Question

Given below are some geographical areas given to you. Complete the table in your notebook thinking about similarities between them and their types. One has been done for you as an example. Answer the questions that follow:

Geographical areas	Common factors/characteristics	Type
Ganga river basin, Amazon river basin, Mississippi river basin, Nile river basin	River basins	Physical
Himalayan region, Alps, Western Ghats, Rockies, Caucasus
Marathwada, Vidarbha, Khandesh, Konkan, Western Maharashtra
Thar Desert, Arabian Desert, Gobi Desert, Sahara Desert
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, Manipur
Pune, Bhopal, New York, Manchester, Munich, Shanghai
Parbhani, Nagpur, Palghar, Kolhapur, Solapur
Hindi-speaking belt, Bengali-speaking belt, Marathi-speaking belt, Kannada-speaking belt, Urdu-speaking belt
Delhi University campus, Punjab University campus, Mumbai University campus, Vanasthali University campus

1. While completing the above table, how did you decide the common factor between these areas?
2. How did you differentiate one area from another?
3. Is the common factor the only basis of differentiation?
4. Make a list of characteristics which can be the basis of different areas separately.

Answer 1

Geographical areas	Common factors/characteristics	Type
Ganga river basin, Amazon river basin, Mississippi river basin, Nile river basin	River basins	Physical
Himalayan region, Alps, Western Ghats, Rockies, Caucasus	Mountain regions	Physical
Marathwada, Vidarbha, Khandesh, Konkan, Western Maharashtra	Regional divisions of Maharashtra	Political / Human
Thar Desert, Arabian Desert, Gobi Desert, Sahara Desert	Desert regions	Physical
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, Manipur	States / administrative regions	Political
Pune, Bhopal, New York, Manchester, Munich, Shanghai	Cities / urban regions	Political / Human
Parbhani, Nagpur, Palghar, Kolhapur, Solapur	Districts / administrative regions	Political
Hindi-speaking belt, Bengali-speaking belt, Marathi-speaking belt, Kannada-speaking belt, Urdu-speaking belt	Language	Human / Cultural
Delhi University campus, Punjab University campus, Mumbai University campus, Vanasthali University campus	Educational institutions / university campuses	Human

1. The areas were grouped by identifying a common characteristic, such as rivers, mountains, deserts, administrative boundaries, language, cities or educational functions.
2. The areas were differentiated on the basis of their physical features, political boundaries and human or cultural characteristics.
3. No. A region can be differentiated on the basis of more than one characteristic. Physical, political, economic, social and cultural factors may all be used.
4. The following characteristics can be used:
   • Relief
   • Climate
   • Rivers and drainage
   • Soil and vegetation
   • Political or administrative boundaries
   • Language
   • Culture
   • Economic activities
   • Population
   • Urban or rural characteristics
   • Educational or other functions