CBSE Class 6 Social Science Geography: Major Landforms of the Earth NCERT Solutions

(a) The Earth's surface has various features. The major landforms, which are large-scale features of the Earth's topography, include mountains, plateaus, and plains.

(b) A mountain is a natural elevation of the Earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level, often characterized by a pointed or rounded summit and a broad base. In contrast, a plateau is a large, relatively flat area of land that is significantly elevated above the surrounding terrain, often described as a tableland. For example, the Himalayan mountains are a prominent mountain range, while the Deccan plateau in India is a well-known example of a plateau.

(c) Mountains can be classified into three main types based on their formation processes:

• Fold mountains: Formed when tectonic plates collide and the Earth's crust folds and buckles upwards.
• Block mountains: Created when large blocks of the Earth's crust are uplifted or subsided along fault lines.
• Volcanic mountains: Formed by the accumulation of volcanic material, such as lava and ash, erupted from a volcano.

(d) Mountains are incredibly useful to humans in several ways:

• Water Resources: Mountains act as crucial storehouses of water. Snow and glaciers on mountain peaks melt to form rivers. Reservoirs can be built in mountains to store this water, which is then used for irrigation, supplying drinking water, and generating hydroelectricity.
• Biodiversity: Mountain regions often host a rich variety of flora and fauna due to diverse altitudes and climates.
• Tourism and Recreation: The scenic beauty and unique landscapes of mountains attract tourists, providing opportunities for recreation and supporting local economies.

(e) Plains are typically formed by the action of rivers and their tributaries. As rivers flow down from mountains, they carry eroded materials such as stones, sand, and silt. These materials are then deposited along the riverbanks and in the river valleys, gradually building up flat, fertile areas known as plains over long periods.

(f) River plains are highly favored for human habitation and are therefore thickly populated. The land is flat and level, making it easy to construct houses and build transportation networks. Furthermore, the soil deposited by the rivers is very fertile, which is ideal for agriculture, allowing people to cultivate crops and sustain their livelihoods effectively.

(g) Life in mountain areas is generally more challenging, leading to sparse populations. The harsh climate, steep slopes, and difficult terrain make it hard to grow crops, build houses, and construct roads or other infrastructure. These difficulties often discourage people from settling in large numbers in mountainous regions.

(a) The primary difference between mountains and hills lies in their elevation. Mountains are significantly higher than hills. So, the correct option is (i) elevation.

(b) Glaciers are large masses of ice that form and exist in cold regions. These conditions are typically found at high altitudes, which are characteristic of mountains. Therefore, glaciers are found in (i) the mountains.

(c) The Deccan plateau is a vast and prominent geographical feature located in the southern part of the Indian subcontinent. Thus, the correct option is (iii) India.

(d) The Yangtze River, also known as Chang Jiang, is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world. It flows through China. Therefore, the correct option is (iii) China.

(e) The Alps are a major mountain system located entirely in Europe, stretching across countries like France, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Germany. The Andes are in South America, and the Rockies are in North America. Hence, the correct option is (ii) the Alps.

(a) A plain is an unbroken flat or a low-level land with very little variation in elevation.

(b) The Himalayas and the Alps are examples of young fold types of mountains, formed by the compression of the Earth's crust due to tectonic plate collisions.

(c) Plateau areas are rich in mineral deposits. The geological processes that form plateaus often result in the concentration of valuable minerals.

(d) The range is a line of mountains, which is a series of mountains or hills arranged in a line and connected by high ground.

(e) The plain areas are most productive for farming because they are typically made up of fertile alluvial soil deposited by rivers, which is ideal for crop cultivation.

In my state, plains are the predominant landforms. Plains are extremely beneficial to the people living here. Their flat and level terrain is ideal for agriculture, allowing for easy cultivation and high crop yields due to fertile soils, often enriched by river deposits. The ease of construction on plains facilitates the development of infrastructure, including houses, roads, and transportation networks, which are essential for economic activity and daily life. These factors collectively make plains highly suitable for human habitation, often resulting in dense populations.

(a) The Andes mountain range is the longest continental mountain range, located along the western coast of South America. Therefore, the correct option is (iii) The Andes.

(b) Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano in Tanzania, located in Africa. Therefore, the correct option is (ii) Africa.

(c) While paragliding, skiing, and rock climbing are popular mountain sports that utilize the terrain and altitude, horse racing is typically an activity associated with flat, open tracks rather than mountainous regions. Therefore, horse racing is generally not popular in the mountains. The correct option is (iv) Horse racing.

(d) The Hundru Falls are located in the Chhotanagpur plateau region, near Ranchi, in the Indian state of Jharkhand. The question implies a location, and Chhotanagpur is the broader region. Therefore, the correct option is (i) Chhotanagpur.

(e) The Tibetan plateau is recognized as the world's highest and largest plateau, often referred to as the 'Roof of the World'. Therefore, the correct option is (ii) Tibetan plateau.