending in the Bay of Biscay. It's (634 miles) (1,020 km) in length.  Po: Italy's longest river begins in the upper reaches of the Alps, flowing west to east across northern Italy, ending in the Adriatic Sea. It's (405 miles) (652 km) in length. Rhine: Forming in the mountains of southeastern Switzerland, this legendary river flows west, forming Switzerland's northeastern border with Germany, then runs directly north through western Germany forming part of that country's border with France, then finally dissecting the Netherlands and ending in the North Sea.  Numerous tributaries and branches run in all directions, and in overall length is (820 miles) (1,319 km).  Rhone: Begin high in the Swiss Alps, this fast moving river flows into the eastern end of Lake Geneva, then south through south-eastern France, emptying into the Mediterranean Sea.  Volga: The Volga is the largest river in European Russia in terms of length, discharge, and watershed. It flows through central Russia, and is widely viewed as the national river of Russia. It's

3,692 km (2,294 mi) long 9 Page

Europe-Major Rivers & Water Bodies

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Africa-Physiography:

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 Great Rift Valley • Great Rift Valley a geological fault system stretching about 6,400 km from the valley of the Jordan River in south western Asia to the Zambezi River in Mozambique. It is the longest fault system in the world. • South of Ethiopia the Great Rift Valley divides into an eastern and a western branch. The eastern branch, which runs through Kenya and Tanzania, has many volcanoes and several shallow lakes. • The western branch, which runs along the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s eastern frontier, is marked by a chain of large, deep lakes and has few volcanoes. The branches converge at Lake Nyasa, in southeastern Africa, and continue south as one system to central Mozambique. • The deep rift valleys of the Eastern Highlands hold a great series of lakes. This equatorial lake system includes Lakes Turkana, Albert, Tanganyika, and Nyasa (Malawi).  Atlas Mountains: Highest peak- Jbel Toubkal (4165m) located in High Atlas Mountains. Dominates in the rugged country of Morocco. These mountains sweep across the centre from north east to southwest and rising 2,750 m in the Middle Atlas to over 4,000 m in the High Atlas and to the south the Anti- Atlas (the uplifted edge of the Saharan platform) reaches 2,000 m. An example of fold mountain.  Ethiopian Highlands: Highest peak : Ras Dashan (4,620 m) is the Africa’s third highest peak. High plateau of volcanic origin. The high plateau is split by the Great Rift valley along a north east- southwest line. Source of the Blue Nile River.  Mt. Kenya (5,200 m): Africa’s second highest peak, volcanic in origin.  Mt. Kilimanjaro (5,895 m): Also known as Mount Kibo. It stands alone, not apart of mountain range. Africa’s highest peak located in Tanzania. An example of extinct volcanoes. Coffee is grown on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. Just 322 km from the equator, mountain peaks covered with perpetual snow throughout the year.  Drakensberg Scarpland: High escarpment in Southeast Africa caused by lava flow. An example of continental plateau, formed due to epeirogenesis (continental building) movement. From the escarpment rim, the land slopes inwards down to the Kalahari desert in the north.  Mount Cameroon (4,070 m) : Only active volcanic mountain of Africa, dominates the coastline of

Cameroon. Known for iron ore deposits. Wettest place in Africa along slopes of Mt. Cameroon. 12

Deserts: Page

Sahara  desert Lies between 150 top 300 N latitudes.  The largest stretch of desert, which is 5150 km from east to west and at least 1610 km in area.  Erg: Sandy desert of Sahara (9.1 sq. km) is undulating plain of sand, produced by wind deposition.  Hamada: Rocky desert of Sahara is bare rock surface formed by deflation.  Cities located in the desert fringe are Zinder (Niger), Timbuktu (Mali), Kano (Nigeria), and Kumasi (Ghana).

Libyan  desert Vast arid land of north-east of Africa in Libya.  Serir: Stony desert of Libya is covered with boulders, angular pebbles and gravels which have been produced by high diurnal temperature range.

