CHAPTER-5

MAJOR DOMAINS OF THE EARTH

THE MAJOR CONTINENTS

AFRICA
a. Africa is the second largest continent.
b. It is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea in the north, Red Sea in the north-east, Indian Ocean
in the east and Atlantic Ocean in the West.
c. Africa was unknown to rest of the world until the middle of the nineteenth century, as inland
penetration was difficult and dangerous. Thus, the Europeans called Africa, the ‘Dark
Continent’.
d. The continent has a huge plateau surface. There are no mountains or extensive plains. Special
physical features include vast deserts, and the Great Rift Valley. The peaks of volcanic origin
are Mt. Kenya and Mt.Kilimanjaro. Nile is the most important river. The main deserts are
Sahara, Kalahari and Namib.

ASIA
a. Asia is the largest continent in the world, both in terms of area and population.
b. Asia is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean in the east, the Arctic Ocean in the north, the Indian
Ocean in the south and the Ural mountains in the west.
c. Asia is a land of high mountains, vast plateaus, extensive plains and fertile river valleys.
d. The Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world and Tibet is the highest plateau.
Mt. Everest, the highest peak and the Dead Sea, lowest part of the earth are found in this continent.
Therefore, Asia is known as the ‘Continent of Extremes’.
AUSTRALIA
a. Australia is the smallest continent and the sixth largest country in the world.
b. Along with New Zealand and other nearby islands, it is called Australasia.
c. Canberra is the capital of Australia. A major part of Australia is a plateau with a few isolated
mountain ranges.
d. The main physical features include the Great Dividing range towards the east, the Central
Lowland and Western desert. The Great Barrier Reef is a unique feature found along the north-
eastern coast of Australia. It is built by corals.
ANTARCTICA
a. Antarctica is the fifth largest continent.
b. It is centered roughly around the South Pole. Due to its thick ice cover, it is known as the
‘White Continent’.
c. Several nations of the world have established scientific study stations in Antarctica. The
Indian research stations in Antarctica are Dakshin Gangotri and Maitri Antarctica has a couple
of mountain ranges and a vast plateau around the South Pole. It has few known resources.
d. The continent provides great scope for the scientific study of weather. It is also called the
‘Continent of Science’.

EUROPE
a. Europe is the sixth largest continent.
b. It looks like a peninsula, extending westwards of the Asiatic landmass. Europe and Asia are
together called Eurasia.
c. Europe is the only continent that is both populous and prosperous. It is a continent of high
mountains & vast plains. The Alpine system is a chain of high mountains extending from the
Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Caspian Sea in the east.
d. The region has many active volcanoes such as Vesuvius and Etna. Mt Blanc is the highest
peak in the Alps, while Mt Elbrus is the highest mountain peak in Europe. The main rivers are
Rhine, Rhone, Volga, Danube, Don, and Dniester. Finland has more than 50,000 lakes.
NORTH AMERICA
a. North America is the third largest continent.
b. It has ancient plateaus, mountain ranges and extensive plains. The northern part of North
America remains under snow cover almost throughout the year. Many glacial lakes are also
found in this part.
c. The five Great Lakes between Canada and USA, and the St. Lawrence River together form
the greatest inland waterway in the world.
d. Isthmus of Panama is the narrow strip of land that links North America to South America.

SOUTH AMERICA
a. South America is the fourth largest continent.
b. The Andes mountain ranges stretching from the Caribbean Sea in the north to Cape Horn in
the south is the longest unbroken mountain chain in the world.
c. Mt Aconcagua is the highest peak in the Andes Mountains.
d. The lowlands occupy about half of South America.
e. The three river systems that drain this region are the Orinoco river basin, the La Plata and the
Amazon.
 MAJOR OCEANS
THE PACIFIC

a. The Pacific Ocean covers an area larger than the combined area of all the continents.
b. It is the largest and the deepest ocean.
c. About three-fourths of world’s active volcanoes are found in the Pacific Ocean and the
lands
bordering it.
d. In 1520, an European sailor, Ferdinand Magellan was the first to sail across this ocean. He
called it
‘Pacific’ (meaning peaceful) because gentle and steady winds blow there.

THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

a. The Atlantic Ocean probably got its name from the legendary island of Atlantis.
b. This ocean is roughly half the size of Pacific Ocean.
c. Today, the Atlantic Ocean is the busiest ocean and has some of the largest harbours in the
world.

THE INDIAN OCEAN

a. The Indian Ocean is the only ocean in the world, which is named after a country, India. This
indicates the importance of India in international trade in ancient times.
b. The Indian Ocean does not open out northwards into the Arctic Ocean. It is completely
bounded on north by Asia and thus, referred to as ‘half an ocean’.
 c. On west side of the Indian Ocean is Africa and on the east lies Australia.

