The Plateau and Coastal Regions
1. The Deccan Plateau
The DECCAN PLATEAU is a large, HIGH, FLAT land in SOUTHERN India.
'A plateau is like a TABLE MOUNTAIN — flat on top and high above the surrounding land.'
Key Facts about the Deccan Plateau:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shape | Triangular |
| Location | South of the Northern Plains, between the Western and Eastern Ghats |
| Area | About 500,000 sq km |
| Height | 300 to 900 metres above sea level |
| Rocks | Very OLD (volcanic and crystalline rocks) |
| Soil | BLACK soil (regur) — excellent for cotton |
States on the Deccan Plateau:
- Maharashtra (part of it)
- Karnataka (most of it)
- Telangana
- Andhra Pradesh (part of it)
- Madhya Pradesh (part of it)
- Tamil Nadu (part of it)
2. The Western Ghats
The WESTERN GHATS are a mountain range along the WEST coast of India.
'Also called the SAHYADRI mountains — meaning "BENEVOLENT MOUNTAINS."'
Key Facts:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | About 1,600 km |
| Location | Parallel to the western coast |
| Highest peak | Anamudi (2,695 m) — in Kerala |
| UNESCO | World Heritage Site (2012) |
Features:
- RUN continuously (with a few gaps).
- CLOSER to the sea.
- Get HEAVY rainfall from the Arabian Sea monsoons.
- LUSH green forests — many waterfalls.
- 'Mahabaleshwar, Munnar, and Ooty are famous hill stations in the Western Ghats.'
3. The Eastern Ghats
The EASTERN GHATS are a mountain range along the EAST coast of India.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | About 1,200 km |
| Location | Between the Deccan Plateau and the Bay of Bengal |
| Highest peak | Mahendragiri (1,501 m) |
| Continuity | Broken — not continuous like the Western Ghats |
Features:
- LOWER in height than the Western Ghats.
- BROKEN by rivers flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
- Many rivers flow through the Eastern Ghats to the sea (Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri).
- Less rainfall than the Western Ghats.
| Feature | Western Ghats | Eastern Ghats |
|---|---|---|
| Height | Higher (up to 2,695 m) | Lower (up to 1,501 m) |
| Continuity | Continuous | Broken/discontinuous |
| Rainfall | Heavy (from Arabian Sea) | Moderate |
| Nearest coast | Arabian Sea (west) | Bay of Bengal (east) |
4. The Coastal Plains
INDIA has TWO long coastlines — one on the WEST and one on the EAST.
Western Coastal Plain:
- Between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
- NARROWER than the eastern plain.
- Three sections: Konkan (north), Kanara (middle), Malabar (south).
- Has good NATURAL HARBOURS (Mumbai, Mangaluru, Kochi).
Eastern Coastal Plain:
- Between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal.
- WIDER than the western plain.
- Two sections: Northern Circars (north), Coromandel Coast (south).
- Many RIVERS flow through here — DELTAS are formed.
- Chilika Lake (India's largest saltwater lake) is here.
| Feature | Western Coastal Plain | Eastern Coastal Plain |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 50-100 km | 100-200 km |
| Rivers | Short, fast rivers | Long rivers with deltas |
| Natural harbours | Many (Mumbai, Kochi) | Few (Chennai, Visakhapatnam) |
| Beaches | Juhu (Mumbai), Goa beaches | Marina (Chennai), Puri |
| Known for | Tourism, fishing, ports | Rice cultivation, deltas |
5. Life and Economy
Agriculture in the Plateau:
| Crop | Region | Why Grown Here |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Deccan Plateau (black soil) | Black soil RETAINS moisture — perfect for cotton |
| Sugarcane | Plateau valleys | Good irrigation from rivers |
| Rice | Coastal plains | Plenty of water, flat land |
| Millets (jowar, bajra) | Dry parts of plateau | Need less water |
| Spices | Kerala, Western Ghats | Humid climate — pepper, cardamom |
| Coconuts | Coastal regions | Salty air, sandy soil |
| Cashews | Coastal regions | Warm, humid climate |
Fishing:
- Both coasts have THRIVING fishing communities.
- West coast: Mackerel, sardines, shrimp.
- East coast: Pomfret, prawns, crabs.
Industries:
| Industry | Location | Why Here |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton textiles | Mumbai, Coimbatore | Near cotton-growing areas |
| Information Technology | Bengaluru, Hyderabad | Skilled workers, good climate |
| Ports and shipping | Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi | Natural harbours |
Tourism:
| Place | Known For |
|---|---|
| Goa | Beaches, churches, seafood |
| Kerala | Backwaters, houseboats, Ayurveda |
| Ooty | Hill station, tea gardens, Nilgiris |
| Mahabalipuram | Ancient rock-cut temples |
6. Common Mistakes
- Thinking plateaus are flat and useless: 'Plateaus are VERY useful — they have MINERALS (iron ore, coal, gold), BLACK SOIL for cotton, and HILL STATIONS for tourism.'
- Confusing Western and Eastern Ghats: 'The Western Ghats are HIGHER, CONTINUOUS, and get MORE rainfall. The Eastern Ghats are LOWER, BROKEN, and get less rain.'
- Believing the coastal plains are the same on both sides: 'The western coast is NARROW with natural harbours. The eastern coast is WIDE with river deltas.'
- Calling the Deccan Plateau a recent formation: 'The Deccan Plateau is one of the OLDEST landforms in India — made from volcanic lava millions of years ago.'
7. Key Facts to Remember
- 'The Deccan Plateau is a TRIANGULAR plateau in southern India, with black soil excellent for cotton.'
- 'The Western Ghats are high and continuous. The Eastern Ghats are low and broken.'
- 'India has two coastal plains — narrow western (with harbours) and wide eastern (with deltas).'
- 'Mumbai, Chennai, and Kochi are major PORT cities.'
- 'The Deccan Plateau has rich MINERAL resources — iron ore, coal, gold, diamonds.'
8. Self-Test
Q1: What is a plateau? Name the major plateau of India.
Q2: Why is black soil (regur) important?
Q3: Name the two mountain ranges along India's west and east coasts.
Q4: Which Ghat is higher and gets more rainfall?
Q5: Name three states located on the Deccan Plateau.
Q6: Which coast is wider — the western or eastern coastal plain? Why?
Q7: Name two crops grown in coastal regions.
Q8: What is special about Mumbai and Kochi as ports?
Answers:
A1: A plateau is a high, flat land. The Deccan Plateau is the major plateau of India. A2: Black soil (regur) is excellent for growing COTTON because it retains moisture. A3: Western Ghats (west coast) and Eastern Ghats (east coast). A4: The Western Ghats are higher and get more rainfall from the Arabian Sea monsoons. A5: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh (any three). A6: The Eastern Coastal Plain is wider because several large rivers (Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri) have created wide deltas there. A7: Rice and coconuts (or spices, sugarcane, cashews). A8: They are NATURAL HARBOURS — protected from storms by the geography of the coast. Ships can dock safely.