Arabian  desert Arid region of North-East Egypt.

Nubian  desert It is an extension of Sahara which occupies a third of the Sudan’s territory in the north.

Namib  desert A narrow, dune-covered desert belt, runs 1,600 km along the entire Atlantic Sea board of Namibia.

Kalahari  desert Semi desert region of Botswana lies to the east of Namib desert.  Home of one of the Africa’s oldest races, the Kalahari Bushmen.

Africa-Major Water Bodies & Rivers: 13 Page

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 Mediterranean Sea: It separates Africa from Europe. Region around are known for its distinct climate. Bordered by Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt.  Red Sea: It separates Africa from Asia. Bordered by Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti.  Indian Ocean: Bordered by Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambiquei and South Africa.  Atlantic ocean: Bordered by Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Camernoon, Equatorial Guniea, Gabon, Congo, Zaire, Angola, Namibia, South Africa.  Lake Kariba: Southernmost lake which is located on the Zambezi River in Zambia. One of the biggest man-made lake where commercial fishing is done. Largest producer of hydroelectricity in Africa.  Lake Nayasa (Lake Malawi): Rift valley lake, which lies along the Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Third largest lake in Africa.  Lake Tanganyika; Rift valley lake which lies along the Tanzania, Zaire and Zambia. World’s second deepest lake (1435 m ) after Ozero, Baikal and also the second largest lake of Africa. It lies 2500 m above sea level.  Lake Victoria: Largest lake of Africa which is located between Uganda, Keyna and Tanzania. Source of White Nile River. It does not lie in the rift valley. A large lake through which equator pass. World’s third largest lake after Caspian Sea and Lake Superior. It contains numerous islands coral reefs.  Lake Nasser: Lake lies on the River Nile. Man-made lake, which is located between Egypt and sudan.  Lake Chad: Largest lake (shallow fresh water lake) of Sahara in chad. Actually an example of deflation hollow which is formed due to wind erosion.  Lake Volta: One of the largest man-made lakes on the River Volta in Ghana of inland drainage where the Chari River drains.

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Gulfs and Bays:

Name Location

Gulf of South of Ivory coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon and Guinea Equatorial Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean.

Walvis Bay West of Namibia, Atlantic Ocean

Maputo Bay South East of Mozambique, Indian Ocean.

Major Rivers:

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North-America-Physiography:

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USA and Canada -Physical:

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The Western Cordilleras:  The Western Cordilleras are young fold mountain ranges spread from Alaska to Mexico. It consist of the Rocky Mountain range in the east, the Sierra Nevada range at the center of the continent, the Coastal range in the west and the Alaskan range in the north. The highest peak of North America is Mount Mickinely.  The plateaus surrounded by mountain ranges are the Columbia plateau, the Colorado plateau and Mexican plateau. The Great Basin also lies in the Western Cordilleras.  The plateau of Colorado lies to its south. Very deep gorges with wall-like sides are called canyons.The Canyon of Colorado in the largest canyon in the world. The Great Central Plains:  The Great Central Plains are located between the Western Cordilleras and the Eastern Highlands.  The North American Great Central Plains also contain the hot and dry deserts of Arizona and Mexico towards the south and also the famous Niagara falls.  The Crater Lake is a spectacular mountain lake located in the Cascade Mountains of the United States of America. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and the seventh deepest in the world. It is known to terrify visitors with its oppressive stillness.  These plains also host the five big lakes of North America- The Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huran, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. These provide the plains with an ample supply of fresh water. The Great Central Plains contain the vast and flat Mississippi river basin in its central and southern parts. The Eastern Highlands:  The Eastern Highlands include the Appalachian ranges and the Labrador plateau. To east of the Appalachian The Piedmont and the Atlantic coastal plains are located. The Appalachian ranges and the Labrador Plateau are separated by the St. Lawrence Valley. The Canadian Shield:  The Canadian Shield is a raised but relatively flat plateau. It extends over eastern, central, and northwestern Canada. The Canadian Shield is characterized by a rocky landscape pocked by an astounding number of lakes.

