Major Landforms Of The Earth (Basic Types)

Mountains

Mountains are large landforms that rise prominently above the surrounding land. They have steep slopes and high peaks.

Types of Mountains:

• Fold Mountains: Formed by the folding of Earth's crust due to tectonic forces (e.g., Himalayas).
• Block Mountains: Created when large blocks of Earth's crust are uplifted or tilted (e.g., Sierra Nevada).
• Volcanic Mountains: Formed by volcanic activity (e.g., Mount Kilimanjaro).

Mountains influence climate, are sources of rivers, and have rich biodiversity.

Plateaus

Plateaus are flat-topped elevated areas that stand above the surrounding land. They are also called tablelands.

Features:

• Rich in minerals and fossil fuels.
• Good for mining and tourism.
• Examples: Deccan Plateau (India), Colorado Plateau (USA).

Plateaus may have scenic waterfalls, deep valleys, and fertile soil in some regions.

Plains

Plains are large stretches of flat land. Most plains are formed by river deposits.

Features:

• Highly fertile and suitable for agriculture.
• Support large populations due to ease of settlement and transportation.
• Examples: Indo-Gangetic Plain (India), Great Plains (USA).

Plains are also centres for industrial and economic activities.

Landforms And The People

Different landforms influence the lifestyle, economy, and culture of people:

• Mountains: Encourage tourism, terrace farming, and promote adventure sports.
• Plateaus: Offer mineral resources, enabling mining and energy production.
• Plains: Support agriculture and urbanization due to fertile soil and ease of transport.

Human life and activities are closely linked to the geography of the region.