Question

What is the difference between a mountain and a plateau?

Answer 1

Sr. No.	Mountain	Plateau
1.	A mountain is a naturally elevated surface with a small summit and a broad base.	A plateau is elevated flatlands. It is often called tableland because of the flat surface.
2.	It is considerably higher than in the surrounding area. Height of a mountain is more than 900 metres.	It is less high than the mountains with one or more sides having steep slopes. Its height varies from a few hundred metres to several thousand metres.
3.	It consists of a series of ranges extending over hundreds of kilometres.	It may consist of some series.
4.	Mountains vary in their heights and shapes because of their formation and age.	Plateaus vary in age.
5.	Mountains are mainly of two types: young and old mountains.	Plateaus are of several types-intermontane piedmonts, old, new etc.
6.	The Himalayas, Alps, Rockies and Andes are young while Atlas, Ural, Aravalli etc. are old mountains.	Deccan plateau of India, Brazil, Africa and Australia are old plateaus while Tibet plateau is a new plateau with the height varying from 4000-6000 metres, above mean sea level.