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Canada-Major Water Bodies:

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USA-Major Water Bodies:

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Rivers of Canada:

Rivers of USA:

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Great Lakes

 The Great Lakes — Superior, Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Erie — make up the largest body of fresh water on Earth, accounting for one-fifth of the freshwater surface on the planet. The lakes are on the U.S.-Canadian border, touching Ontario in Canada and Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York in the United States.

 Lake Superior has the largest volume of all the Great Lakes. It is the coldest and deepest and 23 because it has a cooler climate and poor soil conditions it is the least polluted. Page

 Lake Michigan is the second largest of the Great Lakes. It is located completely within the United States. It is the only one of the Great Lakes to be completely within one country.  Lake Huron, by volume, is the third largest of the Great Lakes. Lake Huron also includes Georgian Bay. Lake Huron is popular with cottagers because it has shallow sandy beaches and rocky beaches suitable for swimming, boating, fishing, and other water activities. The largest salt mine in the world is the Goderich Mine which runs partially under Lake Huron.  Lake Erie is the smallest Great Lake in terms of volume, but the fourth largest in area. Seas, Gulfs and Bays:

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South-America-Physiography:

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Mountains & Highlands:

 South America’s primary mountain system, the Andes, is also the world’s longest. The range covers about 8,850 kilometres (5,500 miles). Situated on the far western edge of the continent, the Andes stretch from the southern tip to the northernmost coast of South America.  The highest peak in the Andes, Aconcagua, stands at 6,962 meters (22,841 feet) and straddles the Argentina-Chile border. Aconcagua is the tallest mountain outside Asia.  High plateaus are also a feature of the Andes. The altiplano of Peru and Bolivia, for example, has an elevation of about 3,700 meters (12,300 feet). The Patagonia region of Argentina and Chile consists of lower-elevation plateaus and rugged glaciers.

Coastal Plains:

 A coastal plain is an area of low, flat land next to a seacoast. South American coastal plains are found on the northeastern coast of Brazil, on the Atlantic Ocean, and the western, Pacific coast of Peru and Chile.  The western coastal plains are also extremely dry. They are trapped between the cold Peru Current to the west and the Andes Mountains to the east. The Peru Current brings cold water to the Pacific coast of Peru and Chile. This cold surface water results in thermal inversion: cold air at sea level and stable, warmer air higher up.  The Atacama Desert is part of the western coastal plain. The Atacama is considered the driest region in the world. The average rainfall is about 1 millimetre (0.04 inches) a year, and some parts of the Atacama have never had rain in recorded history.

Pampas

 The Pampas of South America are a grassland biome. The climate in the pampas is humid and warm. The humid Pampas ecosystem is one of the richest grazing areas in the world. Because of its temperate climate and rich, deep soil, most of the Pampas has been cultivated and turned into croplands.

The Llanos 26 Page

 A vast savannah or grassland region, known as the Llanos, is the primary biome of the Orinoco River basin. The Llanos is primarily made up of grasses. Swamp grasses, sedges, and bunchgrass are found in wet, low-lying areas. Carpet grass is found in the higher and drier elevations. Like most grassland biomes, the Llanos is the perfect habitat for many bird species.

