Physiography, Climate, and Human Geography of India and Brazil
(1) Differentiate between the physiography of Brazil and India.
- The physiography of Brazil is divided into the Highlands, the Great Escarpment, the Coastal region, the Plains, and the Island groups. The physiography of India is divided into the Himalayas, the North Indian Plains, the Peninsula, the Coastal Plains, and the Island groups.
- There are no high and long-extending mountains in Brazil. On the other hand, there are many high and long-extending mountains in India.
- The Himalayas mountain range extends in the northern part of India. Similarly, the mountainous region of Western Ghats is in the west and the mountainous region of Eastern Ghats is in the east of the peninsular region of India.
- The highest altitude range is 500 meters to 1000 meters in Brazil. On the other hand, the highest altitude range is 6000 meters to 8000 meters in India.
(2) Explain the characteristics of the North Indian Plains.
- A flat low-lying area is located in the north of India. This region is known as the North Indian Plains.
- The North Indian Plains lie between the Himalayan Mountains in the north and the Peninsula in the south. It extends from the states of Rajasthan and Punjab in the west to Assam in the east.
- The North Indian Plains are divided into three parts.
- The low-lying area to the east of the Aravalis is known as the Ganga plains. It slopes to the east.
- The delta of the Ganga-Brahmaputra rivers extends into the state of West Bengal in India and Bangladesh. This region is known as the Sunderbans.
Sunderbans is the largest delta region in the world.
(1) Explain the importance of the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean with respect to the climate of India.
- The Indian Ocean and Himalayan ranges play an important role in the formation of southeast monsoon winds.
- In summers, the temperature in the Punjab Plains and the Thar desert is high. As a result, low-pressure areas develop.
- On the other hand, high-pressure areas are found in the Indian Ocean. This leads to the formation and flowing of southeast monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean to the mainland of India.
- These winds are moisture-laden and bring rainfall to India.
- The Himalayas protect India by obstructing the passage of very cold winds from the north in winter.
(2) Discuss the factors affecting the climate of Brazil.
- Due to proximity to the equator, temperatures in the northern part of Brazil are comparatively higher. On the other hand, temperatures in the southern part of Brazil are comparatively lower.
- The average temperature in the Amazon River basin in the northern part near the equator is 25°C to 28°C. The overall climate in this region is hot, humid, and unhealthy.
- The average annual rainfall in the Amazon River valley is nearly 2000 mm. The average annual rainfall is nearly 1000 mm to 1200 mm in the southeast coastal region.
(2) Correlate wildlife and natural vegetation in India and Brazil.
Answer: (1) Natural vegetation is food for grazers/herbivores and many birds. (2) Grazers/herbivores are the food of carnivores.
- Regions with a variety of natural vegetation also have a variety of herbivores. As a result, carnivores are also seen on a large scale in these areas.
- For example, deer are seen on a large scale in the grasslands areas of Brazil. Consequently, jaguars are also seen in large numbers in this region.
- For example, insects in grass are food for the Indian bustard. Therefore, Indian bustards are largely seen in the grasslands of India.
- Normally, a variety of wildlife is seen in areas with abundant natural vegetation.
(3) Why does deciduous vegetation occupy most of India?
Answer: (1) Deciduous vegetation is characterized by trees that shed their leaves during the dry/summer season.
- Shedding leaves decreases the rate of evaporation and helps trees conserve water and energy.
- Deciduous vegetation is found in areas receiving rainfall between 1000 mm and 2000 mm.
- In most of India, the average annual rainfall is between 1000 mm and 2000 mm. Therefore, deciduous vegetation occupies most of India.
(1) Giving examples, correlate climate and population distribution.
Answer: (1) Climate and population distribution are closely related. Sparse population distribution is found in regions with heavy or scarce rainfall or too high or too low temperatures.
(2) For example, in India, the sparse population distribution is found in snow-covered regions in the Himalayan range as well as the hot Thar desert.
Similarly, in Brazil, the sparse population distribution is found in the Amazon River basin, which receives heavy rainfall.
- Dense population distribution is found in regions with average rainfall and moderate temperatures.
- For example, in India, dense population distribution is found in the Ganga plains, which have average rainfall and moderate temperatures. Similarly, in Brazil, dense population distribution is found near the southeastern coastal areas, which have average rainfall and moderate temperatures.
(1) Why do human settlements grow in specific locations only?
Answer: (1) Drought-prone regions, desert regions, regions with infertile land, regions with unhealthy climates, etc., adversely affect the growth of human settlements.
- In such regions, agriculture and industries do not progress well. As a result, human settlements do not grow.
- Regions with fresh air and bright sunlight, regions with the availability of water, regions with fertile land, regions with moderate rainfall, etc., support the growth of human settlements.
- In such regions, agriculture and industries progress well. As a result, human settlements grow in such areas. Thus, due to the presence of favorable factors, human settlements grow in specific locations only.
(2) What are the similarities and differences in fishing activities in Brazil and India?
Answer: (A) Similarities in fishing activities in Brazil and India: (1) Marine fishing is practiced in both Brazil and India.
(2) Fishing is carried out on a large scale in saltwater in Brazil and India.
(B) Differences in fishing activities in Brazil and India: (1) In India, freshwater fishing is carried on at many places in rivers, canals, irrigation canals, tanks, ponds, lakes, etc.
On the other hand, in Brazil, freshwater fishing is carried out on a small scale due to rigid topography, dense forests, and the rapid discharge of rivers.
(2) Plankton is found on a large scale at the confluence of warm and cold ocean currents.
Plankton provides a crucial source of food for fish.
Due to the confluence of hot and cold ocean currents near the eastern coast, fishing is well-developed in Brazil. On the other hand, although there is no such confluence of hot and cold ocean currents, fishing is developed in India due to many other favorable factors.
Water transport in the Amazon and the Ganga rivers.
Answer: (1) International commercial water transport is carried out in the Amazon River. On the other hand, internal water transport is carried out in the Ganga River.
(2) The amount of water transport carried out in the Amazon River is comparatively higher. On the other hand, the amount of transport carried out in the Ganga River is comparatively low.