ARCTIC OCEAN
a. The Arctic Ocean is more or less surrounded by land. It is centred around the North Pole and
lies within the Arctic Circle.
b. The Arctic Ocean is surrounded by northern parts of Europe, Asia and North America. It is
linked to Pacific Ocean by the narrow Bering Strait.
c. Drifting icebergs, some about 30 metres thick are common in the Arctic Ocean.

ASSIGNMENT

A. Tick the correct answer (1 x 4 = 4)

1. Which of the following is the largest continent in the world?

a) Asia b) Africa c) Australia d) Europe

2._________ is the capital of Australia.

a) Canberra b) Adelaide c) Sydney d) Melbourne

3. Which is the highest peak in Alps?

a) Mt Blanc b) Dom c) Monte Rosa d) Liskamm

4. Australia lies to the________ side of Indian Ocean.

a) North b) South c) East d) West

B.Write short notes on the following

1. Atlantic Ocean 2. Indian Ocean (3+3=6)

C. Give short answers

(1/2 +1/2=1)
1. a) What is the Arctic Ocean surrounded by? Where does it lie?

b) Which strait links the Arctic Ocean to Pacific Ocean? (1)

(1/2+1/2=1)
c) What is the Arctic Ocean surrounded by? What is the thickness of icebergs found there?
(1/2+1/2=1)
2.a) Which is the smallest continent and sixth largest country of the world?

Why is it known as Australasia?

b) Which physical feature comprises major part of Australia? (1)

c) Name one unique feature found along the north –eastern coast of Australia. What is it built of?
(1/2+1/2=1)
3.a) Where is Antarctica located? Why is it known as the ‘White Continent’?

(1/2+1/2=1)
b) Name two research stations of India in Antarctica.

(1/2+1/2=1)
c) Mention the other name of Antarctica. It offers scope for which scientific study?
(1/2+1/2=1)
4.a) List any two physical features found in North America.

(1/2+1/2=1)
b) Which water bodies constitute the greatest inland waterway of the world?
 c) Name the narrow strip of land that links North America to South America. (1)

5.a) Which is the longest unbroken mountain chain in the world? (1)

b) Which is the highest peak in the Andes Mountains? (1)

(1/2+1/2=1)
c) Name any two river systems that drain South America.

6.a) How much area is covered by the Pacific Ocean? (1)

b) How many of the world’s active volcanoes are found in the Pacific Ocean and the lands bordering it? (1)

(1/2+1/2=1)
c) Who was the first sailor to sail across Pacific Ocean? What is the meaning of the word Pacific?

7. a) What is the combined landmass of Europe and Asia called? (1)

(1/2+1/2=1)
b) Name two active volcanoes found in Europe.

(1/2+1/2=1)
c) Which is the highest mountain peak in Europe? Name one major river of Europe.

D. Give long answers

(1/2+1/2=1)
1.a) Name the oceans that surround Africa in the east and west.

b) Why did the Europeans call Africa ‘The Dark Continent’? (1)

(1/2+1/2=1)
c) What do the special physical features of Africa include?
(1/2+1/2=1)
d) Name two peaks in Africa that have volcanic origin.

(1/2+1/2=1)
e) Which is the most important river in Africa? Name one desert located in Africa.

E.SOURCE BASED QUESTION

Asia is the largest continent in the world, both in terms of area and population. Asia is surrounded by the
Pacific Ocean in the east, the Arctic Ocean in the north, the Indian Ocean in the south and the Ural
mountains in the west. Asia is a land of high mountains, vast plateaus, extensive plains and fertile river
valleys. The Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world and Tibet is the highest plateau. Mt.
Everest, the highest peak and the Dead Sea, lowest part of the earth are found in this continent. Therefore,
Asia is known as the ‘Continent of Extremes’.

1. Why is Asia the largest continent in the world? (1/2+1/2=1)

(1/2+1/2=1)
2. Name the oceans that surround Asia in the north and south.
(1/2+1/2=1)
3. Name the highest mountain range and highest plateau of the world.

(1/2+1/2=1)
4. List any two physical features found in Asia.
(1/2+1/2=1)
5. Why is Asia known as Continent of Extremes?
 CHAPTER 7

INDIA-LOCATION AND POLITICAL DIVISIONS

ABOUT INDIA

The official name of our country is the Republic of India. Total area : 3.28 million sq km.India accounts
for total 2,4per cent of total surface area of the world .India is seventh largest country in the world in
terms of area and second largest in terms of population.