Deserts:

Name Location La Guajira Desert a desert in northern Colombia

Patagonian Desert the largest desert by area in the Americas, located in Argentina and Chile,

Atacama a desert in Chile and Peru, the driest place on Earth Sechura Desert a desert located along a portion of the northwestern coast in Peru, South America Monte Desert in Argentina, a smaller desert above the Patagonian Peruvian Desert in Peru and Chile

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South America-Major Water Bodies:

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River Basins

 The Amazon River basin has an area of almost 7 million square kilometers (2.7 million square miles), making it the largest watershed in the world. The Amazon River is the life force of the equally vast Amazon rain forest, which makes up about half of the rain forest of the entire planet.  The Orinoco River flows north of the Amazon. The Orinoco flows in a giant arc for more than 2,736 kilometers (1,700miles), originating in the Guiana Highlands of northern Brazil and discharging in the Atlantic Ocean in Venezuela.  The Paraguay/Paraná River basin covers almost 2.8 million square kilometers (1,081,000 square miles), which is much of southeastern Brazil and Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. The Paraná River includes Iguazu Falls, a massive series of waterfalls that extend for 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles).

Important Lakes and Islands:

Name Location

Lake Maracaibo (12,950 sq.  North of Venezuela, is one of the major oil km) producing region.  Largest lake of South America. Lake Titicaca (12,500 feet  Situated between Bolivia and Peru. above sea level)  Highest navigable lake in the world. Lake Popo  Lies in the Altiplano (high Plateau between the Andes mountain chain) in Bolivia. Galapagos Islands  Home of many unique species of reptiles (turtles), birds and fishes.

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The Middle America- Countries and borders:

The Caribbean

Central America Central Page

Asia- Physiography

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Manchurian Plain Formed by the Amur River and its tributaries in the northern part of China.

Important cities Anshan, Shenyag and Fushun of Mukden Triangle are located. Great Plain of China Formed by the Hwang-Ho and Yangtze Kiang Rivers in the eastern China. Turanian Plain Formed by the two principal Asian rivers, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya.

It is an example of Basin plain which covers the region of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. West Siberian Plain It extends over 3,200 km eastwards from the Urals to the Yenisey River and is one of the largest lowlands in the world. Taaidam Basin Lies between Altun Shan and Kunlun Shan and to the north east of Central Tibetan Plateau

The major region of oil fields. Szechuan Basin Situated to the north of Yunan Plateau is the fertile basin where the Yangtze Kiang River is joined by three major tributaries known as the Red Basin because of its coloured sandstone.

Red basin of Szechuan is the leading rice producing region and is called the ‘Rice Bowl of China’. THE DESERT LANDSCAPE OF SAUDI ARABIA Rub-al-Khali Largest continuous sand desert in the southern part of Saudi Arabia.

It is also called ‘Empty Quarter’. Al Nafud Desert Deserts land in the north eastern region of Saudi Arabia. THE DESERT LANDSCAPE OF IRAN

Dash-I-Kavir Largest Salt desert of the world situated in the northern Iran. 32 Page

Dasht-I-Lut Barren desert of Iran situated in the eastern part of country.

Asia- Physiography The Mountain Regions

Hindukush Mountains Running westwards from the Pamir Knot to the Elburz Mountains in Iran. Elburz Mountains Hindukush Mountain joins the Armenian Knot near the Caspian Sea under the name of Elburz Mountains in Iran. Sulaiman Range It proceeds southwards from the Pamir Knot along the border between Pakistan and Afganistan.

The most famous pass across this mountain wall is the Khyber, linking Pakistan with Afghanistan. Kirthar Range Sulaiman Range takes the name of Kirthan in the south. Makran Range Kirthan Range turns westward on the Arabian Sea coast and assumes the name of Makran. Zagros Running to the northwest of Makran, ultimately ends up in the Armenian Knot. Pontic Mountain Range Running to the northwest of Armenian Knot in Turkey. Taurus Mountain Range Running to the southwest of Armenian Knot along the Mediterranean coast in Turkey.

Important Mountains

The Himalayan Mountain Range  Lies to the north of Indo Gangetic Plain, is an example of mountain range which formed in the same age with

same process.

