Mountains & Plateaus
Geography · पर्वत और पठार
📋Quick Overview
Mountains are elevated landforms rising significantly above the surrounding terrain, usually with steep slopes and peaks. Plateaus are flat-topped elevated areas (tablelands). Questions on highest peaks, Himalayan ranges, mountain passes, and important plateaus are frequently asked in exams. The Himalayas are the world's youngest and highest fold mountains.
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Mount Everest (8,849 m) is the highest peak in the world — located on Nepal-Tibet (China) border. Called Sagarmatha (Nepal) and Chomolungma (Tibet).
📖Highest Peaks of the World
| Rank | Peak | Height | Location/Range | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Everest | 8,849 m | Nepal-Tibet border, Himalayas | Highest peak in the world, first summited by Tenzing & Hillary (1953) |
| 2 | K2 (Godwin-Austen) | 8,611 m | Pakistan-China border, Karakoram | Second highest, deadliest mountain, in PoK |
| 3 | Kangchenjunga | 8,586 m | India (Sikkim)-Nepal border | Highest peak in India, third highest in world |
| 4 | Lhotse | 8,516 m | Nepal-Tibet border | Connected to Everest via South Col |
| 5 | Makalu | 8,485 m | Nepal-Tibet border | Fifth highest, isolated peak |
📖Highest Peaks per Continent
| Continent | Highest Peak | Height | Country/Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | Mount Everest | 8,849 m | Nepal-China, Himalayas |
| South America | Aconcagua | 6,961 m | Argentina, Andes |
| North America | Denali (Mt. McKinley) | 6,190 m | Alaska, USA |
| Africa | Mt. Kilimanjaro | 5,895 m | Tanzania |
| Europe | Mt. Elbrus | 5,642 m | Russia, Caucasus |
| Antarctica | Vinson Massif | 4,892 m | Antarctica |
| Australia/Oceania | Puncak Jaya (Carstensz) | 4,884 m | Papua, Indonesia |
📖Himalayan Ranges (North to South)
| Range | Also Called | Avg. Height | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Himalayas | Himadri | 6,000+ m | Highest range, Everest-K2-Kangchenjunga here, always snow-covered, all peaks >8000m are here |
| Lesser Himalayas | Himachal | 3,700-4,500 m | Pir Panjal, Dhaula Dhar, Mahabharat ranges; hill stations like Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital |
| Outer Himalayas | Shiwaliks | 900-1,200 m | Youngest range, foothills, Doons (valleys) like Dehradun between Shiwaliks and Lesser Himalayas |
📖Important Mountain Passes in India
| Pass | State | Connects/Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Karakoram Pass | Ladakh | Highest pass in India, India-China route |
| Khyber Pass | Pakistan (NWFP) | Historic pass, Afghanistan-Pakistan, used by invaders |
| Bolan Pass | Pakistan (Balochistan) | Connects Quetta to plains, used by Alexander |
| Rohtang Pass | Himachal Pradesh | Connects Kullu to Lahaul-Spiti, Atal Tunnel underneath |
| Shipki La | Himachal Pradesh | India-Tibet trade route, Sutlej river enters India |
| Zoji La | J&K/Ladakh | Connects Srinagar to Leh, on NH-1 |
| Nathu La | Sikkim | India-China border trade, reopened in 2006 |
| Jelep La | Sikkim | India-Tibet route via Chumbi Valley |
| Bomdi La | Arunachal Pradesh | India-Tibet route, Buddhist monastery |
📖Important Plateaus
| Plateau | Location | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Tibetan Plateau | Central Asia (China) | Highest plateau in the world (avg. 4,500 m), called 'Roof of the World' |
| Deccan Plateau | Peninsular India | Largest plateau of India, bounded by Western & Eastern Ghats, rich in minerals |
| Chota Nagpur Plateau | Jharkhand, India | Mineral-rich (coal, iron), Damodar valley — 'Ruhr of India' |
| Patagonian Plateau | Argentina | Largest plateau in South America, cold desert |
| Columbian Plateau | USA (NW) | Formed by lava flows, covers Oregon-Washington-Idaho |
| East African Plateau | Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda | Great Rift Valley runs through it, Kilimanjaro on its edge |
📝Types of Mountains
- •Fold Mountains — formed by folding of Earth's crust due to tectonic forces. Examples: Himalayas, Andes, Alps, Rockies, Atlas. These are the YOUNGEST and HIGHEST mountains.
- •Block Mountains (Horst) — formed when a block of land is uplifted between two faults. Examples: Vosges & Black Forest (France-Germany), Vindhya, Satpura.
- •Volcanic Mountains — formed by volcanic eruptions, lava and ash accumulation. Examples: Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Fuji, Mt. Vesuvius.
- •Residual/Relict Mountains — old mountains worn down by erosion over millions of years. Examples: Aravalli (oldest fold mountain in India & world), Eastern & Western Ghats, Appalachians.