EXTENT

MAINLAND OF INDIA

LATITUDE 804’N latitude in the south and 370 6’N latitude in the
north

LONGITUDE 680 7’ E longitude in the west and 97 025’E longitude in

the east

North- South Extent 3,214 KM

East-West Extent 2,933 KM

Length of Coastline along the mainland 6100 KM

Length of coastline including island groups 7,514 KM

Southernmost tip of the mainland Kanyakumari

Southernmost tip for whole country Indira point in Andaman and Nicobar islands

NEIGHBORS

Common Land Boundaries

North -West Pakistan and Afghanistan

North China, Nepal and Bhutan

East Myanmar and Bangladesh

 ❖ Neighbors of India across the sea are Sri Lanka and Maldives.
❖ A narrow stretch of water called Palk Strait separates India from Sri Lanka.
❖ Indian Ocean has been named after India, making India the only country in the world after which
an ocean has been named. The southern part of India is a peninsula,it divides the southern part of
the Indian ocean into the Arabian sea on the western side and the Bay Of Bengal on the eastern
side.
❖ Because the East-West extent of India is about 30 degrees of longitude the sun rises or sets almost
two hours earlier in the easternmost part than in the westernmost part.

STANDARD MERIDIAN

❖ 82 ½ 0 E longitude has been selected as standard meridian for whole country.

❖ Local time of standard meridian is used as standard time for India and is called the Indian Standard
time (IST)
❖ The standard meridian provides for the exact difference of 5 hours and 30 minutes
between the Greenwich Mean Time and the IST.
❖ The IST is ahead of GMT by 5 hours and 30 minutes as India is located towards the
east of Greenwich.

POLITICAL DIVISIONS

Total No. of states 28

Union Territories 8

Basis of Division of states and Union territories Language spoken by people.

What are states and union territories? Administrative units that are divided into districts
and tehsils.

Latest reorganization of states Telangana was created from Andhra Pradesh

Largest state Rajasthan

Smallest state Goa

State with largest number of districts and Uttar Pradesh

highest population

States located along the coast Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil
Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal.

Number of states that have common land 17

boundary with neighboring countries

States having common boundary with Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan

States having common boundary with China Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh.

States having common boundary with Nepal Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal,
Sikkim.

States having common boundary with Bhutan Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh
 States having common boundary with West Bengal, Assam ,Tripura , Meghalaya, Mizoram
Bangladesh

ASSIGNMENT

A. Tick the correct answer (1 x 6 = 6)

1. What is the official name of our country?

a) Democracy of India b) Republic of India c)People of India d)Kingdom of India

2. India is the______ largest country in the world in terms of area.

a) Fifth b) Sixth c) Seventh d) Eighth

3. Which is the largest state of India?

a) Rajasthan b) Arunachal Pradesh c)Assam d) Tamil Nadu

4. Which of the following is the southernmost tip of mainland of India?

a) Kodaikanal b) Kochi c) Kanyakumari d) Hyderabad

5. Telangana was created from which state?

a) Uttar Pradesh b) Madhya Pradesh c) Andhra Pradesh d) Arunachal Pradesh

6. Which is the smallest state of India?

a) Sikkim b) Meghalaya c) Mizoram d) Goa

B. Give Short Answers

(1/2+1/2=1)
1. Mention two countries with which India has common land boundaries in North-west.
(1/2+1/2=1)
2. Which two countries have common land boundaries with India in east?

3. Name the water body that separates India from Sri Lanka. (1)

4. Why does the sun rise or set almost two hours earlier in the easternmost part than in the westernmost
part? (1)

C. Give Long Answers

1. a) Which longitude has been selected as standard meridian for whole country? (1)

b) What is the exact difference between the Greenwich Mean Time and The Indian Standard

Time? (1)

c) Why is the IST ahead of GMT? (1)

(1/2+1/2=1)
2. a) Mention any two states having common land boundaries with Bangladesh.

b) List any three states that share common boundary with China. (3)
(1/2+1/2=1)
c) Name any two states located along the coast of India.

3.a) Mention any two states having common boundaries with Bhutan. (1/2+1/2=1)

b) List three states that share land boundaries with Nepal. (3)
(1/2+1/2=1)
c) Name any two states that share common boundaries with Pakistan.

D.SOURCE BASED QUESTION

India is located in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres. It is situated in the southern part of Asia, at the
head of Indian Ocean. Thus, it has favorable location with respect to international trade and commerce.
The tropic of cancer passes almost halfway through the country. The latitudinal and longitudinal extent of
India is approximately the same- nearly 30 degrees .The Northern part of India is broader than the
southern part.

(1/2+1/2=1)
1. Which hemispheres is India located in?
2. India is situated in southern part of which continent? (1)
(1/2+1/2=1)
3. The location of India is favorable for_______ and _________.
4. _______ passes almost halfway throughout India. (1)
5. What is the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of India? (1)