 An example of fold mountain of Alpine orogeny. 33 Page

 Mount Everest (8,848 m) is the highest peak, located in Nepal. Karakoram Range  Lies in the north of the Himalaya.  Godwin Austen (K2) is the highest peak of Karakoram Kailash Range  East of Karakoram Range in Tibet. Kunlun Shan Range  Lies to the north of Tibet Plateau and to the South of the desert basin of Tarim in China. Tienshan  Lies to the north of Tarim basin Great Khingan Mountain  The Tien Shan extends to the north east and reaches the Amur River under the name of Great Khingan Mountains. Altai Mountain, Hangay  Mountain, Sayan Mountain Lies to the north of Tienshan in succession in a more or less east-west direction. Yablonovy Range, Stanovoy  Range, Dzhugzur Range and Lies to the north east of Atlai Range in the eastern Kolyama Range Siberia. Verkhoyansk Range  Lies to the east of the Lena River separates Central Siberian Plateau from the eastern Siberian regio. Pegu Yoma  The Irrawaddy and Sittang are divided in their middle course by this mountain range. Arakan Yoma  Running southwards, is the western range of Myanmar.  A range of the Himalaya which further countinues through the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sumatra, Java and other Indonesian islands.

Important Plateaus and Basins

NAME INFORMATION 34 Page

Ladakh Plateau (Inter- montane Plateau) Lies between the Karakoram in the north and the Himalayas in the south. Tibet Plateau (Inter- montane Plateau) Enclosed to the south by the Himalays, to the north by the Kunlun Shan Range is the highest tableland (4,800 m) of Tibet.

The largest plateau in the world with an average altitude of 4,250 m. Yunan Plateau Lies to the southeast of the Tibet Plateau is separated from the fertile Szechuan basin by the range of mountains. Takla Makan Desert Plateau and Tarim An intermontane desert basin lies between the Tienshan in the north Basin and Kunlun Shan in the south.

Convectie and ‘Karaburan’ blows in the arid regions. Pamir Plateau Situated to the northwest of the Indian sub-continent.

Meeting point for the central Asian mountain ranges which make up the skeleton of the continent.

The highest plateau of the world with an altitude of 4,900 m is also known as ‘roof of the world’. Armenian Plateau Situated between the Caspian Sea and Black Sea.

Pamir-like plateau from where many mountain ranges spread out, therefore called the Armenian Knot. Iranian Plateau The central desert plateau of Iran is enclosed by Zagros in the south and west and Elburz in the north. Mongolian Plateau A high plateau between 1,500 and 1,800 m above sea level, is situated between the Khinghan in the east, Altunshan and Tien Shan in the south, Altai in the west and Yablonovy in the north. Urfan Basin Lies to the west of Mongolian Plateau. Aldan Plateau

Lies to the north west of Stanovoy Mountain Indo-China Plateau Region of Southeast Asia, extends over Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, 35 Page

Thailand and Myanmar. Shan Plateau Lies between Pegu Yoma and Arkan Yoma in the eastern part of Myanmar.

The Salween River flows through the plateau.

Region important for precious stone (Rubies), silver, lead, and tin and tungsten. Deccan Plateau Lies to the south of Indo Gangetic plain, between the Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats.

North western part of Deccan Plateau is an example of lava Plateau or Plateau of accumulation Baluchistan Plateau A desert plateau (900 m high) situated to the west of Kirthar Range Arabian Plateau An example of titled block extending over the entire Arabian Peninsula. Plateau of Antolia of Asia Minor or Turkey Enclosed between Pontic Mountain Ranges in the north west and Tauras in the south west.

A vast plateau with an average height of 1,200 m, broken by ridges and volcanic outcrops.

The main rivers draining off the plateau are Tigris and Euphrates. Loess Plateau The Plateau region is surrounded by Great Plain in the east, Qining Mountains in the south and Ordos Plateau in the north.

Loess is the wind borne fine dust, deposited beyond the deserts limits and is the fine loam, rich in lime.

Shansi and Shensi region of loess plateau is known for its extensive coal reserves.

The Hwang Ho flows through loess land.

