Important World Geography notes

Desert

Desert is a large landmass of the earth. They make up 20 % of the earth’s landmass. It is a dry, sandy region of little rainfall, extreme temperature & sparse vegetation.

E.g.:       1) The Sahara Desert (Africa)

               2)  The Atacama Desert (Chile)

                3) The Gobhi Desert (Magnolia)

                4) The Thar Desert (India)

Mountains

It is a natural elevation of the earth’s surface. They may be arranged in a line known as range.

E.g.:       1) Himalayan Mountain (Asia)

                2) Mt. Kilimanjaro (Africa)

                3) Mt. Fujiyama (Japan)

                4) Rocky Mountain (N. America)

Islands

An island is a piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Islands are volcanic in origin or formed from coral reef.

                Largest island     - Greenland

                Largest River Island - Majorly (Assam)

                Largest Populated Island – Java (Indonesia)

                Island shared by 3 countries – Borneo.

Oceans

Oceans are the major body of saline water covering 71% of Earth’s surface.

The waves, tides & ocean currents are the 3 chief movements of ocean waters. The 4 major oceans are the

1) Pacific Ocean

2) Atlantic Ocean

3) Indian Ocean

4) Arctic Ocean

5) Southern Ocean

1) Pacific ocean – Largest ocean

- Mariana Trench , the deepest part of the earth lies in Pacific ocean.

- It is circular in shape.

- Asia, Australia, N & S America surround it.

2. Atlantic Ocean- 2nd Largest Ocean

                - It is ‘S’ shaped.

                - Flanked by N. & S. America on Westside& Europe & Africa on the east.

The coastline of Atlantic is indented and this irregular and indented coastline provides ideal location for natural harbors & ports. Hence it is the busiest ocean from commercial view point.

3. Indian Ocean – Only Ocean named after a country – India.

                - Triangular in shape

Bounded by Asia in the north, Africa in the west & Australia in the East.

4. Southern Ocean - The Southern Ocean as the fourth-largest of the five oceans

The Southern Ocean, also known as the Great Southern Ocean, the Antarctic Ocean and the South Polar Ocean

5. Arctic Ocean – Located within the Arctic Circle& surrounds N. Pole.

- Connected with Pacific Ocean by a narrow stretch of shallow water known as “Berring Strait”.

- Bound by Northern coasts of N. America & Eurasia.