MAPPING : MAJOR LANDFORMS OF THE WORLD-2

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

MAPPING : MAJOR LANDFORMS OF THE WORLD-2

1. Taurus Mountains

The Taurus Mountains stretch across southern Turkey along the Mediterranean coast. They form a natural barrier between the Mediterranean coastal plains and the Anatolian Plateau. The range consists mainly of limestone rocks, resulting in numerous caves, sinkholes, and karst landforms. The Taurus Mountains receive significant winter snowfall, feeding rivers such as the Tigris and Euphrates. Rich forests of pine, cedar, and fir cover many slopes, supporting diverse wildlife. The mountains have historically protected Anatolia from invasions and continue to play an important role in agriculture, hydroelectric power generation, tourism, and biodiversity conservation.

2. Central Siberian Plateau

The Central Siberian Plateau lies between the Yenisei and Lena Rivers in Russia. It is one of the world's largest plateau regions, covering vast areas of central Siberia. The plateau consists mainly of ancient volcanic rocks and contains extensive deposits of coal, nickel, diamonds, gold, and other valuable minerals. Dense taiga forests dominate the landscape, while rivers flowing across the plateau provide hydroelectric potential. The harsh continental climate results in long, extremely cold winters and short summers. Despite its remote location, the Central Siberian Plateau is economically important because of its abundant natural resources and mining industries.

3. Tibetan Plateau

The Tibetan Plateau, known as the "Roof of the World," is the highest and largest plateau on Earth, with an average elevation exceeding 4,500 metres. It spans China, India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, it is the source of major Asian rivers, including the Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Yangtze, Yellow, Mekong, and Salween. The plateau strongly influences the Asian monsoon and global atmospheric circulation. Rich in glaciers, grasslands, and unique wildlife, it is ecologically important despite its harsh climate and sparse population.

4. Anatolian Plateau

The Anatolian Plateau occupies much of central Turkey and lies between the Pontic Mountains in the north and the Taurus Mountains in the south. It is a high plateau characterized by semi-arid climate, volcanic landscapes, fertile basins, and salt lakes. Agriculture, especially wheat cultivation and livestock farming, is common in the region. The plateau contains several extinct volcanoes, including Mount Erciyes. Historically, Anatolia has been a crossroads of civilizations, linking Europe and Asia. Today, it supports major cities, transportation networks, and economic activities while remaining one of Turkey's most important geographical regions.

5. South America (Continent)

South America is the fourth-largest continent in the world and lies entirely in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. The continent is connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama. South America is home to the Amazon River, the world's largest river by discharge, and the Andes Mountains, the world's longest continental mountain range. Brazil is the largest country, while Aconcagua (6,961 m) is the highest peak. Rich biodiversity, tropical rainforests, minerals, and agricultural resources make South America globally significant.

6. Andes Mountains

The Andes Mountains are the world's longest continental mountain range, extending about 7,000 km along the western coast of South America through Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Formed by the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate, the Andes contain numerous volcanoes, glaciers, and mineral deposits. The highest peak is Mount Aconcagua (6,961 m) in Argentina, the tallest mountain outside Asia. The Andes influence the continent's climate by creating rain-shadow regions and supporting unique ecosystems. They are also rich in copper, silver, gold, and lithium, making them economically important.

7. Aconcagua

Mount Aconcagua is the highest mountain in South America and the tallest peak outside Asia, standing at 6,961 metres above sea level. It is located in the Andes Mountains of western Argentina near the Chilean border. Aconcagua was formed through tectonic uplift caused by the convergence of the Nazca and South American Plates. Although it is not an active volcano, it is one of the world's famous mountaineering destinations. The mountain is covered by glaciers that supply freshwater to nearby regions. Climbers from around the world attempt to summit Aconcagua due to its remarkable height and relatively accessible climbing routes.

8. Guiana Highlands

The Guiana Highlands occupy northern South America across Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and northern Brazil. These ancient Precambrian rocks form one of the oldest geological regions on Earth. The highlands are famous for their flat-topped mountains called tepuis, dramatic waterfalls, and dense tropical forests. Angel Falls, the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall, is located here. Rich in iron ore, bauxite, gold, and diamonds, the region has immense mineral wealth. The Guiana Highlands support exceptional biodiversity with many endemic plant and animal species. Their rivers also contribute significantly to the Orinoco and Amazon drainage systems.

9. Brazilian Highlands

The Brazilian Highlands cover much of eastern and central Brazil and consist of ancient crystalline rocks and volcanic plateaus. This elevated region includes rolling hills, escarpments, and fertile valleys that support agriculture and large cities such as Brasília, São Paulo, and Belo Horizonte. The highlands are rich in iron ore, manganese, gold, and other minerals, making them economically important. Rivers originating here, including tributaries of the Amazon, Paraná, and São Francisco, provide hydroelectric power and irrigation. The region experiences tropical and subtropical climates, supporting forests, grasslands, and extensive coffee, soybean, and sugarcane cultivation.

10. Altiplano Plateau

The Altiplano Plateau is a high-altitude plateau located between the eastern and western ranges of the Andes in Bolivia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. With an average elevation of about 3,750 metres, it is the world's second-highest plateau after the Tibetan Plateau. The Altiplano contains vast grasslands, salt flats, volcanic peaks, and important lakes such as Lake Titicaca. The plateau supports farming, llama and alpaca grazing, and mining activities. Rich deposits of lithium, silver, and tin are found here. Despite its harsh climate and thin air, millions of people have adapted to living in this unique environment.

11. Atacama Desert

The Atacama Desert stretches along northern Chile and southern Peru and is considered the driest non-polar desert on Earth. Some regions receive almost no rainfall for decades due to the cold Humboldt Current and the rain-shadow effect of the Andes Mountains. Despite extreme dryness, the desert contains valuable deposits of copper, lithium, nitrates, and salt. The clear skies and low humidity make it one of the world's best locations for astronomical observatories. Unique plants and animals survive in this harsh environment. Scientists also study the Atacama because its conditions resemble those found on Mars.

12. Patagonian Desert

The Patagonian Desert lies in southern Argentina between the Andes Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. It is the largest desert in Argentina and one of the world's largest cold deserts. The Andes block moist Pacific winds, creating dry conditions across Patagonia. The landscape consists of rocky plains, gravel, shrubs, and sparse vegetation adapted to strong winds and low rainfall. Wildlife includes guanacos, rheas, foxes, and armadillos. Although agriculture is limited, sheep farming is widespread. The region also contains significant reserves of oil, natural gas, and minerals, making it economically important despite its harsh environment.

13. Amazon Basin

The Amazon Basin is the world's largest river basin, covering about 7 million square kilometres across Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. It is drained by the Amazon River and thousands of tributaries. The basin contains the Amazon Rainforest, the largest tropical rainforest on Earth, often called the "lungs of the planet." It supports extraordinary biodiversity, including millions of plant, animal, and insect species. The basin regulates the global climate, stores vast amounts of carbon, and provides freshwater, food, medicines, and livelihoods to millions of people.

14. Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca lies on the border between Peru and Bolivia at an elevation of about 3,812 metres, making it the world's highest navigable lake. Covering over 8,300 square kilometres, it is South America's largest freshwater lake by volume. The lake supports rich aquatic biodiversity and is home to unique species such as the Titicaca water frog. It has great cultural importance as the birthplace of the Inca civilization according to legend. Local communities rely on the lake for fishing, transportation, agriculture, and tourism. Floating islands made from reeds are a unique attraction of Lake Titicaca.