Dzungarian Basin Relatively low lying land between the Tien Shan and Altai Range in

Mongolia. 36 Page

A sort of door between China and Mongolia in the east and Tarim lowland in the west. Mesopotamian Plain Formed by the Tigris and Euphrates River in Iraq.

One of the major regions where wheat, barley, tobacco and cotton is grown. Gobi Desert Situated to the southeast of Mongolians Plateau and extends into China.

Aridity due to interior location shows the features of undulating sand sea as well as barren sheets or rock and stone. Asia-Water Bodies Seas Name Location Part of Ocean Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, and East Siberian North of Russia Arctic Ocean Sea Bering Sea Northeast of Russia Pacific Ocean Sea of Okhotsk East of Russia Pacific Ocean Sea of Japan West of Japan Pacific Ocean Yellow Sea West of Korea Pacific Ocean East China Sea East of China Pacific Ocean South China Sea South of China Pacific Ocean Sulu Sea West of the Philippines Pacific Ocean Island Celebes Sea North of Celebes Island Pacific Ocean Banda Sea East of Celebes Island Pacific Ocean Flores Sea South of Celebes Sea Pacific Ocean Molucca Sea East of Celebes Island Pacific Ocean Java Sea North of Java Pacific Ocean

Timor Sea Northwest of Australia Pacific Ocean Arafura Sea North of Australia South Pacific 37 Ocean Page

Bay of Bengal East of the Indian Peninsula Indian Ocean Arabian Sea West of the Indian Peninsula Indian Ocean Red Sea Separates Asia from Africa Indian Ocean

Important Lakes

Name Information

Lake Baikal  Located in the southern part of eastern Siberia and to the west of Yablonovy Range in Russia.  Source of the Lena River.  It is the deepest continental body of water on Earth having a maximum depth of 1,620 m. Lake  Balkash Located in Kazakhastan.  North of the Lake is Karaganda coal basin.

Aral Sea  Located between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan  Two principal Asian rivers, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya flow through semi arid depression into the sea. Lake Van  Golu The largest lake of Turkey.  One of the saltiest lake in the world.

Lake  Turnool The northernmost extent of East African Rift Valley.  Located in the Anatolia Peninsula of Turkey.

Lake Asad  Located in Syria.

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Dead Sea  It is an example of rift valley lake which lies along the West Bank of Jordan.  One of the deepest points of Asia is the world’s lowest lake.  The Jordan river flows into the Dead Sea, which has no outlet, and evaportation balances the inflow Sea of  Gallilee Lava flow blocked the Jordan Valley and formed an elongated lake in Israel.  The lave-blocked lake is linked to the Dead Sea through the Jordan River.

Lake Tonle  Sap Located in central lowland of Cambodia. Lake Toba  Situated in Sumatra (Indonesia).  An example of crater of caldera lake.

Lop Nor  Salt lake in China, site of numerous nuclear testing.  Tarim river drains into the lake.

Caspian Sea  The largest lake in the world which is five times larger than the Lake Superior.  It separates Europe from Asia. Important Rivers

Name Source Outflow

NORTH FLOWING RIVERS FROM WEST TO EAST IN RUSSIA

Ob Altai Mountain Gulf of Ob Tributaries : Irtysh, Tobolsk Yenisey Tannuala Mountain Arctic Ocean

Lena Lake Baikal Arctic Ocean

Kolyma Kolyma Range East Siberain

Sea 39 Page

EAST FLOWING RIVERS (FROM NORTH TO SOUTH) Amur Confluence of Shika Tatar Strait Tributary : Sungari River. Argun River. Yalu Korea Bay (Yellow Sea)  Forms a well defined border between North Korea and the Eastern Russia Hwang Ho Tibetan Plateau The river’s  About 75% of the Chinese live in fertile river basin course was of Hwang Ho, Yangtse Kiang. diverted away into the Gulf of Pohai instead of the Yellow Sea. Yangtse Kiang Tibetan Plateau East China Sea.  It is the longest river of Asia.  It flows through Szechuan basin.  Shangai and Wuhan, are the important cities of China lying along the river. Si Kiang Eastern Yunan (China) South China Sea.  More than half of the total silk production in China comes from the Yangtse Kiang and Si Kiang deltas.

SOUTH FLOWING RIVERS

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Mekong Tibetan highlands South China Sea  It flows through China, Thailand-Laos border, Cambodia and Vietnam over 4,160 km to South China Sea.  Longest river in South East Asia.  In Laos, the Mekong forms the western boundary with Thailand.  Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minch cities are situated on the bank of river.  Mekong valley of south Vietnam is devoted to rice cultivation.  Delta: Arcuate, is (characterised by funnel shaped distributaries, stabled by growth of mangrove vegetation) lying in Vietnam. Chao Phraya Gulf of Thailand  City located : Bangkok  The principal river of Thailand.  The river’s delta has rich alluvial soil which is used almost entirely for rice and has very high density of population. Salween Tibetian highlands Gulf of Martaban  It flows through China & Shan Plateau (Myanmar) over 2,090 km.  Longest river of Myanmar. Irrawaddy North Myanmar Bay of Tributary : Chindwin Bengal City located : Mandalay  Major river of the country referred to as the ‘Life lije of Myanmar’  Central basin between Irrawaddy and Chindwin

around Mandalay is very important for wheat and

cotton cultivation. 41

 Delta region of Irrawaddy and Sittang, known as Page

the ‘Rice Bowl of Mayanmar’.

Brahmaputra Rises in galcier about Bay of 100 km south east of Bengal  Brahmputra is called Tsang-Po in Tibet before Mansarovar entering in India. Lake  It enter Bangladesh near Bhubri. SOUTH FLOWING RIVERS Ganga Gangotri Glacier Bay of Bengal  In the upper course Alaknanda and Bhagirathi River meet at Devprayag and from Ganga Indus Mansarovar lake Arabian Sea  One of the world’s largest rivers flow south- eastwards acros the country then drain into Arabian Sea through Attock plains of Pakistan Tigris and Eupharates Persian Gulf  These two rivers dominate Iraq and flow south- eastwards across the country then drain into the Persian Gulf via a combined estuary.  They meet at Shatt-al-Arab in Iraq. Amu Darya and Syr Darya  The principal rivers of Central Asia flow in to the Aral Sea through the semi and depression.

42 Gulfs and Islands Page

Name Location Part of Ocean Gulf of Ob Between Yamal Peninsula and Arctic Ocean Gyda Peninsula Gulf of Chihli East of China Yellow Sea (Pacific Ocean) Gulf of Tonkin East of Vietnam South China Sea (Pacific Ocean) Gulf of Thailand South of Thailand South China Sea Persian Gulf Separates Arabian Peninsula Indian Ocean from the Plateau of Iran Gulf of Oman Between Iranian Plateau and Indian Ocean Oman Gulf of Aden Between Somalia and Yemen Indian Ocean Gulf of Aquaba Between Aquaba (Jordan) and Red Sea Sinai Peninsula (Egypt). Severnaya Islands North of Russia Arctic Ocean New Siberian Islands North of Russia Between Laptev Sea and East Siberian Sea, Arctic Ocean Wrangel Islands North of Russia East Siberian Sea, Arctic Ocean Kurile Islands Between Kamchatka Peninsula Pacific Ocean and Hokkaido Island An extension of the volcanic Kamchatka Peninsula Ryukyu Island Between Kyushu and Taiwan Pacific Ocean An example of submerged island. Bonin Island East of Ryuky Island Pacific Ocean Babuyan Islands Between Taiwan and Luzon Pacific Ocean (Philippines) Spartly and Parcel A group of atolls in South China Pacific Ocean Islands Sea Straits

Name Separates Connects Bering Strait Asia and North America East Siberian Sea with

Bering Sea 43 La Parouse Strait Sakhalin Island and Sea of Okhotsk with Sea of Page

Hokkaido Island Japan Tata Strait Eastern Russia and Sakhalin Sea of Okhotsk with Sea of Japan Korea Strait South Korea and Kyushu Yellow Sea with Sea of (Japan) Japan Formosa Strait (Taiwan Strait) Taiwan and China East China Sea with South China Sea Luzon Strait Taiwan and Luzon South China Sea with (Philippines) Pacific Ocean. Makassar Strait Borneo (Kalimantan) and Celebes Sea with Java Sea. Celebes Island Sundra Strait Java and Sumatra Java Sea with India Ocean

Malacca Strait Malaya Peninsula and Java Sea with Bay of Sumatra Bengal One of the great shipping corridors of the world Strait of Jahore Singapore and Malaysia South China Sea with strait of Malacca Strait of Hormuz UAE and Iran Persian Gulf with Gulf of Oman. Strait of Bosporus Asia and Europe Black Sea with Sea of Marmara. Strait of Dardanelles Asia and Europe Sea of Marmara with Mediterranean Sea

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Asia- Countries & Borders

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The Middle-East – Water Bodies:

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The Middle-East – Countries & Borders

China – Water Bodies:

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Russia – Water Bodies:

48 Antarctica: Page

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Antarctica:

 Size : Fifth largest continent.  Situation : Antartica, centred on the South Pole, is situated 960 km from South America, 2,700 km from Australia and 4,000 km from South Africa. It is surrounded by Southern or Antarctic Ocea, formed the southern waters of Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Ocean.  Shape : Except for the deep indentations of the Ross and Weddell Seas and the projecting peninsula, the continent is roughly circular in shape.  Climate : World’s coldest continent and remains covered with very thick layer of ice, therefore, known as ‘white continent’. Precipitation, in the form of snow (equal to 5 cm of rain) making Antarctica, one of the earth’s great desert.  The Land : Antarctic Continent is the highest of all the continents, averaging 6000 feet in elevation. Ice sheet covers 95% of Antarctica, and exposed areas are rugges and mountainous. The principal mountain chain is Trans Antarctic which divides the continent in almost two equal parts. Ellsworth Mountain, fringing the coast, contains Antarctica’s highest peak, the Vinson Massif (5,140m). Mt. Erebus, the only active volcano, is located on the Ross Island.  The only continent with no permanent population.  It is linked to Tierra del Feugo by the submarine Scotia Ridge.  It is a great scientific laboratory hence also called ‘continent for science’.  Three are valuable minerals like iron, copper, coal, petroleum in Antarctica but high costa involved makes exploitation of these resources uneconomic.  Expedited by many, and first expedition by India in 1981-82 near Queen Maud region of Antarctica, and named it as Dakshin Gangotri (Mount Indira).  Other countries have hase camps to carry out research throughout the year.  South Magnetic Pole is located to the southeast of Greater Antarctica in the Indian Ocean.  World’s largest glacier—Lambert is located here.  The sheer weight of the ice has warped the continent downward so that much of the land of Antarctica lies below sea level.  In 1985 at the South Polar Region an alarming discovery was made by British Antarctic Survey. An ozone hole (formed due to ozone depletion) was found over the polar atmosphere.

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The Arctic:

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The Arctic:

 Stationary polar ice. Olar ice is about 3 m thick and is located directly over the North Pole.  Strong winds, high atmospheric pressure prevails.  Absence of vegetation (only mosses and lichens at very few places may be found).  The coldest place in the northern hemisphere is not the North Pole (because of moderating influence of Arctic Ocean) but 2,414 km south for North Pole (Siberian town of Verkhoyansk).  Polar Bear is the best known animal in the Arctic Region.  Huge Alaskan oil reserves is the most important resources of the region.  The Arctic fringe and offshore islands are part of CIS territory and it is a very sensitive are with aircraft and missile detection devices. Now the region is becoming new home for many Russian scientists.

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